Skincare is an absolute must if you want to remain wrinkles-free and defy aging. Healthy and glowing skin gives you a fresh, youthful, and pleasing look. Healthy skin is not just about looks, but it also reflects a healthy and balanced metabolism, lesser toxins in the blood, a nutritional diet, etc.
When it comes to skincare, markets are filled with Ayurvedic and regular chemical-based skincare solutions. Most regular cosmetic products contain chemical ingredients that can cause serious health risks for consumers, even in smaller amounts.
Frequent exposure to these chemical ingredients like propylene glycol, paraffin, formaldehyde, and parabens can create problems like allergies, respiratory issues, derange sexual development, weaken immunity, and even cause cancer. On the other hand, Ayurvedic solutions use organic nature-based herbal ingredients with their own pros and cons.
People often get perplexed about whether to go for organic and nature-based Ayurvedic skincare solutions or regular chemical-based products. In this article, we will discuss what skincare is as per Ayurveda? Skin types as per Ayurveda? Best skincare solutions as per Ayurveda? Pros and cons of using Ayurvedic skincare solutions and much more.
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Skincare and beauty as per Ayurveda
Ayurveda is the ancient holistic healing science that originated in the Indian subcontinent. This ancient science was discovered by sages and was recorded in ancient Sanskrit texts. Ayurveda harmoniously combines various aspects like diet, mental health, exercise, and medications to prescribe the right solutions as per one’s body.
As per the verse, “Roopam, gunam, vayastyag, iti shubhanga karanam,” beauty includes inner, outer, and lasting beauty. Apart from the localized aspect of skincare, Ayurveda also focuses on personal hygiene, diet, yoga, and medications to cure the root cause of the problem and provide long-lasting therapeutic relief.
The approach of normal skincare solutions
Normal skincare solutions focus more on localized aspects like toning, cleaning, and moisturizing rather than the underlying health issue. Products like moisturizers, toners, face masks, creams, etc., do provide localized relief but do not help provide a long-lasting cure.
Skin types as per Ayurveda
Ayurveda defines skin based on the three doshas, i.e., vatta, pitta, and Kapha. When the three doshas are balanced, the skin is healthy, Kapha provides proper moisture balance, pitta helps maintain hormonal metabolism, and Vata helps maintain adequate blood circulation. The skin types are defined per the imbalance of the doshas.
- Vata skin- Dry, cool, thin skin, dark circles, chapped skin, early wrinkles, greyish paleness, etc.
- Pitta skin- Sensitive, sunburns, looks rosy, warm, prone to rashes, acne, discolourations, inflammation, etc.
- Kapha- Moist, oily, thick skin, issues like oedema, blackheads, pimples, etc.
Knowing your skin type and the dosha you need to balance helps you find the right ayurvedic skin care solution as per your physiology.
Ayurvedic skincare solutions
Ayurveda has a range of skincare solutions ranging from natural home remedies to asanas to herbal medications. Finding the right solution for you depends on your skin type and dosha. Some of the ayurvedic skincare solutions are-
- Dinacharya or daily routine- Skincare in Ayurveda with your daily personal hygiene, including taking a bath, exfoliation, etc., to keep your skin clean. Natural homemade remedies like Multani mitti, Ubtan, etc., are also used to cleanse the skin.
- Abhyanga or oil massage- Ayurveda prescribes daily oil massage before bath to keep skin moist and healthy, especially during winter. Oil is applied to both the face and body. Oil like mustard oil and coconut oil nourish the inner layers of skin and keep the skin fresh. There are also various medicinal oils for skin care, such as kayakalpa oil, kumkumadi oil, winsoria oil, etc.
- Water and diet- Water is the main element in maintaining healthy skin. Make sure that you drink an adequate amount of water daily to help keep your skin moist and cleanse the toxins. For diet, it’s best to take seasonal fruits and vegetables to ensure the proper nutrients in the body as per the season. The best foods for the skin are- amla, papaya, buttermilk, aloe vera juice, etc.
- Medications- Ayurveda prescribes various herbal medicines as per the dosha. These medicines are crushed and boiled in water to form a concentrate called Kadha. It ensures quick absorption of the antioxidants and active elements in the herbs. Some common medications are Manjishtadi kwath, a well-known blood purifier; Mahathikthaka Ghritham, an effective herbal ghee that helps treat pitta dosha; etc.
- Asanas- Asanas help in improving blood circulation and maintaining hormonal balance. Some of the best asanas for skincare are- Padmasana, Paschimottanasana, Ustrasana, Dhanurasana, Sarvangasana, Matsyasana, Halasana, Uttanasana, etc.
Normal skincare solutions
Solutions provided under regular skincare are-
- Serums– Serums are light liquid concentrates of active ingredients applied to the affected area. They are usually water or oil-based liquids for easy absorption and drug delivery to the inner layers of skin. Serum usually contains vitamins like vitamin A, Vitamin e, DMAE, hyaluronic acid, tea polyphenols, etc., to ensure healthier skin. As serum contains light acids, it’s better to use them on prescription.
- Moisturizer– They moisten the skin and contain many chemicals to provide fragrance. Everyday use of moisturizer is usually not recommended.
- Toners- Toners are alcohol-based products that help shrink skin pores and cleanse the skin. It removes dead skin cells, helps clear skin pores of dirt, and moistens the skin.
- Skin creams are emulsions of oil and water that help nourish and moisten the skin and hide wrinkles and lines. It’s best for people having dry skin.
Ayurvedic or Normal Skincare
Ayurveda products are at a better advantage as they provide long-lasting solutions and treatments for the skin. Although normal skincare solutions don’t last long, they provide much-needed quick relief. People who want to cure their skin problems rather than apply quick-fix solutions should definitely consider Ayurvedic skincare.
Want to be an Ayurvedic Dermatologist
If you are a dermatology enthusiast and want to build a promising career as an Ayurvedic doctor, kickstart your career by getting a BAMS degree. Many good Ayurveda colleges like MAMC, BHU, Sri Sai, etc., are spread all over India. One can easily find an ayurvedic college in Bhopal, Varanasi, Jaipur, etc. Colleges like MAMC, one of the leading BAMS colleges in MP, also have a dedicated Ayurvedic hospital in Bhopal to provide suitable training and experience to students.
