We’ve rounded up some anti-ageing tips that you can take from Japan.
Though it’s Korea whose beauty products have received global adoration in recent years, we cannot overlook the importance of another East Asian country and its beauty regime: Japan.
The Japanese are famous for their stunning natural beauty and flawless skin.
Though ageing is inevitable, it’s not unusual to mistake a 50-year-old Japanese woman for one in her 20s.
The best news? Japan’s skincare secrets are all-natural and super-simple.
We’ve rounded up some of the top anti-ageing techniques that we can learn from the Japanese below…
Massages
One common skincare practice that you can take from Japan is regular facial massaging.
You don’t need to visit a massage parlour or spend hundreds of pounds on expensive creams.
When you’re moisturising or cleansing your face, spend some time massaging it.
First up, reduce tension by applying your moisturiser and massaging it into your skin in circular motions upwards to your hairline.
Next, take your palms and place them on your temples, massaging firmly in circular motions.
Five to ten minutes of massaging a couple of times per week will do the job, and after a few weeks, you may start to notice some changes.
Massaging your face regularly can increase your blood circulation, plump up your skin, lift slack skin, combat puffiness, and even change the shape of your face, extenuating your cheekbones and other prominent features. The best part? It’s free, and it’s really relaxing!
Seafood
If you love fish, you’re in luck.
Seafood is a staple in Japanese diets, with fatty fishes like anchovies proven to fight the ageing process and allow you to hold onto your youthful looks. That’s because fish is packed with long-chain omega-3 fats which prevent heart disease, inflammation, and damage that occurs during sun exposure. It’s a real superfood for those wanting to turn back the clock!
Salmon is one of the most popular dishes in Japan.
It contains astaxanthin, which is a carotenoid antioxidant that can improve your skin’s natural elasticity and hydration over time.
Seaweed is another food to introduce to your diet.
According to clinical trials in Australia, Fucus vesiculosus, which is found in seaweed, contains key enzymes such as collagenase, tyrosinase and elastase.
Combined, these can reduce wrinkle depth, lessen age spots, increase radiance and improve the overall appearance and health of the skin.
Get munching!
No chemicals
In Japan, most women prefer natural recipes when cleansing and toning.
They shun popular Western products that are packed full of chemicals and minerals we can’t even pronounce!
One of the most popular natural skincare recipes in Japan is rice water. It’s loaded with vitamins, minerals, and amino acids which are important for maintaining healthy skin. They include ferulic acid and allantoin, which are known to soothe, hydrate, and heal our faces.
All you need is half a cup of uncooked rice (around 120 grams) and two cups of water.
Rinse the rice under running water to remove impurities, place the rice in a bowl and cover it with your water.
Next, swirl the mixture around, and leave it to soak for half an hour.
It’s recommended that you keep your water in an airtight container in the fridge. The cleanser will last a week.
Simply cannot do without your favourite moisturiser or cleanser? Make sure it does not contain parabens, fragrance, phthalates, triclosan, sodium lauryl sulfate, propylene glycol, or petrochemicals.
These can irritate and dry out the skin and cause you to age prematurely.
Healthy lifestyles
Time for a lecture.
If you want flawless skin, you need to look after your body.
As well as drinking plenty of water, getting enough sleep and exercise and eating a balanced diet, you should avoid habits like drinking alcohol or smoking. Both are known to cause premature ageing and indeed a whole host of life-threatening illnesses, so try your best to cut them out.
Antiageing is also about your mindset. If you’re always stressed and anxious, it will show on your face and cause permanent lines and wrinkles. If you practice mindfulness and consider meditation, you’ll feel more positive and relaxed. Over time that will show on your face.
Lots of green tea
For Japanese people, green tea is the drink of choice, and there are major health benefits.
Rather than a cup of coffee or an energy drink, consider making the switch to a green tea blend.
It might be an acquired taste (green tea can be bitter and vegetal if you’re used to a milky tea or coffee), but it is packed with antioxidants and is a proven anti-ageing remedy.
Green tea is known to quell inflammation and reduce your risk of heart disease. It contains an anti-ageing ingredient known as epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), which can fight the wrinkles by increasing your skin’s cell turnover.
Japanese people even use green tea powder when making their own face masks, helping the skin plump up with natural antioxidants.
Give these Japanese anti-ageing tips a try and let us know what you think of them over on Twitter using @Oralift. If you’d like to learn more about another anti-ageing method that delivers impressive skin rejuvenation results, click here for an introduction to Oralift.
