It’s no secret that a lot of the ingredients that make up today’s beauty products and regimens have historical roots. For many women and men, rituals in daily beauty routines were developed by simply watching their parents when they were young, as they were seen as “experts” in all things related to grooming, self-pampering and beauty.
In Asia, we are fortunate to possess a wealth of traditional beauty knowledge that has been handed down through the ages. From unique tools to simple techniques – there is a slew of “secret” beauty treatments that are responsible for some of the beautiful, flawless complexions among Asian celebrities. And they don’t just enhance your skin – these truly holistic traditional beauty regimens soothe your mind and body too.
Here’s a list of just 6 simple-but-effective Asian beauty rituals that you should include in your beauty routine to soothe your mind, skin and body.
Gua Sha
For clues to the practice of “gua sha,” examine the words. “Gua” refers to pulling or scraping, while “Sha” refers to red spots. It’s a common technique to de-puff and elevate the skin, and many practitioners now employ it to aid with lymphatic drainage. It’s performed with a smooth, flat instrument made of jade, quartz, or even stainless steel.
Gua sha has a long history in China that dates back to the Stone Age. It is based on the idea that wellness and beauty are intertwined; poor sleep, poor nutrition, and excessive stress all have an adverse effect on one’s appearance. Gua sha has many advantages, including the ability to ease persistent tension in the cheekbones, jaw, and chest. You can use the gua sha routine on bare skin or after you apply your skincare.
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Mugwort
Mugwort, which is regarded as an anti-inflammatory and warming herb, is frequently used in hot baths to calm the skin and increase circulation (especially during winter). Mugwort baths can help relieve menstruation discomfort because they can increase blood circulation in the body. In addition, it can relieve stiffness and soreness in the muscles – not to mention the relaxing effects of aromatherapy after a long day. Besides using them in baths and foot soaks, mugwort is also added to facial products to reap similar benefits.
Champi
Champi a ritualistic oiling and massaging of the scalp with roots in the Indian Ayurvedic tradition. Regular champi practice, which is frequently done before washing the hair or going to bed at night, is thought to improve hair strength and shine, reduce scalp and hair dryness, and even promote hair development, because it increases blood flow to the scalp. You can use any type of natural hair oil, like coconut or castor. Simply apply the oil from the top of your head to the tips of your hair and use a shower cap to avoid making a mess. You can wash it off after a couple of hours, or the next day.
Jamu
Jamu is an Indonesian herbal medicine system that focuses on treating the body’s ailments. It draws ideas and information from nearby nations, including India, China, and countries in the Middle East. Jamu-based skincare is frequently linked to health tonics like turmeric and ginger drinks, and heavily incorporates traditional Indonesian plants, spices, herbs, and roots to address skin problems. Making jamu is easy. You’ll need some turmeric, ginger, honey and lime. Blend some water, turmeric and ginger. Heat the mixture in a pan. Then add in some honey and lemon. Strain the mixture before drinking.
Double Cleansing
Japanese geishas and Korean gisaengs were the first to use the double cleansing method to remove the face makeup they applied while working and performing. Since their make up is super thick, regular soap and elbow grease didn’t work. So, they used oil on their faces and massaged it into the skin in order to break up the thick pigments. They were aware of how crucial it was to remove all the makeup before bed even back then! Nowadays, with so many flowing oils and buttery balms available on the market, twice cleansing is thought of as a standard technique in skin care regimens. Double cleansing is an easy method and no special ingredient is required. You can simply use baby oil to remove your makeup, followed by your cleanser.
Cupping
Cupping is an old Chinese technique that involves sucking the oxygen out of tiny cups by placing them on the body, and letting the negative pressure draw blood to the affected area. It enhances circulation, reduces chronic pain, and speeds up muscle recovery, among many other advantages. There’s also facial cupping, which helps improve circulation, plumps up fine lines, promotes lymphatic drainage and heals acne.
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