5 beauty tips from the Land of the Rising Sun
From the daily care routine to the essential beauty tricks in Japanese culture, here are some secrets that have made Japanese women always feel young and beautiful for centuries.
All products and methods of skincare that come from any corner of the world promise the same thing: ten years less in the mirror, a firm and bright skin, wrinkles that disappear like a bad dream. And we have every reason to believe the Japanese ones, just at a glance to the splendors of that part of the world, to the feminine beauties with doll skin and perpetual adolescent air. The "secrets" of Japanese beauty are not kept silent at all, but shared with us with generosity and love. Here are some that you can easily pick up and adapt to your lifestyle:
1. Azuki beans, an excellent exfoliant
Since the Nara period (710-794), Japanese women have used Azuki beans not only as part of a balanced diet, but also for healthy-looking skin. Transformed into a fine powder or a harder scrub, according to your needs and preferences, Azuki beans are a wonderful natural remedy for acne-prone skin or for reducing wrinkles. These antioxidant-rich legumes contain a natural foaming agent known as saponin, which helps cleanse and shrink pores. Exfoliating with Azuki beans helps to remove impurities and dead cells, to decongest the pores, giving the skin radiance and vitality, by stimulating blood circulation.
2. Green tea, a source of benefits
Rich in antioxidant, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, green tea is a significant part of the Japanese lifestyle. Japanese women include green tea in their beauty routines - from incorporating the extract into various lotions and tonic waters, to adding ground leaves to bath salts and mixing concentrated green tea powder with body treatment creams and hair masks. The ground form of green tea leaves - Matcha - is rich in polyphenols (tannin, catechin), compounds with proven astringent effect. Green tea powder fights the damage caused by UV rays on the skin, regenerates cells and reduces inflammation.
3. Bathing, a sacred ritual
Taking a bath is, for the Japanese, more than a skin cleansing routine: it is a ritual of rejuvenating the body and spirit. Onsen (natural hot springs) and sento (public baths) are found in all Japanese cities and even outside urban areas, outdoors, giving people the opportunity to bathe and relax in nutrient-rich natural waters. And Ofuro - bathing at home (not showering!) - is also an essential part of every Japanese woman’s daily life. A warm bath before going to bed is not only comforting, but also stimulates blood circulation, relieves back pain, relaxes muscles and prevents swelling of the legs. For extra hydration, add natural oils or salts. Steam is also a great way to detoxify, helping to cleanse pores and restore skin glow. The evening bath will accelerate the body’s natural production of melatonin, the hormone that ensures a restful sleep.
4. Vitamin C, a beauty ally
We often think of vitamin C only as an anti-cold remedy, forgetting its true magic: stimulating the natural production of collagen, a vital element for skin health and beauty. Vitamin C also helps to deoxidize and break down melanin, the natural pigmentation we get from repeated tanning or as we age. Japanese women constantly provide the necessary dose of vitamin C through food, supplements, drinks, fruits, vegetables and cosmetics. Some Japanese fruits and vegetables, such as yuzu citrus, kaki (Japanese persimmon), and shiso (a type of wild basil), are extremely rich in vitamin C. You can find Vitamin C in any pharmacy in the form of supplements, and on the label of creams and serums that contain it, look for the following ingredient: L-Ascorbic Acid. It is the pure form of Vitamin C, which the skin assimilates most easily and effectively.
5.Mienai Oshare, the beauty inside
It is a common belief in many cultures that true beauty comes from within. In Japan, this wisdom is known as Mienai Oshare, or "unseen beauty." The expression implies that beauty does not necessarily have to be a physical attribute to be appreciated or recognized. It is reflected in small gestures, in the way you look at life, in behavior and it is the beauty that no cosmetic product can offer you: it is a smile, a bright glaze, it is the warm energy that those around you feel when you are happy, confident and aware of your own human worth. Cultivating this type of beauty should definitely be a significant part of our daily routine!
