SKINCARE

Experts reveal how to turn your skincare routine into self-care, using ancient beauty rituals...

- LARA OWEN

Taking off your make-up or cleansing your face often feels like the last thing you want to do after a long day. But chiselling out time to wash off the day and feed your skin with some muchneeded nutrients is a great way to kick off your bedtime routine right — and sneak in some wind-down benefits at the same time. So, here skincare and traditional Chinese medicine experts reveal how you can turn your boring, bog-standard beauty routine into a daily self-care ritual.

Don’t make it a chore...

While it may sound overindulgent, not rushing through your skincare is integral for the health and overall look of your skin.

‘In recent years, the world of skincare has witnessed a rise in natural and holistic remedies, with Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) leading the way,’ explains Charlotte Yau, founder of Muihood. ‘In TCM, the focus is not just on treating the surface of the skin, but on addressing the root causes of issues, which are often linked to internal imbalances such as poor digestion, stress, or hormonal changes,’ she explains. ‘The skin is viewed as a reflection of inner health, which is why Chinese medicine skincare takes a holistic approach to achieving healthy, dewy skin. As such, it is important to create a ritual out of your self-care routine and use these few moments in the day as an opportunity to centre yourself and release stagnant energy (Qi) in the body.’

Yau recommends starting to focus on your breathing before commencing with any products. ‘Start by being fully present,’ she says, ‘then use gentle, intentional movements when applying skincare, visualising the movement of Qi and lymphatic flow. You could also incorporate TCM-inspired rituals like gua sha or facial acupressure to create a sense of relaxation and connection with your body.’

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