There are many different systems of classifying skin types, and classically, skin types are the Oily Skin, the Dry Skin and the Combination Skin(which has characteristics of both). The focus here is the Dry Skin type, as Mehdya Herbals once again brings you strategies based on Ayurvedic principles to deal with it.
But before that, let us get to understand this condition aright.
The Dry Skin is one that has small pores, a fine, leathery texture. The dry skin is lacking in oil. The good news about this skin type is that it is not prone to acne, as the oily skin type is. However, it is prone to other conditions that we we will be considering shortly.
Classifying the Different Skin Types, Found Yours?
Because your uniqueness is important to us and is a major part of our consideration at Medhya Herbals, we are further going to split in another two classes:
- Dry Dehydrated Skin: This not only lacks oil, but also lacks water. As a result of this, hydration is quickly lost through evaporation and loss of collagen. It is difficult to extract whiteheads and blackheads from this type of skin. Another downside to this is that a person with dry dehydrated skin tend to show signs of aging earlier.
- Dry Hydrated Skin: While this skin type has depleted oil quantities, it has enough water and is sufficiently hydrated. This skin might look thin, but it is still plump and healthy.
You should have noted the distinction by now, that dryness refers to the presence or absence of oil, and the hydration refers to the presence or absence of water.
Ayurvedic Perception Of Dry Skin.
People who have dry skin are people who have the vata dosha in excess, either by natural composition, or by aggravation of the vata dosha. Also, it could show up in aging people because as a person advances in age, the vata dosha increases.
How does vata dosha result in dryness of skin? Well, the vata dosha is the one that controls water metabolism, and it controls the kidneys.
When the vata is excited, it overstimulates the kidneys, and excess water is eliminated, more water than should be lost is removed from the body, and this causes dehydration. Conversely, an overworked kidney causes the vata to be aggravated, and an aggravated vata results in increased anxiety, fear and worry(the emotions of vata), and these translate to stress, and stress in turn dries the skin. In short;
- aggravated vata overworks the kidney and dries the skin,
- and an overworked kidney excites vata further and still dries the skin.
That is a vicious cycle that you want to avoid.
What can make your skin go so dry?
Well, we have seen the causes of vata from the above section that gave an Ayurvedic view of dry skin, but in addition to those, skin can also be made dry by:
- STRESS: This makes your skin more susceptible to drying out and to getting fine lines. Stress-related fatigue could also lead to dryness of the skin. Sometimes, adrenaline is overproduced to compensate, and this overstimulates the kidney, and more water is lost from the body.
- EXPOSURE TO SUNLIGHT: Exposure to sunlight causes fluid and oils to be heated up and to evaporate from the skin. Not only that, but the UV rays from the sun damage the collagen that hold skin cells together, making the skin surface looser. When this happens, water, oil, and fluids generally are able to easily evaporate off the skin.
- DISEASES: Diseases such as diabetes or other conditions that lead to excess water loss could also translate to dry, dehydrated skin.
- CONSTIPATION: If the colon is blocked up, as in constipation, and materials cannot be excreted, the colon is going to absorb more water for itself in an attempt to dilute its contents. As a result, the rest of the body is deprived of sufficient water.
- Oxidants.
Signs And Symptoms That You Have Dry Skin.
How do you know if someone has dry skin, so you can know if a particular product is good for their skin type, or what the root cause of a skin condition they might have could be? It is important to know your skin type if you’re going to take good care of your skin. So, how do I know if my skin is the dry type?
- First, if your dominant dosha is the vata dosha, then you most likely have it.
- You have very few visible pores and blackheads on your skin.
- Your skin constantly feels dry or itchy.
- You have flaky or rough skin
- Your skin doesn’t have an oily shine.
- You rarely ever have trouble with acne breakout.
Ayurvedic Ways Of Making Your Skin Happy.
First, if you have dry skin, note that it is not a disease that needs to be cured, but a skin type that needs to be cared for to make the best of it. It needs to be nourished.
Don’t go lathering your skin with petroleum jelly every time. Before you go on and start trying out every beauty product that promises you oily skin very quickly, you should try these homemade materials to care for dry skin. These are some tested and trusted methods you can use to care for your skin(and note the word is ‘care’, not ‘cure’):
Body and Facial wash for dry skin:
To make this, you will need just:
- 1/4 cup of full fat coconut milk;
- 1/3 cup of liquid castile soap;
- 5 drops chamomile essential oils; and
- 10 drops of patchouli essential oil.
You are to:
- mix all of these ingredients in a mixing bowl thoroughly
- Transfer the mixture to a squeeze bottle
- Shake before using to get the settled parts to mix well.
That easy.
Chamomile blend.
This requires:
- 10 drops of sweet almond oil;
- 1 drop of roman chamomile essential oil; and
- 2 drops of Neroli essential oil.
Use it thus:
- Blend the ingredients together in a small glass jar
- Allow it to stand for about 2 days. Use a few drops.
The bonus to this is that the neroli oil in the ingredients can also help treat acne and regenerate your skin.
You could also try bath scrubs, aromatherapy, and lotion bars for dry skin, etc.
Aside these, if these remedies are to be effective, then you must be willing and ready to adopt some lifestyle and diet changes to give maximum care to your skin.
Lifestyle Changes To Care For Dry Skin.
- Keep out of the sun as much as you can.
- You sunscreen with SPF of at least 30.
- Reduce the level of stress you put yourself through. Rest well.
- Nourish the skin efficiently.
- Avoid extreme weathers.
- Practice self abhyanga, that is lovingly oil yourself, shenana.
- To treat a vata skin, it is also important that the colon is cleansed.
Diet Changes To Care For Dry Skin.
- Avoid dry fruits, nuts, bread, and other dry food items.
- Take vata pacifying diet.
- Eat healthy and do not skip meals.
Does Dry Skin Cause Wrinkles?
No, it is a myth that dry skin causes wrinkles. The same factors that cause dry skin can also lead to wrinkles, but it is not dry skin that causes wrinkles.
Wrinkles are caused by genetic changes, muscle movement, estrogen loss, fat depletion, etc.
Remember, your body is a microcosm of the universe, and like the universe, it was made to self-regulate, to take care of itself.
You have more questions? Comment below, and our in-house experts in Ayurveda will respond to you promptly.
