Role of diet is equally significant for maintaining healthy skin.
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Imbalances in the skin can be caused by nutritional deficiencies, excessive intake, insufficient nutrients, and hazardous ingredients. Your skin type in Ayurveda tells you exactly how to eat, cleanse & moisturise. Ayurvedic expert Dimple Jangda shared the protocols to keep different skin types healthy. There are 3 skin types namely:
Vata Skin
Pitta Skin
Kapha Skin
Healthy skin is essential for body’s defence against various environmental pollutants, infections, and harmful ultra violet (UV) rays. Healthy skin begins with the correct understanding of your skin types. Several individuals end up purchasing many skincare products without even knowing whether their skin is dry, oily, combination, normal, or sensitive. Identifying your skin type helps you select the correct skincare routine that can suit your skin requirements.
Role of diet is equally significant for maintaining healthy skin. Diet, microbiome balance, and lifestyle choices can impact acne, aging, and barrier function. The diet and daily routines can potentially shape your skin health and overall dermatological well-being.
According to a study featured in National Library of Medicine, “Imbalances in the skin can be caused by nutritional deficiencies, excessive intake, insufficient nutrients, and hazardous ingredients. Diets rich in whole foods, antioxidants, fiber, and phytonutrients show promise in promoting skin health and preventing related comorbidities.” 1
Recently, leading Ayurvedic expert Dimple Jangda took to her Instagram handle and highlighted various skin types to fix common skin issues. Sharing the post, Dimple said, “Your skin type in Ayurveda tells you exactly how to eat, cleanse & moisturise.” 2
Dimple shared the protocols given below to keep different skin types healthy:
1. Vata Skin: The Ayurvedic expert said, “Vata skin is dry, rough skin that is thin, light, and prone to wrinkles and dehydration. You need mild cleansers, nothing harsh, and you need a lot of moisturising. You can apply ghee on your face. You can even apply deep moisturising oils like sesame oil and avocado oil (has a lot of good fat).”
In your diet, make sure your foods are warm, well-cooked, mildly spicy, mildly salty, and should have lots of good fats. You can have 5 to 9 teaspoons of ghee, which is clarified butter, which has butyric acid along with short and medium chain fatty acids. Or you can even have avocado oil, olive oil, and coconut oil in your diet.
Dimple suggested people with vata skin can have “cashew butter, a good source of fat that helps in keeping your skin hydrated and your collagen elastic.”
2. Pitta Skin: “This skin is prone to inflammation, acne, pimples, rosacea, eczema, psoriasis, and urticaria.” Dimple Jangda suggested people with pitta skin should “stay away from heaty, spicy foods like capsicum, onion, garlic, chillies, cinnamon, and cloves. People with pitta skin should also stay away from direct sun exposure.
Pitta skin type individuals should reduce their sun exposure to 10 minutes per day and should add cooling foods in their diet like zucchini, cucumbers, well-cooked tomatoes in moderation, watermelon, musk melon, pumpkin, and sunflower seeds. All of these are cooling foods that help in hydrating your skin from inside. You can also use cooling oils like coconut oil or rose hip oil that can help in reducing the heat in your skin.
You can also apply aloe vera gel on your skin to keep it hydrated and healthy.
3. Kapha Skin: The skin tends to get dull and oily. The skin is prone to blackheads, may feel heavy, and require stimulation. Dimple Jangda suggested individuals with kapha skin can do “garshana, which is called dry brushing.” This is a great way to stimulate blood circulation and give a nice brightness to your skin. You should have a light diet. Stay away from dairy and fattening foods.
Instead, have a lot of steamed and sautéed vegetables in your diet and use light moisturizing creams that are water-based instead of oil. And, also make sure to use a good cleanser like multani mitti, which is called Fuller’s Earth. It helps in pulling all the excess oil out of your pores. You can also use a neem mask that helps in cleansing the pores.
FAQs
What are the different Ayurvedic skin types and their characteristics?
Ayurveda identifies three primary skin types: Vata (dry, rough, thin, and prone to wrinkles), Pitta (prone to inflammation, acne, rosacea, and sensitive to heat), and Kapha (oily, dull, prone to blackheads, and heavy). Each skin type has unique characteristics requiring tailored care routines.
How can I identify if my skin is dry, oily, combination, or sensitive?
You can identify your skin type by observing how your skin feels throughout the day. Dry skin feels rough and may flap, oily skin looks shiny and feels greasy, combination skin has oily and dry patches, while sensitive skin often reacts with redness or irritation to products or environmental factors.
What are the recommended skincare routines for Vata, Pitta, and Kapha skin types?
For Vata skin, use mild cleansers and rich moisturizers like ghee or oils (sesame, avocado). Pitta skin benefits from cooling foods, limited sun exposure, and soothing oils like coconut or rose hip, plus aloe vera gel. Kapha skin requires stimulation like dry brushing, light water-based moisturizers, oil-absorbing cleansers like multani mitti, and avoidance of heavy fats.
What lifestyle factors negatively affect skin health over time?
Poor diet lacking whole foods and antioxidants, excessive sun exposure, inadequate cleansing, use of harsh skincare products, and ignoring skin type needs can damage skin. Imbalance in microbiome and nutritional deficiencies are also contributors to common skin issues.
How can diet and natural care contribute to maintaining healthy skin?
Diet rich in whole foods, antioxidants, fiber, and phytonutrients supports skin health by preventing infections and inflammation. Including appropriate fats like ghee, avocado, and oils tailored to your skin type nourishes the skin. Incorporating lifestyle habits such as gentle cleansing, moisturizing, sun protection, and dry brushing for blood circulation enhances natural skin vitality.
National Library of Medicine|Dietary Influences on Skin Health in Common Dermatological Disorders
Ayurvedic expert Dimple Jangda via Instagram|Know your skin types to fix skin issues
Disclaimer: This content is for general informational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider with any questions about your health or treatment options.
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