Nourishing Healthy Skin: Foods and Routines from a Chinese Medicine Perspective
Taking care of your skin goes beyond products—Chinese medicine emphasizes the importance of supporting skin health from the inside out. By nurturing balance in the body, you help your skin reflect vitality, moisture, and radiance.
Key Principles in TCM Skin Health
Balance and Harmony: Healthy skin arises when organs such as the Lung, Spleen, and Kidney are balanced. Dryness, dullness, or breakouts may reflect internal imbalances.
Qi and Blood Circulation: Good circulation nourishes skin. Stagnation or deficiencies may show as sallow complexion, dryness, or dark circles.
Hydration: Adequate fluids, supported by certain foods, help keep skin plump and moist.
Skin-Loving Foods According to Chinese Medicine
Pear: Moistens the lungs and skin, especially in dry climates or seasons.
Goji Berries: Nourish blood, support liver and kidney energy, and assist in skin repair.
Black Sesame Seeds: Moisturize skin and hair, support kidney and liver function.
Cucumber: Cool and hydrating, helps clear heat and lift moisture.
Mung Beans: Detoxifying and helpful for clearing heat-related skin issues.
Sweet Potato: Strengthens the spleen, aids digestion, supports skin tone.
Daily Routines for Glowing Skin
Start your day with 8oz warm water with a slice of fresh pear or lemon, and a ½ teaspoon of manuka honey upon waking to hydrate and nourish your skin.
Try gua sha or gentle facial massage to boost circulation and lymphatic drainage. Our Face and Body Rejuvenation (Cosmetic Acupuncture) sessions include these techniques for professional care.
Prioritize regular, restful sleep to help your skin and blood replenish.
Eat whole, seasonal, antioxidant-rich foods like pears, goji berries, and sweet potatoes to support your skin from within.
Limit coffee, alcohol, and trans-fats to protect skin moisture and reduce inflammation—balance coffee with plenty of water and avoid added sugar.
Manage stress with moderate exercises that focus on breathing. Deep and mindful breathing is one of the best ways to move blood and energy in our bodies.
Simple Skin-Nourishing Recipe: Pear & Goji Berry Soup
This gentle soup helps hydrate the skin, moisten the lungs, and clear dryness from within—perfect for keeping your complexion radiant.
Ingredients:
1 ripe Asian pear (or Bartlett), cored and sliced
1–2 tbsp dried goji berries
2–3 cups filtered water
2–3 small dried red dates (optional, for extra nourishment)
A few drops of honey (optional, for taste)
Instructions:
Add the pear slices, goji berries, and dates (if using) to the water in a small saucepan.
Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer gently for 20–30 minutes.
Sweeten lightly with honey if desired. Serve warm as a tea/soup, enjoying both the broth and the fruit.
Tip: Sip this soup regularly during the late summer and autumn for a boost of moisture from the inside out.
Nourishing your skin in the tradition of Chinese medicine means looking after your whole self: mind, body, and spirit. With supportive foods, easy routines, and revitalizing sessions like Face and Body Rejuvenation, (one of my favorite treatments!) you can encourage not just a healthy complexion, but overall balance and peace of mind.
