We’re back with another post on caring for Dry Skin the Ayurvedic Way. We all know Ayurveda is an ancient alternative treatment system and quite popular.
So, let’s take a look at how Ayurveda advises to care for dry skin. We all want our skin to be soft, supple and beautiful but with ageing, or environmental factors or due to hormonal issues, our skin becomes dry, irritated and looks aged and dull. Do you know a healthy person will have vibrant and healthy skin?
Causes of Dry Skin
Dry skin could also be due to lack of nourishment, lack of hydration, genetic reasons, extreme temperatures, certain medications, sebaceous obstruction, etc. Irrespective of the reason, there’s a way around it to get gorgeous skin.
Vata & Dry Skin
Excess Vata can result in Dry Skin, according to Ayurveda. Excess Vata cannot only make skin dry, also thins hair and leaves fingernails brittle.
Improving moisture levels through hydration, protection to prevent excess drying and consuming herbal preparations can help control vata and the resulting dry skin or issues.
If you’re wondering what’s Vata, we will be adding a detailed post on different Ayurvedic constitutions to understand. It will help you understand the different tips and suggestion and also how to apply the remedy most suited for you.
Treatment Options Suggested for Dry Skin in Ayurveda
Avoid Long & Frequent Hot Water Showers
Both hot and cold water showers have their purposes. We are not denying that. Nothing like a hot soak for aches and pains, right? Also, alternating between cold and hot water can alleviate cramps and pains (lower back pain, heel pain) in no time. However, all other times a quick tepid water shower is your best bet. Also, unless you need some pampering and relaxation with your shower time keep it short and sweet. Too much time in water can result in drying of skin.
Ayurveda talks a lot about this wonderful self-massage method. It’s applying oil (chosen according to one’s body type or requirement) to one’s skin everyday before shower. The idea is to massage the oil and give it an hour to get absorbed before showering. This not only cools the body but also nourishes and moisturizes the skin and keeps it glowing and healthy.
The most common oils chosen are Sesame (suited for most body types), Coconut Oil and Castor Oil (for those with hot composition & used in combination with Sesame or Coconut Oils). The chosen oil is warmed up before massage. Apricot Kernel Oil is another oil that’s used to reduce water retention and promote better circulation.
For specific requirements herbal oils can also be used twice a week. Calendula Oil, Aloe Vera Gel or Oil, Chamomile, Neem, Sandalawood and other infused oils are chosen for different requirements.
Nourishment – Aloe Vera
Chamomile – Soothing and Calming
Calendula, Neem – Skin Issues like Acne
Aloe Vera – Cooling, Anti-Bacterial and Anti-Viral
Sandalwood – Cooling, Anti-inflammatory, Suntan, Anti-ageing & Acne
Sip on Warm Water
Bring out your Kettle and warm up your water every time. Warm water is ideal for those who have trouble keeping themselves hydrated.
Oil Up
We have already talked about how oiling your skin is great to keep ageing skin signs at bay and keep your skin healthy and happy. Apply a thin layer of oil on your skin right out of the shower to lock the nutrients and hydration and also, moisturize your skin.
Home Remedies
Considering using simple home remedies for welcome relief from dry skin. We will look at home remedies that help with dry skin in the coming posts.
These are just a few ways to care for Dry Skin. We will look into this more in our next posts. As always, keep us posted with your results for our recipes and write to us for any questions. Don’t have time for DIY Recipes for your skin care? Try Aya Naturals for your skin and face care regimen.
