The Ayurvedic Approach To Treat Acne & Pimples

Ayurveda, the ancient science of healing provides abundant holistic & natural ways to combat several skin concerns and keep the skin healthy. The age-old methodologies of Ayurveda goes beyond conventional approaches to find an answer to acne and treat it from its roots rather than just topical treatment.

What is Acne?

Acne is a skin condition wherein excess production of sebum (oil) from the sebaceous glands leads to the blockage of pores. Acne mostly affects the facial skin, back and other areas that are densely populated with sebaceous glands. Acne presents either as blackheads, whiteheads, pimples or nodules. Ayurveda provides effective root-cause solutions to acne and other skin problems. 

What Causes Acne?

Ayurveda defines each human as a unique balance of the elements. The five elements or Pancha Maha Bhootas are earth, fire, water, air, and space. Each human body is composed of these elements in a unique balance. Ayurveda also defines three Doshas; Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. Every person has these three factors in a unique balance too. The excess or deficiency of these Doshas causes different health issues. Ideally, a healthy person has these Doshas in balance. According to Ayurveda, the major cause of acne is the impairment of Agni (the digestive fire in one’s body) which leads to imbalance of all the 3 doshas, mainly the Pitta dosha, which further impairs the blood and fat tissues. Hence the vitiated doshas produce toxins that block the pores/ srotas (microscopic channels) of the affected areas leading to pimple formation. In different skin types, the effects, the intensity and the healing period is different according to factors like diet, lifestyle & stress levels.

Treatment of Acne & Pimples

To treat the root cause of acne, a person is often recommended a pitta-pacifying diet. Those who see frequent outbreaks of acne, should avoid oily, spicy, sour and fermented foods. The three Ayurvedic tastes that help balance Pitta are sweet, bitter and astringent, so include more of these tastes in daily diet. Fully ripe, sweet fruits, and soaked and blanched almonds make good snack choices. Eat less of the salty, pungent and sour tastes. Choose spices that are not too heating or pungent. Ayurvedic spices such as small quantities of turmeric (1/8th teaspoon), cumin, coriander, cinnamon, cardamom and fennel offer flavor and work greatly to pacify Pitta.

Some dietary and lifestyle changes which can speeden up the healing process :

• Increase the use of herbs that have cooling effects on the body like fennel, black grapes, Indian gooseberry (Amla) and aloe vera.
• Increase intake of water to about 8-10 glasses per day.
• Avoid excess caffeine/ carbonated drinks.
• Manage Constipation well with Triphala Tablets or Isabgol.
• Wash face twice  a day gently with cool water & a mild cleanser like the Face Brightening Daily Cleanser.
• Do not squeeze the acne lesions.
• Engage in exercise of any form like Yoga for swedna (sweat) as your skin throws out toxins through sweating.
• Avoid chemically loaded cosmetics, use natural face masks.

There are various Ayurvedic ingredients that topically aid acne lesions and help them heal naturally - cinnamon, neem and honey to name a few. The Anti-Acne Kit works as a great starter for acne prone skin, made with natural ingredients like Cinnamon, Neem, Basil, the 21 Day Anti Acne Spot Corrector functions as a prohibitor of acne causing bacteria and healing active lesions wheres the Face Brightening Daily Cleanser makes for a mild cleanser for everyday use as well as a natural face mask.

In conclusion, go natural on your acne, you will be surprised by the result. It will help keep the body calm and clean from the inside out. Make sure you’re drinking plenty of water, as well as getting sufficient rest too as stress is known to contribute to Acne in adults. This could be time to reconsider a regular meditation practice or reignite your interest in yoga.

Finally, as frustrating as it may be, remember that beauty comes from within and there is no need to feel anything less than happy in your skin.