Do post-summer skin concerns bother you as the weather begins to transition from summers to autumn season?
While modern understanding of skincare may not have a convincing answer as to why skin experiences phases of shifts during weather transitions, Ayurveda surely knew what's going on to your skin as weather transitions!
Understanding Autumn Energetics from Ayurveda Lens
Observe what's going on with the plants and trees outside in nature during summer to autumn transition. As summers come to an end and autumn season approaches, leaves begin to get dry and dull as the moisture levels in the environment deplete due to drying winds. The lush green color of leaves begins to convert into dull earthy autumn shades of browns and beige. The nature begins overall begins to feel dry, dull and less juicy!
According to Ayurveda, we are the microcosm of the macrocosm, and the nature replicates itself within our inner world! Now apply the same analogy of the shifts in nature to your body and skin!
During weather transition from summer to autumn, the energy in the nature is very dry, dull and dehydrating, and so is the energy within. Therefore, similar effects begin to show up in our body and on our skin in the form of dry skin, dry lips, lack of hydration on skin, dull complexion, uneven skin tone and even hyperpigmentation.
Skin Requirements According to Autumn Energetics
The keywords for Autumn skin concerns are 'dryness', dehydration' and 'dullness' that you must deal with. Therefore, the focus for autumn must be just the opposite of skin concerns translating to 'moisture', 'hydration' and 'brightness'.
Svarasya's Inside-Out Recommendations for Autumn Skincare
Outside Autumnn Skincare:
- Combat Dryness- Moisturize more to combat dryness! As the air becomes drier and less humid, swap your summer lotion for a richer, deeply penetrative cream to provide a protective barrier against moisture loss. Look for skincare products that have high moisture content and have the potential to penetrate deeper to the seventh layer of the skin and hydrate skin cells from deep within. For the face try Shata Dhauta Ghrita that is research proven natural ghee-based formulation that penetrates to the deepest skin layers as serves as pure nutrition for the skin. For the body try Madyati Kaya Tailam that is a light herb-infused body oil that deeply moisturizes the body with its deep penetrability and provides relief from dryness. For the hair, try Saroma Tailam that helps moisturize the scalp and calm the nervous system to keep moisture levels high on the scalp.
- Hydrate the Skin - Keep the skin hydrated with products that keep moisture stay on the skin for a long time. Try Kumkumadi Kesara Tailam that keeps the skin moisture intact. The right method to apply Kumkumadi Kesara face serum is just after bath on a wet skin. Apply 2-3 drops and let the water droplets and oil create a protective moisture layer on the skin. Massage well in upward and outward direction for best results.
- Use Skin Brightening Products - Brightening products include products with circulation-enhancing properties or vitamin C rich products that helps brighten up the dull complexion. Try Chandrika face mask that naturally takes the circulation up on the skin with its stimulating spice ingredients that impart instant radiance on skin. Try our Tejasya Vitamin C serum to enhance the skin brightening and boost collagen production after using Chandrika.
Inside Autumn Skincare:
- Combat Dryness - As the cooler temperatures and lower humidity set in, it is important to slow down to tame the vata energy that is the energetic cause of dryness during the autumn season. Some dietary hacks to keep the autumn dryness under check include consuming food with more watery content like porridges, stews, soups. Increase the intake of warm beverages and herbal teas to soothe vata. To Balance vata energy, it is absolutely important to include good fats in diet, including ghee, flaxseeds and sesame seeds to name a few. Practice gentle sweating exercises but refrain from overdoing exercising that can have an adverse effect on skin.
- Hydrate the Skin - Keep the skin hydrated with consumption of foods rich in vitamin C and hyaluronic acid. Such foods include, lemons, oranges, grapefruit, cherries, colored sweet peppers and guavas to name a few. Use a humidifier indoors to add moisture back into the air to protect skin from drying when you are indoors. Drink plenty of water and incorporate seasonal fruits and vegetables into your diet to strengthen your immune system and support skin health from the inside.
- Practice Skin Brightening Yoga Practices - Skin brightening is created by good circulation. Practice circulation enhancing practices to bring instant radiance on your face and to feel energetic and alive in the body. Try practicing a few sets of Sun Salutations daily to get your circulation flowing and your skin glowing!