Anyone new to Ayurveda always asks me the same question – “How do I know what I need?” The answer? It’s complicated.

Is a Quiz Really The Best Way to Determine Skin Care Needs?

The Real Answer? Not Exactly.

I know, I know. I keep telling you to take the Yinsa Dosha Quiz. This, however, is just the beginning. If you understand how the doshas work with the elements, you can probably figure out your skincare needs based on your daily routine, your general mood and mindset, and the type of skin you have overall, (which may change with the season). Here are my basic rules for choosing the right skincare products for you, (or as a gift).

1. CHOOSE THE YINSA LINE BASED ON THE AROMATHERAPY BENEFITS YOU ARE SEEKING.

Are you looking to wind down at the end of a long day? Look for calming and relaxing scents like lavender, geranium, rose, and Jasmine. Are you looking to drag your slow-moving-wintery-ass out of bed in the morning after hitting the snooze button 11 times? You need some peppermint, rosemary, and bergamot in your life. By choosing based on aromatherapy benefits, (I would make this choice when choosing a scrub or body oil – not necessarily a skincare routine), you can’t really go wrong as far as benefit is concerned. If you are just looking to change your mindset over your skin, choosing by scent makes the most sense.

2. CHOOSE BASED ON YOUR SKINCARE NEEDS

If your skin starts to get ashy in the colder months, you probably have needs that are beyond aromatherapy. Dry, itchy, flaking skin on your body is annoying. Dry, itchy, flaky skin on your face is even more annoying. If this is you, you’re going to want to explore the Vata line. All products for my Vata friends are full of intense moisturizing properties as well as calming essential oils. Using a combination of Grapeseed, Sesame, and Olive Oils, lots of Vitamin E and Rose Oil, and exfoliating Jojoba Seeds and fine cane sugar, products for the Vata line are perfect for those people experiencing dryness this time of year.

Do you have what dermatologists call ‘problem’ skin? Skin that is prone to blackheads, acne breakouts, and overall clogged pores? Think mud. When you think of the characteristics of Kapha skin, think of the characteristics of mud – dense, oily, and overall in need of regular clarification. Using the 3-step skincare ritual in the Kapha line effectively cleanses, tones, and moisturizes kapha skin so that it is healthy and glowing no matter the time of year.

Are you prone to skin rashes like eczema and psoriasis? First, send me a message stating EXACTLY what you’re experiencing. Specific skin conditions have specific needs, and the more information you give me, the better I can custom-blend your products. Since every single product I ship out I curate for the individual customer, I am very-much used to fielding questions and messages from my clients, which is why they always come back. Pitta products contain healing oils like neem and the cleansers contain amla powder, both which have been shown to alleviate the stressors of environmental toxins which can aggravate skin.

3.  SEND ME A PHOTO!  

I know this sounds crazy, but some of my most frequent customers first came to me through a photo on Instagram – that’s it! I can look at a full-body photo of someone, ask a few questions, and do a pretty spot-on job of helping you choose the right products for a gift for a loved-one or colleague. If you want me to help you choose gifts for the people on your list, flood my inbox with pictures and let the inquiry begin. This is super-fun for me, so don’t worry about overwhelming me with photos! I find true joy in studying people, and helping you find the perfect gift is the ULTIMATE fun game for this gal.

4.  WHEN IN DOUBT, CHOOSE AN INTRO SESSION!

What are things all people can use? An introduction to Meditation, Yoga, and Mindfulness. If you’re on this site, it’s probably because you’re already on this ship with me – you are a yogi or an aspiring yogi, maybe you’ve read my content before or tried my products. You’ve probably been trying to get your boyfriend/girlfriend/sister/mother/uncle to try yoga or meditation FOREVER. Here’s your chance! You have a few options here – gift cards are now available on the site, so you can gift yoga and Ayurveda to your friends and family, and let them choose the package that’s right for them. You can also gift an intro session with me, which can be used for a private yoga session, an introduction to yoga, meditation, and/or Ayurveda, or even a tutoring session on Abhyanga, creating a Sadhana or an altar in the home, or food shopping! I’ve actually used hour-long sessions to go food shopping with my clients, and it’s been some of the most useful ways to spend time. If you know that you have someone in your life who needs Yinsa in their life, an intro session or a gift card is the way to go.

5. SPIRITUAL WARRIOR KITS ARE HERE

So this is something brand new to Yinsa, and I couldn’t be more excited. Here’s the story:

At all of my workshops, teacher training sessions, and classes, I often am asked about my own daily practice. “How do you find time to practice yoga/meditate/practice self-massage/take care of your skin/sleep?” My answer? It’s hard. The time is there, but you have to choose it. One of the ways I’m able to stay consistent is through my daily rituals. The Spiritual Warrior pack is brand new and super-exciting because it includes all of the pieces of my own daily ritual! A mala for Japa meditation, two crystals for clearing and channeling energy, meditation oils with gemstone rollers for finding stillness, an intro to meditation book, and some sage, palo santo, and incense to calm the mind, body, and soul! All kits are beautifully gift-wrapped with a hand-written card from Yinsa.

Have more questions? Feel free to leave a comment, question, or love note below! You can also send me an email at danielegates@yinsayoga.com or send me a DM on the gram. I’m always online during the holiday season, and I’m here to help you create the most thoughtful gifts for your loved ones.