Ayurvedic system of medicine is one of the oldest methods of treatment of any disorder. There are several ayurvedic treatments for oily skin. As per Ayurveda, skin is a reflection of an individual’s health. The imbalance in hormonal system in adolescence leads to oily skin. Oily skin is predominant in teenagers. The skin secretes a copious amount of oils in the teen age and it also decreases with age. The imbalance in hormonal system also gets imbalanced during menopause and pregnancy. Thus, during these periods also skin becomes oily. There are various other causes of oily skin like extreme hot weather, cosmetics and contraceptive pills.
Ayurvedic Description of Oily Skin
- The doshas determine the skin type in an individual.
- Oily skin happens due to dominance of kapha dosha.
- Kapha dosha dominance makes the skin glowing, shine and soft.
- Later in life, it also leads to development of wrinkles.
- Kapha dosha imbalance leads to enlarged pores, which in turn causes pimples.
Ayurvedic Treatments for Oily Skin
One good thing about an oily skin is that it ages at a slow rate, then compared to other skin types. However, the following are some of the Ayurvedic tips to cure oily skin condition:
- Wash the skin with warm water and use herbal scrub to prevent pores clogging. Hot water also helps dissolve the clogged oils in pores.
- Avoid using harsh chemicals. This is because some amounts of natural oil is needed for maintaining the normal skin texture, which is stripped by these chemicals.
- Use oil free moisturizer.
- Avoid heavy and fried foods.
- Consume foods that balance the kapha dosha.
- Do not eat foods that cause constipation.
- Exercise regularly.
- Avoid products that can strip your skin of oil and cause flakiness. This can cause reactive seborrhea. Do not use creams or lotions that leave your skin dehydrated or taut.
- Keep your skin clean, but do not wash your face for more than three times a day. Too much of washing can produce excess of oils.
- While choosing a cleanser, try an antibacterial lotion or a mild medicated soap. Use products that are free of alcohol. After cleansing, apply a moisturizer that is oil free. This would keep your skin supple.
- If your skin is extremely oily, then wash it four times, but use very little or no moisturizer. This is especially before you are 30 years old.
- While cleansing, massage your face with fingertips with an upward and outward motion. Do not rub soap over the skin vigorously as soap can clog the skin pores.
- If you have an oily and scaly skin, then correct the problem by using an exfoliant alternatively in the nights. After exfoliation, use a light coating of moisturizer.
- Use mud or clay mask.
- Use skin products or cosmetics, which are designed for your type of skin.
- Drink eight to ten glasses of water each day as water helps flush out toxins from the body.
Ayurvedic Remedies for Oily Skin
Here are some of the ayurvedic remedies for an oily skin:
- Start with a foaming and gentle face wash, which will remove the dirt without stripping the skin of its natural oils and moisture.
- You can make a puree out of fresh tomatoes and apply this to your skin.
- Mix egg white with ½ tsp honey, and 1tbsp of lemon. Apply this mixture to your face and wash it after twenty minutes.
- Now, applying makeup has been an age-old problem for women with an oily skin. So, here is the solution. Apply cucumber juice on excessively oily parts of your face. This restores the natural acid mantle and softens the skin. Dry those parts thoroughly and then apply makeup.
- Mix 1tblsp of yogurt with fuller’s earth. This can be applied on the face as it softens the skin and restores the normal acid balance.
- Make a pulp out of papaya and apply this on the skin. This not only softens the skin, but also removes the dead skin cells.
Diet for Oily Skin
Here are some of the dietary changes if you have a oily skin:
- Do not take too much of sugars and salt, but take a diet rich in proteins.
- Take plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables.
- Increase your intake of foods that are rich in vitamins, minerals, and iron.
- If you have a deficiency in vitamin B2, then this can cause oily skin. Wheat germ, organ meats, and nutritional yeast are rich sources of vitamins B2 and B5. Some of the other sources are beans, nuts, whole grains, and royal jelly.
- Avoid fatty foods like pork and fried foods.
- Avoid highly seasoned foods as well.
- It’s always better to use olive oil rather than the normal cooking oil.
- Avoid the intake of chocolate, sugar, and chocolates.
- Do not drink alcoholic beverages and soft drinks.
These are some of the dietary measures for oily skin.
These are some of the Ayurvedic treatments for oily skin. So, if you are also one among those having an oily skin, start following these healthy practices for a healthy, glowing, and soft skin. Now that you know the treatment for oily skin, read onto know some of the causes for an oily skin.
Ayurvedic Causes for Oily Skin
The skin quality is determined by the tridoshas. The dosha that is dominant determines the quality and type of the skin. Some of the other causes are:
- Kapha Dosha Imbalance: When Kapha dosha is dominant, then the skin becomes shiny, soft, and oily. The skin has a glowing complexion and wrinkles develop later. When the kapha dosha is vitiated in the body, the skin pores are enlarged and pimples start forming. You can balance your doshas by changing your diet and life style. You must take herbal drinks with rejuvenating properties.
- Hormonal Imbalance: Imbalances in the hormonal levels can cause an oily skin. This is quite common among the teenage groups. Hormonal imbalances are common during menopause and pregnancy. This oil secretion during the teenage increases during the teen age and reduces as the age advances.
Other Causes for Oily Skin
Here are some of the other causes for oily skin:
- Cosmetics and contraceptive pills also increase the oil secretion.
- Hot weather and humidity can also increase the oil secretion from the oil glands.
- The oil producing glands of the skin produce more oil and are over-active.
- This excess oil oozes out and gives the skin a greasy shine. This happens because the pores are enlarged.
- Humidity and weather are the other causes for an oily skin.
- Certain foods can also result in an oily skin.Some people have a textured oily skin.
These are some of the ayurvedic causes for oily skin. Now that you know the causes, follow a healthy lifestyle for a glowing and supple skin.
