Poor me,

I know. I know. It’s been quite a while since we last had a heart-to-heart talk. But you know me better than anyone on this planet. I just keep getting busier and busier until I hit the point of exhaustion and then I pamper myself to the ridiculous with overindulgence, until my skin wrinkles. My eyes, hair, nails, and skin are all in a bad mood. Why am I doing this?

I can overcome neglect of myself …

But then again, how about I set small goals for myself and pat myself every time I achieve them? How about you squeeze 5 minutes for me? Yes I can! Okay, what’s on my checklist?

1. I’m not going to buy any eye or skin cream just because my best friend bought it.

2. If I can’t understand the fancy ingredients (read chemicals) in creams, then I don’t buy them.

3. I only indulge in beauty products that suit me.

4. I need to understand my skin, personality, preferences.

5. Ummm … act on the above.

It’s me?

So after I controlled myself from succumbing to the pressure to buy ‘just because’ (rolling eyes) more, those weird chemicals (I’d have to be an Einstein to understand those terms); I feel good. Isn’t that so, my dear?

Now to the next point. It’s me? What suits me and my skin?

Ayurveda has the answers …

After a frantic search online, I stop at ancient Ayurveda – the knowledge of life. At least then I would nurture myself. No side effects. So this is what I find:

1. My long-term and stable energy field or basic constitution is my prakriti.

2. My prakriti is basically made up of 3 main doshas: Vata, Pitta and Kapha.

3. It could be one or a combination of the three: Vata-Pitta, Pitta-Kapha, Vata-Kapha and Vata-Pitta-Kapha.

4. I need to consult an Ayurveda practitioner to discover my most dominant or main type of prakriti.

But how will I use my dosha as part of my skincare regimen?
All right, now I have all this knowledge. How do I apply it? Easy.

BALANCE YOUR DOSHA.

Hope for?

Yes, balance your dosha. That’s what Ayurveda is all about. Harmony.

– So if I am a Vata (which means I am thin, energetic, have uneven sleep patterns, dry skin) then I need something hydrating, calming and protecting my skin from harsh weather.

– If I am a Pitta (I have oily skin that tends to become red and irritated when I am tired) then I need something that does not contain chemicals, does not contain strong fragrances and that protects me from the sun.

– If I am a Kapha (I am heavyset, I tend to gain weight easily, I have dull skin, I can become stubborn), then I need good but gentle cleansers and light moisturizers.

One size does not fit all. I’m unique. So are my skincare needs.

Finally …

I’ll save myself the guilt trip of why-didn’t-I-think-about-this-before. The only thing that matters is that I feel safe and cared for. Goodbye carelessness and chemicals. Hello healing touch and Ayurveda.

With love,

I.