Finally, summers are gone!! Thinking of leaping into action to eliminate all the tan and pigmentation that the sweltering sunny days left behind? Despite monsoons being notorious for causing oily skin, acne, and dull skin, it is the best time to reclaim your lost glow if you take the proper steps. Let us discuss rainy season skin care, common monsoon skin issues, and how to tackle them with Ayurveda.
Rainy Season in Ayurveda
According to Ayurveda, the year can be divided into 6 ritus or seasons, Sisira, Vasanta, Grishma, Varsha , Sharat, and Hemanta. Mid-July to mid-September is considered Varsha Ritu or the monsoons. It comes under Dakshinayana or Visarga Kala, i.e., when the sun traverses to the south. The strength of the body generally declines, and the Agni or metabolism is very low, so it's essential to follow the right dietary and lifestyle regimen to keep onset healthy. The cold rainy days lead to vitiation of vata dosha, characterized by dryness, roughness, and lightness, and Pitta dosha accumulates.
Skin Issues and Remedies for Monsoons
Also read: Ayurvedic Treatment for Pimple and Acne: Everything You Need to Know!
- Dullness - In summer, the cell turnover is higher, leading to the accumulation of dead skin. So if you have not followed your skincare routine in summer, you will have to deal with dull skin in monsoons. Also, monsoon is when the Vata levels are high, making the skin look dull and dehydrated. The humidity is also high, causing a lot of sweating, dehydrating the skin. Ensure to keep yourself hydrated. Do not skip sunscreen.
- Oily skin and breakouts - High humidity in monsoons leads to excessive sebum production, oily skin, and acne. Intake of oily and fried foods and overwashing the face might exaggerate the condition. Switch to a lightweight moisturizer for monsoon skin care. Avoid heavy makeup and use water-based products. Take bath in lukewarm water. Avoid overwashing your face. Exfoliate your skin once a week. Apply a face pack of Aloe vera with turmeric. Wash it off after 15 minutes.
- Skin allergies and infections - Skin issues increase during monsoon because of high humidity, promoting the growth of bacteria and fungi. This leads to allergies, fungal infections, and rashes. Wear loose clothes, keep your skin dry, and practice proper hygiene. To avoid foot infections, avoid wearing socks and wear open-toed shoes. Regularly trim your nails. Take bath in water boiled with neem, tulsi and fresh turmeric roots.
Monsoon Skincare Routine
Monsoon is when your skin gets more sweaty, oily, and acne-prone because of increased humidity. Skin care during the monsoon season is critical and different from other seasons. One could introduce the following tips to reduce skin setbacks in the rainy season. Wash your face with water boiled with neem leaves as it has anti-bacterial property. You can also use a face pack made with neem, tulsi leaves, and aloe vera paste. Let us discuss an ideal monsoon skincare routine:
- Cleansing: Double cleanse your skin to remove all the makeup, waterproof sunscreen, and excess oiliness. Keep the pores clean and reduce sebum collection.
- Toning: Use a hydrating and nourishing toner. Use natural-based toners like cucumber, vetiver, or sandalwood.
- Moisturize: Use lightweight moisturizers. You can also use face oils - Nalpamaradi Keram is a well-known face and body oil for removing tan and sun damage. Another added benefit of Nalpamaradi Keram is its anti-microbial property, as it is enriched with turmeric and ficus bark. Apply and wash it off after 30 minutes if you have dry skin and 10 minutes if you have oily skin.
- Face Cream: A gel-based formula for the daytime and cream for the night routine is best. This helps keep the skin supple, toned, nourished, and healthy. Do not skip sunscreen.
- Mukha Swedanam: Face steaming once a week is an excellent way to achieve unblemished skin and help keep the pores clean. Add Triphala, tulsi, and neem to water for better results.
- Exfoliation: Skin exfoliation is one of the age-old beauty practices that help remove dead skin, white and black head, and impurities. You can exfoliate with gentle ingredients like oatmeal, coffee, and sugar. Kerala Ayurveda Swarnamukhi Face Pack is a face pack that gently exfoliates your skin, leaving it soft and glowing.
- A herbal cleanse: Simple gut cleansers like Triphala tablets help detoxify your body and gut. A healthy gut helps you attain glowing skin.
- Keep yourself hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids. Don't drink juices, as the added sugar might hamper digestion. Instead, consume warm water boiled with digestive herbs.
Monsoon Skincare Tips
- Avoid oil, greasy food. These kinds of foods are difficult to digest and also cause acne.
- Consume food that is easy to digest and full of fiber. Try to include red rice, barley, and moong in your diet. A high-fiber diet keeps your gut healthy and improves skin health. While consuming meat, Acharya has emphasized the importance of poultry instead of red meat or fish.
- To combat Vata and dry skin, include healthy fats in your diet. Nuts and ghee can help balance Vata. Mahathikthaka Ghritham is an ancient herbal ghee for glowing and clear skin. It clears boils, eczema, and other skin issues. Discuss the correct dosage of herbal ghees with your Doctor.
- Stay hydrated to keep your skin healthy. Avoid caffeine and instead drink soups and herbal kadhas to improve digestion and immunity.
- It is better to avoid raw vegetables. Lightly steam the vegetables or saute them in ghee along with warming spices like black pepper and ginger. Consume a small piece of ginger with rock salt to enhance digestion. Good digestion helps improve skin health. Do not consume stale food. Avoid fermented food items, curd, and leafy vegetables.
- Avoid daytime sleep. Maintain personal hygiene.
- Herbal fumigation or Dhoopana with herbs like Guggulu (Commiphora mukul), Agaru (Aquilaria agallocha), and Chandana (Santalum alba), etc helps keep your surroundings disinfected as they have Krimighna (Anti-microbial) properties.
- Follow a proper skincare ritual to attain glowing skin. Both internal and external cleansing is necessary to maintain the balance of Doshas. Monsoon is the perfect time to undergo Panchakarma - the purificatory therapy in Ayurveda. Ancient Kerala Vaidyas developed special purificatory Panchakarma therapies and a specialized diet with Njavara rice to stay healthy in monsoons. This practice, known as Karkidaka Chikitsa, is believed to be rejuvenating and detoxifying treatment that will endow you with strength and glowing skin throughout the year. You can even include the Kerala Ayurveda Skincare ritual set to improve your skin health.
Key Takeaways
- In monsoons, Vata Dosha, which is cold, dry, and rough, gets vitiated. This is the reason that your skin feels dull and dehydrated in monsoons.
- To combat Vata and dry skin, include healthy fats like Nuts, cow’s ghee, and herbal ghees like Mahathikthaka Ghritham in your diet after discussing with your Physician.
- Undergo specialized monsoon Kerala Ayurvedic therapies called Karkidaka chikitsa to cleanse your body internally and stay healthy throughout the year.
- Keep yourself hydrated by drinking herbal teas, kadhas, and a light diet.
- Switch to monsoon skincare products that are water-based.