A Holistic Approach to Winter Skin Care
Shreelata Suresh
Winter is the season when Vata rides higher than usual in most people's physiologies. Increased Vata can result in dry flaky skin, chapped lips and dry, brittle hair. Here are some ways to keep Vata dosha in balance and prevent Vata-associated skin problems:
Avoid exposing skin to harsh winter elements such as freezing temperatures and drying cold winds. Dress warmly, in layers, and wear a hat, scarf and gloves when you go out in cold weather. Wear a natural lip balm to protect your lips. A light layer of ghee (clarified butter) can also work as natural lip protection.
Protect facial skin from both cold winds and drying air from heaters with a rich natural moisturizer. Apply the moisturizer at least twice a day, once after your cleansing routine in the morning and again before you go to bed. Always apply moisturizer on clean skin, preferably after you apply a natural water-based toner. Your hands can also benefit from the application of a rich moisturizer in winter.
Three or four times a week, offer dry facial and body skin additional lipid support with a replenishing oil. Choose a nourishing base oil such as almond. Add six-eight drops of a Vata-pacifying pure essential oil such as lavender or neroli to two ounces of the base oil, and mix well. Apply to skin damp from the bath or shower to seal in hydration. Test first to make sure you are not sensitive to the essential oil you choose before you apply it on a regular basis.
The pre-bath warm oil ayurvedic self-massage, called abhyanga, is a must-do in winter. The massage not only keeps your skin silky-smooth, it also tones the muscles, calms the nerves and aids circulation. Pat excess oil off with a paper towel before you step into the bath or shower, and exercise care because oil can be slippery. Choose a nourishing oil such as almond or sesame oil for the massage.
The skin on your feet tends to dry and crack more in winter. Treat your feet to a relaxing soak at night, three times a week. A quick foot bath can be made in a large, wide-mouthed bowl with warm water, sea salts, Epsom salt and two or three drops of your favorite aroma oil. After the soak, rub in an herbal lotion or some shea butter or some almond oil on your feet. The foot soaking and massage rituals will not only keep your feet looking good; they will also help you ease into sleep faster.
Do not bathe or shower in very hot water. Comfortably warm water is much gentler on your skin. Do not bathe more than once a day if your skin is very dry.
Do not use harsh soaps to cleanse, as they will strip your skin of precious lipids. Use a non-soap cleanser or very mild soap to cleanse. Give your skin lipid support from within by including soaked and blanched almonds, soaked walnuts, whole milk, fresh cheese such as paneer, and ghee (clarified butter) in your daily diet. Drink a cup of warm milk laced with 1/4 teaspoon ghee at bedtime for a daily boost of lipid support from within. Eat fruits and vegetables high in water content at every meal. Zucchini, lauki squash, tender asparagus, tender greens, and carrots make excellent vegetable choices. Sweet juicy berries, cooked apples and sweet grapes are good fruit choices. Drink lots of warm water through the day.
Ayurvedic herbs such as Amla provide concentrated nourishment to the deeper layers of the skin. Amla is the richest known natural source of vitamin C and offers potent antioxidant support. Take the Amalaki Rasayana on a regular basis to replenish skin from within.
Remember that a holistic approach yields the best results and the longest-lasting results. Try and incorporate as many of the above suggestions as you can to keep Vata dosha in balance and your skin looking smooth, soft and beautiful through the dry winter months.
Note: This ayurvedic information is educational, and is not intended to replace standard medical care or advice.
About the author: Shreelata Suresh is a yoga instructor who lives in the Bay Area. She writes for various publications on yoga, ayurveda and Indian culture. For more articles on ayurveda and premier ayurvedic products, please visit http://www.ayurbalance.com.
The latest information and news on Skin Care:
Don't blame whitening agents in toothpaste for those breakouts - Chicago Tribune
Don't blame whitening agents in toothpaste for those breakouts
Chicago Tribune
Despite suspicions from some zit-stricken folks seeking answers on online advice forums, dermatologists say there's no reason to blame toothpaste for acne breakouts. What toothpaste can cause, however, is irritation...
Men's grooming: Major moneymaker? - Los Angeles Times
Los Angeles Times
Men's grooming: Major moneymaker?
Los Angeles Times
And although only a quarter use facial skincare items such as lip products and acne treatments, revenue grew 11% in 2011, according to the report. ?There is a huge opportunity with men for facial skincare,? said Karen Grant, a se...
Aloe Vera Benefits Sufferers of Acne, Cavities and Ulcers - WebWire (press re...
Aloe Vera Benefits Sufferers of Acne, Cavities and Ulcers
WebWire (press release)
02/08/2012 - Not only is aloe vera good for treating skin ailments, aloe vera juice can be found in many health and beauty projects used to treat acne and tooth cavities, and it has been used in products that aid digesti...
Solta Medical to Present at the Leerink Swann 2012 Global Healthcare Conferen...
Solta Medical to Present at the Leerink Swann 2012 Global Healthcare Conference
PR Newswire (press release)
Isolaz was the first laser or light based system indicated for the treatment of inflammatory acne, comedonal acne, pustular acne, and mild-to-moderate inflammatory acne. CLARO is a personal care...
Acne Inversa Patients Face Sexual Distress - Skin and Allergy News Digital Ne...
Acne Inversa Patients Face Sexual Distress
Skin and Allergy News Digital Network
Sexual dysfunction and distress are increased in patients with acne inversa leading to a diminished quality of life, according to the findings of a recent prospective, observational study. The findings, which are among th...
skin care - Google News
Gillette® Venus Partners with Skincare Leader Olay to Launch New Gold Standar...
EON: Enhanced Online News (press release)
Gillette® Venus Partners with Skincare Leader Olay to Launch New Gold Standard ...
EON: Enhanced Online News (press release)
CINCINNATI--(EON: Enhanced Online News)--For the first time ever, Gillette Venus, a global leader in female shaving, and Olay, a global ...
Alameda Skin Care Spa, Skin Deep Features Two New Additions To Obagi Medical ...
Alameda Skin Care Spa, Skin Deep Features Two New Additions To Obagi Medical ...
Daily Markets (press release)
Alameda's Skin Deep, a skin care and medical spa, features two new additions to the Obagi Medical Products Inc. ELASTIderm and CLENZIderm product lines: ELASTIderm Eye Complete Complex Se...
Skin Brighteners Find a Welcome - New York Times
Skin Brighteners Find a Welcome
New York Times
With names that include words like Le Blanc, Snow and White Cloud, a slew of new skin-care products suggests that they can create the look of an extra-pale complexion that has been coated in SPF 50 since birth. In Japan, where this type of item has ...
Skin Care for Athletes uses Indiegogo campaign for soap line for women's shel...
Skin Care for Athletes uses Indiegogo campaign for soap line for women's shelters
The Apex Herald
?Even before I knew that I would ever own a skin care line, I've wanted to donate soaps to women's shelters for more than 10 years after I read that toiletries were always in short supply, sta...
Men's grooming: Major moneymaker? - Los Angeles Times
Los Angeles Times
Men's grooming: Major moneymaker?
Los Angeles Times
And although only a quarter use facial skincare items such as lip products and acne treatments, revenue grew 11% in 2011, according to the report. ?There is a huge opportunity with men for facial skincare,? said Karen Grant, a se...