Exfoliation is essential to improve a dull complexion and brighten, firm, and smooth the skin. Equally important—if not more so—is boosting collagen production. In this article, Wu Duojia, specializing in body aesthetics at Taiwan’s Fengze Chinese Medicine Clinic, shares traditional Chinese medicine’s (TCM’s) four main approaches to achieving brighter and firmer skin.
‘Clearing’ and ‘Tonifying’
To “clear” means to prevent excessive accumulation of the stratum corneum (outermost layer of skin) in the epidermis, causing uneven skin or inflammation. Ms. Wu said that the most popular formulas in TCM involve botanicals such as Scutellariae radix, Coptis chinensis, and Phellodendri cortex, which have been used since ancient times to reduce inflammation and prevent and treat acne.Indigo naturalis cream, sometimes found in markets, can soothe atopic dermatitis, relieve redness, swelling, and itching, and inhibit the thickening of the outermost skin. Ms. Wu said she discovered during her clinical experience that patients who use Indigo naturalis cream have exceptionally smooth and fair skin.
However, it’s always wise to be cautious when adding acid-based exfoliating skin care products to your routine. When using these products, people with sensitive and dry skin are prone to additional dryness, redness, and scaling. Exfoliating products made with Chinese medicinal herbs are much gentler, making these issues easier to avoid. Whatever acid-based exfoliating product you’re using, test how your skin reacts to it by trying it out on a small area of skin before applying it to larger surfaces.
4 Types of Body Constitutions
According to TCM, the human body has a meridian system responsible for transporting “qi” throughout the body. Qi is the energy we get from eating and breathing. TCM also emphasizes the role of blood, which includes all the fluids that nourish the body. Qi and blood circulate in the body to maintain the stability of tissues and organs. When the body experiences an imbalance or deficiency in qi and blood, disease or other conditions may occur.
Moreover, according to TCM, many diseases are caused by environmental forces, such as wind, cold, heat, dryness, dampness, and fire.
Ms. Wu said that TCM divides the problems of poor qi and blood as related to dull skin into deficient and excess syndromes. Deficient syndrome can be subdivided into qi and blood deficiency and liver and kidney yin deficiency.
Poor skin metabolism due to poor qi and blood circulation often occurs in malnourished or postpartum women. Therefore, whether a woman is of cold or hot constitution, she should focus primarily on replenishing qi and blood after giving birth.
These people often have endocrine disorders, which lead to poor skin metabolism and oil accumulation. This is especially the case during menopause, when estrogen decreases significantly, resulting in poor skin conditions. Many of these people also stay up late, which harms the liver. This type of person is prone to dull skin and encapsulated acne due to too much liver yin.
Excess syndromes can also be subdivided into spleen and stomach damp heat and excessive liver fire.
Consuming too much fried or spicy food can cause the skin to excrete excess oil.
This condition is mainly caused by stress, which causes insomnia and worsens the skin’s condition.
Beauty Acupuncture
Beauty acupuncture, which has become popular in recent years, can also improve blood circulation, increase skin collagen, and improve skin firmness. The face contains many delicate muscles. Thin beauty needles inserted along these muscle fascia layers can help the fascia regain elasticity and produce a lifting effect.3 Tips for Bright, Beautiful Skin
Ms. Wu also shared her three tips for bright, beautiful skin.As women age, their skin becomes more susceptible to dryness. Ms. Wu said that moisturizing more regularly is the first requirement for pretty skin.
Ms. Wu said that ginseng can enhance qi and blood circulation. When used in beauty products, it can help clear and tonify skin. That is why many beauty products from Korea, a country known for its skin care products, contain ginseng. In addition, Scutellaria baicalensis (Chinese skullcap), Coptis chinensis (Chinese goldthread), and Phellodendri cortex are good herbs for inhibiting acne and dark spots.
From her clinical experience, Ms. Wu found that the most effective blood-activating Chinese medicinal herb is Panax notoginseng powder. Panax notoginseng and ginseng are both Araliaceae plants. In addition to nourishing blood and qi, they enhance keratin metabolism and lighten dark spots.
The active ingredients of skin care products mainly target the outer layer of facial skin. In addition to daily skin care products, Chinese medicinal herbs can replenish qi and blood and enhance their circulation, safely and effectively increasing collagen production and making skin appear brighter and firmer.
