For over 5,000 years, Ayurveda has provided a holistic approach to health and wellness, trusted for its ability to balance mind, body, and spirit. As a Holistic Facialist and Beauty Therapist with over 30 years of experience, I’ve seen firsthand how Ayurvedic skin care transforms the skin using natural, time-honored remedies.
Ayurveda offers personalized treatments tailored to your unique dosha—Vata, Pitta, or Kapha. Learn how these ancient practices can nourish your skin and help you achieve true radiance.
What is Ayurveda?
In a fast-paced stressful world, the ancient wisdom of Ayurveda emerges as a refreshing alternative, restoring a sense of calm and reminding you to live in harmony with the universe and its cycles.
Ayurveda, derived from the Sanskrit words "ayur" (life) and "veda" (science or knowledge), is a 5000-year-old system of medicine/ wellness originating in India that includes all aspects of the mind, body and spirit. It literally is a way of life, which includes the way we think, act, feel and interrelate to our environment.
Ayurveda is entirely based on the laws of nature. Ayurveda considers Man as a miniature replica or small model of the Universe. The theory of macrocosm - microcosm continuum' (Loka - purusha.samya) is the most important principle of Ayurveda.
The man and the universe are made up of five basic elements called as 'Panchamahabhuta'. They are akasha (ether / space), vayu (air / motion), teja (fire / radiant energy), ap (water / cohesive factor) and prithvi (Earth / mass).
The individual (purusha) and the universe (toka) remain in constant interaction with each other, deriving and drawing from each other to maintain their normality and homeostasis.
These elements combine to form Doshas: Vata (ether and air elements), Pitta (fire and water elements), and Kapha (earth and water elements). Each of the Doshas is not separate from the other, but rather they all govern functions within the body.
Ayurvedic Skin Types and Doshas
Understanding your skin type through the lens of Ayurveda helps tailor the best skincare routine for your unique needs. Each dosha—Vata, Pitta, and Kapha—reflects specific skin characteristics and imbalances.
Vata governs movement. The movement of blood in the circulatory system, the movement of food along the digestive tract, the nervous system as well as the breath.
Pitta, with the fire element is responsible for Digestion. It transforms food into energy and waste, regulates body temperature. As there is an element of transformation with fire, it also supports thought processes and critical thinking, transforming thought into action.
Kapha, with the earth and water elements, governs the formation of body structures such as bones, muscles, fat as well as methods of lubrication such as mucus, synovial fluids in joints, and sebum to protect the skin.
Most people will most likely have one or two predominant Doshas.
Each Dosha in turn has qualities.
Vata: Dry, Cold, Light, Irregular, Mobile, Rough, Quick
Pitta: Oily, Hot, Light, Intense, Fluid, Acidic, Liquid, Sharp
Kapha: Oily, Cold, Heavy, Stable, Viscous, Smooth, Dull
How to identify your Ayurvedic Dosha?
Understanding your dosha can guide you toward better health choices and enables you to actively make choices enabling your body to return to or remain in a state of balance.
This can be done by meeting with an Ayurvedic Doctor local to you, but our simple Ayurvedic Dosha quiz is a great starting point!
If you haven’t done so already, follow the below link:
https://omayurwellness.com.au/pages/quiz
You will have a genetic disposition to a Dosha (prakruti), but your age, Lifestyle, stress levels and environment will all have an effect on what your state of balance is day by day (vikruti).
What is ayurvedic healing?
Occasionally Ayurveda is called “Ayurvedic Healing”. This is a difficult statement, as Ayurveda works on the premise of returning the body to a balanced state so dis-ease is less likely. It does not heal but supports your body to do so holistically.
Remembering Ayurveda is the Science of life and living well, Skincare is included, however it also covers Diet and nutrition, Yoga, Gem Therapy, Astrology, exercise, daily routines, seasonal routines, meditation and ethical ways of living in harmony with the world.
By having an understanding of your self, you can make a more informed understanding of what it is you need to remain healthy and in balance.
What happens when your doshas are out of balance?
When a Dosha is in excess, they display differently due to their qualities.
Vata
- Dryness: Skin, hair, and body can become dry and rough.
- Digestive Issues: Gas, bloating, constipation, and irregular appetite.
- Joint Pain: Increased stiffness, pain, or conditions like arthritis.
- Fatigue: General tiredness, low energy, and insomnia.
- Temperature Sensitivity: Feeling excessively cold or experiencing cold extremities.
- Anxiety and Restlessness: Increased worry, fear, and nervousness.
- Difficulty Concentrating: Trouble focusing, memory issues, and indecisiveness.
- Mood Swings: Rapid changes in mood, irritability, or overwhelm.
Pitta
- Digestive Issues: Heartburn, acid reflux, diarrhea, and intense hunger.
- Skin Problems: Rashes, acne, redness, or inflammation.
- Heat Sensitivity: Feeling excessively warm or experiencing hot flashes.
- Excessive Sweating: Increased perspiration, especially in stressful situations.
- Inflammation: Swelling or pain in joints and muscles.
- Irritability and Anger: Increased frustration or mood swings.
- Overly Critical Nature: Tendency to be judgmental towards oneself and others.
- Restlessness: Difficulty finding contentment, leading to a constant drive to accomplish more.
- Impatience: Difficulty waiting or tolerating delays.
Kapha
- Weight Gain: Increased body mass and difficulty losing weight.
- Lethargy: A sense of sluggishness or tiredness throughout the day.
- Congestion: Mucus buildup, sinus issues, or respiratory problems like asthma.
- Edema: Swelling or water retention in various parts of the body.
- Skin Conditions: Oily skin, cystic acne, or other breakouts.
- Depression: Feelings of heaviness, sadness, or lack of motivation.
- Attachment: Overly possessive or clinging behavior in relationships.
- Cloudy Thinking: Difficulty concentrating or a sense of mental dullness.
- Stagnation: Resistance to change or a reluctance to try new things.
How to balance vata kapha dosha?
It can be incredibly detailed, but starting at a basic level, what are the qualities and how do we use them for balance?
Looking at the image, Pitta and Kapha both have the quality of Oily, Vata and Kapha both have cold, Pitta and Vata both have light.
To restore balance, use the quality shared between the other two doshas.
Vata needs oil, Pitta needs cooling, Kapha needs light foods and products to return to balance.
Pitta would become excessive if you have a live in a hot climate, eat spicy food and drink alcohol.
Vata will increase in windy seasons, with cold, cold drinks, travel and is balanced with warm oily grounding meals and regular applications of oil to the body. A regular routine will also help balance Vata. Exercise should be calming and grounding in nature.
Kapha will increase in cold Damp weather. Kapha needs to be active with more vigorous exercise. Light meals with warming spices are also recommended.