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Let Japanese Skincare Products Help Your Skin Look Years Younger
Japanese skincare has existed for several centuries and it is comprised of natural botanicals, clays, sea vegetables, and certain specific oils in order to cleanse, moisturize and revitalize the skin. The integrity of their skin can not only be attributed to the beneficial ingredients they use to maintain it, but also to their healthy diet. They consume a high fiber diet which consists mainly of rice, fish, vegetables, and small amounts of animal protein from lean meats. As a race, they have fewer weight fluctuations than the American people and, as a result, this will cause less stress on their skin.
Skin creams made with rice bran are used by the Japanese in place of harsh soaps and are also used as a body wash.
Most of us have learned about the benefits of fiber in our diet, since it has been shown to be beneficial for both our colon and our digestive system. Also, newer research is showing that it is also good for our heart. A particular type of bran known as rice bran is very popular on the market since it contains various vitamins, minerals, essential fatty acids, and fiber. It also contains coenzyme Q10, an important nutrient that has been shown to be helpful in treating congestive heart failure. It is also beneficial for our gums, and some studies are showing promise in increasing the lifespan of breast cancer patients. This highly nutritious food (rice bran), is used in Japanese skincare formulas since it is effective at cleansing and moisturizing the skin. One of the main reasons why it is beneficial to our skin is because it contains a high amount of oil which is rich in essential fatty acids.
For several centuries, Japanese women have made their own skincare formulas at home.
A well balanced diet, along with the addition of eating a variety of legumes, is important since they are high in protein and fiber. Also, they are low in fat and when combined with rice, are complete proteins. One particular type of bean called the adzuki bean is an important ingredient in Japanese skincare. This food is ground into a powder and when added to skin care formulas, it is shown to be an effective cleanser and exfoliator. Adzuki powder causes the skin to peel, eliminating dead skin cells. By virtue of this action, it achieves similar benefits compared to the alpha hydroxy products. Along with adzuki powder, they have added other ingredients such as different types of clay and sea vegetables such as kelp, irish moss, and bladderwrack. Other ingredients found in these skin care products are derived from exotic compounds such as shark liver oil and silkworm cocoons.
If you have visited any health food store, you may have come across a type of sponge known as a luffah.
This item is produced from a dried gourd grown on the hechima plant. A luffah sponge is beneficial for our skin since it helps eliminate dead skin cells. When showering, soak the sponge with water, add a natural body wash, and lightly brush your entire body. Also, from the roots of this wonderful plant, a juice is extracted and is used in Japanese skincare formulas. It has been shown to be an effective moisturizer and it offers protection from ultraviolet radiation from the sun. Due to its sun protective properties, we may see this botanical added to sunscreens in the near future.
During my early teenage years, I frequented the beach quite often and enjoyed swimming in the ocean. I have seen a variety of different species of algae (seaweed) and noticed their different shapes and colors. Some different types of seaweed are nori, wakame, and kelp, but the main one that has been added to Japanese skincare formulas is wakame.
Wakame's main benefit is as a skin detoxifier and toner, and should be used after you have cleansed your skin.
I have seen it as a dried powder sold to be added to homemade skin care formulas, and also marketed in capsule form as a dietary supplement. This type of seaweed is brown in color and is high in the minerals iodine, iron, zinc, and selenium. It is important that vegetarians eat seaweed, since their diet is normally deficient in these minerals. Consider using skin care formulas that contain this added sea vegetable, or you can purchase it separately and add it to your favorite formula.
Vegetable oils and essential oils have been added to skin care formulas throughout the centuries in order to help treat the skin.
They have been mainly derived from plants, but they also have been extracted from fruits. One of the main oils used in Japanese skincare is camellia oil, and it is derived from the seeds of the fruit grown on evergreen trees in China and Japan. It has excellent moisturizing properties and has been used by Japanese women for several centuries. They have added this oil to their shampoos, cosmetics, and skin care formulas.
This is an oil that I myself have used and found it to better penetrate the skin than jojoba and avocado oils. Also, I have noticed that after using it, my skin doesn’t appear as dry and has a more youthful glow. It has even improved the texture of the skin on my neck, and has helped lessen the appearance of lines and wrinkles on my forehead. This beneficial oil has been added to Japanese skincare formulas and rightly so since it has skin rejuvenating properties. If you cannot find a skin care formula with this added ingredient, you can purchase it separately and add it to your skincare regimen.
The content presented here on this website is for informational purposes only. These products have not been approved by the FDA and are not intended to treat or cure any disease. This information should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice.
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