tFS: Can you tell us a little bit about how you formulate your skincare?
PR: The PRATIMA line is based on the science of Ayurveda and achieving optimal skincare health by customizing your daily regimen to your doshic needs. My formulas are 100% natural, comprised of herbs, roots, flowers, fruits, plants and minerals, and no fillers. This means that every ingredient is an active ingredient that is conscientiously blended and serves a direct purpose to heal, restore and maintain healthy skin. Focusing on fewer ingredients that are ideal and suitable for each dosha, but in greater concentrations and proportions, grants every ingredient the ability to work harder and more effectively. As it relates to a recommended skincare regimen, I have incorporated the three fundamental functions that are intrinsic to the body’s internal health — cleansing, eating and drinking.
Cleansing is the first step in the skincare regimen, and is the function of cleansing the skin of makeup, debris and impurities. By cleansing with pure herbs, roots and flowers, not only are impurities washed away, but therapeutic nutrients penetrate the skin to boost healing.
Eating is the second step in the regimen. This incorporates the use of unique essential oil blends as they are able to penetrate the deepest to feed the skin potent nutrients and correct imbalances at their very root, thus the recommended essential oil is different for each dosha. Some benefits can include boosted circulation, even complexion, reduction of fine lines, delayed aging and boosted collagen production.
Drinking is the last step in regimen, and is the ‘finishing touch.’ This step utilizes herbal moisturizers to provide hydration and protection for the top layers of the skin. The moisturizers provide not only essential nutrients, but also create a protective barrier against environmental stressors, such as sun and pollution.
tFS: Can you give us some ayurvedic skincare tips?
PR: A great routine for all doshas during colder months is a daily oil massage. Oils penetrate much deeper, about seven layers deep into the skin. Far better than just using a regular moisturizer that only sits on the top layers of the body, this will help nourish and protect skin at its core. Our Vata Rejuvenating Body Oil deeply replenishes the skin with sesame, cardamom, geranium and orange while promoting healthy circulation. Ayurveda teaches the importance of connectivity between internal and external health. Sipping on warm water throughout the day will help the body detoxify internally and will therefore reflect externally with even, more luminous skin. To customize, Vatas can add a little bit of fennel, Pittas can add some mint leaves and Kapha can add some ginger.
tFS: What about when it comes to staying physically fit? How are we affected by our dosha?
PR: The energies of the doshas affect all aspects of our health, including metabolic efficiency and body type characteristics. Different exercise routines, as well as nutritional and lifestyle choices, affect the doshas in different ways, thus each dosha should practice different lifestyle choices in order to achieve optimal wellness. Vata types benefit from more grounding and strengthening practices or exercises to help balance their energy. Restorative or slow-moving yoga styles would be a great choice as well as pilates, walking, bicycling and dance. Colder weather is able to penetrate a Vata body and create an imbalance easier than the other doshas, therefore indoor exercises are much better during the winter months.
Pitta types are more athletic in general, however, they should be careful not to increase their stress while exercising since they are competitive by nature and aggressive or heating exercises can result in imbalances in their system if done for an extended period of time. It is important for them to find that ‘sweet spot’ between fulfilling their own determination and ambitions while also keeping things cool, calm and collected. Ideal exercises for Pittas include swimming and outdoor winter sports as these provide stimulating activity and ease the heated nature of Pitta. Generally, most exercises are good for Pitta; the key is moderation. For example, running two miles every day is better than running four miles every other day.
Kapha types have strong endurance and physical strength. Therefore, endurance sports are great, such as running, aerobics, rowing and anything that works up a good sweat. However, since Kapha’s biggest challenge is to find ‘motivation’ to exercise, they can start by doing a little something every day and continuing to increase from there once they feel more uplifted and enjoy what they are doing. In Ayurveda, there is no such things as one-size-fits-all.
tFS: Got it, but are there any products you can recommend no matter your dosha?
PR: Yes. The PRATIMA line carries several products that are “tri-doshic” as they contain ingredients to address each mind-body type without creating any one imbalance. These products are perfectly OK (and encouraged) to use on occasion. For example, our Anti-Stress Aroma Oil contains uplifting elements, while creating a soothing, calming experience. Other tri-doshic products include our Love Oil, Nourishing Essential Oil and Sandalwood Rose Mask. These products are extremely beneficial and can be used at any time. The key to understanding what products are best to use and living an Ayurvedic lifestyle in general is being aware that our bodies are naturally susceptible to imbalances and that we need to continuously make the right adjustments as these imbalances increase and decrease.
