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Ayurveda
Ayurvedic Tips for
Summer Skin Care
Summer is
here, and you can't wait to plunge into the pool or head for the
beach. But before you rush out to sample the joys of summertime, make sure
you are following a diet and routine that will help keep Pitta dosha in
balance.
According to
ayurveda, every individual is a unique combination of the three doshas or
psycho-physiological principles Vata, Pitta and Kapha. Vata is mainly air
and space, Pitta fire and water and Kapha water and earth. These doshas
also govern the seasons of the year, with Pitta, the fire element, ruling
the hot summer months. During the summer, even if you do not have a lot of
Pitta in your make-up, you may find that you need to take steps to placate
Pitta to stay healthy and balanced. This goes not only for your overall
health but skin and hair health as well.
Here are some
suggestions to keep your skin looking beautiful all summer long:
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Drink lots of
water through the day, not only to replenish moisture lost to the heat and
sweat but also to help flush toxins out of the body and keep skin looking
clear and lustrous. Herb or spice teas, made with skin-enhancing
ingredients, offer added therapeutic benefit. To balance Pitta, choose
cooling herbs and spices such as mint, cardamom and fennel. Stay away from
iced beverages because they hinder digestion and can create toxins leading
to skin breakouts.
-
Eat Pitta-balancing
fruits, vegetables and herbs, which supply the skin with essential
nutrients and come with free-radical fighting antioxidant properties while
they help keep your skin cool. Carrots, lettuce, summer squash such as
zucchini, celery, asparagus and leafy greens are good vegetable choices.
Sweet juicy fruits such as pears, grapes, watermelon and mangoes both
nourish and cleanse. Fresh ginger, cilantro, mint and basil add flavor and
aromas to dishes without aggravating Pitta dosha.
-
The sweet,
bitter and astringent tastes balance Pitta while the sour, pungent and
salty tastes aggravate it. Go easy on spicy or sour foods, especially if
you plan to go out and enjoy the sun for the day, to keep your skin from
breaking out or getting inflamed.
-
Milk is a
cooling, Pitta-pacifying beverage that also supplies nutrients to your
skin and helps to keep it from drying out. Drink a cup of milk every day,
and also combine milk with ingredients like almond meal and rose water to
make a Pitta-balancing skin cleanser.
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Get plenty of
quality rest each night. Keep your bedroom cool, dark and comfortable and
sleep on cotton or linen sheets. Get to bed early and awaken early for
clear healthy skin and sparkling eyes.
-
Pitta dosha
governs the heart and emotions. When you feel stressed, angry or
frustrated, your skin will show it over time as furrows and small lines
and breakouts. Practice calming yoga poses or meditation to stay serene
and help your body and mind manage stress. Diffuse Pitta-balancing
essential oils, such as rose, sandalwood and lavender to keep mind and
heart balanced. Walk on the beach or through a cool shady garden.
-
The sun can
increase sebum production, causing your skin to look oily on occasion.
When the oil combines with dirt and sweat, pores get clogged. Be
meticulous about your cleansing routine, morning and night. Use a non-soap
based gentle cleanser that will deep cleanse without drying out the skin.
A good cleansing mix for dry/normal skin can be made with almond meal,
oatmeal, milk and rosewater. For oily skin, try chickpea flour (found in
Indian grocery stores) or oatmeal with yogurt and a little lemon and neem
powder. If you use a toner, look for one without alcohol.
-
Keep your skin
nourished with an herbal moisturizer. Look for ayurvedic formulations that
contain skin-friendly herbs such as sandalwood, turmeric, brahmi, amla and
aloe vera. At least once a week, treat yourself to a fruit or vegetable
mask appropriate for your skin type. Cucumbers, avocados, apricots and
papayas lend themselves well to homemade masks. Puree the fruit or
vegetable and blend with some yogurt, honey, oatmeal and lemon juice (for
oily skin) or rosewater (for dry skin) and apply evenly to the face. Let
stay for 15-20 minutes and then rinse off with lukewarm water.
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Do not go out
during the hottest parts of the day, between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. If you
exercise outdoors, do it early in the morning. Wear sunscreen, lip
protection, sunglasses and a broad-brimmed hat when you go out-exposure to
the sun can age skin very rapidly. A thin mixture of red sandalwood powder
and rosewater applied to your skin 2-3 times a week can help it become
more resilient. Take an aromatherapy floral water or hydrosol along for
the day to stay refreshed.
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Eyes and feet
could do with extra TLC. Each evening, splash lots of cool water on your
eyes. When you can, soak some cotton pads in cool water or rose water and
place them over closed eyes for 10 minutes. Keep your feet clean and cool.
Wear sandals when you can to let feet breathe and stay odor-free.
– Shreelata Suresh
August 15, 2004
Disclaimer: The above article
is educational in nature, and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or
prevent any disease. If you have a medical condition, please consult your
physician.
Shreelata Suresh is a yoga
instructor from the Bay Area, and she writes on yoga and Ayurveda for
different publications. To subscribe to free newsletters on Ayurveda, or
for more information, please visit
http://www.ayurbalance.com.
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