Rainforest

Your skin has strong tendencies toward wetness and heat, much like the rainforest climate (also known as the equatorial climate). Rainforest climates are typically found in hot, humid environments within 10 degrees latitude of the equator. Rainforests have a type of tropical climate in which there is no dry season, and all months have an average precipitation of at least 103 inches. The average temperature in rainforest climates is about 25° C (77° F) and never drops below 18° C (64° F). That said, rainforests have no distinct summer or winter seasons; it is typically hot and wet throughout the year and rainfall is heavy and frequent. Cities with rainforest climates include Singapore; Hilo, Hawaii; Apia, Samoa; and Kuching, Malaysia.

Similarly, your skin tends to be consistently warm, oily, and moist throughout the year with little seasonal variation. Furthermore, like the rainforest climate that supports a diverse range and highest volume of plant and animal life on earth with its abundant rain and warm temperatures, your skin supports a range of skin conditions, like pimples, acne and other inflammatory conditions, that are caused by excess heat, oil, and moisture. Blackheads and clogged pores can also be an issue with this skin type.

Balancing products and ingredients

The Rainforest skin type has strong tendencies towards oiliness and inflammatory skin conditions, like acne, rosacea, and dandruff. Overall, your skin care routine should emphasize making the skin less oily and keeping the pores clean and clear. Additionally, products with anti-inflammatory properties and strict sun protection are extremely beneficial for the Rainforest skin type.

• Grape seed oil - this light and soothing oil is ideal for your skin type, because it provides moisture and nourishing antioxidants and essential fatty acids along with moisture, while not clogging your pores. It can be used in small quantities as a moisturizer or mixed into your regular lotion, and can also be used to remove your makeup at the end of the day.
• Jojoba oil - this oil closely matches the skin’s natural sebum and can be used in small amounts to help soothe, cool, and moisturize the skin.
• Astringent toners - toners containing drying ingredients such as witch hazel are beneficial to balancing your oily tendencies. These types of products can be used as the next step after cleansing to promote balance and an acidic pH similar to the pH of your natural skin barrier. Harsh astringents may irritate the skin and should be used carefully.
• Moisturizer - Even though your skin tends to be oily, it is still important to use a light moisturizer to protect your skin’s barrier. Choose a moisturizer that is light and in the form of a lotion or gel. Always choose oil-free moisturizers to avoid clogged pores.
• Sunscreen - your skin is especially prone to the development of dark spots and uneven skin tone. It is essential to wear a daily broad-spectrum sunscreen on all sun-exposed areas.

Aggravating products and ingredients

The Rainforest skin type tends to very oily; therefore, oily and heavy products should be avoided entirely. In addition, heavy makeups such as oil-based foundations will very likely lead to clogged pores and pimples. Your skin also tends towards heat and can be easily irritated by certain chemicals, leading to inflammation and redness. Examples of products and ingredients that should be avoided in your skin type include:

• Heavy products that may clog your pores - petrolatum based products, shea butter, and heavy creams are examples of products that are too heavy for your skin type and will increase your chance for developing clogged pores and pimples.
• Chemical fragrances and harsh exfoliants tend to easily irritate your skin, leading to inflammation and disruption of your skin’s protective outer barrier.

Balancing bathing and washing habits

The Rainforest skin type is oily year-round and skin conditions like acne and redness tend to be a consistent problem of yours. Regular cleansing is important to balance oiliness. Your skin will best benefit from twice daily cleansing with an effective, yet very gentle, cleanser in order to rid your skin of grime and makeup residues. Always wash your face after exercising to avoid increased breakouts.

Aggravating bathing and washing habits

Avoid over washing your face, since this can disrupt your skin barrier and lead to irritation and inflammation. Due to your skin’s sensitivity, harsh soaps may be too irritating so choose gentle cleansers free from harsh chemicals.

Balancing foods and beverages

For the Rainforest skin type, you should aim to eat meals that are well balanced with cooling, drying, and light foods. By consuming a diet rich in predominantly whole foods, such as fruits, vegetables, and legumes, you will help balance your skin type and achieve a clear complexion.

• Cooling foods: fruit smoothies, popsicles, melons, cucumbers, zucchini, chilled soups, cool beverages.
• Drying foods: cruciferous vegetables (eg. kale, collard greens, broccoli), cauliflower, beans, lentils, apples, raw vegetables, salads, pomegranates.
• Light foods: apples, pears, raw vegetables, berries, salads, and pomegranates.

Aggravating foods and beverages

Rainforest skin types should avoid very oily and high sugar meals, as this can exacerbate moistness and oiliness of the skin. In addition, spicy, hot, sour, and salty foods are also best to be limited.

