Unlock the Secrets of Your Skin’s 7 Layers: How Ayurveda Can Transform Your Glow

When you think of healthy, glowing skin, do you picture what’s visible on the surface or what’s happening underneath?

Much of what you see on the outside of your skin is a reflection of what’s happening on the inside – your physical, mental, and emotional well-being, including the balance of your body’s energies, or doshas.

According to Ayurveda, your skin (twacha) is made up of 7 layers, each with specific functions. When all these layers are deeply nourished, your skin is radiant and glows naturally.

In this article we'll guide you in understanding the 7 layers of skin according to Ayurveda, how your skin health relates to the three doshas – Vata, Pitta, Kapha – and practical tips to naturally glowing, vibrant skin from within.

What are the 7 Layers of Skin in Ayurveda?

The skin is your body's largest organ and allows you to perceive your surroundings through the sense of touch. It constantly performs vital functions – regulating body temperature and protecting against infections, ultraviolet (UV) light, chemicals, and injuries.

According to Ayurveda, the skin has 7 interconnected layers, each with distinct functions to support overall well-being and contribute to your natural glow and radiance.

The Ayurvedic perspective parallels modern medicine, which divides the skin into the epidermis, dermis, and hypodermis (or subcutaneous tissue). While both systems share many similarities, Ayurveda offers a holistic approach, focusing on nourishing your skin from the inside out.

Your 7 Layers of Skin Explained

1. Avabhasini

• Role: The outermost layer of your skin, responsible for its natural glow. This layer reflects your overall health and supports the nourishment of deeper skin layers by maintaining the balance of rasa dhatu – plasma, the vital nutrient fluid. It also illuminates your skin’s natural tones and forms a protective barrier against infection, dehydration, chemicals, and external stress.

2. Lohita

• Role: This layer nourishes your skin through blood circulation, providing a healthy, vibrant complexion. Composed of blood vessels, it reflects the quality of your blood and supports the nourishment of the outer skin layer, avabhasini.

3. Shweta

• Role: Shweta helps maintain moisture and balance in your skin, supporting elasticity and an even complexion. Formed by whitish fibrous tissues, this layer also contributes to your skin’s protective barrier, helping to keep it hydrated and resistant to external elements.

4. Tamra

• Role: Tamra detoxifies your skin, clearing impurities and supporting firmness. Positioned at the boundary between deeper
  layers and the surface, tamra secretes lipids and proteins to form a hydrophobic barrier, protecting your skin from 
  external damage. This layer also contributes to your skin’s coppery complexion, as it’s formed by the deposition of copper-like 
  
  substances. 

5. Vedini

• Role: Vedini governs your skin’s sensitivity and perception of touch, heat, and pain. This layer contains connective tissue, blood capillaries, and nerve endings, allowing for deep sensation and nourishment. It plays a crucial role in your skin’s sensory functions, helping you perceive temperature, pressure, and discomfort.

6. Rohini

• Role: Rohini is responsible for skin regeneration and healing, promoting growth and repair. This layer contains collagen, elastic, and protein fibres that provide strength and elasticity. It also includes hair follicles, sebaceous glands, sweat glands, and blood vessels, supporting nourishment and skin structure. Rohini plays a key role in maintaining your skin's regenerative capacity and overall resilience.

7. Mamsadhara

• Role: Mamsadhara provides structural support, connecting your skin to the muscles and tissues beneath. As the innermost layer, it holds and supports your skin, ensuring firmness and suppleness. This layer also acts as an energy reserve and plays a crucial role in maintaining your skin’s strength and overall structure.

Why Your Skin Loses Its Glow?

Nothing reflects health quite like radiant, glowing skin, yet many people struggle to achieve this. True radiance comes from understanding the 7 layers of your skin and going beyond surface-level treatments to nourish yourself from the inside out.

According to Ayurveda, factors such as poor digestion, stress, sun damage, an imbalanced lifestyle, and environmental pollutants disrupt your body’s doshas – Vata (air and space), Pitta (fire and water), and Kapha (earth and water).

These internal imbalances manifest as common skin problems:

• Vata imbalances, caused by factors like stress or dehydration, lead to dry, flaky, and rough skin along with premature ageing.
• Pitta imbalances, often triggered by excess heat, spicy foods, or emotional stress, result in redness, acne, eczema, and inflammation.
• Kapha imbalances, aggravated by a sedentary lifestyle or heavy, oily foods, cause oily, congested skin, a dull complexion, and clogged pores.

Achieving glowing skin starts from within by addressing these dosha imbalances.

For Dull, Dry And Glowless Skin (Avabhasini and Lohita Layers, Vata Imbalance)

A Vata imbalance often results in dry, flaky skin, dullness, and lack of radiance. Vata is characterised by air and space, which, in excess, can deplete moisture and lead to dehydration in the outer skin layers.

Natural Solution: Hydrate the skin by applying nourishing oils and creams or Herbal blends that promote grounding and strengthen the nervous system. Maintain moisture with a balanced diet rich in healthy fats such as ghee, avocados, and nuts, which help balance Vata. Drinking warm Herbal teas like Ginger or Licorice can also support hydration from within.

For Pigmentation and Uneven Skin Tone (Shweta Layer, Pitta Imbalance)

A Pitta imbalance, aggravated by heat, spicy foods, or emotional stress, can lead to pigmentation, uneven skin tone, and inflammation. Pitta is governed by fire and water, and excess heat disrupts your skin’s natural complexion, causing issues like hyperpigmentation.

