Skin Types and Care

About 80% of the human body is water. It is therefore logical to assume that all the processes within the body will function more effectively in the right amount of moisture.

The skin is a complex tissue that acts as a barrier between man and his environment. The skin helps regulate body temperature, excrete waste products and prevents hazardous substances entering the body. The look and health of the skin reflects the health and well being of the person and therefore greatly contributes to a person's "looks". It is therefore essential that we take good care of our skin.

Skin Types
Ayurveda clearly defines the outward looks of a person depending upon their basic body make-up or constitution.

Pitta skin is oily, a little flushed, prone to acne but wrinkles more slowly so it is usually smoother.
Kapha skin is normal or combination skin and is usually smooth to medium.
Vata skin is generally tight and dry which looks good when it is young but has the tendency to wrinkle fast and look dry.

Equally skin can be classified by age. Young skins are smoother more radiant and tight but as they age the skin tends to become more lax, duller and develops wrinkles.

The kind of skin care that each type of skin type requires is varied according to their predominant skin type or condition Whilst in general we all know our individual skin type, the following information and product guides will help you determine the correct choice of product.

Herbal therapy means use of herbs, proper massage and pressure for skin care. Ayurveda as well as Western culture uses herbs for protecting and rejuvenation. The use of herbs and their application is endless. They are pleasant to use and do not have side effects. Herbs are plant extracts consisting of leaves, flowers, petals, berries, seeds, roots, bulbs and sap.

Most herbs are seasonal and must be properly harvested, dried and preserved for use if they are not freshly available.

Some of the herbs, oils, clays and minerals used by Herbline Essentials are

Common Name Use
Aloe Vera Soothing and rejuvenation
Brahmi Rejuvenation
Cucumber Blemishes and moisturizing
Sandalwood Healing
Neem and Basil Antiseptic
Honey Soothing
Gopichand clay Exfoliation
Turmeric Skin bleach and antiseptic
Apricot oil Contains vitamin E and slows down aging of cells.

Ayurvedic general skin care recommendations

You must use good quality beauty products to keep your skin looking healthy Herbline Essentials has a wide range of products to endorse the rule of CTMNP(cleansing toning, moisturizing, nourishing and protection). Special care is taken to protect lips with lip balm and eyes with under eye cream. For more effective results, a weekly Skin Care regime should be followed.

General Health and Habits

Your skin reflects good health and habits. Ensure that you do a little light exercise every day. Ayurveda suggests simple stretching exercises, yoga or a brisk walk preferably in the morning as this will help to bring the food nutrients to the skin surface.

Follow a healthy diet ensuring that you eat plenty of fresh fruits, green vegetables and roughage. It is important to drink plenty of pure water (3-4 litres a day) to detoxify the skin and keep the internal organs hydrated. In hot weather, air conditioning or a dry winter this should go up to 5 litres per day.

If you have any problems with your inner self such as respiration, urinary tracts or blood circulation then seek medical attention as they can affect your health and well-being.

Avoid smoking and drinking Alcohol as they widen your skin capillaries.

If you are tense or under stress you must try to have a good nights sleep and learn to laugh. Keep your mind relaxed with Dhyana or meditation.

Ayurveda suggests that complete bodily care i.e. internal external and mental is essential for overall well being and health.

Cleansing
A clean skin will not only look better but will perform its job more efficiently.

Depending on the skin type, Cleansing milk, Astringent or skin tonic can be used to deep pore cleanse the skin on exposed body parts. A mild soap can be used on the rest of the body.( Herbline Essentials will shortly be introducing special Herbal soaps for different types of skin.)

Skin Hydration
Moisture is essential for the skin but needs to be used differently for different types of skin; also variation is needed for different weather and seasonal conditions. Day use requires light hydration and night use is for therapeutic hydration. Different hydrators are detailed later with skin type recommendations.

