Acne doesn’t just hurt your skin—it knocks your confidence, too. You’re not alone in wishing for clear, glowing skin, only to be frustrated by relentless breakouts. Tired of endless products and remedies that don’t work? Ayurveda offers a new approach—one that’s been around for centuries—by tackling acne at its root.
In this article, discover the Ayurvedic way to stop breakouts before they start, and explore powerful natural treatments that heal your skin from the inside out.
What Is Acne And What Causes It?
Acne, known as Yuvana Pidika in Ayurveda, is a skin condition caused by internal imbalances. It occurs when hair follicles become blocked with oil, dead skin cells, and bacteria, leading to pimples, blackheads, or more severe cysts.
The different types of acne include:
- Whiteheads: Closed, clogged pores that appear as small, white bumps beneath the skin.
- Blackheads: Open, clogged pores that darken due to oxidation, giving them a black appearance.
- Papules: Small, red, raised bumps caused by inflammation without pus.
- Pustules: Red, inflamed bumps filled with pus at the center.
- Nodules: Large, painful, solid lumps that form deep beneath the skin’s surface.
- Cysts: Deep, painful, pus-filled bumps that are often severe and can lead to scarring.
Factors such as poor digestion, stress, diet, medications, and toxins in the blood contribute to breakouts. According to Ayurveda, these breakouts are often linked to imbalances in the body’s three doshas, with Pitta dosha being predominantly involved. Each dosha—Vata, Pitta, and Kapha—plays a role in skin health. When aggravated, these imbalances manifest as acne.
For example:
- Flaky skin is often due to imbalanced Vata (excess dryness)
- Red and inflamed skin results from an imbalanced Pitta (excess heat)
- Clogged pores stem from an imbalanced Kapha (excess stagnation)
Simple Solutions for Long Lasting Results
Understanding which dosha is imbalanced can reveal the root cause of your acne, guiding you to treat it effectively. Each dosha imbalance—Vata, Pitta, or Kapha—creates specific types of breakouts. In Ayurveda, balancing these imbalances by applying the opposite qualities can help restore harmony to the skin.
1. Inflamed, Whiteheads, Pustules, and Cysts
Root Cause: These forms of acne are most likely due to excess heat in the body (excess Pitta). Aggravated Pitta causes inflammation and sensitivity in the skin, resulting in red, inflamed acne.
Solution: Cool down and calm the skin.
How to?
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Pitta-Pacifying Diet: Include cooling foods like cucumbers, fresh coriander and leafy greens. Avoid of spicy, sour, and overly salty foods to help balance excess Pitta.
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Herbs for Pitta Balance: Aloe Vera, Vetiver, and Guduchi can help.
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Vāyu Living Tips: Rose acts as an astringent and is a powerful ally for reducing redness. Soothe inflammation with a weekly Rose Clay Mask application for the best results.
- Lifestyle Tip: Stay hydrated and incorporate stress-relieving activities like meditation, journaling, and mindful breathing into your daily routine.
2. Dry Pimples, Blackheads, Rough, Flaky Skin
Root Cause: Dry pimples and flaky skin due to dehydration and poor circulation is a sign of Vata imbalance.
Solution: Hydrate and Moisturise.
How to?
- Vata-Pacifying Diet: Eat warm, nourishing foods, and avoid cold, dry, and raw options. Limit or avoid caffeine due to its drying qualities, and switch to Herbal Lattes instead.
- Herbs for Vata Balance: Ashwagandha, Shatavari, and Ginger can nourish and retain moisture.
- Vāyu Living Tips: Keep your skin hydrated with a Saffron-based oil. Rich in antioxidants and Vitamin C, Saffron helps cleanse pores, removing impurities and preventing breakouts.
- Lifestyle Tip: Incorporate a soothing full-body self-massage with Sesame, Sunflower, Jojoba or an Herbal oil for deep nourishment, relaxation, and grounding. Check out our Ultimate Body Oiling Routine for more info.
3. Large, Cystic, Deep-Rooted Acne
Root Cause: This kind of acne is associated with Kapha and is often large and cystic due to excess oil production, resulting from slowed detoxification and stagnation.
Solution: Detoxification.
How to?
- Kapha-Pacifying Diet: Include lighter, detoxifying foods like aspargus, broccoli and greens. Avoid heavy, fried and sugary foods.
- Herbs for Kapha Balance: Triphala, Turmeric, and Guggulu can help clear toxins.
- Vāyu Living Tips: Cleanse your skin with a Herbal Face Mask. Look for ingredients such as Moringa for potent antioxidants to combat inflammation and Kaolin clay to gently exfoliates and reveal radiant skin.
- Lifestyle Tip: Engage in daily physical activity to boost circulation, and consider adding dry body brushing to enhance lymphatic drainage and blood flow. Remember to only dry-brush your body on clear, unbroken skin! Check out our energy boosting Toned and Fabulous Body Brushing Routine and 3-minute Detox Dry-Brushing Routine with Garshana gloves for a gentler detox.
Vāyu Living’s Top 3 Ayurvedic DIY Masks for Clear Skin
Turmeric and Honey Mask for Pimples
Neem and Aloe Vera Pack to Clear Acne
Neem purifies, while Aloe Vera reduces redness.
How to Use: Make a paste of Neem powder and Aloe Vera, apply for 15 minutes, then wash off.
Sandalwood and Rosewater Mask to Cool Inflammation
Perfect for Pitta-related acne, this mask calms red, inflamed skin.
How to Use: Mix sandalwood powder with rosewater to make a paste, apply for 20 minutes, then rinse off.
Your Acne Questions Answered
Q: How do I determine my Ayurvedic skin type?
A: In Ayurveda, your skin type is influenced by your dominant dosha, and knowing your type helps you understand how your skin behaves:
• Vata Skin: Dry, thin, and cool with fine pores and bluish undertones. It’s prone to dryness, flakiness, and fine lines.
• Pitta Skin: Sensitive, warm, and slightly oily with pink undertones. This type is prone to redness, irritation, and breakouts.
• Kapha Skin: Oily, thick, and moist with larger pores and yellowish undertones. While more resilient, it can become congested or dull, especially in cooler months.
Q: How do I know which dosha is causing my acne?
A: You can identify the dosha imbalance based on the type of acne:
- Vata imbalance: Dry blackheads, small pimples, and rough skin.
- Pitta imbalance: Red, inflamed, or painful acne.
- Kapha imbalance: Large, cystic acne or deep, congested breakouts.
Q: How long does Ayurvedic acne treatment take to show results?
A: The timeline varies depending on the severity of acne and your dosha imbalance. On average, you may see improvements in a few weeks. A recent case study showed visible results within 15 days for a patient with papules, pustules, and dark spots. However, since the skin’s natural cell renewal cycle is around 28 days, consistency and patience are key.
Q: Are Ayurvedic treatments safe for all skin types?
A: Yes! Ayurvedic treatments are tailored to your specific dosha and are generally safe for all skin types. However, we recommend doing a patch test with new ingredients like turmeric or neem to avoid potential irritation.
Q: Can Ayurveda permanently cure acne?
A: Ayurveda aims to address the root cause of acne, offering long-lasting relief through balance in diet, lifestyle, and natural remedies. While it’s not an overnight fix, consistent Ayurvedic practices can help reduce breakouts and restore healthy, glowing skin. Always consult a qualified practitioner before starting a new supplement or diet.
