Aside from its quirky culture, sushi, and J-pop, Japan is known for its incredibly beautiful women. We can’t help but wonder what keeps them looking so toned, fresh, and youthful. Thanks to the beauty blogging culture, we’ve got to know about Japanese beauty secrets that women have been using for centuries.
The best thing is that you can incorporate them into your beauty routine starting today! From daily skincare practices to essential beauty items, the following tips will help you achieve long-lasting beauty effects.
Top 8 Japanese Beauty Secrets
Below are the top eight beauty tips the women of Japan swear by.
1. Lather Your Skin with Signature Oils
Signature oils are big among Japanese women. This is how they have such amazing, glowing skin at all times!
Camellia Oil is one of the most popular variations that you can use to remove makeup and get rid of dirt and excess sebum on your skin. It also helps fight the signs of aging and restores the natural moisture of the skin. According to an ancient book, the Tale of Genji, court women in Japan used Camellia Oil to dress their hair.
So, get your hands on signature oils and use them for cleansing and toning your skin. Even if you have oily skin, you shouldn’t be afraid to apply essential oils. Oil can do wonders for your skin, no matter what your skin type is.
Helpful tip: If you don’t have signature oils, you can go for any natural or herbal-based blends.
2. Use Azuki Beans for Exfoliation
Azuki Beans have been a part of Japanese women’s lives since the beginning of time. In addition to their nutritional value, women rave about their skin benefits.
These little red beans work wonders as a gentle exfoliator, helping you get rid of fine lines and dead skin cells, both of which are major culprits for dull skin. They are also great for acne and blackhead prone skin.
Azuki beans possess excellent antioxidant properties. Additionally, they are packed with a natural foaming agent called saponin that helps cleanse and tighten the pores. Thanks to the fast-acting ingredients, these legumes instantly brighten up the complexion by removing dirt, unclogging pores, and stimulating blood circulation.
The best thing is that formulating the azuki exfoliating scrub is super easy.
Instructions:
- Take ½ cup of dried beans and put them in a coffee grinder to get a semi-fine powder.
- Pour it into a jar and keep it in the fridge for about a few hours.
- Take ½ teaspoon of the powder in a small bowl or on your palm and add a few drops of water to make a thick paste.
- Spread the paste evenly on the wet face in circular motions.
- Let it dry for a couple of minutes before rinsing your face with warm water.
Use this DIY exfoliator twice or thrice a week to witness noticeable changes in your skin.
3. Wash Your Hair with Natural Shampoos
One of the biggest Japanese beauty secrets is that they don’t use synthetic shampoos containing potentially harmful chemicals. Instead, they embrace natural hair cleansing.
Most Japanese women use seaweed powder in place of shampoos to prevent damage to the roots and ends. Moreover, they apply Camellia Oil on wet hair for moisturization instead of using hair conditioners.
4. Use Sheet Masks
Did you know that a sheet mask is a trademark of Japanese skincare?
Thanks to the famous skincare expert Chizu Saeki, this revitalizing practice gained global popularity. However, most Japanese do it differently than us. Instead of buying these masks at the store, they take the DIY route.
For an instant moisture blast, all you have to do is dampen cotton wool with lotion or toner and place it on your face for 5 to 10 minutes. Alternatively, you can buy some Japanese sheet masks known for providing nourishment and radiance. Wear the sheet for 10 minutes and then massage in the excess serum after removing it to reveal soft, smooth, glowing skin.
5. Bathe in Rice Water
Over the years, Japanese women have used rice bran to soften their skin and hair and keep the aging signs at bay. They bathe in the leftover water from rinsing uncooked rice. Since rice is a powerful antioxidant and a natural emollient, it helps nourish the skin and prevents wrinkles.
6. Maintain a Balanced Diet
This is one of the most important Japanese beauty secrets of all time. We spend so much time improving our physical appearance that we often forget what we put inside our bodies. This is ironic since our diet directly affects how we look.
Japanese women swear by their traditional meal made under the ichijyusansai principle. It consists of soup with three vegetable dishes, rice, and fish. Rich in vitamins and omega-3 fatty acids, this meal gives your body the nutritional boost it needs to perform at optimal levels every day. Moreover, these spreads help cut down toxin production in the body to prevent premature aging and inflammatory skin conditions.
Two ingredients found in almost all Japanese dishes are seaweed and kelp. Infused with keratin and iodine, they are incredibly beneficial for nail, skin, and hair health. People also love consuming superfoods, such as natto, konjac, and kinako.
7. Consume Green Tea Frequently
One of the biggest Japanese beauty secrets is that they don’t only drink green tea but also add it to cakes, milkshakes, and just about anything! This magical ingredient has amazing antioxidant, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory effects on the body.
Women in Japan incorporate green tea extracts into body lotions and tonics. They also add ground leaves to bath salts for extra refreshment. Green tea powder, on the other hand, can help protect your skin from sun damage, reduce inflammation, balance skin tone, and reactivate dying skin cells.
8. Avoid the Sun
Instead of going out in the sun wearing heavy sunscreen, Japanese women prefer to avoid direct sun exposure altogether. They know that the UV rays can compromise the beauty of their skin and make them look older than they are. Hence, they wear hats and try to avoid the sun as much as they can. When they don’t have an option, they make sure they use SPF50 as a protective shield. But don’t fall into the trap of thinking you’re fully protected if using sunscreen. The Japanese also use physical shields such as sunglasses, large hats, gloves, and even umbrellas.
It’s Time to Glow Up Like Japanese Women!
Ready to create a new beauty routine?
From signature oils and green tea to natural shampoos and rice water, these Japanese beauty secrets will help take your skincare game to the next level!
You can get your hands on some incredible products for the face, body, and hair at Mirai Clinical. Formulated with Japanese persimmon, Green Tea extracts, and other revitalizing ingredients, these items are bound to enhance your natural beauty and leave you feeling fresh and confident.
So, what are you waiting for?
It’s time to stop envying Japanese women for their soft, smooth, flawless skin and start working on yours!