Natural Solution: To balance Pitta, use cooling and brightening ingredients like Turmeric, Rose, Saffron, and Licorice to even out skin tone and reduce dark spots. Avoid heat-aggravating foods like spicy or fried foods, and incorporate cooling foods such as cucumber, coconut, and mint into your diet. You can also apply face packs with aloe vera, rose, or sandalwood for added calming and balancing effects. Saffron facial oils are Ayurveda’s skin miracles against dark spots and hyperpigmentation.

For Sensitivity and Inflammation (Vedini Layer, Pitta Imbalance)

Just as a Pitta imbalance can lead to hyperpigmentation and uneven skin tone, aggravated Pitta can also cause skin sensitivity, inflammation, and conditions like acne or eczema. The excess heat causes irritation and redness, which particularly affects the deeper sensory layers of your skin.

Natural Solution: Calm and soothe your skin with cooling Ayurvedic ingredients like Aloe Vera, Sandalwood, Coconut, Mint, and Chamomile. These herbs help reduce inflammation and balance Pitta. Similarly to aloe vera, the high Vitamin E content of Shata Dhauta Ghrita makes it a powerful remedy to calm and cool inflamed skin. Avoid harsh chemicals in your skincare routine and focus on gentle, natural products. Incorporate cooling foods such as leafy greens, cucumbers, fennel, coriander, coconut, mint, and pomegranates, and drink plenty of room-temperature water to reduce internal heat. Herbal facial steams also bring immediate relief from irritated, inflamed, or sensitive skin.

For Oily, Congested Skin (Shweta and Mamsadhara Layers, Kapha Imbalance)

A Kapha imbalance, often caused by a sedentary lifestyle or heavy, fatty foods, can result in oily, congested skin, clogged pores, and a dull complexion. Kapha, related to water and earth, when in excess, causes stagnation and buildup in the skin.

Natural Solution: To balance Kapha, avoid heavy, oily foods and opt for more light, astringent, and warming foods such as leafy greens, lentils, quinoa, and ginger. Try detoxifying face masks with Neem, Turmeric, and Clay to cleanse the skin and reduce oiliness. Regular exercise, fresh air, and warm oil massages with stimulating oils like sesame will help keep Kapha in balance and reduce congestion.

For Wrinkles and Loss of Firmness (Tamra and Rohini Layers, Vata and Pitta Imbalance)

Both Vata and Pitta imbalances contribute to wrinkles and sagging skin. Vata dries out the skin, leading to premature ageing, while Pitta's heat can break down collagen, leading to inflammation and weakened skin structure.

Natural Solution: Balance Vata with deeply hydrating oils and herbs such as Ashwagandha, which help support collagen production. To cool and soothe Pitta, use anti-inflammatory herbs like Gotu Kola and Tulsi. Regularly massage your face with antioxidant-rich oils to improve elasticity, support skin regeneration, and reduce the appearance of wrinkles.

For Clogged Pores and Dull Complexion (Lohita and Shweta Layers, Kapha Imbalance)

Similarly to oily and congested skin, a Kapha imbalance can also lead to clogged pores, dull skin, and a lack of circulation, resulting in a tired, lacklustre complexion. Excess Kapha causes a buildup of oil and toxins, contributing to even more congestion in the body, including your skin.

Natural Solution: Stimulate circulation and detoxify the skin with ingredients like neem, turmeric, and manjistha. Incorporate more stimulating foods into your diet, such as Ginger, Cinnamon, and Black Pepper, to promote circulation and help clear toxins. Regular exercise, fresh air, and Abhyanga (oil massage) with warming oils can boost blood flow and rejuvenate dull skin.

Our Thoughts on the Ayurvedic Secret to Glowing Skin

At Vāyu Living, we believe that achieving glowing, radiant skin requires more than just surface-level treatments. True skin health begins within, and Ayurveda provides a holistic approach that addresses the root causes of many common skin problems by working with your physical, mental, and emotional health.

Through understanding the 7 layers of your skin and how the doshas influence its condition, you can take a more mindful and integrated approach to skincare.

Targeted Ayurvedic solutions – ranging from dietary changes and lifestyle adjustments to mindfulness practices and carefully selected skincare products – help you nourish each layer of your skin, restore balance, and bring out its natural glow.

Your Questions Answered

What are the 7 layers of skin in Ayurveda?

Ayurveda identifies 7 layers of skin: Avabhasini, Lohita, Shweta, Tamra, Vedini, Rohini, and Mamsadhara. Each layer has a distinct role in maintaining your skin’s health, nourishment, and natural glow.

How do the doshas affect my skin?

The three doshas – Vata, Pitta, and Kapha – impact your skin differently. Out of balance, Vata causes dryness and ageing, Pitta leads to inflammation and acne, and Kapha creates oiliness and congestion. Addressing dosha imbalances can improve your skin health.

Why does my skin lose its glow?

Your skin can lose its natural glow due to imbalances in your doshas – Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. Factors such as poor digestion, stress, dehydration, sun damage, and environmental pollutants can disrupt your body's internal balance, leading to dull, tired skin.

How can I naturally restore my skin’s glow?

To restore your skin’s glow naturally, balance your doshas through Ayurvedic dietary changes, lifestyle adjustments, mindfulness practices and carefully selected skincare products.