Ayurveda is Sanskrit for the science of life. Known as the sister to yoga, ayurveda seeks to balance the universal elements within the individual–space, air, fire, water, earth--as a way toward balancing the entire world. Pitta body-mind types have an overabundance of fire, which can manifest itself in personality traits–ambitiousness, aggressiveness--as well as physical ones–red hair, athletic build and acne. To cool the flames of pitta and take care of your skin, take the time to do a weekly ayurvedic facial made for your type.
Instructions
1. Choose a gentle soap to cleanse your skin. A product like Dr. Bronner’s Castile soap contains saponified oils so it won’t dry your face. Dry skin isn’t usually a worry of the pitta body-mind type, but ayurveda encourages balance, not eradication. Acne products containing chemicals like benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid strip oil from your face's skin so much that your skin will produce more and your face will end up with a breakout. Stick with a soap that has ingredients you can pronounce and identify. If your skin is very sensitive, use yogurt; ayurvedic practitioners believe yogurt has cooling properties to soothe the pitta fire.
2. Wet your face. With a little soap or yogurt on your fingers, make small circles, starting at the chin, that fan upward and outward for 60 seconds. Focus on what you’re doing. Breathe deeply. The pitta mind races, which causes stress, which can cause breakouts. This facial is a time for you to quiet your mind. If you can't do that, it's enough to notice how fast it's running. Rinse your face with lukewarm water and allow it to air dry.
3. The next step in an ayurvedic facial is normally steaming, but because the heat of a pitta body type can lead to sensitive skin, you need to modify. Wet a soft washcloth with hot water. The water should feel soothing under your hands. If it’s too hot for your hands, it will be more so for your face. Wring out the cloth. Lie down and cover your face with it till the heat has dissipated. Notice if your mind is fidgety. Don’t reprimand yourself too harshly if it is.
4. Combine one part each of the following: yogurt, barley flour, oat flour, apricot kernel seeds, lemon peel powder and orange peel powder (check the “Resources” section for help finding ingredients). To apply this exfoliating solution, use the same technique as described in Step 1. Pitta types must remember to be tender with the skin on the face. Scrubbing too hard will result in – you guessed it – more breakouts.
5. Mash up a ripe banana. Spread the pulp over your face. Lie down on your back with your feet elevated for 10 to 15 minutes. Observe your breath. Try to keep your mind from wandering, but when it does, don’t scold yourself. After your 15 minutes, rinse your face gently. Leave it wet.
6. Moisturize. Combine one part grapeseed oil and one part olive oil. If you like, you can add essential oils appropriate for pitta skin, such as lavender, sandalwood and ylang-ylang. Combine a teaspoon or so of the oil with a few drops of water and apply it to your face in the same manner as you did when you washed and exfoliated. Let your face air dry.
7. Meditate. Seated erect on the floor or in a chair, close your eyes and observe the movement of your breath for at least 5 minutes. Quieting the pitta mind is essential for a balanced pitta body. If your pitta mind is noisy, above all be compassionate. Every time you notice your mind wander, acknowledge the wandering and return to your breath. Don’t be mean to yourself when it happens.
Tags: your face, your mind, your skin, pitta mind, your breath, ayurvedic facial