Ayurvedic Skin and Sun Care for Pitta Season

Ayurveda teaches us that during Pitta season, our skin is especially sensitive to the sun’s intensity. The summer sun can be nourishing, giving us energy and brightness, but too much of it can quickly lead to irritation and inflammation—showing up as sunburn, breakouts, or rashes. That is why cooling, soothing, and protective practices are wonderful for pacifying excess Pitta. In this guide, we’ll explore simple Ayurvedic ways to care for your skin, balance the effects of sun exposure, and still enjoy the summer sun and its vitalizing energy.

Stay Hydrated the Right Way

Although it is common for us to want to reach for an ice cold beverage on a hot summer day, drinking ice water can shock your system and dampen Agni (digestive fire), leading to sluggish digestion and imbalance. Sip cool (not ice-cold) water throughout the day. This is because gradual cooling preserves Agni and prevents the sudden constriction of bodily channels (srotas), allowing the body to stay hydrated without disturbing natural balance. Drink coconut water to keep your electrolytes replenished, which can lower during Pitta season due to more frequent perspiration. Have refreshing, calming, and hydrating drinks such as cucumber-mint infused water, or herbal teas like hibiscus, rose, or chamomile. Limit alcohol, caffeine, and carbonated drinks, which can overheat the body causing dryness and acidity, aggravating Pitta. 

Sun Exposure 

When the sun is blazing and Pitta is running high, Ayurvedic wisdom encourages embracing sunlight—but with mindfulness. It’s all about balancing the nourishing power of sunshine—like vitamin D and vitality—with practices that prevent overheating and inflammation. Avoid direct sunlight during the sun’s hottest hours between 10 AM and 2:30 PM, when Pitta is at its peak. When outside, choose to sit in the shade or under an umbrella to protect the body from excess heat. Ayurveda also recommends covering the head and eyes during strong sunlight, as these areas are particularly sensitive to Pitta aggravation. Wearing a light scarf or cloth over the head and using polarized sunglasses for the eyes helps pacify Pitta by preserving cooling energy within the body. This shields the seat of Pitta in the eyes and head, preventing excess heat from disturbing vision, mental clarity, and emotional stability.

Wear Light, Breathable Clothes

Wear loose fitting clothing made of cotton or other breathable fabric in light and cool colors. In Ayurveda, the principle of color therapy (Surya Chikitsa) teaches that wearing cooling colors helps reduce excess Pitta. By wearing light colors, your clothes will also absorb and attract less sunlight, making you less prone to overheating. Ensuring that your clothes are not too tight allows for the breathing room necessary for perspiration and elimination of toxins (ama) in the body, which is an essential aspect of reducing Pitta and maintaining overall balance in your health.

Skincare

Use coconut oil or almond oil as a light, cooling moisturizer to calm heat and reduce inflammation in the body. Avoid using heavy face creams, and go for lighter, more natural and gentle face creams. Make or a Pitta balancing facemask by combining sandalwood powder with rosewater to refresh and rejuvenate your skin. Sandalwood’s cooling and anti-inflammatory properties on the skin can reduce redness and skin irritation, while rosewater’s refreshing and grounding properties can soothe and calm the skin. Aloe Vera masks are also wonderful for cooling and hydrating the skin. Rose water mist can soothe the mind and body, calming excess Pitta, and is a great tool to carry around and use when necessary throughout your day. 

Sunscreen and Sunburns

When going outside, using sunscreen is essential. Traditional Ayurvedic medicine does not mention sunscreen, as it is a modern invention, but the guiding principle still applies: protect the body from excess heat and sun. The best rule of thumb is to choose sunscreens with the fewest ingredients possible and avoid harsh chemicals. Ayurveda teaches that if you would not eat what you put on your skin, you should not apply it to your body, since the skin absorbs directly into the system. Apply aloe vera gel topically to receive its cooling and rejuvenating properties after being in the sun. If you do end up getting a sunburn, add 10 drops of jasmine, khus, or rose essential oil to a cool bath and soak for twenty minutes, as these botanicals are traditionally recognized for their Pitta-pacifying and soothing effects.

Showering 

Take cool showers during the summer season to help pacify excess Pitta, which governs heat and resides strongly in the skin (Twak). Avoid steam-based treatments, as they aggravate Pitta’s fiery qualities and can lead to redness, irritation, or inflammation. Use simple, mild cleansers made with natural and soothing herbs. Traditionally cooling botanicals such as mint, rosemary, lavender, rose, or sandalwood help calm Pitta and support the skin’s balance. Be mindful not to overuse soap, as it can strip away the skin’s natural oils, which Ayurveda regards as protective to Ojas (the essence of vitality and immunity). Exfoliate gently, since harsh scrubbing irritates the skin and disturbs Pitta, whereas light cleansing with herbal powders or soft pastes keeps the skin refreshed without depleting it.

Summer invites us to slow down, cool off, and protect our skin as a way of keeping Pitta in balance. With mindful choices such as hydration, shade, soothing oils, and gentle care, you can enjoy the vitality of the season without letting excess heat take a toll on your body or mind. Ayurveda reminds us that prevention is the best medicine, and small daily rituals can make the biggest difference in maintaining harmony. Be on the lookout for our next article, where we’ll dive into movement and breathwork practices for Pitta season through simple ways to channel energy, release heat, and stay centered all summer long.

Peace and many blessings,

The Santa Cruz Ayurveda Team

Written by Eliana Nunez 

Published August 21, 2025

References: 

Chisti, A., & others. (2023). Preventive principles of Ayurveda with special reference to seasonal prophylaxis. International Journal of Ayurvedic and Pharma Research, 11(11), 67–70. Retrieved 08/20/2025

Ciamor Skincare. (2025, June 20). Ayurvedic Summer Skincare Tips to Balance Pitta Dosha Naturally. Ciamor. Retrieved 08/20/2025.

Divya’s. (n.d.). An Ayurvedic guide to safe sun exposure. Divya’s. Retrieved 08/20/2025.

Jain, S., & Daulatkar, K. (2019). Ayurvedic principles to prevent & management of lifestyle disorders. Journal of Scientific and Innovative Research, 8(1), 24–28. Retrieved 08/21/2025