Many Asian women have beautiful skin.
If you think that’s just genetics, well, you might be partially right.
Asian women tend to have a normal skin type, meaning they don’t produce too much or too little oil, which results in generally blemish-free and healthy skin.
Still, many Asian women work hard for their great skin.
Asian women also eat and drink certain things and use certain products that many Westerners don’t, which are partly responsible for their often incredible skin.
Here are a few of the best Asian beauty secrets that you can incorporate into your diet and skin care routine.
Green Tea
You might have heard about the potential benefits of green tea in the last few years, especially as doctors and scientists learn more about how antioxidants, which green is packed with, can be beneficial for our bodies.
Green tea is also full of flavonoid phytochemicals called polyphenols that may be able to prevent heart disease, certain types of cancer and even gum disease.
Polyphenols can also help to reduce the visible signs of aging like wrinkles and fine lines.
While there isn’t an exact amount of green tea a person needs to drink to reap the benefits, many women in Asian cultures drink about 4 cups per day or more.
Even if you don’t think you can add 4 cups of green tea to your diet every day, try to incorporate it into your diet however you can.
Some skin care producers are even making products with green tea designed for topical use.
More research needs to be done, but green tea may be able to keep your skin looking younger longer, even when it’s used topically instead of consumed as a drink.
Miso Soup
You’ve probably seen miso soup on a Japanese menu, but if you’re like most people, you’ve never made the connection between miso soup and healthy skin.
Miso soup is made from fermented soy, which has a huge amount of vitamin E, antioxidants, B12 and essential fatty acids.
In combination, these ingredients can help to keep your skin looking soft and smooth with a more youthful glow.
Miso soup is also high in linoleic acid, which works to keep your skin supple and plump.
Along with the skin care benefits, miso soup is a healthy food that’s low in fat.
Try adding a bowl to a healthy dinner as a low-calorie appetizer, or make it in advance and take it to work for lunch.
Ginseng
Ginseng is a plant extract that’s commonly taken as a supplement in Asian countries.
Ginseng tea and gum is also very popular, and they’re regularly used instead of supplements since many people enjoy the rich taste of ginseng products.
While some American palates may not love the taste of ginseng, it’s surprisingly good for your skin.
Ginseng can help to revitalize your skin and control oil production, something especially important for people with acne-prone or blackhead-prone skin.
Ginseng is also added to many topical products in Asian countries, particularly products for aging skin or blemished skin.
In the United States, ginseng soaps and moisturizers are widely available.
Ginseng can also provide you with a boost of energy, though it isn’t exactly the instantly-recognizable form of energy a cup of caffeinated coffee might give you.
Cleanliness
It might seem like a stereotype, but many Asian women with great skin are meticulous about their skin care routine.
A proper skin care routine start with cleansing the skin properly, but not too often.
While different ethnicities do produce different amounts of natural sebum, most Asian women are smart about washing their face to keep from drying out their skin.
Of course it varies from person to person, but many Asian women only wash their face in the morning and evening and after any strenuous activity.
If you’re washing your face more than twice per day, you could be over washing and destroying the natural oils your skin products.
This can actually result in your body producing more oil, which can result in breakouts.
Take a page from the Asian skin care book – wash your face when you wake up, before bed and after exercise.
Honey
Honey can be used to sweeten your green tea, but you won’t reap its benefits when it comes to skin care by using it like that.
It might sound a little messy, but honey is good for your skin when you apply it topically.
Honey is a powerful moisturizer, but it’s also an astringent, meaning it helps pull dirt away from your skin.
Honey is commonly used as a face mask in Asian cultures.
Honey can be used on its own, or it can be combined with apricots, which contain essential fatty acids to keep your skin supple, and vitamin A, which may be able to prevent wrinkles.
Try your own honey and apricot face mask by combining 3 tablespoons honey and 1/2 of peeled, mashed apricot.
Spread the mixture over your clean skin and leave it on for 15 to 20 minutes.
Rinse the mixture off with cool water and follow it with your regular facial moisturizer.
Beautiful Skin
Having beautiful skin is possible for anyone.
It’s really just about finding the right routine that works for you and making sure you’re taking care of your body as a whole.
