Love The Skin You Are In
Jul 26, 2026
As promised last week, we are diving into caring for the skin (beyond the sunscreen discussion): how it responds to diet, and is affected by dosha in the summertime.
(If you don't know your predominant dosha yet, take my quiz HERE).
The skin is an expression of the health of the rasa, or "bodily juice" otherwise known as plasma. In general, if we eat seasonal veggies and juicy fruits, a little grain and light animal proteins, we will do well by our skin. Avoiding food combining challenges (like mixing dairy with fruit which can result in skin eruptions) can be very helpful. Additionally, avoiding overly heating substances like alcohol, refined sugar, caffeine, and fried foods which lead to rashes, acne, and inflammation, can be a good starting place when it comes to summer food choices.
In summertime, all of us will be affected by the heat to some degree, and if we are in perimenopause or post menopause, we will need to be more mindful of the Vata tendencies of the skin, in addition to your predominant dosha if you are Pitta or Kapha.
Here are some basic guidelines and descriptors of each type of skin and how to support it during the summer:
Vata Skin in Summer
- Traits: Naturally dry, thin, and delicate. While summer is warm, Vata can still suffer from dehydration and rough patches caused by wind and sun.
- Needs: Gentle hydration and grounding nourishment. Use light yet nourishing oils like almond or argan oil to lock in moisture without feeling weighed down. If your skin feels excessively dry, try using a heavier oil like sesame. Avoid harsh drying products or over-exfoliation.
Pitta Skin in Summer
- Traits: Sensitive, warm, and easily inflamed. Summer aggravates Pitta the most because of the high heat, leading to redness, rashes, sunburns, and age spots.
- Needs: Intensive cooling and soothing care. Use cooling ingredients like aloe vera gel, rose water mists, and red sandalwood. If there is a need for more moisture, try using unrefined, organic coconut oil. Keep skin covered with breathable fabric when outside and avoid layering on lots of oils and lotions as that can suffocate the skin - sealing the heat in deeper.
Kapha Skin in Summer
- Traits: Thick, oily, and prone to clogged pores. The humidity and heat of summer can cause excess sebum production, leading to summer acne, blackheads, and sticky congestion.
- Needs: Clarifying and purifying care. Use gentle herbal cleansers with neem or tea-tree to clear excess oil. Regular, mild exfoliation helps prevent sweat and oil from trapping impurities in the skin. A traditional Ayurvedic treatment for Kapha is to scrub the skin with chickpea flour.
Try out some of these suggestions and see how it goes. I am always eager to hear feedback from your experiments. Send your questions to my email!
May you be deeply nourished. May you be at peace. May you be safe. May your heart be filled with joy. Namaste!
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