Rejuvenation
This is the practice of removing dead skin, pore clogging oils and waxes and deeply in ground dirt and grime to expose the true and fresh facial skin. It is essential to use a dermabrasion or exfoliation treatment at regular intervals. Herbline Essential scrubs are suited to each skin and are detailed in the product notes.

Special Therapy
Skins that are maturing and those with special typical problems need special treatment and therapy. Herbline essentials produce specific therapeutic products for these problems. The product notes will help you in learning more about these products and their uses.

Individual Skin Types and Ayurvedic science

Dry Skin

Indication: tight and thirsty surface skin
Cause: Change in climate, working in an air-conditioned environment, frequent travel. According to Ayurveda you have a dominance of Vata Dosha
Aim: To minimize dryness by increasing the moisture of the skin and remove fine lines.
Diet: Avoid dry and sour fruits, raw vegetables. Eat in moderation oils, nuts and dairy products. Try and reduce the intake of bitter sweet and pungent tastes.
Special treatment -Hydra 5 which is made from Aloe Vera will keep the skin moist and give it a dew finish.

Dry Skin Care

Cleanse using a few drops of Aloe Vera Cleansing Milk, give the skin a gentle massage and wipe off with a warm wet towel.
Exfoliate with Cucumber skin tonic. Scrub gently for 2 to 3 minutes and then wipe gently with a warm wet towel.
Nourish the skin daily with Hydra 5 gel and use nourishing cream at night.
Protect the skin with Aloe Vera and Honey Moisturizing lotion/Natural Sunscreen Lotion (SPF15) and Lip Balm

Oily Skin

Indication: Skin appears shiny, oily and warm to touch.
Cause: An excess of sebum, use of heavy or oily creams, pollution and wrong food habits. According to Ayurveda you have a dominance of Pitta Dosha (body heat)
Aim: reduce oiliness, irritation, provide coolness and make the pores look smaller.
Diet: Avoid bananas, oranges, spinach. Take in moderation- Apples, grapes, cabbage and potatoes. Do not take sour and pungent tastes. Drink lots of fresh water and eat food that keeps the body cool.

Oily Skin Care

Exfoliate by scrubbing gently for 2 to 3 minutes with Cucumber skin tonic and then wipe with a warm wet towel.
Nourish the skin with Nourishing cream and then with Aloe Vera and Honey Moisturizing lotion.
Protect the skin with Aloe Vera and Honey Moisturizing lotion/Natural Sun Screen Lotion SPF15 and Lip Balm

 

Normal Skin

Indication: Even texture and tone
Cause: Well hydrated skin with elasticity. According to Ayurveda the person has a dominance of Kapha dosha (body moisture).
Aim: Is to maintain its appearance.
Diet: Avoid figs, bananas, sweet and juicy vegetables, eat pears, berries and mangoes in moderation, and try eating pungent and bitter tastes.
Special Treatment: Aloe Vera cleansing milk which deeply cleanses so that the skin breaths and remains naturally healthy.

Normal Skin Care

Cleanse off make up and grime using a few drops of Aloe Vera Cleansing Milk and gently massage with the fingertips, then wipe off with a warm towel.
Exfoliate by scrubbing gently in a circular motion for 2 - 3 minutes with Apricot and Honey Scrub mixed with Cucumber Skin Tonic, wipe off with a warm towel.
Nourish by massaging the skin gently using Nourishing Cream and then repeat with Hydra 5 gel .
To protect: use Aloe Vera and Honey Moisturizing lotion /Natural sunscreen lotion SPF 25 and lip balm.

Combination Skin

Indication: Oily T-zone (centre of forehead, nose and chin) and a dry C-zone (cheeks and sides of forehead) or oily and dry patches on face.
Cause: Congested and sensitized skin, in general, because many people do not know what the right product is for them. According to Ayurveda you have a combination of two Doshas (Vata + Kapha, Vata + Pitta, Pitta + Kapha)
Aim: To give an even look to the skin
Diet: Take vitamin B2, millet, sprouted wheat and nuts. Avoid sweet, sour, oily and cold food.
Special Treatment: Nourishing cream , which has a double action to balance a combination skin.

