Autumn Health Preservation: Traditional Chinese Skincare Secrets

As autumn unfolds, the air tends to become drier, leading to skin issues such as dryness and oiliness for some individuals. If you are experiencing such concerns, fret not, this article will introduce various skincare methods from a Traditional Chinese Medicine perspective, aiming to address these issues at the root and guide you toward radiant skin!

Dietary Adjustment

Hydration is Key

During autumn, as the air becomes drier, the moisture content in the atmosphere significantly decreases. In such climate conditions, our bodies are prone to dehydration. Dehydration can manifest discomfort in various aspects, with the skin often being the first to be affected. Thus, in autumn, it is crucial to hydrate adequately by consuming ample water.

Opt for plain water, the purest and most natural beverage that swiftly replenishes the body with hydration. Light tea infusions are also beneficial choices, such as green tea or chrysanthemum tea. Green tea is rich in antioxidants, aiding in combating free radical damage and offering excellent skin protection.

Chrysanthemum tea, known for its heat-clearing properties, is suitable for consumption during the dry autumn season. It is recommended to drink at least eight glasses of water daily to meet the body's hydration needs. If pure water feels monotonous, consider adding lemon slices or honey蜂蜜(fēng mì) to enhance the taste and provide additional nutrients.

蜂蜜 (fēng mì), noun, honey

Examples:

1. She likes to drizzle honey on her pancakes.
   她喜欢在她的煎饼上淋蜂蜜。
   tā xǐ huān zài tā de jiān bǐng shàng lín fēngmì。
2. The tea tastes better with a spoonful of honey.
   一勺蜂蜜让茶的味道更好。
   yī sháo fēngmì ràng chá de wèi dào gèng hǎo。

Embrace Yin-Nourishing Foods

In autumn, incorporate Yin-nourishing foods into your diet. Tremella is an excellent option, renowned for its lung-nourishing, cough-suppressing, and Yin-moistening effects, internally nurturing the body and enhancing skin hydration. Lily bulbs are another autumn delight, emitting a delicate fragrance whether stir-fried or cooked into porridge. They aid in lung hydration and heart clearance, maintaining bodily moisture amidst the dry season.

Snow pears, a well-known fruit, effectively moisturize the lungs, help alleviate coughs, nourish the skin, and prevent dryness. Chinese yam is a notable supplement in autumn, benefiting the spleen and stomach, nourishing Yin, and enhancing kidney function – aligning with skin maintenance. These foods possess lung-nourishing, cough-suppressing, and Yin-moistening effects, nourishing the body from within and bestowing healthier, radiant skin.

Limit Spicy and Greasy Foods

In autumn, reduce your intake of spicy and greasy foods. Spices like chili, ginger, and garlic exhibit strong stimulating properties, generating internal heat and exacerbating bodily dryness sensations.

Consuming such items during autumn can easily lead to inner heat accumulation, resulting in oral ulcers, throat inflammation, and related issues. Moreover, spicy foods can irritate the skin, causing redness, heat, and exacerbating dryness, itching, and related concerns.

Fried and oily foods are also unsuitable for excessive consumption during autumn. They accelerate internal heat production, intensifying the sensation of dryness within the body, consequently influencing skin conditions. During autumn, strive to minimize consumption of such spicy and greasy foods, opting for light and easily digestible alternatives to better protect your skin.

Lifestyle Habits

Prioritize Adequate Sleep

Sufficient sleep allows the body's organs to rest adequately, optimizing their individual functionalities.

During sleep, the body conducts metabolic processes, eliminating toxins and waste products. Simultaneously, sleep promotes blood circulation to the skin, furnishing ample nutrients and oxygen, aiding in skin repair and maintenance.

Insufficient sleep leads to fatigue, slowed metabolism, and lackluster, rough skin. Hence, in autumn, nurture healthy sleep habits, ensuring sufficient rest to maintain your body and skin in optimal health.

Avoid Excessive Skin Cleaning

Autumn skin tends to experience dryness, thus exercise caution to avoid over-cleansing. During this season, skin oil secretion tends to diminish. Frequent use of facial cleansers, body washes, and similar cleansing products may disrupt the skin's natural oil barrier, compromising its protection and exacerbating dryness concerns.

Traditional Chinese Medicine Remedies

For severe skincare issues, consider consulting a medical professional to incorporate herbal remedies such as Angelica, White Peony, Rehmannia, and Ligusticum Chuanxiong. These herbs possess blood-nourishing, Yin-moistening effects, capable of ameliorating dry, rough skin conditions.

Moxibustion艾灸(ài jiǔ) Therapy

艾灸 (ài jiǔ), noun, Moxibustion

Examples:

1. She performed moxibustion on her back.
   她在背部进行艾灸。
   tā zài bèi bù jìn xíng ài jiǔ。
2. Moxibustion can help improve blood circulation.
   艾灸可以帮助改善血液循环。
   ài jiǔ kě yǐ bāng zhù gǎi shàn xuè yè xún huán。

Moxibustion, a traditional Chinese medical treatment, aids in warming meridians, harmonizing Qi and blood circulation, dispelling cold and dampness, presenting excellent skincare benefits. During autumn, moxibustion on acupuncture points like Zu San Li, Guan Yuan, and Qi Hai, lasting 15 to 20 minutes per session, conducted two to three times weekly, yields favorable results.

Massage Practices

Massage serves as a simple yet effective skincare method, stimulating blood circulation, enhancing skin metabolism, and fostering skin maintenance. During autumn, engage in facial, neck, and hand massages for 10 to 15 minutes per session, practicing once or twice daily.