Have you ever tried a skin care product and found it just doesn't feel right for you? Ever wonder why?
Based on our Ayurvedic dosha makeup, we all have different skin types — which can vary from soft and smooth to dry or sensitive, or even a combination of a few different types. Nobody knows the qualities of your skin better than you! When we tune in to our own skin-awareness and the ancient system of Ayurveda, we can pick the skin care products that feel the best, work well, and ultimately create balance from the inside out. The three basic skin types — Vata, Pitta and Kapha — are based on the three Ayurvedic doshas (or mind-body energies).
Vata Skin Type
Vata dosha is light, dry, and cool. If your skin is delicate, translucent, prone to dryness and cool to the touch, you probably have Vata skin. When out of balance, Vata skin may become dry or dull , or even be subject to redness. Vata skin types are particularly sensitive to mental stress, which can also affect the complexion.
Pitta Skin Type
Pitta skin tends to be fair or rosy in color, soft, and warm to the touch. These qualities all correspond to the fiery Pitta dosha. When out of balance, Pitta skin types can suffer from irritation, breakouts, andr redness. Pitta skin is usually more sensitive, and emotional stress can add to this tendency.. Picture the blush of embarrassment or skin flushed with anger!
Kapha Skin Type
Kapha skin is lustrous, cool to the touch and may tend to be soft, oily, and/or smooth. These are the qualities of the Kapha dosha. People with Kapha skin tend to have youthful-looking skin much longer than the rest of us! . However, when out of balance, Kapha skin can suffer from excessive oiliness and greasiness.
After reading the descriptions above, you may feel that you have either Vata, Pitta, or Kapha skin—or, like many of us, a combination of a few. It’s also worth noting that your complexion may change with the seasons and in different climates.
Want to know your dosha type? Take our free Dosha Quiz and find out!
CHOOSE THE BEST SOAP FOR YOUR DOSHA
The skin is the largest organ in your body. So it is important to nourish, moisturize, and cleanse with only the best herbal ingredients. Your skin is connected to all aspects of your health — mental, emotional, physical, spiritual, and sensory. Our skin is also a bellwether of our digestive health and the general state of our balance or imbalance.
Whether you have Vata, Pitta, or Kapha skin—or a combination of all three—you can use our dosha-balancing soaps to harmonize your complexion.
KAPHA-BALANCING SOAPTHERAPY
Citronella Herbal Soap is a light and fresh bar that cleanses deeply while balancing soft and smooth Kapha skin. The special blend of Ayurvedic herbs — flame-of-the-forest, mesua, turmeric and lemony citronella — refreshes normal to oily skin. It’s also great for Ayurvedic skincare during spring, when your skin may be a bit more prone to oiliness . Learn more about how to support healthy skin from within.
VATA-BALANCING SOAPTHERAPY
Choose gentle Lemongrass Herbal Soap to cleanse normal to dry skin deeply without stripping natural moisture. Made with a mild natural base, lemongrass oil, and Ayurvedic herbal ingredients — indian elecampane, flame-of-the-forest, and turmeric — this herbal bar gently moisturizes while balancing Vata dosha. For normal to dry skin. Also great for Ayurvedic winter skincare, when your complexion may be more dry than usual.
PITTA-BALANCING SOAPTHERAPY
Because most skin issues are the result of a Pitta imbalance, regardless of dosha makeup, we offer a wide-range of Pitta-balancing soaps.
Soothe warm, sensitive skin with jasmine, selected for its nurturing quality. The jasmine oil base in our balancing Jasmine Herbal Soap bar will cool and nourish the mind and emotions, while gotu kola, holy basil, and peppermint help to protect your skin from environmental stressors. For all skin types.
Rose Herbal Soap comes from a traditional Ayurvedic formula for moisturizing and soothing even the most sensitive skin. This balancing bar contains rose oil, gotu kola, holy basil and peppermint, all selected for their cooling effects. Choose Rose to cool the skin and uplift the spirit. For normal skin.
Replenish dry skin with gently moisturizing Vetiver Herbal Soap! The subtle natural aromas of flame-of-the-forest, sandalwood, waterlily, and vetiver work
to rejuvenate your skin as you cleanse. Ayurvedic herbal l extracts in a gentle base leave your complexion smooth and softly radiant. For normal to sensitive skin.
Cool off and balance Pitta dosha with gentle Cedar Sandalwood Herbal Soap. With Ayurvedic herbs — cedar oil, sandalwood oil, waterlily, and flame-of-the-forest — this all-natural cleanser nourishes and soothes even the most sensitive skin. Perfect when you are feeling hot and bothered, or when temperatures are soaring outside. For normal to sensitive skin, this soap is an excellent choice for Ayurvedic summer skincare.
When the sun is at its highest in the sky, it can be helpful to stay out of the direct sunlight—especially for Pitta types. And don’t forget the sunscreen, which can help to promote healthy skin as you age.
AYURVEDIC SKINCARE FOR EVERY DOSHA & EVERY STAGE
No matter your dosha type, Ayurveda offers a wealth of simple, natural ways to support healthy skin—from diet and digestion to daily lifestyle practices. Explore our video archive of Ayurvedic skincare for every dosha.
For more helpful tips on Ayurvedic skincare, read Radiant Skin at Every Decade: An Ayurvedic Guide.
© 1999, 2023 Maharishi AyurVeda Products International, Inc. (MAPI). All Rights Reserved. MAPI does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. See additional information.
