Perfection from the Land of the Rising Sun – Japanese Products to Better Your Skin

Generally regarded as shy yet friendly, formal and hard working, Japanese have created a culture revolving around the pursuit of perfection. This unrivalled attention to excellence represents not just a goal, but a way of life. And if women from that country are considered quite pretty, and appear ten years younger than their actual age, they surely must have a secret. Whereas youth compare the prices of the latest creams in a boutique, their mothers rely upon natural ingredients to maintain a picture-perfect look. Here is a list of seven remedies, either for oral consumption or external application, that will unlock your hidden beauty.

1. Matcha
A stone-ground powdered green tea that not only possesses antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties, but also can be used to bake cakes, or blended into various drinks and healthy dishes.

2. Rice
A natural emollient that reduces evaporation and moisturises the skin, nourishing and protecting it from UV rays. Geisha used to bathe in the water left over from rinsing the uncooked beads to preserve their attractiveness.

3. Adzuki beans
The cultivation of this vine dates back to the mid-Jōmon period, around 4,000 BCE. A classic source of antioxidants that can be either eaten with rice or in mochi, or used as an exfoliator when crushed.

4. Camellia oil
Known for its cleansing and moisturising qualities, this product was used by Geisha instead of water to remove makeup. The tradition has been passed on for many generations, and it still remains a treasured anti-ageing treatment.

5. Konjac sponge
Produced from the vegetable fibre of a potato-like plant cultivated in Asia, this product exfoliates and detoxifies the skin, unveiling a radiant complexion. It comes in several shapes and sizes, depending on whether it is intended for use on face or body.

6. Sheet masks
Nowadays, they are mostly made from cotton and combined with toner or lotion, but the original procedure consisted of dampening a piece of kimono silk with distilled flower water, and then place it onto the face.

7. Collagen
Supplements derived from this protein, which is endogenously produced, can work wonders for ageing skin. They have conquered Japanese drugstores little by little, as well as the rest of the world.

For the perfectionists
It goes without saying that people age differently. Nutrition, physical stimulation, climate; it would be impossible to create a one-size-fits-all, magical method suiting everyone. That is why seeking advice from professionals has been gaining popularity over the the last few years. Our experts in healthy ageing and aesthetic medicine will determine the needs of your body and the appropriate treatment or procedure to target the cause of discomfort. So, don’t hesitate to ask.