Ayurveda and Skin Conditions: Healing Acne, Psoriasis, and Eczema from the Inside Out

When it comes to skin health, we often reach for creams, ointments, or prescriptions that aim to calm irritation or clear breakouts. But Ayurveda teaches us something deeper:  Your skin is a reflection of what’s happening inside your body. Using the holistic and natural wisdom of Ayurveda, you can address skin from the inside and outside to find long lasting healing, instead of just rubbing a cream on the symptoms.

If you’re struggling with acne, psoriasis, eczema, or other chronic skin issues, Ayurveda invites you to look beyond the surface — and find balance at the root.

✨ How Ayurveda Views Skin Issues- Finding the Root Cause

According to Ayurveda, imbalances arise when one of the three doshas goes out of whack. We get too much of a good thing- and the dosha starts to overflow its container, spilling over the edges, so to speak. Let’s break down what this looks like for each of the 3 doshas:

🔺 Pitta & Skin Conditions (Fire Element)

Pitta governs heat, metabolism, and transformation. When Pitta is aggravated, it can show up as:

• Red, inflamed acne

• Burning, itchy rashes

• Psoriasis flare-ups (linked to heat + inflammation)

• Hives, rosacea, or sensitivity to heat
  

Ayurveda for skin conditions: 

✅ Focus on cooling foods: cucumbers, cilantro, mint, coconut water  ✅ Avoid spicy, overly oily or fried, and excessive fermented foods  ✅ Stay cool physically + emotionally (manage stress, avoid overheating). Go for a swim in some cool water, and avoid the midday sun.   ✅ Talk to your Ayurvedic practitioner about herbal support

🟤 Kapha & Skin Conditions (Earth & Water Elements)

Kapha’s heavy, moist, and slow qualities can lead to:

• Cystic acne (deep, swollen pimples)

• Oily, congested skin

• Skin that feels sluggish to turn over or prone to clogged pores
  

The Holistic approach:  ✅ Eat light, warm, spiced foods to clear stagnation.  ✅ Reduce dairy, pastries, sweets, and any foods with cold or heavy qualities.   ✅ Favor daily movement (sweat is your friend! Especially first thing in the morning!) and dry brushing  ✅ Talk to your Ayurvedic practitioner about herbal remedies that may support clearing

🔹 Vata & Skin Conditions (Air & Space Elements)

Vata’s dry, rough, airy nature can result in:

• Eczema (dry, flaky patches)

• Psoriasis with cracking or bleeding

• Skin that feels rough, thin, or easily irritated
  

The Holistic approach:  ✅ Favor warm, moist, nourishing foods (soups, stews, healthy oils). Stay away from dry, crunchy, crispy snacks!  ✅ Regular self-massage with warm sesame or almond oil (abhyanga)  ✅ Stay hydrated with warm/hot water, and protect against excessive wind/dry environments by covering your head and ears with scarves and hats  ✅ Herbal support can be helpful- talk to your Ayurvedic practitioner 

The Ayurvedic for Skin Conditions Takeaway- How to Care for your Skin Holistically

Care for your skin like what it is- your largest organ. Don’t put anything on your skin that you wouldn’t put in your mouth- seriously! Retinol and eye creams? No thank you. Instead try:

• Rubbing a drop or two of ghee or coconut oil around the orbital bone (the bony part of your eye socket)

• Check out my favorite Ayurvedic skin care here

• Eat a clean, fresh, in-season diet, take care of yourself with exercise, property hydration, stress management, and good sleep- everything is connected- and notice your health improve in all areas

• Check out my favorite Ayurvedic book on the subject of skin
  

✨ Want to explore what’s at the root of your skin concerns? Take my free Dosha Quiz and discover how your constitution may shape your skin’s needs. Then you'll have all the knowledge to use Ayurveda for skin conditions.