Kaphas are generally the most grounded and reliable of the three mind-body types in Ayurveda. Ayurveda is a 5,000-year-old science from India that provides guidelines on diet and treat illness and disease. Physically, Kaphas may be heavyset, have large bones, with thick hair and large eyes. Known for their love of routine, Kaphas are often deliberate in speech and slow to act, but once they do, it is done with conviction.Facials for a kapha can use oils that are recommended for them: corn, canola, sesame, ghee (butter with the milk fat removed) or almond. Combining any or a few of these oils together and applying it to the face for a moisturizing facial can help pamper any Kapha.
Instructions
1. Start by cleansing the face with a slightly astringent cleanser that contains a citrus such as lemon or tea tree oil. Make your own by selecting any of the oils mentioned in the introduction and adding a small amount of squeezed lemon or a few drops of tea tree oil. Smoothe the oil over the face and neck and allow to remain for 2 minutes. Rinse off with warm water, finishing off with cool water. Dab dry.
2. Prepare the moisturizing facial oil that will be applied to your skin. In a small, non-reactive stainless steel, glass or ceramic bowl, combine corn or canola oil (which is generally inexpensive) with smaller amounts of almond or sesame oil (which is generally more expensive). Add rose geranium, clary sage, lavender or ylang ylang essential oils to the mixture, stirring to blend.
3. Smoothe this oily mixture onto the face and neck, wrapping a large towel around the neck and chest to protect clothing. Allow the mixture to remain on the skin for at least 20 minutes. You might choose to sip aloe vera juice or a Kapha-pacifying tea made for your mind-body type.
4. Wash off this oily mask with warm water. Sweep cotton balls saturated with witch hazel or diluted tea tree oil as a mild astringent. Lemon juice can be used if heavily diluted.
5. Combine small amounts of jojoba oil and almond oil with rose oil. Using cotton balls, sweep this oil mixture over the face, avoiding the eyes. If you are going out into the sun, apply sunscreen.
Tags: corn canola, cotton balls, face neck, moisturizing facial, over face