Combination Skin Care

Exfoliate by scrubbing in a circular motion for 2-3 minutes with Apricot and Honey Scrub mixed with Cucumber Tonic and wipe off with a warm wet towel.
To nourish the skin, Finger massage with Nourishing Cream on dry areas and Hydra 5 Gel on oily areas.
To protect apply Aloe Vera and Honey Moisturizing lotion, Natural Sunscreen lotion SPF 25 and Lip Balm.

Dry and Mature Skin

Indication: Flakey and dry skin, cold to touch
Cause: Advanced age, lack of sebum and sweat, lack of elasticity and tone, tissues start to sag. According to Ayurveda dry and mature skins generally have an unbalanced Vata Dosha. People with an unbalanced Dosha should watch out for signs of poor digestion and dry climate.
Aim: To hydrate the skin and minimize lines and wrinkles.
Diet: Eat nuts, ghee and oil in small quantities, eat protein food which keep the body warm and retain moisture.
Special Treatment: Firm skin cream is made from special herbs plumps up the skin from within to stretch away wrinkles and the skin warm.

Dry and Mature Skin Care

Cleanse make up and grime with a few drops of Aloe Vera Cleansing Milk gently massage with the fingertips then wipe off with a warm towel.
Exfoliate using Cucumber Skin Tonic.
Nourish the skin using Firm Skin Cream and Hydra 5 gel
Protect by using Aloe Vera and Honey Moisturizing lotion, natural sunscreen lotion SPF 25, and lip balm.
Use Firm Skin cream nightly

Dark Skins

Indication: Skin has a darker shade
Cause: Excess of melanin, tanned by harmful rays of sun, genetic inheritance, influence by food, climate and place
Aim: To reduce melanin, make skin appear lighter and improve appearance.
Diet: Take Aloe Vera and vegetable juices also eat sea vegetable (agar agar and spirulina).
Special Treat: Natural fairness cream is a unique formulation which reverses the ill effects of the sun and reduces melanin and promotes fairness.

Dark Skin Care :

Cleanse the skin of make-up and grime with a few drops of Aloe Vera cleansing milk and gently massage with the fingertips, then wipe off with a warm towel.
To exfoliate scrub in a circular motion for 2-3 minutes with Cucumber Skin Tonic.
To nourish
massage the skin with Natural Fairness Cream mixed with
Cucumber tonic.
To protect apply
natural sunscreen lotion SPF 25 and lip balm during the day and Natural Fairness cream at night.

Lack luster Skin

Indication : Dull and lifeless skin
Cause: Pollution and stress, improper cleansing and an unbalanced Kapha dosha
Aim: Restore the skins vitality
Diet : Drink milk and eat sprouts and fruits containing iron.
Lack Luster Skin Care
To nourish and protect
the skin apply
Apricot and Honey Moisturizing Lotion and Lip balm.
Skin Care Treatment and Herbline essentials product application.

 

Cleanser

AV Cleansing milk, Apricot and Honey Scrub
Cucumber Tonic

Moisturizer

Hydra 5 gel , AV moisturizing lotion, Cucumber skin Tonic, Firm Skin Cream, natural sun cream PF15

Nourisher

Nourishing Cream, Firm Skin Cream, Hydra 5 gel,
Apricot and Honey Moisturizing Lotion, Natural fairness cream

Protector

Natural Sun Cream SPF15, Firm skin Cream, Nourishing cream, AV moisturizing lotion, Lip Balm

Essential Skin Care

Firm Skin Cream, Natural Fairness Cream, Lip Balm , Natural sun cream SPF15

Exfoliation

Apricot and Honey Scrub
Cucumber Skin Tonic

Eye Care

Hydra 5, Firm skin Cream