Creating a simple skincare routine without a ton of added chemicals can be somewhat impossible for those relying on conventional methods. These easy skin care tips based on an Ayurvedic approach will have your skin looking it’s radiant best.
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AYURVEDA
Ayurveda, meaning “knowledge of life”, is an ancient whole-body healing system. In the simplest of terms, Ayurveda is “The Science Of Life”. The foundational belief of this 5000-year-old system is the knowledge that “beauty comes from within” by balancing the right nutrition, exercise, and skin care routines. A detailed read on Ayurveda, written by NAMA outlines in depth Ayurveda and it’s approach to healing.
Time proven remedies and recipes are recommended based on your individual “dosha” or constitution. Dosha types are based on the five elements of Ayurvedic medicine; ether, air, fire, water, and earth. To find out your constitutional makeup or dosha type visit HERE to take this simple test!
DOSHA TYPES & SKIN CARE
Once you have determined your dosha type(s), you may have more than one, you can then begin to determine the best approach to your skincare regime. Each dosha, Vata, Pitta, Kapha, has it’s own unique determining factors with regard to skin.
VATA thin, dry, fine-pored, delicate and wrinkle prone
PITTA prone to rashes, breakouts, and rosacea
KAPHA thicker, oily skin that is prone to enlarged pores, blackheads, and eczema
OTHER FACTORS
As the five elements direct the Ayurvedic approach, it stands to reason that as seasons change, and years accumulate, our skincare routine should adjust as well. For example, utilizing the Ayurvedic “principles of opposites” summertime begs for a cooling Pitta approach to skincare. Eat cooling foods; think cucumbers, salads, and cool hydrating drinks. Approach your skincare with cooling elements; think light, pure and natural ingredients that calm and balance the skin; sunflower, grapeseed, and coconut would be good oil choices.
In contrast, the harsh dryness of winter begs for a more warming Vata pacifying approach. Eat nourishing foods that are warm and moist; think soups, steamed veggies, ghee, and hydrating with warm drinks; herbal teas, and golden milk (see my post on Golden Paste for recipe). Finding a balance of both water & healthy oils, for me, it’s Bragg’s Extra Virgin Olive Oil, both by eating as well as massaging the oil into the skin, your skin will remain moist and well hydrated during the colder months.
MY DAILY ROUTINE
I utilize the oil cleansing method in my daily routine. Keep an eye out for a future post on this method detailing the how’s and why’s. For now, suffice it to say, I combine organic olive oil and organic castor oil (2:1 ratio for my Vata-Kapha) and cleanse morning and night. Drying my face well after cleansing, I moisturize.
A little over a year ago, I came across an amazing line of products from The Ayurveda Experience. I find these oils and methods have reduced my fine lines and kept my face soft and supple without issue. After my cleanse, to moisturize daily I highly recommend Kesaradi Oil. This tri-doshic (meaning good for all three dosha types) pacifying oil gives my skin a brighter, softer texture. I literally use only 4-5 drops of this oil on my face and neck after cleansing to moisturize in the mornings.
After cleansing before bed, I prefer to use the Manjish Glow Elixir. This Pitta-Vata pacifying oil makes my face radiant and deeply moisturized.
I also make an undereye treatment made with 100 washed ghee, essential oils of rose and frankincense that I use nightly, post coming soon on how to make it.
WEEKLY ROUTINE
Once per week, I give myself a 1/2 hour mini-spa facial treatment. I have found that by giving myself a facial massage, my skin has become more supple, soft, and seems to be holding the wrinkles at bay.
After oil cleansing, I apply about 10-12 drops of the Kesaradi Oil and liberally spread across my face and neck. Using a Kansa Wand I self-massage for about 15-20 minutes. This wand is amazing and the results are immediately seen. My skin is tighter, and more radiant after use. Quite frankly, it also relaxes the tension I hold in my jaw quite beautifully.
This routine is a simple one that can be used at any age. It’s never too young to begin taking care of your skin. The advice I wish I had followed earlier in my life. That’s my routine in a nutshell. By taking simple steps to take care of yourself both inside and out, drinking lots of water, eating nourishing, organic, whole foods, and maintaining daily exercise, you can assure that the beautiful face seen by the world is a radiant, healthy one.
If you haven’t already checked out the article, “Ancient Anti-Aging Moisturizer That Will Love Your Face” be sure to do so for an in-depth tutorial on how to make your own 100 washed ghee moisturizer. This would be a wonderful addition to any skincare routine!
Love, Light, & Laughter~
35 comments
Really great info! I haven’t heard of any of this, so I found it enlightening.
Enjoyed reading your post. Before I moved to this country Ayurvedic full body massages weekly or if not monthly was a routine back home.It was a way of life there & perhaps why these foods and herbs you mention is also part of the norm. I had forgotten about my Dosha, thanks to you found that I am a Kapha -Vata combination with more of the former. Loved reading about your skin care routine & would love to incorporate it in my own here. Somehow your post rekindled the need for self care through Ayurveda again. thank you so much for all the info, will try to get the Kesaradi oil & wand.
