Many people perceive fall to be a bittersweet time of the year where the changing season comes at the cost of dry, dull, and irritated skin. Not anymore! Fall and winters do not cause skin troubles. Almost every TCM practitioner knows the secret of keeping skin beautiful for years, which we are going to share with you!

In this article we will discuss the significance of skin care during fall and unveil hidden secrets of Chinese medicine by letting have brighter, radiant, glowing complexion this fall!

The Fall Season and Skincare

Living in tune with the seasons doesn’t stop with what you put on your plate and the clothes you wear. With each change in season, our skin has different needs and tendencies. This is obvious when it comes to needing sunscreen in summer or heavier night cream in winter.

But why do we need to make changes in fall?

When it comes to seasonal changes, fall has unusual effects on our health. This is because in fall we are vulnerable to wind, sun, and dryness. Not only this, many California Neighbors have recently experienced smoke arising from the fires.Our energy starts to turn inward, our activity levels dwindle, and the stress ramps up as we wrap up the year

When its fall, we have a golden opportunity to restore our health and rejuvenate our skin before sturdy winters. But few of us take advantage of this time to rest and reset – both when it comes to skin health and our overall health. The result?

Most of the time, we emphasize about our skin health and overall well-being; but many times, we do not care or workout to avoid concerns that arise during winter season (such as allergies, dryness, hives, flaking, colds, and flues).

So, what the best way to have a beautiful yet youthful skin during fall and winters? We will discover hidden secrets of Chinese Medicine which have withstand the test of time.

Fall Skin Secrets: What to Eat

There is a popular saying “You are what you eat”, and nothing can beat this saying which is strongly backed by theories of Chinese medicine. For healthy and radiant skin, it essential to consume nutritious food which restores skin nutrients needed to prevent unusual inflammation and acne

While we are transitioning from fall to winter, our diet should comprise up of foods that are high in nutrients, hydrating, and easy to digest. Below are some nutritious and healthy seasonal foods that foster skin healing:

• Sweet potatoes
• Beans and lentils, especially "mung beans"
• Squash and pumpkin
• Green leafy vegetables
• Celery
• Apples
• Oranges
• Red grapes
• Goji berries
• Quinoa
• Avocados
• Tomatoes
• Nuts and seeds, especially pumpkin seeds
• Healthy, fatty fish like salmon
• Green tea (swap those pumpkin spice lattes for matcha!)

Fall Beauty Congee

Incorporating Congee into your diet will not improve digestion but will also give your skin a radiant glow. The preparation method is simple: just mix 1 part of grain into 6 parts of water along with your favorite ingredients in a crockpot and let it simmer on low flame overnight. You can take this warm cup in early morning.

Add to the pot:

• 1 cup rice (or quinoa, barley, or stone-ground oats)
• 6-8 cups water
• 2 TBSP dried goji berries
• 2 TBSP pumpkin seeds
• 4 Chinese red dates
• 2 TSP cinnamon
• 1 TBSP raw honey

Fall Skin Secrets: What to Use

Beauty starts within, but what we put on the outside still matters! Here are a few ancient and modern tips for healthy fall skin:

Try A DIY Natural Mask

Fall skin needs great circulation and nourishment. Get the best of both world with an easy at-home mask:

Turmeric Almond Fall Mask

You might already have the makings for the perfect fall mask right in your kitchen cabinet! For this simple mask, just mix the ingredients together and apply to a clean face. Wash off with an old cloth (turmeric stains!) and moisturize with Laurel Skin Hydrating Elixir I or II.

Ingredients

• 1 TSP turmeric powder
• 1 TBSP almond milk
• 1 TSP honey
• 2-3 drops almond, neem, or rosehip oil

Protect With Nature

Use natural products that don’t contain any harsh irritating chemicals. We love Laurel Skin because their products are completely plant-based and packed with antioxidants.

Detox the Liver with a Castor Oil Pack

Just like in biomedicine, Chinese medicine sees the Liver as a major organ of detoxification for the body and skin. Fall is a great time to give the Liver a restorative break with a gently cleansing castor oil pack.

Get Glamorous with Pearl Powder

Pearl powder, or zhen zhu mu, is a Chinese beauty secret that is used both internally and externally. Want to try it for yourself? Contact us to find out more about using pearl powder at home!

Fall Skin Secrets: What to Do

Consistency is everything when it comes to beautiful and healthy skin. A daily skincare ritual is the best way to keep our skin healthy through the seasons and as we age. But there are other daily habits that can have a major impact on the health of our skin. Here are some Chinese medicine secrets for beautiful skin each day.

Boost Your Kidneys with Qi Gong

In Chinese medicine theory, the Kidneys are our deepest resource of energy and vitality. When they’re worn out, we’ll see it as dry, tired skin and dark under-eye circles. Kidneys also correspond with the season of winter, and they can become overly taxed during this time. So, to give our Kidney system the rest and rejuvenation it needs to stay healthy (and keep our skin glowing!) let’s power up with a simple Qi Gong exercise!

Calm Your Skin With a Cleansing Breath

The fall season is associated with the metal element and the Lungs. The Lungs are also associated with the skin, as both of these organs create a protective barrier between us and the outside world. To help keep your skin calm, clear, and nurtured during fall, practice daily breathwork exercises to help encourage healthy Lungs and radiant skin!

Get Regular Acupuncture and A Personalized Chinese Herbal Formula

When it comes to keeping skin healthy through fall and winter, acupuncture and herbs help to nourish and moisturize stressed skin, encourage healthy detoxification and circulation, and prevent skin issues like eczema, itching, redness, dryness, and irritation.

While acupuncture is no secret, the power of keeping up with consistent treatment remains unknown to many. In this way, Chinese medicine is very similar to exercise. You may feel better after one session, but true, noticeable change only comes after a regular routine. Fall is the perfect time to start your cosmetic acupuncture journey and open the doors to healthier, younger-looking skin!

Fall for Beautiful Skin

You deserve to feel beautiful all year long. Whether you’re someone who dreads the colder months in anticipation of dry and cracked skin, or you’re simply curious about the best ways to protect your skin year-round, Chinese medicine has the answers (and the secrets!).

At The Beauty Within, we use acupuncture, herbs, quality products, and more lifestyle tips like these to keep our patients’ skin healthy and youthful through the seasons. Our treatments also help to keep the body resistant to seasonal stress, illnesses, and other health issues. 

Welcome fall by pampering you skin with wonderful mask! Schedule your first session, or contact us to explore fall and winter skincare regime.

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Care Consideration: Just a reminder that the above information is not a substitute for medical care and is not a substitute for medical advice or recommendations from a healthcare provider.  This information is not intended to treat, mitigate, or cure any disease. That said, we encourage you to connect with an Acupuncturist in your community to learn more about this and other Traditional Chinese Medicine options. If you’ve got questions about Chinese herbal medicine or getting started with an Acupuncturist, feel free to connect with us on hello@mydaolabs.com.

Dr. Lydia Au, DACM is the founder of The Beauty Within in Southern California. After practicing as an acupuncturist for a decade, her interest in holistic facial rejuvenation began when she started experiencing issues in her own skin. Experimenting with different holistic skin care modalities, she was astonished at the amazing results she yielded without invasive procedures. She has trained with cosmetic acupuncture experts such as Dr. Martha Lucas or MeiZen, Amanda Shayle of Acuregen and much more. She has also obtained certifications in various modalities such as guasha, cupping, facial sculpting, microneedling and LED light therapy. At The Beauty Within, experience a collective of ancient beauty rituals with modern technology to bring forth holistic yet effective results.