Do you have oily skin? According to Ayurveda, your dominant dosha may be Kapha, or you may have a Kapha imbalance. If so, these Ayurvedic skin care tips can help you achieve clearer, smoother skin.

Ayurvedic Medicine for Oily Skin

The factors that create oily skin are physiological and environmental. Kapha-predominant individuals are prone to oily skin (as well as acne, breakouts, blackheads, and whiteheads) because they are more inclined to produce excess sebum and retain moisture. 

That said, a diet and lifestyle that's high in Kapha will make oiliness worse. This includes eating a diet rich in fatty, greasy, and heavy foods and desserts, not exercising enough, and sleeping too much. 

However, oily skin is not all bad! Kapha people can actually benefit from their oily disposition. That's because most Kapha individuals will be less likely to wrinkle later in life than people with dry skin because of the extra oils. They also contain a healthy amount of Ojas, which is the subtle energy responsible for strength, health, and vitality. But for those with oily skin problems, it's recommended that you start to embrace a Kapha diet and routine.

Balance Kapha from the Inside

Balancing oily skin requires adjusting your diet and lifestyle to balance Kapha. Kapha is aggravated by sweet, salty, heavy, and sour foods, so try and lighten the load, avoid these tastes, and incorporate more kapha-pacifying tastes. 

Eat a Kapha Diet

Kapha-pacifying flavors include astringent, bitter, and pungent tastes in your meals, and eat warm meals that will cut through the lethargy (e.g. spices, vegetables, legumes, etc.). Minimize heavy and greasy foods, like fried foods, refined carbohydrates, and sugar as these increase Kapha dosha.

Take Chyawanprash

Taking 1 teaspoon of Chyawanprash every morning 15 minutes before eating will help balance Kapha dosha. PIOR Living’s Chayawanprash contains over 30+ nourishing and balancing herbs, spices, berries, and other ingredients that help balance the body's chemistry naturally.

Embrace a Kapha Routine

Some other essential Kapha-balancing tips include a morning routine that is Kapha-pacifying, a consistent exercise routine, weekly dry-brushing, and pranayama. For more tips on balancing the Kapha dosha, check out this guide.

Take Targeted Herbs

In addition to embracing a Kapha routine, you can also start taking an herbal dietary supplement (such as PIOR Living Skin) for a clearer and healthier complexion. This supplement combines 40 organic and wild-harvested herbs, including moringa, shatavari, and goji berry, all of which work together to nourish, hydrate, and rejuvenate your skin.

Kapha Beauty Routine

A Kapha beauty routine will reduce oiliness and balance moisture in the skin. Following these recommended steps will guide you towards clearer, more luminous skin:

Cleansing

Oily skin will require a good cleansing routine. However, oily skin problems don't mean that you need to over-cleanse. Cleansing once or twice a day is sufficient for balancing the oils of the face. You can create your own cleanser right at home. All you'll need is:

• 1 teaspoon chickpea flour
• 1 drop of neroli, grapefruit, or bergamot essential oil
• Rose water

Combine all the ingredients with enough rose water to make a liquidy paste. Gently massage the skin of the face and neck, being careful around the eyes. Rinse with warm water.

Balancing

Balancing the skin's oiliness will require very little product, but it's important. When the skin is still slightly damp after cleansing, apply a few drops of sunflower oil to the hands. Warm the oil in the hands and apply all over the face and neck. Sunflower oil is non-comedogenic (doesn't clog pores) and ideal for Kapha types. For breakouts, apply a small drop of diluted tea tree oil on a cotton swab and spot-treat problem areas.

Stay the Course

Change is hard for Kapha, so remember to be patient and persevere with changes. The skin can take up to 28 days to begin showing signs of change. 

Ceanna Saatsaz is a Licensed Master Esthetician, Certified Ayurvedic Practitioner, and Certified Professional Herbalist from Seattle, WA.