Winter skin care with Ayurvedic Medicine

Ayurvedic approach to winter skin care

Winter fast approaches which means a cold, windy and dry environment for your skin. The coldest season of the year causes dry, rough and flaky skin as well as chapped and sore lips. Those few months of skin irritation can be avoided by following some simple techniques developed from the ancient tradition of Ayurveda healing.

Ayurveda, or Ayurvedic medicine, is a holistic healthcare system that originates from India and its philosophy is based on the harmony that exists between the person and their environment. Ayurveda treats all aspects of your life and is particularly beneficial for skin care. Given that your skin is about to endure the harshest of seasons, perhaps now is the time to try and combat the problem with Ayurveda.

Top Ayurveda tips to save your skin in winter

We all know the benefits of water to the health of our skin. Drinking plenty of water maintains the skin’s cells and keeps them firm. Water also keeps the cells nourished by transporting nutrients to them. Ayurvedic healers promote drinking water at room-temperature, or even slightly warm water, as opposed to cold. Cold water can damage the digestive process. Also, eat leafy-green veg as it is rich in water and good for hydration and nourishment. Caffeine and alcohol should be avoided as they dehydrate the skin.

In the cold weather, the body’s functions and systems can slow which hampers circulation, digestion and toxic elimination. Ayurveda promotes moderate exercise every day, eating warm cooked food and drinking herbal teas or warm water. This will enable the body’s functions to work properly and keep the skin healthy.

As the temperature drops so the thermostat is turned up. Heat generated from radiators and indoor heaters within the home, workplace and car is bad news for your skin. If possible, keep the heat to a level that is low enough so as to be comfortable and replace the moisture lost in the environment with a humidifier. Maintaining the correct moisture in your environment will keep skin hydrated and also stop a dry nose and eyes.

During the winter, Ayurveda recognises an energy known as Vata Dosha. Vata Dosha is made up of the space and air around us and in the winter that energy is dry and rough. Ayurvedic medicine recommends calming that harshness with healthy fats in your diet. Healthy fats you can try include cooking oil called ‘ghee’. Ghee is a clarified butter that has all the milk-solids and water removed. If you can’t get any ghee, olive oil is a good choice.

Coming in from work and jumping into a hot bath on a winter’s evening sounds appealing, but avoid staying in that bath for too long. Being in hot water for too long dries out the skin so keep it short and use lukewarm water. If you already have dry skin, try a few drops of bath oil. While you’re in the bath, use a mild cleanser rather than soap or gel. Ayurvedic healers recommend a mix of milk, chickpea flour and ground oatmeal, or for especially dry skin, sesame oil or aloe vera with almond meal. And don’t scrub with a flannel or with the bath towel when drying, just dab yourself dry.

Protect and cleanse the skin during the winter months

Moisturising the skin during winter keeps it well lubricated and is best done with a good moisturiser and straight after washing when the skin is damp. This will lock surface moisture in so pay attention to those areas that are prone to dryness such as the knees, elbows, feet and hands. Ayurveda recommends facial oil for Vata skin that supports deep-layer lipids which will protect and nourish while lubricating. Applying a shea butter to the heels and soles of the feet before going to bed will prevent them drying out over night especially if socks are worn too.

Don’t forget that just because it’s winter, that doesn’t mean there’s a lack of sun. Sunlight during the season can still cause damage to exposed skin and if you’re a skier then reflected sunlight from the snow can be particularly harmful. Remember to use sun protection on bright sunny days and use a natural lip balm to protect the lips.

Visiting an Ayurvedic healer is an ideal way to help keep not only your skin, but your entire physical and mental health in top condition. A trained and experienced Ayurveda practitioner can recommend natural products and techniques to make sure you stay healthy and happy.

Article submitted by
Daniel Alexander, GoToSee Journalist

Date published
02/09/08

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