How fortunate for you that you were brought up using this amazing modality! I’m so happy this has rekindled an interest in this practice for you. Thank you for reading and sharing your memories with me!
This sounds incredibly interesting! I’m always looking for new skin care ideas.
Really interesting info! I took the test…I was surprised to see how correct the results were! So interesting!
Most are a bit surprised, LOL! It truly is an ancient system that is so accurate! Thanks for reading Barbara!
The Kansa wand is interesting. How does it tighten the skin?
Hi Bonnie~
The Kansa wand is forged from a combination of metals (the same metals that Tibetans use to create bells & gongs, thus known as “bell metal”) that balance pH levels. By touching the metal wand to the skin helps to balance the skins pH levels. Skin high in acidic levels can cause skin issues of all kinds including premature aging. Using the wand increases oxygen levels as well through massage and lympatic drainage (reducing puffiness etc). Hope that answers some of your questions! Thanks so much for reaching out.
This really is a simple routine – I’m definitely kapha – I think I could stick to it!
Somewhere between Pitta and Kapha is where my skin lies. The wand seems like a great way to relax that jaw! I know I hold a lot of tension there on some days.
Good info. I’ve never really had a skin care routine or even given much thought to it. Thanks for sharing.
This looks like a great product to try and being ayurvedic makes it more up my alley. Frankincense oil is amazing and I do really love the scent.
Lots of interesting products. I’ve never spent too much time on my skin, I think I need to start.
I definitely need to look into this more.
I have so much tension in my jaw. I haven’t heard of using a Kansa Wand before. But your routine sounds relaxing. And my jaw would appreciate the relief!
So excited to use your moisturizer recipe; I finally gathered everything together, and my daughter is coming over Friday morning for “chemistry day!”
Let me know if you have any questions! Enjoy!
These sound like amazing products!
Great information and never heard of classifying my skin type. Even though older, I would say I am likely Kapha. Interesting read and one to encourage me to be better at skin care. Thanks for your post.
I like your suggestions for good skin care both inside and out.
I need a pronunciation guide, ha ha! This was informative. I let my husband know what his skin type was, too, and how to help it. 🙂
Hahaha! They can be tricky to pronounce!
I found this interesting! I don’t think much about skin care very often, though I should. I will have to look into these techniques more and perhaps try it!
I like that it is just three drops and gorgeous! That is nice!
The oils last me at least a year if not more! Definitely nice 🙂
That wand looks so cool! Great, natural way to stimulate collagen production
I would have liked to have seen some before and after pictures of the products usage in the post.
Great information! I always try to eat the right things because everything we consume has an effect in some way. I know I definitely should lay off of sugar a little better but all in all I am fairly healthy. My skin has always been important to me and I love that you are sharing how to go completely natural. Currently I use a lot of Pixi products but every few years I wind up switching things up. As you age things change and what may have worked when you were 16 doesn’t work as well when you’re in you’re 20s/30s. I live in Florida and although it’s the sunshine state I rarely hang in the sun. Though sunshine is good for you, too much isn’t good for the skin and that has always stuck with me. I look forward to seeing your diy recipes for skincare!
I like how you bring out that pursuing health (and healthy skin) is a many-pronged approach, requiring more than just products. It is a lifestyle choice of eating right, exercise, drinking enough water, etc. Then the skin care routine becomes a bonus on top of all the other good choices. I’d love to try the wand you mentioned as well. I’ll bet that would do wonders for my skin.
I was really amazed at the difference the wand made with my skin. Hope you can give it a try, and thank you for reading & your thoughts!
Hi! I think I’m a combination of Pitta-Kapha skin. It’s winter so I should have Vata foods like hearty soup, herbal teas, and golden milk for my skin. I’ll have to check out that recipe for golden milk. Out of curiosity, does the Kapha dosha cover spring/fall and have its own foods?
Hi Cristina ~
Kapha can become aggravated from the coldest days of winter through early spring. This is the season when you would want to focus on foods that are lighter, drier & warming. As soon as they become available foods such as early spring greens (dandelion, sprouts), and cleansing foods such as asparagus etc. should be the main focus to pacify kapha imbalances. Think of it as “cleaning house” from the colder winter months.
Thanks so much for reaching out! Hope this helps.
Love, Light & Laughter
Suzan
Thank you for sharing these intriguing products! I have a mixture of all three skin types but as I am aging, my vata area is increasing! I am excited to read your DIY!
I am a Vata, and have very dry skin. I use the oil cleansing method, cleansing my face with Avocado oil just a few times a week and I often still feel dried out. I haven’t heard of these products before. I’m interested in checking out the Kesaradi oil and will watch for your post with your Undereye treatment. Thanks for sharing!
Julie
Hi Julie~
Vata is exasperated for sure during this season! Be sure to check out my latest post, https://www.itsmysustainablelife.com/ancient-anti-aging-moisturizer-that-will-love-your-face/, as this is one moisturizer you can make yourself and works amazing on my dry skin. Undereye post coming soon!