Building the perfect skincare routine for your unique skin type is an art– it requires patience, knowledge, and most importantly, mindfulness. Yes, mindfulness- it’s not just for meditation! At Prakti, our philosophy is that your skincare routine deserves to be elevated into a holistic, sensorial ritual- one that redefines what it means to be well by thoughtfully nourishing both skin and soul. Have you ever mindlessly copied someone else’s skincare routine product for product only to discover that your results were nothing like theirs? Your skin is your body's largest organ, and understanding its unique characteristics is the key to maintaining its health and beauty. Read on to discover the Prakti Process, our unique guide to discover your skin type, as well as the products and practices that will help you love the glowing skin you’re in!
Priti Tip: You’re not locked into one skin type forever! Our skin type can change over time due to age, hormonal changes, exposure to pollutants and weather, and influence from different skincare products, so be sure to check in with your skin regularly to see how it's reacting and if it’s in need of a little extra TLC.
Perform A Skin Test
Having a clear understanding of your skin type is crucial to building an efficacious routine. Knowing your skin type will determine not only the products to use in your routine but the amount of and frequency you should use them as well. Try this skin test the next time you perform your skincare routine!
- Thoroughly wash your skin with a mild skin cleanser. Remove all makeup, sunscreen, etc.
- Gently pat your skin dry and do not apply any treatments or products afterward. Let skin air dry for 30 minutes. (We know stopping at this step feels wrong! It’s just a test and a one-time thing, promise.)
- Once 30 minutes have passed, take note of your skin. Does your skin feel tight and parched, especially after making facial expressions? This is likely indicative of dry skin type. Has noticeable shine appeared, especially on the nose, cheeks, and forehead? This could be a sign of oily or combination skin.
Understand Your Dosha
The practice of Ayurveda acknowledges the three metabolic types or “doshas,” known as Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. By understanding our primary dosha, we can gain insight into how to achieve skin health as well as improved mental and emotional wellbeing. Remember, wellness is so much more than skin deep; it’s about balancing mind, body, and soul.
Priti Tip: Check out our Discover Your Dosha blog post for an in-depth look at the Tridoshas including tips to promote balance across all three!
Determine Your Skin Type
The Prakti Process combines the skin test above with an understanding of Ayurvedic doshas in order to determine your unique skin type. Use your findings from the skin test in order to determine your skin type and primary dosha.
Oily Skin
Oily skin is characterized by excess sebum production, which can manifest as enlarged pores, a shiny complexion and predisposition to acne breakouts.
People with Kapha skin tend to have hydrated skin that is often smooth and plump with larger pores compared to other skin types. An imbalance in Kapha’s cool, dense energy can lead to excessive oiliness and dullness and increased potential for clogged pores and breakouts.
Dry Skin
Dry skin lacks moisture and can often feel tight, itchy, and rough. It can cause the skin to flake in patches or appeal scaly.
Vata skin type is typically characterized by its delicate nature and a tendency towards dryness. This skin type may be prone to displaying signs of aging earlier, such as fine lines, wrinkles, and uneven skin tone.
Sensitive Skin
Sensitive skin is prone to reactions, redness, and irritation. If your skin becomes red immediately after touching it or applying products, it’s likely that this is your skin type.
Pitta skin type is often slightly oily in texture. This skin type is generally more prone to sensitivity including hyperpigmentation and inflammation.
Combination Skin
Combination skin is a blend of oily and dry areas, often with an oily t-zone (forehead, nose, and chin) and drier cheeks.
Because each person has a unique ratio of all three dosha types, the primary dosha of someone with combination skin will vary. Adapt your routine to cater to unique skin symptoms as needed. Treat drier areas with products that provide a deep, lasting dose of hydration (more on that below!) To treat excess oil in your t-zone, a gentle exfoliator such as PritiPolish™ is perfect for smoothing skin and reducing the appearance of pores.
Why Hydration is Key For All Skin Types
It’s a common misconception that people with dry skin type should be the most concerned about prioritizing hydration in their skincare routine. The reality is, every skin type needs hydration to achieve a plump, healthy glow! Did you know that one of the root causes of skin that appears oily can actually be a lack of moisture? Without proper hydration, parched skin can overproduce sebum in an attempt to hydrate itself, resulting in an oily skin type! This is why hydration is essential for all skin types.
A deeply hydrating skin serum such as SundaSkin™, our Essential Hydrating Serum, brings key ingredients deep into the skin’s inner layer in order to dramatically transform skin from within. It’s formulated for all skin types with powerful ingredients such as Sodium Hyaluronate, White Snow Mushroom which draws moisture even deeper beneath the skin’s surface, and Niacinamide which actively restores skin’s lipid barrier to help retain moisture. For an extra dose of lasting hydration, start or end your day with MahaMask™, our pampering moisture treatment. Formulated with soothing Turmeric Butter and balancing Palmarosa Oil, this hydrating mask soothes dehydrated skin leaving your complexion deeply hydrated, visibly plumper, and glowing.
The Prakti Process is all about slowing down your self-care routine to really check in. Whether you’re checking in with your skin to determine if it could benefit from a 10-minute mask, or checking in with your mind to decide if a 5-minute yoga flow could bring a sense of calm and clarity to your day, it’s all connected. At Prakti, we’re committed to sharing modernized time-trusted remedies and self care rituals that will help you get to know and love the skin you’re in order to glow fearlessly everywhere you go.
