If you've ever struggled with dry skin, you know how frustrating it can be. No matter how much lotion you use, your skin still feels tight, flaky, and uncomfortable. And the worst part is, you can never quite figure out why. Is it the weather? Your diet? A natural part of aging? 

According to Ayurveda, the answer is all of the above—and more. In this 4000-year-old system of medicine from India, everything in the universe is made up of 5 elements: space, air, fire, water, and earth. These elements combine in different ways to create 3 doshas, or energies: Vata (space and air), Pitta (fire and water), and Kapha (earth and water). 

All 3 doshas are present in every person, but we tend to have more of one than the others. And according to Ayurveda, each dosha is associated with certain physical and mental characteristics. Vata types are often thin, with dry skin that's prone to premature wrinkles. Pitta types tend to have sensitive skin that's prone to rashes and breakouts. And Kapha types have thick, oily skin that's prone to blackheads and enlarged pores. 

But no matter what your predominant dosha is, anyone can have issues with dry skin—especially during the cold winter months.

So what can you do about it? Keep reading to find out.

1. Eat grounding foods. 

During the winter months, our bodies crave warming, cooked foods that grounding—think stews, soups, casseroles, and roasted veggies. These foods help counterbalance the dryness of winter by creating moisture in both our bodies and our skin. So if you're struggling with dry skin, make sure to include plenty of these kinds of foods in your diet. 

2. Use oil-based products. 

One common mistake people make when they have dry skin is reaching for water-based products like lotions and cream cleansers. But since your skin is already lacking moisture, these products can actually make things worse by stripping away whatever moisture is left. Instead, look for oil-based products that will help replenish your skin's natural oils. Check out ourSaffron Day Glow & Manjish Night Elixir here:

3. Splash your face with cold water several times a day.

This one may seem counterintuitive—after all, isn't cold weather what's making my skin dry in the first place? But according to Ayurveda , cold water can actually help improve circulation and prevent toxins from accumulating in your skin . Just make sure you don't overdo it, ayurveda is a gentle “less is more” consistant approach to great heath.

Need a little help choosing your Ayurvedic wellness routine? Get in touch by Phone 1300 465 972 or Email YourFriends@holysanity.com.au