Winter is the season when skin needs extra protection, esp. if you celebrate a white Christmas! Here are some of the most common skin issues that most people face during the winter.
Most Common Skin Issues in Winter
Dry Skin
Flakiness
Chapped lips
Cracked Heels
Numbness
Acne
Eczema
Ayurveda says that everyone is unique. So, if you are a coldish vata type, you might be severely affected by the extreme dryness in the skin, lips, heels, and other body parts. If you have pitta skin, you might face a breakout or acne. If you are a Kapha person, you may experience numbness and paleness in your skin.
This exposure to cold may also aggravate disorders like psoriasis, eczema, Raynaud’s Disease, etc.
That’s why it is important to choose the protection that suits your skin type.
According to Ayurveda, skin forms from internal metabolism like the way cream forms from boiling milk. And therefore the true health of the skin comes from the inside, not outside! That’s the reason why diet is the most crucial factor to ensure reliable winter protection for the skin.
Let’s see how we can preserve the skin health and beauty naturally through the Ayurvedic winter diet –
Ayurveda Diet for Winter
According to classical Ayurvedic text Charak Samhita, the general diet guidelines (applicable to all body types) for winter are –
Eat heavy and moist food (winter is a great season to enjoy stir fry food)
Don’t skip meals or stay hungry for long
Avoid irregular meals
Avoid eating very light food (example - roasted fat-free grains/ crackers/chips/popcorns etc)
Include Ayurvedic asava/arista or medicated alcohols in your meals
Use herbal cigarettes after the meals
So, if you practice intermittent fasting or any kind of weight loss routine, make sure to preserve adequate moisture and nutrition in the body. Staying hungry for along duration in the winter season can trigger vata imbalance in the body!
Ayurvedic Lifestyle for Winter
Avoid exposure to extreme cold
Practice breathing exercises and sinhasana (the lion pose) to avoid cold and cough.
Try body Massage with warm sesame oil before bath.
Avoid sleeping during the daytime, sunrise, or the sunset
Avoid sleeping immediately after meals.
These basic Ayurvedic diet and lifestyle guidelines are internal insurance for skin protection. But, still, you might need some remedies for unavoidable skin conditions.
Ayurvedic Remedies for Common Skin Disorders in Winter -
Dry Skin
Apply natural aloe vera gel mixed with warm almond oil (ratio- 1:2) for instant relief from extreme dryness in the skin.
Flakiness
Ayurvedic Ubtan
Mix the following ingredients
1 tsp oatmeal
1 tsp Bengal gram flour
2 tsp milk cream or sesame oil (vegan option)
½ tsp turmeric powder
Add warm water to dilute the mixture and make a thick paste
Massage the body with sesame oil and apply the Ayurvedic paste.
Let the paste sit for 10-15 min.
Gently rub off the paste.
Wash off the remaining paste with warm/normal water
Chapped Lips
For vata lips, apply almond oil
For pitta lips, apply coconut oil
For Kapha lips, apply sesame oil
Cracked Heels
Mix 1 tsp melted natural wax with 2 tsp warm castor oil.
Wash heels thoroughly with warm water.
Warm the mixture and massage the heels with it before bed.
Numbness
Mix sesame and castor oil in a 3:1 ratio.
Warm the mixture and massage the skin prone to numbness (example – the tip of the nose)
Acne
Mix neem leaves powder with turmeric powder (ratio1:1). Dilute the paste with warm water.
Massage the face gently for 2-3 min.
Apply the herbal mix and wash off after 8-10 min.
Eczema
Apply aloe vera gel for instant relief
I hope that this information brings you healthy and radiant winter skin!
Disclaimer: All the information provided in the blog is for informational purposes. Please apply all Ayurvedic remedies under medical supervision or contact your medical advisor for personalized treatment.