Asian Skin Types

Skin Guide
Asian Skin Types

Asian skin is generally smooth and has yellow undertones. This skin type is more prone to irritation and acne problem. It has a greater need for daily upkeep to minimize the appearance of pores, and even out skin tone and texture. Following are some easy steps to manage this skin type:

Herbal Steam Take 1 bowl of boiling water, 1 tsp rose petal powder or citrus peel powder, 1 tsp basil (tulsi) powder, 1 tsp fennel seed powder, 1 tsp lemon balm, 1 tsp peppermint leaves. Place a towel over your head; hold your face above the steam for about 10 minutes to allow the steam to open up the skin pores. This will allow you to deep clean the skin. If you have acne prone or oily skin, you can soak a washcloth with hot neem infused tea and place the washcloth over your face for an additional 5 minutes. Remember not to lick your lips - the tea will be bitter!

Exfoliate Make a paste with 1/2 tablespoon aritha powder, 1/2 tsp sandalwood powder, 1 tablespoons multani mitti (clay), 1/2 tsp powdered rose petals, 1 tsp arrowroot powder, 1/4 tsp neem powder and milk. Alternatively, you can make an almond nut meal scrub using 2 tablespoons nut meal, 1 tsp honey, 2 tablespoons oatmeal coarse and 1 tsp buttermilk powder. Add water to make a paste. Using a circular motion, massage exfoliating mixture into the skin. Rinse well with warm water.

Tighten the pores Mix 1/2 cup of refrigerated yogurt with 2 tsp refrigerated rose water and 1/2 tablespoon honey. Apply to the face and allow it to sit until the mixture becomes warm and then rinse. If your skin is dry you can smooth on a few finger tips full of virgin coconut oil or sweet almond oil.

Sun protection Don’t assume that darker shade of your skin is a guarantee against skin cancer. Always wear a sunscreen for a two pronged protective effect. An SPF 15 to 30 applied every morning (or more often to fight concentrated sun exposure) can block the sun’s cancer-causing and wrinkle-promoting rays. Also, it can clear any dark-spot discolorations (the sun will otherwise work to further activate those dark-spot pigment cells).

Marigold oil Calendula, or Marigold oil is traditional Mediterranean skin care used to help preserve skin freshness, protect skin from over-drying, sun-induced wrinkles and sun-caused aging during summer time. When used regularly, the oil imparts deep olive shine to the skin, helps protect skin from age-related thinning and drying out. Anti-aging properties of Calendula oil, well known to ancient Egyptians, are related to the high content and diversity of carotenes, phytosterols, polyphenols, and essential fatty acids.

Special secret A beauty secret that has permeated the Asian and Meditarrean culture for centuries: figs and olives. Both fruits are rich in antioxidants, which fight the damaging effects of the sun and environment. Packed with polyphenols, olive oil is a wonderful moisturiser, cuticle cream and hair conditioner. When a regular part of a diet, figs are touted to lower cholesterol, help stop strokes, control blood pressure, promote weight loss, battle diabetes, and combat cancer. Fig soaps gently cleanse and moisturise with a lovely soft scent. So, in addition to that occasional Fig Newton and a drizzle of olive oil on your salad, add some figs and olives to your beauty routine.