In India, the people have been using natural fruits, vegetables and plants in their skin care regimen for thousands of years. The rich traditions of Ayurveda, teach us to maintain a healthy lifestyle during the various phases of life by taking a holistic approach to our total wellbeing and keeping the three dosha elements within us – fire (Pitta), air (Vata) and earth (Kapha) – in balance. When it comes to skin care, what we put in our bodies is just as important as what we put on our bodies. Remember, about 60% of what we apply to our skin actually gets absorbed, making it even more important to be ingredient conscious.

We know that, by eating a balanced variety of natural, nutrient-rich foods, you feel satiated, have more energy, your body functions more efficiently and you have greater mental stamina and acuity. All of this, of course, translates into healthier, more radiant skin. So why not include the foods we enjoy eating in a skin care product?

DoshaCare understands how the skin can benefit from quality ingredients. Here are just a few of the natural ingredients contained in DoshaCare skin care products that are so good for your skin, you can taste it:

Avocado – nourishes and conditions dry skin, increasing water-soluble collagen
Coconut – moisturizes and softens the skin
Cucumber – cools and soothes irritated skin
Ginger – stimulates circulation and helps remove toxins from the skin
Green Tea — a powerful antioxidant, natural astringent and antibacterial agent to detoxify and purify the skin
Lemon – a natural decongestant that refreshes and purifies the skin
Olive Oil – rich in natural lipids that mimic the skin’s own oils and protects the delicate moisture balance of the skin
Tomato – tones and firms the skin while nourishing and combating blemishes
Turmeric – contains antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties, corrects hyper-pigmentation and softens the skin
Wild Yams – promotes collagen synthesis and improves skin elasticity and moisture-retention

So, go ahead, dig in!

-Vata, -Pitta, -Kapha

From The Ayurvedic Cookbook, written by Amadea Morningstar with Urmila Desai

Ingredients:

• 1 cup fresh green peas (frozen if necessary)
• 1 cup carrots, diced
• 1 cup potatoes, diced
• 2 cups string beans or asparagus, cut in 1 inch pieces
• 2 tablespoons sunflower oil or ghee
• 2 teaspoons cumin seeds
• 2 teaspoons black mustard seeds
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• 1 1/2 cups water
• 2 teaspoons turmeric
• 1 teaspoon coriander powder
• 1/2 cup yogurt

Preperation time: 1 hour

Serves: 8-10 people

Heat oil or ghee in large heavy skillet. Add mustard and cumin seeds. Then the mustard seeds pop, add turmeric. Then add all the vegetables and the water. (If using frozen peas, do not add until rest of vegetables are nearly done.) Cook covered until the vegetables become tender, about 15-20 minutes. Then add yogurt and the rest of the ingredients, stirring well. Simmer uncovered on low heat for another 15-20 minutes.

Yummy!!!

Customized Ayurvedic Skincare

Around this time of year, the ravages of dry winter weather begin to take their toll on skin. Many of us, in an attempt to combat this dehydration, lather on the heavy moisturizers, which isn’t the most effective solution. Often, it’s the built up dead skin  cells on the top layers of the skin that can hinder moisturizer from reaching the deeper layers. An effective exfoliating regimen can be the boost your skin needs in order to get all the benefits of a good moisturizer, and the side effect of a gorgeous glow doesn’t hurt either. DoshaCare’s founder, Patty Schmucker, has created this 3 step regimen to give you that healthy radiant glow that could rival any microdermabrasion treatment out there.

Use this Exfoliation Ritual as an effective anti-aging system that will address hyperpigmentation, boost radiance, and keep blemishes at bay. 

Exfoliation Ritual

Day 1 – Apply Sakala Ama Release Tonic to dry skin, massage gently over the face, neck and décolletage.  Apply your DoshaCare Cleanser over the Sakala Ama Release Tonic and massage gently.  Remove with a warm terry or chamois wash cloth.  Follow with elixir and moisturizer.

Day 2 – Apply your DoshaCare Cleanser and massage gently over the face, neck and décolletage.  Remove with a warm terry or chamois wash cloth. Apply Sakala Exfoliant, as vigorously as your skin will tolerate over the face, neck and décolletage.  Pay special attention to the sides of the nose, the cleft of the chin, cheek area where blush is applied, and around the hairline where makeup and body oils accumulate and create build up. Remove with a warm terry or chamois wash cloth.  Follow with elixir and moisturizer.

Day 3 – Apply your DoshaCare Cleanser and massage gentle over the face, neck and décolletage.  Remove with a warm terry or chamois wash cloth. Follow with elixir and moisturizer.

Day #4 Repeat Ritual steps 1-3

Should I do this ritual morning or night? 

It can be done either as part of your morning ritual or night ritual, but not both.  Choose which you will be more consistent with and incorporate this ritual at that time. 

