CEBU, Philippines — The Chinese are collectively known for their “kutis porselana” or skin that resembles porcelain smoothness. Some think it’s in their genes; others believe it’s from the food they eat. But nobody has really taken the trouble of knowing the truth beneath the distinctly nice skin of the Chinese.
Chinese women have been revered for their flawless skin for thousands of years. And it’s actually nothing of a divine gift. The truth of the matter is that Chinese women take their skin regimen seriously.
Some age-old Chinese skincare habits are still being carried out to this day. The website https://aestheticsocietea.com lists five best kept secrets from ancient China believed to be the reason for the nice skin of the Chinese:
Rice Water. For centuries, Chinese women have been using rice water to tone their skin. To make rice water, you simply soak unpolished rice in water until the water starts looking milky white. Dip a cotton ball into the water and apply on your face.
Tea. The Chinese swear by the anti-aging and weight-loss effects of white, green and oolong tea. They’ve known about the benefits of tea for centuries, and tea has always played an important part in their beauty regimen. Tea contains lots of antioxidants that will help hold back the signs of ageing, some teas can also help speed up metabolism and aid in weight loss. Not only is tea a refreshing drink, it’s also full of health benefits.
Mung Beans. Mung beans have been used for centuries in China to make face masks. The only female ruler in Chinese history, Empress Wu, is well known for her timeless beauty and her secret was a regular use of mung beans. According to myths she was breathtakingly beautiful and young-looking even at the age of 80.
To make a mung bean mask, grind up some mung beans and add water to create a paste. Apply the paste to your face and leave it on for about half an hour. The mask helps de-puff the face and could work well for treating acne.
Goji Berries. Goji berries have made their way into the general diet over the past couple of years. The Chinese, however, have been using goji berries for centuries already. Goji berries are very high in antioxidants, including vitamin C and beta-carotene and are great in treating the signs of early ageing caused by pollutants. They could also help to strengthen the immune system and release toxins from the skin.
Massage. Everyone like to pamper themselves with a massage from time to time, but it happens to be a very popular, regular beauty routine in Chinese culture. Regular facial and body massage helps improve blood circulation, reduce puffiness and promote cell regeneration.
Well, yes, perhaps it is also partly in their genes. Every race has its certain unique characteristics. But genes would probably have no chance of holding up to abuse and lack of proper care.
Bottom line is, anyone may have as beautiful skin as the Chinese – if they take skincare as seriously as the Chinese do.