Vata Dosha

The principle of movement, dryness, and neuro-motor activity in the body. Composed of Akasha (space) + Vayu (air).

Vata-prakriti skin signs

• Dry, thin, tendency to wrinkles, cool to touch
• Flaky scalp, brittle hair, premature greying
• Cracked heels, lips, hands
• Visible veins, prominent bone structure

Cosmetic-relevant qualities (Guna) of Vata

• Ruksha (dry) — Vata-aggravation causes dry skin
• Shita (cold) — Vata-aggravation causes cold extremities
• Sukshma (subtle) — Vata reaches deep tissues
• Chala (mobile) — Vata-aggravation causes tremor, dyskinesia

To pacify Vata in cosmetics

• Use Snigdha (oily) and Ushna (warm) preparations
• Daily Abhyanga with sesame-based oil (Mahanarayana, Bala) is the foundational Vata-pacifying practice
• Avoid astringent (Kashaya) preparations on dry Vata-prakriti skin
• Warm water bathing; oils richer in saturated fats