Introduction

To some degree, the entire body is made of layers of membranes, and each of these membranes has much in common with skin. What you see on your skin, can often be found on membranes within.

The quality of the skin is closely related to the circulation and quality of the blood. Poetically in Ayurveda, the skin is considered to be the cream of the blood that rises to the surface. The foundation of good skin, therefore, is balanced blood chemistry.

But what affects the quality of the blood? All of your organs and tissues affect blood chemistry. Therefore, the skin is truly connected to the health of the blood, all the organs, and the whole body.

Since skin is so important in assessing health, Ayurveda practitioners study the skin carefully, and can identify which organ may be causing your complexion catastrophes. By learning to recognize and decipher an imbalance of the skin, you will be able to understand and rectify its root cause, too.

Function of Skin

The skin is a sensory organ that enables you to experience your surroundings through touch. Highly enervated, it allows you to experience pressure, pain, hot, and cold.

The skin keeps essential fluids within the body, assists in the removal of waste products through sweat, and also regulates the production of and stores vitamin D in the fat tissue.

Anatomy of the Skin

Ayurveda breaks the skin down into seven layers. Sushruta, the ancient Ayurvedic physician, outlines these layers in his seminal text, Sushruta Samhita. Each layer has its own role and, when out of balance, leads to certain disorders.

Ayurveda's Care of the Skin

Soap is harsh. Most practitioners advise strategic use of soap in private areas only. Otherwise, rinsing the skin is sufficient for cleanliness, and helps maintain a healthy skin biome. Practitioners may also cleanse the skin by massaging oil into the skin and then, if desired, rubbing with a sea salt scrub to exfoliate and cleanse. Oils like coconut oil have antimicrobial properties, feeding the good bacteria and eliminating the bad.

Oil massage (Abhyanga) is one of the main skin-tonics of Ayurveda. Internal consumption of liver tonics such as turmeric, and vasodilating circulatory tonics such as Holy Basil, all server to keep the skin fresh and vital looking.

Ayurveda also has a science of skin pastes (Ubtans) for cleansing the skin and improving skin health topically. An ubtan may be made from ground oatmeal, ground almond flour or chickpea flour, depending on the amount of moisturization, oils, and astringency desired in the formula. Herbs may be added to the ubtan for enhanced effect.

What Causes a Skin Imbalance?

Once the root cause has been addressed, topical treatments are also used. Topical treatments often reduce the symptoms of a skin condition initially and can be quite effective. But unless the cause is removed, the disorder is likely to return at one point or another.

Here are some root causes of skin disorders:

• Diet - Diet is a main factor in skin disorders. A diet that is laden with sugar, highly processed foods containing chemicals and preservatives can lead to skin issues. Eating foods that you are allergic to can cause skin problems. For example, if you have an allergy to wheat you may get acne on the back, shoulders, and face. For healthy skin, it is important that you eat a diet that is compatible with your body type.
• Lifestyle is another main factor in skin disorders. For example, your length and quality of sleep greatly affects the skin. Similarly, an irregular routine aggravates the liver, one of the organs that frequently contributes to skin problems. Many people notice their skin condition worsens when under stress, as stress affects the liver. When the liver is under stress, the skin is more likely to become imbalanced as the blood may not be filtered adequately.
• Toxins (ama) are some of the most common causes of disorders of the skin. Inflamed skin, puffy skin, acne and a gray, lifeless appearance frequently indicate there is a buildup of of toxins circulating through the blood. Blood cleansing detoxicants can help clear the blood of impurities, giving your skin a healthy glow. Poor circulation, liver, and kidney pathology are frequently causes of toxin buildup.
• Poor circulation - To maintain vitality, the skin needs adequate access to freshly oxygenated, nutrient rich blood. Poor circulation makes the skin appear lifeless. Cold temperatures are a frequent cause of poor circulation in the skin.
• Poor digestion, since it creates ama and poor nutrition, is frequently a root cause of skin disorders. The quality of the blood is a direct result of the strength of digestion. The stronger the digestive system, the cleaner the blood will be and in turn, the healthier the skin. The weaker the digestive system, the more toxins will be present in the blood and the more likely you are to get a skin condition. This is why, when looking to improve the skin, Ayurveda frequently looks to the digestive system first.
• Allergies - Hyper sensitivity to allergens may lead to skin imbalances.
• Blood sugar - High blood sugar increases the likelihood of skin infections.

Finally, the skin can also be easily damaged by connective tissue disorders, overexposure to the sun, fungal or bacterial infection, disruptions in skin microbiome, or physical trauma like an open wound.

Common Ailments

Thin, Dry, Wrinkly Skin

Massage your body with half and half mixture of Sesame oil and Vata Oil for especially supple skin. Oil hydrates and softens a brittle thin skin. For dry skin on the scalp, perform a head massage with bhringaraj oil.

Lusterless Complexion

Inflamed Skin

Acne, Oily Skin

Puffy Skin

Liver Spots & Moles

Skin Tonics

Vata

Pitta

Kapha

Conclusion

Herbal Actions Affecting Skin