Chinese Beauty Rules
Compared to women from other countries, Chinese women take a different approach to maintaining their beauty. By following a few key principles, they are able to maintain a youthful appearance for longer.
Careful Attention to the Skin
Chinese women are diligent about protecting their skin from sunlight in every possible way. They rarely sunbathe, avoid wearing overly revealing clothing during hot weather, and often wear gloves and hats. This helps them preserve the health and beauty of their skin, prevent premature aging, and reduce the risk of developing skin cancer.
In China, it’s common to protect not only the body but also the face from the sun. For this, a unique accessory called a “facekini” is often used during the summer. Made from fabric such as microfiber, elastane, or Lycra, this mask covers the face while leaving slots for the mouth, nostrils, and eyes. Although it may look unusual, the facekini provides excellent protection from harmful UV rays.
Washing with Rice Water
Washing with rice water is a traditional Chinese ritual that offers several benefits:
- Lightening the skin tone
- Preventing pigmentation and acne
- Healing small wounds and reducing inflammation
- Saturating the skin with vitamins E and C
The fine starch particles in rice water act as a natural exfoliant, removing dead skin cells. Over time, this leads to an even skin tone and improved skin texture.
Natural Makeup
Chinese women favor a natural makeup look, generally avoiding heavy use of decorative cosmetics. They reserve bright, dramatic makeup for special occasions. On a daily basis, they often stick to lip gloss, eyeliner, and pearl powder.
Before applying makeup, they emphasize skin preparation through:
- Steam baths
- Face masks
- Cleansing the skin with herbal decoctions
Their natural cosmetics frequently contain ingredients like seaweed, essential oils, and plant extracts, which benefit the skin’s health and appearance.
Massage and Wushu
Massage plays a crucial role in Chinese women’s beauty routines, helping them maintain youthful and healthy skin. Special attention is given to the San Yin Jiao, known as the “point of youth” on the leg. Massaging this point is believed to provide several benefits:
- Improved blood flow to internal organs
- Stimulation of collagen production
- Elimination of toxins
- Healing of scars and minor injuries
Foot massage is another traditional Chinese practice with numerous health benefits, including:
- Stress relief
- Normalizing blood pressure
- Enhancing lymphatic and blood circulation
- Strengthening the immune system
- Preventing internal organ diseases
In addition to massage, traditional martial arts like Wushu are highly valued for both beauty and health. Practicing Wushu helps to tone the body, improve balance, and promote inner harmony.
Focus on Nutrition
Chinese people pay close attention to their diet. Their dietary habits include:
- Adding very little salt to rice
- Consuming plenty of vegetables
- Using a variety of spices
- Eating large amounts of fish and seafood
- Limiting meat intake
Following these dietary principles ensures that the body receives essential nutrients and reduces the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases.
Seaweed is a staple in the Chinese diet, often considered a “superfood.” Varieties like kelp and spirulina are rich sources of manganese, iodine, riboflavin, selenium, and vitamin C. Regular consumption of seaweed not only improves overall health but also enhances the condition of the skin, hair, and nails.
Another common nutrition habit in China is minimizing the consumption of dairy products, such as yogurt, cheese, and condensed milk. Dairy contains casein, a protein found in the milk of mammals. While casein offers health benefits, excessive consumption can increase sebum production, leading to clogged pores, acne, and inflammation. By limiting dairy intake, Chinese women reduce the likelihood of these skin issues and maintain clear, healthy skin.
Green Tea
Green tea is a widely consumed beverage in China, often enjoyed cold for various health benefits:
- Aiding in weight loss
- Boosting metabolism
- Enriching the body with nutrients and vitamins
- Lowering “bad” cholesterol
- Slowing down the aging process
- Eliminating bad breath
- Stimulating dopamine production
In addition to drinking green tea, it is also commonly added to hot baths. These baths help to detoxify the body and improve skin tone.
Structured Daily Routine
One of the key habits of Chinese people is maintaining a well-planned daily routine and practicing self-discipline. They typically wake up early, go to bed at the same time (no later than midnight), and take a midday rest.
Following a simple schedule and allowing enough time for rest helps to rejuvenate the body, resulting in a healthy complexion and reducing the likelihood of dark circles, puffiness, or premature wrinkles.
Avoiding Bad Habits
Perhaps the most important beauty rule for Chinese women is avoiding bad habits. Chinese women rarely consume strong alcohol or smoke, which helps them maintain youthful appearances and beautiful skin.
Another habit that contributes to their graceful posture is avoiding carrying heavy objects. Chinese women often rely on their companions to carry bags, freeing their hands and avoiding unnecessary strain on their bodies.