According to Ayurveda, we humans have been genetically blessed with a unique balance of three types of biological energies or doshas – Vata (Dry), Pitta (Sensitive) and Kapha (Oily). When exposed to pollution, stress and other lifestyle stressors, the delicate balance of these doshas may become disrupted, which in turn can various skin problems. At Puraveda Organics, we help identify your unique Ayurvedic Dosha to determine how your skin will best respond to natural ingredients. This ancient Ayurvedic approach, when accompanied with modern biotechnology, works in the contemporary world and encompasses several parameters, including environmental and seasonal factors to produce fast, safe and effective results.
Today, we’ll provide a detailed insight on how to identify your unique skin dosha and which ingredients and products work best to rebalance your dosha. For quick and personalised Ayurvedic skin care product recommendations, you can directly visit our Dosha Quiz section.
Building Your Ayurvedic Skin Care Routine According to Dosha
Ayurvedic skin care takes a pared down approach in deciding your skin care regimen. The primary focus is on detoxification (flushing out toxins or ama from the skin) and replacing them with nourishing natural ingredients for healthy, beautiful, problem free skin.
What is Vata Skin?
Vata Skin type can be dry to normal. The skin is cool to touch, has small or nearly invisible pores is thin and delicate, with a matte texture. When this dosha is imbalanced, it has a tendency towards dehydration, dryness and flaking of skin. Over time, it tends to lose plumpness and elasticity faster than any other skin type, and is prone to developing fine lines, wrinkles, crow’s feet and other signs of aging.
What is Kapha Skin?
Kapha Skin is oily and thick with visibly enlarged pores. Because Kapha Skin is inclined to oiliness, it readily attracts impurities from the environment, and thus is prone to blackheads and frequent breakouts. Kapha imbalances are greatly aggravated during the summer season. However, the bright side is that due to oil production and thick skin (dense collagen matrix), the signs of aging appear later in life compared to other skin types. Regular application of purifying, yet nourishing ingredients that balance skin hormones in order to control sebum production and detoxify the skin is vital for Kapha types.
What is Pitta Skin?
Pitta Skin is a sensitive skin type susceptible to redness, breakouts, rosacea, eczema and other inflammatory skin conditions. The skin is usually warm to touch and prone to redness, dehydration, freckles, moles, blemishes and unevenness compared to other doshas. Sensitive skin requires both cooling and skin nourishing ingredients. Treatment for Pitta skin should be consistent over time in order to reduce the chance of breakouts and help sustain the skin balance.
#1 Cleansing
Cleansing is the first important step of any skin care regimen as it removes impurities from the skin. When the skin is well cleansed, this reduces the chances of breakouts and also prepares the skin for improved response to advanced skin treatment serums. Never use synthetic detergent based (SLS/Sodium Laureth Sulfate) cleansers, which strip natural oils and disrupt pH, leading to all sorts of skin problems.
For Skin Type: Normal or Dry (or Vata) Skin
A gentle foaming cleanser that exfoliates, detoxifies and removes impurities from normal to dry skin. The active botanicals, vitamins and sea minerals balance the complexion, while nourishing organic oils keep skin moist and hydrated.
Key Ingredients – African Black Soap, Aloe Vera Gel, Sea Minerals & Vitamins, Lemon, Essential oils of Grapefruit, Mandarin, Orange and more.
For Skin Type: Sensitive, Blemished, Rosacea (or Pitta) Skin
SBR cleanser gently detoxifies and introduces healing skin actives that calms skin redness. 100% free of synthetic chemicals, allergens and common skin irritants, it won’t cause breakouts and is mild enough to be used for conditions like Rosacea, Psoriasis and Eczema.
Key Ingredients – Aloe Vera Gel, Neem, Horsetail, Gotu Kola, Helichrysum, Vitamin C bioflavonoids, Chickweed, Calendula and other botanical extracts and organic oils.
For Skin Type: Oily and Enlarged Pores (or Kapha) Skin
This cleanser contains skin hormone and pH balancing ingredients to help regulate excess oil production without drying the skin. It also helps remove blackheads, shrinks pore size and balances the complexion.
Key Ingredients – African Black Soap, Aloe Vera Gel, Oils of Olive, Castor, Palm and Avocado, Shea Butter, Vitamins, Essential oils of Ylang ylang, Jasmine and others.
#2 Toning/Hydrating
Using a hydrating toner is an important step after every cleansing. It tightens and clarifies residual impurities from the pores. Some ingredients like Salicylic acid (from White Willow Bark) also work as an astringent to balance the pH level and sebum production. The calming botanicals in all our toners/hydrators provide instant brightness, perking up tired looking skin.
For Skin Type: Normal (or Vata) Skin
Instantly refreshes normal to dry skin. This alcohol-free toner absorbs quickly to help balance moisture and make skin appear dewy and radiant.
Key Ingredients – Gotu Kola, Comfrey, Calendula, Ginkgo, Lavender, Slippery Elm, Vitamins and others.
For Skin Type: Sensitive, Blemished, Rosacea (or Pitta) Skin
Instantly calms sensitive skin and reduces blemish flare ups, including hyper-active skin conditions such as Rosacea. Healing botanicals in the SBR hydrator reduce redness, while drenching your skin in natural hydration.
Key Ingredients – Aloe Vera Gel, Horsetail, Chickweed, Neem, Peppermint, Vitamins and others.
For Skin Type: Oily and Enlarged Pores (or Kapha) Skin
Penetrates quickly into the skin without leaving behind any oily or sticky residue. Antibacterial ingredients further detoxifies the skin and prevents acne blemishes. Regular application helps reduce enlarged pores and balances skin pH.
Key Ingredients – Neem, White Willow Bark, Lemon, Bilberry, Green Tea, Vitamins and others.
In the next blog, we will discuss about how you can address your skin issues beyond basics with 100% Ayurvedic skin care. Building a unique personalized skin care regimen with Puraveda Organics is easy. Visit our Dosha Quiz page to identify your skin type and get customized product recommendations.
