Ayurvedic
Summer Care
by Shahnaz Husain
The summer sun and
skin irritants can also
lead to problems like sun
tan, sun burn, skin
sensitivity, heat rash and
eruptions, like pimples
and acne. Ayurveda has
identified many
ingredients that have
cooling properties and
are ideal for summer.
I
t is necessary to care for the skin
according to seasonal needs. For
instance, cleansing, cooling and
refreshing the skin are more
important in summer, when we need to
remove impurities that stick to oily and
sweaty skin. The summer sun and skin
irritants can also lead to problems like
sun tan, sun burn, skin sensitivity, heat
rash and eruptions, like pimples and
acne. Ayurveda has identified many
ingredients that have cooling properties
and are ideal for summer. Among these
are rose, khus, mint, sandalwood,
coconut, etc. That is why such
ingredients are more in use during the
summer months.
Rose water is not only a natural coolant,
but is a powerful skin toner and
stimulates blood circulation to the skin
surface. So, tone the skin daily with
chilled rose water, using cotton wool
pads. Wipe and stroke the skin with
them. Then, pat briskly with the
rosewater-soaked cotton wool pads.
Exfoliating the skin once or twice a week
works wonders, removing dead cells
and brightening the skin. Ayurveda
recommends taking sesame seeds (til),
dried mint (pudina) leaves and honey.
Crush the sesame seeds coarsely and
powder the dried mint leaves. Mix them
with a little honey and apply on the
skin. Leave on for 5 minutes. Rub gently
and wash off with water.
Ayurveda also recommends using clays
like Multani Mitti, which is also a natural
coolant. Multani Mitti can be mixed with
rose water into a paste, to make a
summer face pack. It reduces oiliness,
refreshes the skin and prevents skin
eruptions like pimples, acne or even
rash.
Apr./May 2019 www.yogicherald.com
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