Try this Chinese Skin Care Routine for a Youthful Glow

Hot off the heels of Lunar New Year, which fell on the 29th of January and marks the year of the Rabbit, we're exploring how ancient wisdom can be interwoven with modern beauty - exploring Chinese skincare tips and tricks full of time-honoured techniques and powerhouse ingredients for radiant skin.

Over the past few years, we’ve embraced the fundamentals of K-beauty (Korean) and J-beauty (Japanese). As a result, sheet masks, jelly formulas, and konjac sponges have become regular features of many skincare routines. Now, though, a growing fascination with acupuncture facials, Gua Sha, jade rollers, and powerful botanicals is bringing Chinese skincare wisdom into the spotlight.

For centuries, Chinese beauty philosophy has often been linked to the principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). TCM skincare focuses often focuses on tenets such as balance, circulation, and natural healing.

Oftentimes, the Western beauty world creates products and solutions that fixate on high-strength actives and quick fixes; the traditional Chinese approach to skincare could be said to lean more toward prevention, harmony, and deep nourishment.

Now, as some of the industry shifts towards slow beauty and mindful rituals, we’re seeing a renewed interest in Chinese skincare tips, tools like Gua Sha and jade rollers, and powerful botanicals like ginseng, green tea, and goji berry. Read on for our tips and tricks for adopting a skincare routine inspired by the time-honoured principles of Chinese skincare and wellness.

Start with a Nourishing Oil Cleanser

Cleansing is the foundation of any skincare routine: a gentle oil cleanser is essential for removing makeup, SPF, and impurities while preserving the skin’s natural balance.

Revitalise with Toners & Mists

Many ancient Chinese beauty rituals incorporated herbal infusions to rebalance and hydrate. Today, tea extracts, kombucha, and centella asiatica are key ingredients in many a great toners.

The Ancient Art of Gua Sha & Jade Rolling

Used since the 7th century, Gua Sha and jade rollers are essential for improving lymphatic drainage, circulation, and energy flow. In TCM, jade is considered a healing stone that promotes balance and revitalisation.

Power-Packed Serums & Actives

TCM ingredients such as ginseng, bakuchiol, and goji berry are revered for their anti-ageing properties and ability to promote skin resilience.

Moisturise with Herbal Ingredients

Chinese skincare favours green tea, snow mushroom, and matcha for their hydrating and anti-ageing properties. Snow mushroom, a staple in TCM, is known for its superior water-retention abilities, making it a natural alternative to hyaluronic acid.

Protect Your Skin with SPF

In ancient times, many a woman would have shielded their skin with silk parasols to avoid sun damage. The good news is that today, a high-quality SPF 50+ sunscreen enriched with herbal extracts will do – or is even rather a must!

Detox with Kaolin Clay & Herbal Treatments

Kaolin clay, a naturally occurring mineral in China, has been used in TCM for centuries to draw out impurities, control excess oil, and refine skin texture. Similarly, Tiger Grass, also known as Cica, has been adapted for modern skincare to soothe inflammation and calm irritated skin.