Ayurvedic Summer Care Routine for Healthy Skin in the Scorching Heat

Soaking up the burning sun rays used to be considered a safe summer pastime. The summer season brings holidays, outing, and ice creams. But it is also a season of dry heat and harsh sun. Attached with dust, pollution, and sweat, summer becomes very harsh for the skin. In summers, keeping skin healthy and glowing, it needs some work and care. Excess sun exposure can result in unsightly brown spots, burns, sensitive skin, and even lead to skin cancer. The ultraviolet rays of the sun are very harsh on the skin and thus it needs proper care to make skin healthy and glowing. Here are some tips for taking care of the skin during the summer season.

Tackle skin damage with Ayurveda –

There could be several internal and external factors that spoil the beauty of our skin and making it look unhealthy. Though, there are some simple ways to counter these factors and restore your skin health. Let’s have a look on some –

UV rays of Sun –

Excessive skin exposure in summer season damages our skin. The Ultraviolet rays of sun correspond to the attributes of the Pitta Dosha and this is why most people face Pitta-related skin problems in summers. Moreover, continuous exposure to the sun also leads to increase in Vata, which dries the skin.

Steps to take – To prevent from harsh UV rays of the sun from damaging, apply herbal sunscreen lotion on major exposed parts of a body. Cover your hands with full-armed cotton gloves, hairs with hat, and carry your sunglasses whenever you go out in sun. Remain hydrated throughout the day by having plenty of water to keep your skin moisturized.

Air conditioning –

In summers we often remain close to the air conditioner, either it would be an office or car or at home, we usually prefer to use ACs. Though most of us don’t even realize that cooling devices like air conditioners don’t just cool down the temperature but also reduce moisture levels and leads to dry skin. Spending hours in AC prevent sweating which the body’s natural process eliminates toxins in summers.

Steps to take – To prevent dry skin, make sure you moisten the skin on a regular basis. Stop using harsh or chemical soaps and instead of this go for herbal soaps or mild cleansers. Applying Aloe Vera gel after a bath can be more beneficial for the skin. You can choose this homemade remedy for soothing dry skin: Mash half avocado or papaya and mix it with few drops of fresh lime juice and spread this paste over the cleansed skin. Leave it for 10-15 minutes till dry, and then wash the skin with warm and cold water. You can do this once or twice a week.

Air Pollution –

The hot and dry wind in summers is a common phenomenon in several regions of the world. Indians especially get exposed to air pollutants like dust, dirt, and smoke which clog the pores of the skin and cause several skin problems like pre-aging, eczema, allergies, and more.

Steps to take – To oppose the effects, apply a good quality of herbal moisturizer that can act as a barrier. You can also apply an ayurvedic remedy: Take 1 tbsp of un-boiled milk, dip a cotton pad and rub on the face gently. Leave it for 15 minutes and then wash your face with cold water.

Food & Lifestyle –

Avoid consuming junk and packed food in excess and have healthy food. To ensure your skin retains its healthy glow, you will have to bring changes in your sedentary lifestyle. Here are some tips that can be helpful:

• Ayurvedic treatment recommends you must be establishing a regular bedtime and morning routine. Go to bed by 10 pm and get up by 6 am. You must get at least 7-8 hours of sleep daily.
• Make sure you exercise for at least 15-30 minutes, preferably in the outdoors.
• Drink plenty of water to remain hydrated and eliminates toxins.
• Have fresh fruits and vegetables, fruit juice, salad and occupy high nutritive value foods.
• Avoid sweets, junk food, spicy, tobacco, drugs, alcohol, chocolate, as they are known as aggravating Pitta Dosha.

Don’t forget, most skin problems have deep-rooted causes; hence the use of local cream or antibiotics can only mask your skin. So adopt Ayurveda and get healthy & glowing skin all summer.