The Japanese are known for their flawless porcelain skin. Seriously, think about it for a moment: have you ever seen a Japanese girl with anything other than amazing, virtually wrinkle-free skin? With my birthday coming up in a few weeks (insert sobs here), this got me wondering about the current skincare products I use and whether I should switch to more effective ones.
I have a Japanese girlfriend who never gets old. Actually. In the decade I’ve known her, she’s figured out how to defy aging. Not a wrinkle or blemish on her flawless skin. Just perfectly smooth and glowing skin. I’ve asked her over the years what her secret is and her response is usually something along the lines of “eat a healthy diet” and “hydrate routinely.” So, in an effort to avoid wrinkles (did I mention I’m about to have a birthday?), I decided to dig deeper.
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 are apparently the secrets of young Japanese skin. If you’re not a big fan of fish, you can always take a supplement (for example, an Omega 3 fish oil). But the biggest piece of this is who they are. No eating. A diet consisting of French fries, hamburgers, and other artery (and pore) clogging foods lends itself to bad skin. Processed foods are just as bad for our skin as they are for our hearts. In short, if you want healthy, vibrant, and clear skin, a diet rich in vegetables, fruits, and lean meats is a must.
Are Japanese Skin Care Products Superior?
Ok, now let’s get to the bottom of Japanese skin care products. His skin is perfect. Do your products contain a magical elixir of youth? According to my findings, Japanese products contain (surprise, surprise) a lot of natural ingredients like kelp, adzuki, and komenuka rice bran:
Kelp It is a type of seaweed found in the waters of Japan and is a superstar ingredient in Japanese skin care.
Adzuki It is a type of red bean and is a centuries-old traditional beauty ingredient in Japan and some other Asian countries.
Komenuka Rice Bran is another great ingredient in Japanese skin care. Its nourishing properties help keep skin young and smooth by preventing wrinkles and controlling the skin’s natural oil production.
So are these radically magical Japanese ingredients? Maybe the “magical” lies in the fact that they are natural. They are using the ingredients of Mother Nature (instead of a product that contains 10 ingredients that you can’t pronounce). So what is the secret of Japanese skin? Genetics? Top skin care products? My money is on an ultra clean diet and all natural ingredients. And luckily, anyone can incorporate them into their skincare regimen.
I have a date with a cleaner diet and Mother Nature. I stocked up on seafood, vegetables, and a Japanese moisturizer. I’m on my way to better skin (or at least a smaller waist)…