Introduction

Ayurvedic Skin Care depends on different skin types in Ayurveda. The first approach to Ayurvedic skin care is to find out the skin type according to Doshas. The skin is the largest organ of the body and is a reflection of the overall health. It is the seat of all the sense organs. Skin feels the touch, pain, temperature and pressure. It gives external covering to the body.

The skin has seven layers which gets nutrition from Mansa Dhatu (muscle tissue). Skin is the Upa Dhatu (secondary tissue) of the Rakta Dhatu (blood). The skin acts as the mirror that reflects the qualities of the Rakta dhatu (blood) and the Rasa dhatu (body`s plasma tissue).

Skin Types in Ayurveda

There are different types of skin according to Ayurveda. The skin type depends on fundamental element that is predominant on the skin. Depending on this element, the texture and nature of the skin is determined.

`Space` Predominant Skin: The fundamental element `space` reflects the impact of the environment on the skin type. This type is skin texture is thinner than other skin types, dull in lustre and prone to peeling, injury and there are chances of getting scratched. The pores of the skin are very small in size. With aging this types of skin even becomes thinner. The space predominant skin is very delicate and hence can`t be exposed too much in sun or wind. Soft massage and soft touch are very helpful for this type of skin. Facial skin of this type is very sensitive to electromagnetic vibrations and negative energy in the environment.

`Air` Predominant Skin: Air is another fundamental element that provides lightness and delicacy to the skin. Air predominant skin is very dry and becomes excessive dry in the winter season. This type of skin tends to be dry during the hot weather season also. The pores are little larger than space predominant skin type.

Air predominant skin is much sensitive to cold and windy weather. The skin type is delicate but not as delicate as the space predominant skin type. Like space predominant skin air predominant skin type is also very prone to peeling off or flaking, and susceptible to getting injury or scratch.

`Fire` Predominant Skin: Fundamental element fire brings natural glow and luminosity to the skin. Fire predominant skin has a pinkish tone and warm to touch. This type of skin has medium sized pores.

Fire predominant skin is most prone to the effect of emotional trauma. People, having fire predominant skin cannot tolerate sun and hot foods like long hot red peppers and cayenne pepper etc.

`Water` Predominant Skin : When water as the fundamental element is predominant in the skin, it gives the skin a supple, dewy look. The skin is pale, relatively thick and feels cool to touch. This type of skin has a dull look, overly hydrated and semi-thick. The pores on this type of skin are semi dilated and can be clogged very easily. The skin can hold toxins. The water predominant skin is susceptible to breakouts and other serious problems like eczema. This type of skin is more resistant to light or any other negative vibration impact.

`Earth` Predominant Skin: When the fundamental element `Earth` is predominant it imparts firmness and thickness to the skin giving it definite form and structure. This type of skin is typically greasy. This is the thickest type of skin among the other skin types. The skin has large pores. The earth predominating skin looks dull if not meticulously cleaned and exfoliated regularly. But if this skin is properly cleansed the earth predominating skin does not show the usual signs of aging, like wrinkles or sags. This skin type retain toxin than any other skin type. If not taken care of the skin properly this type of skin develops much problem because of its inherent oiliness.

Ayurvedic Care for Oily Skin

Oily skin needs special care as it might cause several other problems. Hormonal imbalance occurs in adolescence period that is the main cause of oily skin. This is the commonest skin type among teenagers. More oil is secreted during teenage and the oil secretion reduces with the advancement of age.

Hormonal imbalance also appears during pregnancy and menopause. This might lead to increase of oil secretion from the oil glands of skin. Sometimes contraceptive pills and cosmetics also increase the natural oil secretion. Humidity and hot weather are two natural conditions that increase oil secretion from skin. The oil secreting glands of skin becomes overactive and thus produces much oil. The excess oil thus oozes out and gives the skin a shiny greasy look and due to the enlarged pores the skin looks coarse.

According to Ayurveda the qualities of skin are determined by tridoshas. The dosha, which is dominant in skin, determines the quality and type of the skin. When Kapha dosha is dominant, the skin is oily, shiny and soft and the complexion of the skin is very glowing. Wrinkles develop at the older age of life. When kapha dosha is imbalanced the skin pores get enlarged and acne pimples start to appear.

There are many problems that might aggravated by the oily skin like enlarged pores, black heads, acne and pimples, coarse texture of skin etc, Sometimes skin becomes darker due to more oiliness and more prone to moist eczema. The fungal infections are also very common problem in case of oily skin.

Ayurveda has several remedies to cope up with the problems of oily skin. Ayurveda suggests washing the skin with plenty of warm water (2-3 times a day) and mild soap or herbal scrub to prevent the clogging of the pores. One should not wash the skin too much as excessive washing causes overproduction of oil to compensate the loss. While washing the face, one should avoid using harsh chemicals to remove oil, as some amount of natural oil is needed to maintain the good texture of the skin.

Hot water should be used to wash the face as it dissolves the oil that clogs the pores and also balances kapha. The oil-free moisture should be used in case of oily skin. Sticky make up should be avoided that clogs the pores. Half spoon of lemon juice and half spoon of cucumber juice can be applied to the face thirty minutes before taking the bath. Equal parts of lemon juice and water can be mixed to apply on the face and then the face should be rinsed with warm water first and then followed by cold water after it is dried. Heavy food or deep fried food or fatty food should be avoided.

Also cheese and sugar rich deserts should not be taken. Light well-spiced food balance kapha dosha and the foods that cause constipation should be avoided. Inclusion of ginger, pepper and long pepper in diet is very helpful. Regular exercise removes the skin toxins and thus useful to solve the problems of the oily skin. Plenty of leafy green vegetables and fresh fruits are always helpful to rejuvenate skin problems. And last but not the least, excessive consumption of soft drinks, alcohol, tea, coffee and chocolates should be avoided.

Ayurvedic Care for Dry Skin

The skin loses its capacity to retain moisture with the advancement of age. Thus skin loses the oiliness and gradually becomes dry. The extreme climatic condition also enhances the dryness of the skin.

According to Ayurveda the skin type is determined by the predominant doshas in the skin among the three types of doshas. When Vata dosha is domimant in the skin it determines that the type of the skin will be dry, thin, delicate and cold to touch. When Vata dosha is imbalanced in the body, the skin becomes rough, scaly and wrinkled.

Dry skin types have many problems, like- development of wrinkles at the early age, scaly, cracked and rough skin, aged looks dull and lifeless appearance. Dry skins are more prone to fungal infection and dry eczema.

Ayurvada has many solutions to prevent dry skin problems. It advises to prevent further drying of the skin by protecting the moisture content of the skin. Cold food, deep-fried food, dry food and the foods that are not much fresh should be avoided. Fresh warm food with little fat like ghee or olive oil should be consumed. Further drying of skin and losing the skin moisture should be checked. Sour and salty foods should be included in the diet. Sweet juicy fruits or fruit juice are especially helpful in case of dry skin. Eight hours of sleep is much necessary in case of dry skin problems. Plenty of waters should be drunk (at least 7-9 glasses everyday) but cold water should be avoided as it aggravates vata dosha.