Japanese women are revered for their beauty, flawless complexions, silky hair, and feminine grace.
Many of them manage to look years younger than their actual ages. Like me, you’re might wonder “what is their secret?”
Traditionally Japanese women are taught to be meticulous with their skin and hair care. They also focus on eating well and having moderate exercise.
In addition, most Japanese women don’t wear heavy makeup -which gives them a youthful glow.
Let’s take a look at their beauty secrets and learn how you can incorporate them in your beauty and skincare regimens at home:
1. It starts with a healthy diet
Too often, we forget that how we look on the outside is connected to what we put inside our bodies. To have healthy skin and hair, you can’t overlook the importance of a healthy diet. Most Japanese women avoid typical Western fast food, opting for traditional Japanese dishes.
A typical Japanese meal is made under ichijyu sansai principle, which suggests that a balanced meal includes a soup with three vegetable dishes plus rice and fish. Such a meal is rich in a range of vitamins, minerals, and healthy fats and oils. These nutrients nourish and heal your body, reducing the likelihood of premature aging.
Japanese diet also includes seaweed, which is rich in keratin and iodine – both of which are essential for healthy skin, hair, and nails.
2. Pamper your skin with rice bran
Being rice farmers, the Japanese discovered the beauty benefits of rice bran centuries ago. Rice bran is full of antioxidants and other essential nutrients that come in handy for skincare and haircare. Japanese women use rice bran in scrubs, facials and body treatments to exfoliate and moisturise their skin and fight signs of aging. Rice bran can also resolve blemished skin to leave you with a more even skin tone.
In Japan, rice bran skincare and haircare products are widely available in beauty stores. Thankfully, you are also quite likely to find some rice bran products in your local beauty store – or you can order some online.
Alternatively, you can make your own at home. Here is a simple recipe: Boil three large tablespoons of rice in a small pot for a few minutes, till the water becomes slightly cloudy. Strain the rice and keep the water. You can use this water as a cleanser – apply it on your face with a cotton bud and wash of after a few minutes.
3. Befriend green tea
If you haven’t included green tea in your diet and beauty care, it’s high time! Green tea, which is a significant part of Japanese lifestyle is full of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. With a high concentration of catechin polyphenols and tannins, green tea is also known to tighten the skin and help fight wrinkles.
Not only do Japanese women drink copious amounts of green tea, they also include it in their beauty routines. They incorporate green tea extracts in lotions, creams, and tonics. They also add ground green tea leaves into their bath salts and even add green tea powder to body compress treatments and hair masks.
In addition, take at least two cups of green tea a day – bear in mind that green tea contains caffeine and therefore shouldn’t be taken before bed.
4. Take luxurious bathes
Japanese women love their baths. They soak themselves at home or in communal bathhouses, known as onsen. Typically, these luxurious baths are taken in the evening after a day’s work to not only cleanse their bodies but to also promote healing and relaxation.
To boost the baths healing and calming properties, the Japanese sprinkle in a variety of herbs, essential oils, and salts. For instance, they add green tea to tighten pores, soothe skin irritations, and boost moisture retention.
Sadly, you might not enjoy authentic Japanese-style baths outside the country. However, you can incorporate the essential elements of the Japanese bathing ritual into your routine. Add herbal infusions, such as green tea, into a warm bath.
After taking a shower, soak in the warm bath for 10 to 15 minutes. Pat yourself dry and apply your favourite moisturiser. Put on comfortable clothes after your bath and listen to calming music as you sip on some herbal tea.
