Ayurvedic Summer Skin Care

By Rippan Sandhu

Sip lots of water throughout 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. Keep your water at room temperature, warm is better.  Cold and iced water literally douse the digestive fire.
 
Eat Pitta-balancing fruits, vegetables and herbs, which supply the skin with essential nutrients and antioxidant properties while they help keep your skin cool. Carrots, lettuce, zucchini, celery, asparagus and leafy greens are good vegetable choices. Sweet juicy fruits such as pears, grapes, watermelon and mangoes nourish and cleanse. Fresh ginger, mint and basil add flavour and aromas to dishes without aggravating Pitta dosha.

Drink a cup of milk every day. Milk is a cooling, Pitta-pacifying beverage that also supplies nutrients to your skin and helps to keep it from drying out.
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. 

Practice calming yoga poses, meditation or walking to stay serene and help your body and mind manage stress. When you feel stressed, angry or frustrated, your skin will show it over time as furrows and small lines and breakouts. Diffuse Pitta-balancing essential oils, such as rose, sandalwood and lavender to keep mind and heart balanced. 

Cleanse morning and night as 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. Use a non-soap based gentle cleanser that will deep cleanse without drying out the skin. Stay away from toners containing alcohol. 

Keep your skin nourished with an herbal moisturiser. 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. 

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. Slip, slop, slap when you go as the sun can age skin very rapidly. Take an aromatherapy floral water along for the day to stay refreshed.   

Eyes could do with extra care. 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. Massage an eye moisturizer around your eyes morning and night