• Hot and spicy foods: chilies, onions, garlic, cayenne pepper, radishes, pepper, and hot soups and beverages.
• Heavy, oily, and sweet foods: milk (especially skim milk), refined grains such as white bread, fried foods, pastries, candy. Nuts and seeds can be eaten in moderation with careful attention to portion size.
• Sour foods: highly-fermented yogurt, tomatoes, vinegar, hard cheeses
• Salty foods: soy sauce, tamari, seafood, added salts or high sodium food items
• Alcohol should be avoided

Balancing activities and exercise

As with all skin types, the Rainforest skin type benefits greatly from regular exercise. You should opt for methods of exercise that consist of cardiovascular activity and strength training. Since you tend to be very oily, remember to wash off any makeup before exercise and wash your face afterward to prevent clogged pores. If you haven’t discovered the exercise that fits best with your lifestyle, see the following list of activity ideas that are balancing for Rainforest skin types:

• Yoga - avoid heated
• Speed walking and jogging
• Swimming
• Strength training
• Rowing
• Hiking (avoid midday heat)
• Cycling, aerobics, dancing, and other invigorating activities

Aggravating activities and exercise

The Rainforest skin type does well with almost all activities, and exercise should be a consistent part of your daily routine. Highly heating activities, such as intense sprints and running should be avoided. The key is to pay attention to your skin and wash your face and body before and after exercise to avoid clogged pores and breakouts. Activities that should be avoided or only pursued in moderation include:

• Heated yoga
• Steam rooms
• Intense running or sprints

Exercise routines should be discussed with a physician first to ensure that you are fit enough to engage in exercise.

Balancing climates

Cool to temperate, and dry climates such as the highland or Mediterranean climate can help bring the hot and oily tendencies of your skin back into balance. These climates can help decrease inflammation and sensitivity as well as oiliness and blackhead formation. Temperate climates are not the global solution but can help keep the oiliness and blackheads at bay.

Aggravating climates

Per the law of opposites, people with the Rainforest skin type should avoid living in humid climates with extremes of hot or cold. Cold, wet climates such as the oceanic climate found in a Cape Cod winter can exacerbate the oily nature of this skin type. If the weather is hot and wet, as in tropical rainforest climates, this skin type’s sensitivity can increase. Any of these extremes can lead to potential breakouts, so keep your oil wipes handy.

Ayurveda is a health system that is from India and is over 5000 years old. The basic concept in Ayurveda is that each person can either be in balance or have imbalances. Everyone has the potential to balance their body and their skin if they can pay attention to their imbalances and their skin’s natural tendencies. Imbalances are described by the Ayurvedic concepts of the doshas which describe three unique physiological building blocks for the body and skin. These doshas are known as vata, pitta, and kapha. Ayurveda is a practical approach to skin care. Learn more about how Ayurveda works and what makes up the doshas.

Imbalances in the doshas

This skin type is associated with an equally dominant imbalance in the Kapha and Pitta doshas. Kapha represents structure in the body as seen with collagen and oil production in the skin. Pitta represents transformation and metabolism in the body and is made up of the elements fire and water. Heat, vitamin D production, and skin radiance are all thought to be mediated by Pitta.

Each dosha is made up of 2 of the 5 elements (air, space, fire, water, and earth.) Kapha is made up of water and earth, which represent structure and water in the skin, respectively. Excess water accounts for increased oiliness of the skin and excess earth can lead to excess collagen production that is seen when the skin forms thick scars. Pitta is made up of water and fire, the latter of which is represented in the occasional inflammation seen in this skin type. Excess oil and heat can ultimately lead to inflamed breakouts.

How are the doshas influenced?

Kapha is affected by anything cold, wet and heavy. Cold and wet climates, heavy foods, alcohol, and sleeping too much can increase Kapha. Warm, dry weather and light foods can help balance Kapha for this reason. Pitta is affected mostly by anything heating, such as spicy food, hot weather, and stress. Temperate weather and stress patterns are key to balancing Pitta.

What the skin says about the rest of your body

In Ayurveda, organ systems are thought to all be connected and can affect each other. If you feel tired all the time, lack motivation or feel depressed, you may have a Kapha imbalance. Obesity and diabetes are also signs of a Kapha imbalance. Individuals who have more Pitta in their constitution tend to be ambitious and driven and can often experience rashes, impatience, anger, reflux, and indigestion when Pitta is out of balance.

Foods

Kapha excess can occur from foods that are cold, oily, sweet, salty and sour. Pitta imbalance can occur with hot, spicy, sour, salty and oily foods. Warm, lighter foods with bitter and astringent tastes are optimal for this skin type. Learn more about Kapha and Pitta balancing foods.

Take care of your skin, body, and mind from an Ayurvedic perspective

From an Ayurvedic perspective, imbalances in the doshas, or the physiologic mind-body constitution types, lead to different issues in both mental and physical well-being. The mind-body connection is well recognized in many different healing traditions and is now being recognized more in conventional medicine.

Moderate exercise can be very helpful for this skin type as it can help decrease Kapha and relieve stress. Luckily Pitta’s ambition and drive can help keep Kapha’s heavy nature more in balance. Healthy lifestyle habits all around are key to keeping this skin type in balance.

Personality

Those with the Rainforest skin type are unique in that they embody both of the classic “Type A” and “Type B” personality qualities. They have a side that is intense and driven yet have qualities that are laid-back. They are intelligent and ambitious, but also very down to earth.

 

These individuals are loyal and dependable and their friendships and relationships are quite strong. When out of balance they can experience burnout to the point that they become apathetic. This can lead to procrastination, depression and even anger in certain cases. Keeping balance in this personality type requires a delicate balance of taking time to enjoy life, without letting it get to a point that the individual loses motivation.