Ayurvedic Beauty Tips for the Winter

With the summery sun retiring away, the chilly times of winter are looming over us. Winter in Ayurveda is the season predominantly dominated by the Vata Energy. Vata is composed of space and air, hence this drying airy energy brings with it numerous problems for our skin. 

Winter winds and the cold environment, combined with our need to keep the heaters on, tends to strip moisture from the skin; many people face problems such as dryness, and loss of facial glow during this season.

Ayurveda provides teachings on how to combat this approaching Vata energy so that we can rejuvenate our skin and keep it healthy and sustained throughout the following months:

1. As Vata works its way by stripping the natural oils from our skin’s surface, we must ensure to replenish this by applying oil to our skin on a regular basis during these months. 

One should make it a routine to carry out Abhyanga, ayurvedic massage, for a minimum of 10 minutes onto your entire body, including your face. In addition, apply glow serum every night before sleeping to help with any acne or skin pigmentation; this special formula if used regularly will help restore the natural glow to your skin and reduce imperfections.

2. Ensure that you consume enough water in order to retain moisture and keep skin plump. 

Moreover, this should be warm water rather than cold; cold water is advised against as it will aggravate Vata – the opposite of what we want. Boil the water in the morning so that it is ready for you to have throughout the day.

3. Natural face masks can be utilised to help achieve clearer, moisturised and nourished skin.  

A mask you can do once a week is the Papaya and Lemon moisturising mask. Mash up a ripe papaya and add in the juice of half a lemon. Apply to skin for 15 minutes and then wash off with warm water. Papaya helps regulate vata levels and lemon has pitta properties which counteracts increases in vata energies. This mask also helps reduce blemishes from the face due to the presence of lemon, a natural astringent.

4. Ayurveda functions by the core belief that beauty on the outside is reflected by how much love and care you show yourself and your body. 

Eating a vata pacifying diet and ensuring any food consumed has healthy properties will reflect upon your skin quality. Furthermore, often breakouts on the skin can be a result of increased stress levels therefore one should take some time out every day to do something you enjoy in order to help you distress. Some ideas include yoga, guided meditation or even simply just speaking to your favourite person :)

5. As important as it is to look after our skin, we should also ensure to pay attention to the scalp. 

During the winter season, many can experience dry scalp and increase in dandruff. The best remedy suggested is regular oiling of the scalp, ideally twice a week. We suggest using our very own amla hair oil which nourishes the scalp and strengthening hair from within the roots to help prevent breakage and hair fall.

6. Finally, exercising during any season is always encouraged. 

Exercise helps not only keep the body fit but also the mind fresh and active. Getting up and pumping will get the blood rushing through your body will cause skin to look youthful.