Traditional Asian Skincare Methods
Throughout all of Asia, maintaining a flawless skincare regime has always been a huge part of our culture. With western products not being designed for our sensitive skin types, it is always important to ensure we are using traditional methods that have been passed down through generations as those tend to work best to keep our skin healthy. Compared to Western beauty products, most Asian brands emphasize the importance of utilising a more natural and herbal skincare routine, which is what keeps our skin staying fresh and youthful-looking for longer!
Whenever people think of East Asian skincare, the most common thing people tend to think of is the ten-step Korean skincare routine. However, this routine has been proven to be unnecessary, expensive, and harmful to the skin as exposing your pores to too many chemicals is known to be dangerous as it strips your skin of its natural oils.
Instead, lesser-known practices using traditional Chinese methods have been used for centuries throughout East Asia and are known to work!
For example, rice water can be used as a mild cleaning agent for your face. The water contains proteins, minerals, and micronutrients that all stimulate cell growth, blood flow, and act as antioxidants that smooth wrinkles ease inflammation and leave the skin with a healthy glow. Rice water can also be used as a hair treatment as it contains proteins that can help strengthen elasticity and reduce surface friction on your hair.
For as long as traditional Chinese medicine and skincare practices have existed, herbology has always played a major role in delivering natural solutions to everyday skincare issues. Anti-inflammatory ingredients such as ginseng and ginger are used greatly throughout all of East Asia. Other products such as argan oil and aloe vera are known to be in-expensive and effective moisturizers with soothing properties for all skin types.
Interestingly, in East Asian countries, having a suitable diet is central to maintaining flawless glowing skin.
Anti-inflammatory foods such as red dates, goji berries, and green tea have always been a major part of the traditional Chinese diet before being introduced to the western world as exotic superfoods. Eating these foods daily can have a positive effect on both the skin and your overall well being.
Similarly, skincare via natural methods is largely important in South Asia. Probably the most popular South Asian skincare product is the use of turmeric as a face mask. Originating from the Indian subcontinent, turmeric face masks provide your skin with a radiant, clear, and healthy glow as a result of the natural anti-inflammatory properties it contains. Tumeric can also be taken orally as a tablet, preventing acne hyperpigmentation and skin inflammation.
Furthermore, the Western market also showcases South Asian skincare products through the use of black cumin seed oil, neem oil, lemon, and honey face masks, which have become popularised for their moisturisation properties and naturally sourced toxic-free ingredients which help to reduce hyper skin pigmentation and sunspots!
From my personal experience as a South Asian, my skin is rather sensitive and prone to hyperpigmentation and sunburns, which many western brands do not take into account when creating their products. I find that natural remedies that use herbs and other anti-inflammatory foods are always best as on a very traditional note; healthy skin starts with a healthy diet!