Do you have oily skin? According to Ayurveda, your dominant dosha may be Kapha, or you may have a Kapha imbalance. The Kapha dosha represents the qualities of heavy, slow, cool, oily, damp, smooth, soft, static, dense, sticky, and sweet. Kapha predominant individuals are prone to develop acne, breakouts, comedones (blackheads), and milia (whiteheads). If you're hoping to get clear, smooth skin, Ayurveda can help. Read on to learn tips from Ayurvedic medicine for oily skin. (If you think you have dry skin problems read, Hydrate and Nourish Your Skin with These Ayurvedic Tips, or if you have acne and rashes, read Achieve Clear, Radiant Skin with These Ayurvedic Tips).

Ayurvedic Medicine for Oily Skin

The factors that create oily skin are physiological and environmental. Most Kapha dominant individuals have oily skin 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 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.

Eat a Kapha diet

Strive to incorporate astringent, bitter, and pungent tastes in your meals, and eat warm meals rich in Kapha foods (e.g. spices, vegetables, legumes, etc.).

Take Chyawanprash

Taking 1 teaspoon of Chyawanprash every morning 15 minutes before eating will help balance Kapha dosha. PIOR'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, read Kapha Season & Tips for Balancing Kapha.

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 in 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
• Rosewater

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.

Moisturizing

Just because there might be excess oil in the skin doesn't mean you shouldn't moisturize the skin. You can make a simple and nourishing facial moisturizer right in your own kitchen:

• 20g of kokum butter
• 1 teaspoon jojoba oil
• 1 drop of lavender, frankincense, or clary sage essential oil

Gently melt the kokum butter in a bain-marie. After it is cooled and beginning to harden, add the jojoba oil and essential oil. Continue mixing the formula until it is mostly hardened. You can store the mixture in the fridge for about a week, and apply it in the mornings and evenings. Only a small amount is sufficient.

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. With these tips, you'll be on the path toward clearer, more balanced skin. Ceanna Saatsaz is a Licensed Master Esthetician, Certified Ayurvedic Practitioner, and Certified Professional Herbalist from Seattle, WA.