When it comes to skincare, Asian beauty has been ahead of the game for centuries. J-Beauty, C-Beauty, and K-Beauty aren’t just about layering on serums and creams—they focus on nourishing your skin from the inside out. Think collagen jellies, matcha lattes, Onsen baths, gua sha, and even fermented foods!

These time-tested rituals go beyond trendy routines; they’re backed by science and tradition. So, if you want to level up your glow, here’s how to incorporate these ancient beauty secrets into your modern skincare routine.

1. Gua Sha

Have you seen those sleek jade and rose quartz tools all over social media? That’s gua sha! The term literally translates from Chinese to English as “to scrape,” and this skincare method actually dates back to the Ming Dynasty. Originally, people used stones, coins, or even their hands to massage and scrape areas of the body to relieve pain and symptoms of illness.

Fast forward to today, and gua sha is a must-have in skincare routines. Start by applying a generous amount of moisturizer or serum to your face—this helps the gua sha tool glide smoothly without tugging at your skin. Then, using gentle, upward strokes, glide the tool across your face.

This simple motion can boost circulation, promote lymphatic drainage, and reduce puffiness, leaving your skin looking refreshed and radiant. It can even help sculpt your features and enhance your natural glow. Try it in the morning to wake up your skin and get rid of overnight puffiness, or use it at night to relax your facial muscles and melt away the tension from your day.

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2. Onsen Baths

Japanese Onsen baths are natural hot springs packed with skin-loving minerals like silica and sulfur. Dating back to the 6th century, when Buddhism was introduced to Japan, these healing waters became an essential part of Buddhist monks’ purification rituals. They recognized the Onsen’s therapeutic properties, using them not just to cleanse the body but also to refresh the soul.

Today, Japan is home to countless Onsen resorts, where guests can unwind in the soothing waters while surrounded by breathtaking natural landscapes. The mineral-rich baths are known to help relieve muscle tension, fatigue, and even skin concerns like dryness, fine lines, and wrinkles.

While hopping on a plane to Japan isn’t always an option, you can bring the Onsen experience to your own bathtub! Just add Epsom salt, Himalayan pink salt, and a few drops of your favorite essential oil to your tub, then soak your stress (and dry skin) away.

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3. Fermented Foods

Did you know that kimchi, miso, and other fermented foods can help keep your skin glowing? They’re packed with probiotics—good bacteria that support gut health, which is directly linked to clear skin. When your gut is happy, your skin is happy.

Fermented foods help balance gut bacteria, which can reduce breakouts, redness, and irritation. Studies show that probiotics can also boost skin hydration, strengthen your immune system, and fight skin-damaging free radicals, helping to keep your skin looking fresh and healthy.

Another perk? Fermentation makes vitamins and nutrients easier for your body to absorb, including ones that help with collagen production and skin repair. And since fermented foods have anti-inflammatory properties, they can help calm stressed-out skin. Adding kimchi, miso, or even kombucha to your diet is an easy (and tasty) way to support your gut—and get that natural glow.

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4. Collagen Jellies

Collagen, derived from the Greek word "kolla" meaning "glue," is the most abundant protein in the body, giving skin structure and elasticity. Collagen production begins to decline in our mid-twenties and accelerates in our forties and fifties, with women experiencing a 30% drop in the years after menopause. Consuming collagen helps replenish what’s lost, with at least 2.5 grams a day proven to be an effective amount for supporting skin elasticity and reducing fine lines.

The practice of consuming foods for skin rejuvenation dates back centuries, with traditions like ingesting donkey skin in China as early as the first century BCE. Collagen supplements remain a popular craze not just in China, but across Asia.

I love the brand EVERYDAZE, an AAPI (Asian American and Pacific Islander) brand that focuses on wellness and self-care. Their tasty konjac jellies are packed with 2500 mg of collagen and 400 mg of vitamin C, which helps your body absorb collagen more effectively. Plus, they're only 10 calories— making them an easy addition to your diet. They come in delicious flavors like mango, watermelon, and green grape, as well as nostalgic Asian-inspired options from their BT21 collaboration, such as Korean pear, lychee, and yogurt.

EVERYDAZE doesn’t just stop at collagen—they also offer powdered kombucha mixes that support gut health, which, as we've discussed earlier, is a key part of overall skin radiance. They offer unique kombucha options that you won’t find anywhere else like pineapple passionfruit, green grape, strawberry kiwi, and grapefruit black tea.

My favorite product from EVERYDAZE is their Essential Collagen Solution Stick, which contains 3000 mg of collagen per stick. It’s not only delicious but has a satisfying jelly-gummy texture, making it a tasty way to add collagen to my routine. Mango and green grape are my personal favorites, and I even got my mom hooked on them too.

Photo by Leah Gold

5. Matcha & Green Tea

Matcha is like a skincare superhero in a cup—it hydrates while providing antioxidants that fight free radicals, which cause skin damage and premature aging. Drinking matcha or green tea regularly can calm inflammation, prevent breakouts, and protect against UV damage and skin pollution. Its detoxifying properties make it great for oily skin, stretch marks, and cellulite.

You can also apply green tea topically for improved skin elasticity, and green tea extract in cosmetics helps reduce the effects of sun exposure. Green tea bags can also reduce puffiness around your eyes.

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6. Korean Spas (Jjimjilbang)

As we've learned, your skin reflects your internal health. To keep your skin happy, it's essential to stay hydrated and rested, and keep your stress levels at a minimum. A jjimjilbang, a Korean spa, is the perfect way to relax and recharge! Experience the power of natural element-infused saunas like Himalayan salt, clay, and jade to help detoxify, boost immunity, and relieve muscle tension.

Continue to soothe your muscles and improve circulation by taking a hot or cold plunge in the hydrotherapy pools. Afterward, indulge in a deeply cleansing and invigorating full-body scrub that removes dead skin, and impurities, and leaves your skin silky smooth and glowing. You can also book a massage, rest, or socialize on the heated communal floors, get some work done in the designated workspaces, break a sweat in the fitness area, or even get a bite to eat at the restaurants. There are so many ways to relax at a jjimjilbang, making it the perfect well-rounded, rejuvenating experience.

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Conclusion

Asian skincare isn’t just about what you put on your face—it’s about caring for your skin from the inside out. Whether you’re using gua sha to depuff and stimulate lymphatic drainage, sipping matcha for an antioxidant boost, or soaking in a DIY Onsen bath to nourish your skin, these rituals reflect centuries of Asian beauty wisdom adapted for modern self-care. Your skin will thank you.