Ayurvedic Skin & Hair Care for Ageless Beauty

The skin thickness and hydration of different body parts vary. The hydration primarily depends on epidermis thickness. Sebum secreted from sebaceous glands in association with lipids from the corneum stratum and the perspiration produced from sweat glands form a thin layer that lubricates the epidermis to protect from moisture loss, avoiding excessive water loss. On the basis of these factors, there are five basic skin types. They are:

1. Normal skin

2. Dry skin

3. Oily skin 

4. Combination skin

5. Sensitive skin 

Normal Skin 

Normal skin has a fine, even texture with a supple and smooth surface. It has a proper balance between oil and moisture contents and is therefore moist and is neither greasy nor dry. The pores of the skin are fine and barely visible. It reflects good health and needs gentle treatment. 

Dry skin 

Dry skin has a dry, parched appearance and has a tendency to flake easily. It is prone to wrinkles and lines. This is due to the inability to retain moisture as well as the insufficient production of sebum by the sebaceous glands. Dry skin often has problems in cold weather and ages faster than normal or oily skin. Constant protection is very important. It needs a moisturiser during the day and a good cream at night. 

Oily skin 

As its name implies, oily skin is slightly to moderately greasy. This type of skin is caused by the oversecretion of sebum, making the skin surface oily. The excess oil on the surface of the skin attracts dirt and dust from the environment. Oily skin is also prone to blackheads, whiteheads, spots, pimples, and such skin will never be clear. This type of skin needs to be cleansed thoroughly. 

Combination skin 

This type of skin is very common. As the name suggests, it is a combination of both oily and dry skin, with certain areas of the face oily and the rest dry. Usually, there is a central greasy panel consisting of the forehead, nose and chin and a dry panel consisting of cheeks and the areas around the eyes and mouth. The greasy central panel is referred to as the T-Zone. In such cases, each part of the face should be treated accordingly - the dry areas as for dry skin and the central panel as for oily skin and use skin care products made especially for combination skin. 

Sensitive skin 

This type of skin has a fine texture and is very sensitive to changes in the climate. This skin type shows the sensitivity reactions of bleaching, waxing, threading, perfumes, temperature extremes, soap, etc. and for men, sun, perfumes, shaving cream, etc. People with this skin type should avoid products with dyes, perfumes, or unnecessary chemical ingredients that may irritate the skin. 

• Normal Skin in Vata type individuals - The skin is dry, rough, thin and flaky in patches in Vata type individuals. The skin is cold to the touch, and the colour of the skin is dark, greyish-blue. There is very little sweating. Body hairs are dry, sparse, harsh, curly, split and grey. 

• Abnormal skin in Vata type individuals - There is a lack of lustre and tone, rough patches and cracking of skin. Hands and feet are rough and dry. There is an appearance of dark patches. Body hair is harsh and excessively dry. Disorders like corns, callouses, dry rashes, and dry eczema may occur. 

• Normal Skin in Pitta type individuals - The skin is soft, smooth and with many moles in Pitta type individuals. The skin is warm to the touch and fair, peachy, freckled, coppery blue in colour. There is profuse sweating and foul body odour due to excess sweating. Body hairs are smooth, oily and reddish brown. 

• Abnormal skin in Pitta type individuals - Skin is oily, and there is discolouration of natural pigment. There is a fall of body hair and sometimes a greying of body hair. Disorders like acne, furuncles, allergic rashes, wrinkles and inflammation occur. 

• Normal Skin in Kapha-type individuals - Skin is oily, thick, and moist in Kapha-type individuals. Skin is fair, pale with a glow, soft and cool to touch. Sweating is less. Body hairs are thick, black, unctuous and strong. 

• Abnormal skin in Kapha type individuals - Skin is dull, congested and very pale. Body hair is very oily. Disorders like itching, pustules, and cystic formations occur.