{by} Sasha
{by} Sasha
The Japanese are known for their flawless, porcelain-like skin. Seriously, think about it for a moment: have you ever seen a Japanese gal with anything but amazing, virtually wrinkle-free skin? Since I have a birthday coming up in a few weeks (insert sobbing here) this got me wondering about the current skincare products I use and if I should trade them in for more effective ones.
I have a Japanese girlfriend who never, ever ages. Really. In the decade I’ve known her, she has figured out how to defy aging. Not a wrinkle or blemish one on her flawless skin. Just perfectly smooth, glowing skin. I’ve asked her over the years what her secret is and her answer is usually something like “a healthy diet” and “moisturize routinely.” So, in an effort to stave off wrinkles (did I mention I’m about to have a birthday) I decided to investigate further.
Can a Japanese Diet Promote Healthy Skin?
This one is true. Their cuisine is mostly seafood (think fish, shrimp, seaweed). These contain essential oils and fatty acids, which apparently are the secrets to the Japanese’s youthful skin. If you’re not a big fan of fish, you could always take a supplement (e.g. an Omega 3 Fish Oil). But the biggest piece of this is what they’re not eating. A diet consisting of fries, burgers, and other artery (and pore) clogging foods lend themselves to bad skin. Processed foods are as bad for our skin as they are for our hearts. In short, if you want healthy, vibrant, clear skin a diet high in veggies, fruits, and lean meats is a must.
Are Japanese Skincare Products Superior?
Ok, now let’s get to the bottom of Japanese skincare products. Their skin is perfect. Do their products contain a magic youth elixir? Per my findings, Japanese products contain (surprise, surprise) a lot of natural ingredients such as kelp, adzuki, and komenuka rice bran:
Kelp is a kind of sea algae found in the waters of Japan and is a superstar ingredient in Japanese skincare.
Adzuki is a type of red bean and is a centuries-old traditional beauty ingredient in Japan and in some other Asian countries.
Komenuka rice bran is another super ingredient in Japanese skincare. Its nourishing properties help keep the skin looking young and smooth by preventing wrinkles and controlling the skin’s natural oil production.
So are these Japanese ingredients radically magical? Perhaps the “magic” lies in the fact that they’re natural. They’re using Mother Nature’s ingredients (versus a product that contains 10 ingredients you can’t pronounce). So, what’s the secret to Japanese skin? Genetics? Superior skincare products? My money is on an ultra clean diet and all-natural ingredients. And, thankfully, anyone can incorporate those into their skincare regimen.
I have an appointment with a cleaner diet and Mother Nature. I stocked up on seafood, veggies, and a Japanese moisturizer. I am on my way to better skin (or, at the very least, a smaller waist line)….
Editor’s Japanese skincare cream picks:
{Penny-Pincher} {Big-Spender}
Yu-Be Moisturizing Skin Cream $24
Shiseido Future Solution LX Total Regenerating Cream $260
This article, Memoirs Of A Geisha’s Skin. Are Japanese Skincare Products Superior? , first published by Crows’ Feet, Cupcakes, and Cellulite on Technorati.
