The monsoon season brings a welcome relief from the summer heat, but it also ushers in a host of skin concerns. The increased humidity, fluctuating temperatures, and dampness in the air can disrupt the skin’s natural balance, making it prone to acne, fungal infections, rashes, and dullness. Many find that their usual skincare routine fails to keep up with the season’s unique challenges, leaving them searching for solutions that go beyond surface-level fixes.
Ayurveda, the ancient Indian system of holistic healing, offers time-tested remedies to restore skin health during the monsoons by addressing the root cause of imbalance. By understanding how seasonal changes influence the body’s doshas, Vata, Pitta and Kapha, Ayurveda prescribes personalised diet, lifestyle, and skincare rituals that work in harmony with nature. In conversation with The Daily Jagran, Dr. Rekha R. Bhatt, Ayurvedic physician at SOUKYA International Holistic Health Centre, shares insights and practices that can help maintain healthy, glowing skin, even during monsoon.
The monsoon is a season of paradox. While the rains cool the environment, they often disrupt the body’s inner balance. In a Holistic understanding, due to cold, damp, cloudy weather, weakened digestive fire (Agni), the dryness and instability in the environment aggravate Vata Dosha, whereas the Pitta Dosha begins to accumulate due to the underlying heat from the previous season & weakened digestive fire. Dr. Rekha R. Bhatt states, “The resulting imbalances can manifest on the skin as dullness, acne, fungal flares or unexplained dryness.” But these visible changes are rarely just skin-deep. They are reflections of a deeper balance that is out of sync.
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Doshas are the three fundamental energies Vata (air and space), Pitta (fire and water) and Kapha (earth and water) that govern all physiological and psychological processes in the body. Each individual has a unique balance of these doshas, which determines their constitution, health tendencies and response to environmental changes.
To address this, A holistic approach views skincare not as a surface-level fix, but as a system-wide recalibration. Dr. Rekha R. Bhatt mentions, “Each individual’s prakriti (constitution) and vikriti (current imbalance) are studied before any ritual is prescribed.” Skin is understood as being governed by digestion, circulation, emotional stability and even environmental exposure, all of which fluctuate during the monsoon.
Ayurveda For Glowing Skin In Monsoon (Image Credits: Canva)
During this season, conditions like eczema, dermatitis and urticaria tend to flare up more frequently. However, the way they present can vary based on the individual. Dr. Rekha R. Bhatt states, “Men often experience increased oiliness during the monsoon, making them more prone to acne, boils or clogged pores. Women, especially those with sensitive skin, may notice a rise in allergic reactions such as urticarial rashes or inflammatory flare-ups.” In older adults, dryness and heightened sensitivity become more common, pointing to slower cell regeneration and reduced skin resilience.
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Holistic care looks beyond external symptoms and considers the full context of internal health, environmental triggers, emotional well-being and daily routines. Dr. Rekha R. Bhatt says, “Rather than applying a one-size-fits-all remedy, it begins with understanding each individual’s natural tendencies and current state of imbalance.” Skin health is seen as closely connected to digestion, circulation, stress levels and even the quality of rest, all of which are influenced by seasonal shifts like the monsoon.
This approach treats skincare not as a superficial fix but as a process of recalibration. By addressing root causes and supporting the body’s natural rhythms, it restores balance from within, allowing the skin to recover its clarity, resilience and glow in harmony with the season.