Natural skincare and beauty products have become increasingly popular in the USA over recent years with more individuals seeking out eco-friendly brands as alternatives to those laden with potentially harmful chemicals. While much of the Westernized world is only starting to embrace natural skin care and beauty products now, the Chinese have been embracing an almost complete natural and holistic approach towards skin care and beauty treatments since the dawn of time. Chinese women have always been known for their flawless skins and silky, smooth hair and it is all thanks to ancient beauty secrets involving mung beans, turmeric, and rice water that are still being passed down from one generation to the next.
Mung beans aren’t just for eating
The only female ruler in the history of China, Empress Wu, was known for her exquisite and timeless beauty. Even at the age of 80, she sported a radiant-looking skin reminiscent of a much younger woman. The empress’s secret? Mung beans. Typically used in cakes, soups, and noodles, mung beans are also regularly used in skin masks and other beauty products due to their high antioxidant and phytonutrients content. When ground to a paste and combined with ingredients such as motherwort, green tea extract, or Greek yogurt, mung beans make for a potent skin-brightening mask. If grinding your own mung beans seem like too big a chore you cab always buy mung bean powder from your nearest Chinese or health food dealer.
There is power in turmeric powder
Turmeric has become a sought-after commodity in recent years thanks to scientific evidence of its countless health benefits. In China, women have used the fragrant yellow powder for centuries to help reduce wrinkles and even out skin tone. Although a range of popular skincare brands such as Kiehl’s and Ballerina Botanicals have added turmeric-infused masks and lotions to their product range you can easily make your own radiance-boosting mask at home.
Simply mix together a tablespoon of almond milk with one teaspoon of turmeric powder and a teaspoon of honey. Apply to your face, leave on for 15 minutes and gently wash off with lukewarm water. Your skin will look and feel beautiful almost immediately.
Embrace the wonder of rice water
For centuries Chinese men and women have been using rice water as a facial cleanser as it is believed to have both anti-inflammatory and skin-brightening benefits. Apart from these immense benefits, rice water is also known to protect the skin against sun damage while combating the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Rice water is easy to make at home. All you need to do is soak unpolished rice in water until the latter takes on a milky appearance. Use cotton balls to dab the water onto your face and neck. You can even wash your hair in rice water for a soft, glistening mane.
Chances of you ever seeing a Chinese woman with a dull complexion is little to none thanks to never losing touch with ancient skincare traditions and beauty rituals. If you want to boast the same even skin tone and radiant appearance all you need to do is embrace the most best-kept secrets of ancient China with everything you have.