Can I just repeat Day 1 and 2 Ritual every day?

No, because over-exfoliation is the number one reason (second only to a lack of liquid intake) for the skin having a shiny, oily appearance by mid afternoon.  Over-exfoliation breaks the acid mantle of the skin (a thin protective film naturally made by your body) and forces the skin to overwork to replenish this protective barrier. 

My skin is very sensitive and manual exfoliation irritates my skin.

Follow this ritual and pay attention to your skin’s reaction.  If redness or irritations occur, try these options.  Apply Ama Release tonic on wet skin or mixed with your cleanser.  If irritation still occurs, discontinue use of this product.  Apply Sakala Exfoliant over your cleanser, massage very lightly, or apply just in areas were there is build up.  If irrational still occurs, discontinue use of this product. 

I am oily by mid-afternoon every day.

Make sure you are getting enough liquids into your body.  Water is good, but any type of liquid found in foods, like soups, fruits, and vegetables also count for liquids.  The more clear the liquid you consume, the better.  If you are following this advice and practicing the DoshaCare Exfoliation Ritual, repeat the Day 3 Ritual for two or more consecutive days, until you see a balance restored to your skin.   For example, your Ritual might be Day 1, Day 2, Day 3, Day 3, Day3, Day 1, Day 2, Day 3, Day 3, Day3.

Do I need to clean my skin at night?

Cleaning your skin at night before you go to bed is VERY important as your skin is most active at night when other organs are resting and as a result, whatever is on your skin at night is deeply absorbed. 

What if I have active acne?

For active acne conditions, apply Sakala Ama Release Tonic at night as a spot treatment to dry, clean skin.  Follow with elixir and moisturizer.  

Customized Ayurvedic Skincare

The innovative formulations of the DoshaCare skincare line combine this Ayurvedic philosophy with the best of Western technology to produce an effective, powerful hybrid that reveals healthy, nourished skin. This truly customizable skincare line caters to the three Ayurvedic constitutions: Vata, Pitta and Kapha. Based on the results of a brief DoshaCare skincare survey, you’ll discover how your specific mental and physical characteristics determine your constitution, or Dosha.

The DoshaCare line addresses more than your skin type; its formulators take into account your diet, exercise routine and personality traits to select the most appropriate skincare system.

The same care and dedication applied to formulating these products was also given to the sourcing, production and packaging of the entire DoshaCare line. Each DoshaCare product, made up of 98 percent botanical ingredients, comes from socially and environmentally sustainable sources and meets fair trade and vegan standards. The packaging yields to the highest standards of environmental responsibility, with tubes made of 70 percent recycled materials, bottles made of 100 percent recyclable materials and labels printed with environmentally-conscious soy ink. When producing its product boxes, DoshaCare uses recycled paper to construct the inner packaging and virgin paper sourced from managed forests for its outer packaging.

Dosha Profiles

Your Dosha not only reflects the characteristics of your skin, but also reflects your personality and general nature. Through a series of questions, the Dosha survey determines your primary and secondary Doshas. As people often discover their secondary Dosha differs greatly from their primary—DoshaCare’s  customizable skincare line allots for these differences and allows you to create a skincare regimen to address all of your skin’s characteristics.

Dry skin generally characterizes people with a predominance of Vata in their nature. Also, as we age, our skin tends to become more Vata in terms of its condition. While an out-of-balance Vata can be characterized as easily excitable and anxious, they are also known for their adaptable and flexible nature when balanced. An irregular, inconsistent appetite generally accompanies the small, slender Vata frame.

When out of balance, inflamed and acne-prone skin accompanies the irritable and critical nature of Pittas. On the contrary, balanced Pittas are known for their strong, determined, goal-oriented mindsets.

People with a predominance of Kapha in their nature commonly experience congested, oily skin. Kaphas, generally known for their easy going, steady nature, can become withdrawn when out of balance.

The DoshaCare system offers a comprehensive skincare regimen of mix-and-match products to be tailored to your primary and secondary Doshas, including: cleansers, exfoliants, masques, moisturizers and elixirs.

The DoshaCare Sakala line presents an array of products appropriate for all Doshas, including: an exfoliant, refining tonic, eye and neck balm, environmental shield and a sunscreen.

The heart of Ayurvedic philosophy is based on the belief that all aspects of wellness, both internal and external, greatly affect our inner being. To this point, DoshaCare assembled an advisory board to provide a valuable resource for consumers: The Holistic Lifestyle Report. Ideas and information from experts in fields such as holistic dentistry, aromatherapy, nutrition, herbology and social and environmental responsibility convene on the pages of this bi-annual report to encourage consumers to apply Ayurvedic principals to all aspects of their lives.

DoshaCare products are available at doshacare.com.