| Skin is the seat of a sensory organ. The senses | | | | skin tends to age slower and form less wrinkles |
| of touch, temperature, pain, and pressure are all | | | | than the other two types. Kapha skin types may |
| felt by our skin. | | | | struggle with dull complexion, enlarged pores, |
| The first step in the holistic Ayurvedic approach | | | | excessive oil, blackheads, and pimples, moist |
| to skin care is finding out your Ayurvedic skin | | | | types of eczema and water retention. |
| type. In the Ayurvedic system of healing, there | | | | Scrubbing the Kapha skin with gentle exfoliating |
| are three types of skin: | | | | clay can help cleanse it. Kapha skin types may |
| Vata skin: This type of skin is generally dry, thin, | | | | also need to take herbal formulas to cleanse the |
| delicate and cool to the touch. It easily gets | | | | skin from within. |
| dehydrated, and is very vulnerable to the | | | | Besides following these remedies for your skin |
| influence of dry windy weather. Vata skin may | | | | type, ayurveda also recommends a good diet |
| age faster, and tends to be dry, rough and flaky | | | | including leafy green vegetables; easily digested |
| when out of balance. | | | | proteins such as paneer, milk, tofu, sunflower |
| Eating regular meals and following a regular daily | | | | seeds; foods high in zinc such as quinoa; and |
| routine are essential components of a holistic | | | | beta-carotene-rich foods such as carrots and |
| approach to Vata skin care | | | | sweet cherries, which act as terrific skin |
| Pitta skin: This type tends to be fair, sensitive, | | | | enhancers. |
| soft, warm, and of medium thickness. Pitta skin | | | | Almonds and walnuts support the skin with their |
| types tend to be more prone to freckles and | | | | protein and lubricating fat content. Some |
| moles than the other skin types. When out of | | | | skin-friendly spices include turmeric to nourish the |
| balance, Pitta skin can flare up in rashes, rosacea, | | | | first four layers of the skin, cumin to rid the body |
| acne, or sunspots. | | | | of ama, black pepper to cleanse the channels, and |
| The ayurvedic herb ‘Flame of Forest’ | | | | fennel to balance the transformational ability of |
| when used in combination with other herbs can | | | | the skin. |
| help protect Pitta skin from photosensitivity. | | | | All antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables, such as |
| Kapha skin: This type tends to be oily, thick, pale, | | | | pomegranate, apple, pear, and bitter, green leafy |
| soft, cool and more tolerant of the sun. Kapha | | | | vegetables are also excellent for the skin. |