How To Protect Your Skin From Sun Damage, The Ayurvedic Way

By Dr. Puja Shah

The skin, our body’s largest organ, plays a tremendous role in our health. Take good care of yours, and it will protect you for a lifetime. But if you don’t – for instance through prolonged sun exposure – then you end up increasing your risk of premature aging, sunburns, and even skin cancer.

Ayurveda emphasizes preventing skin damage and maintaining the skin’s balance to ensure it remains healthy and radiant – as always with a personal touch, taking into account an individual’s Dosha and skin type.

As the summer sun continues to blaze, now’s the most important time to safeguard your skin. Here’s a Dosha-specific guide for protecting yours.

Vata (Dry Skin)

Use nourishing oils: Sesame or almond oil can hydrate and protect.
Herbal sunscreen: Look for sunscreens with ingredients like aloe vera and licorice which are soothing and moisturizing.
Ayurvedic routine: Incorporate a daily routine of oil massages (Abhyanga) using warm oils to keep the skin nourished and supple.

Pitta (Sensitive Skin)

Cooling oils: Coconut oil and aloe vera gel can soothe and protect.
Herbal sunscreen: Ingredients like sandalwood and chamomile are beneficial for cooling and calming the skin.
Ayurvedic routine: Use rose water as a toner to cool and refresh the skin, and apply aloe vera gel to soothe sun-exposed areas.

Kapha (Oily Skin)

Light oils: Neem oil or grapeseed oil can provide protection without clogging pores.
Herbal sunscreen: Neem and turmeric-based sunscreens work well to protect and balance oily skin.
Ayurvedic routine: Regularly cleanse the skin with gentle exfoliation using chickpea flour and turmeric paste to remove excess oil and impurities.

Ayurvedic Sun Protection Tips:

As the summer sun continues to blaze, now’s the most important time to safeguard your skin. Here’s a Dosha-specific guide for protecting yours.

About Dr. Puja Shah, Editor-in-Chief of The Natural Law

Dr. Puja Shah is an award-winning author whose 93 year old grandmother swore by Ayurvedic remedies and practiced yoga into her last days. And so while her education includes 9 years of medical training as a dentist, 3 teaching qualifications in yoga, and dozens of courses in meditation, it’s no wonder that she always goes back to Ayurveda. Puja harnesses Ayurveda regularly with her children and husband Amish Shah, Founder of The Natural Law.

Shop our Pitta-cooling bestsellers

It’s a good time to stock up on Dosha-cooling supplies for the summer. Our curated selections below focus mostly on Pitta, since that’s the most aggravated Dosha in the summer, but they can also provide relief for other Doshas too.

Currently available to US Customers only

Sandalwood Blended With Jojoba Essential Oil

Benefits: Sandalwood is known for its soothing properties, making it perfect for protecting and rejuvenating sun-exposed skin. Jojoba oil is an excellent carrier oil that absorbs quickly and is suitable for all skin types.

Usage: Apply directly to the skin for a cooling effect or mix with other oils for a soothing massage.

Aloe Vera Gelly

Benefits: This Aloe Vera gelly is designed to hydrate and soothe the skin. It provides a cooling sensation that is perfect for sunburn relief and irritated skin. The gelly contains natural Aloe Vera which helps to reduce inflammation, promote healing, and maintain skin moisture.

Usage: Apply a generous amount to the affected areas for immediate cooling and soothing relief. Use daily as a moisturizer to hydrate and protect the skin or after shaving to reduce irritation.

Neem Oil

Benefits: Neem oil can be used directly on the skin or mixed with a carrier oil. It is excellent for reducing heat and inflammation, which are common summer issues, especially for Pitta.

Usage: Use this oil for massages or add it to your skincare routine to maintain cool and balanced skin.