Why is your Japanese skincare routine not giving you the results you expected?

You've spent hours researching, bought expensive Japanese skin care products that people have been raving about online, and even invested a reasonable amount of time in your day following a specific skincare routine religiously for months. Yet, when you look into the mirror, your skin doesn't look anything like the flawless Japanese, glass-like complexion that you see all over the internet; what's going wrong for you then?

You start doubting the effectiveness of those serums and lotions as you scroll through all the skincare advertisements on your for-you page. A question lingers on your mind: Why isn't your skin transforming like theirs when you've been applying all the right products?

But we often seem to overlook the fact that achieving good skin isn't all about smothering our faces with products; there is a whole world beyond the products—one that requires a combination of diet, lifestyle, and environment. Here are some essential factors you might want to pay attention to in order to improve your skin beyond just skincare.

What's on your plate shows up on your face

The Japanese diet is considered one of the healthiest diets, contributing to good skin and overall well-being. They consume minimally processed food, including a lot of vegetables, fish, and fruits.

Japanese eat fish every day, which is enriched with omega-3 and essential fatty acids. Omega fatty acids are incredibly beneficial to the skin as they strengthen the skin's inner layers, smoothen the skin, and give a healthier and younger-looking complexion.

Japanese are also fond of sushi and seafood. Seafood is considered to be healthier and easier on the digestive system compared to red meat. They also enjoy seaweed, which is a good source of antioxidants. Regular consumption of seaweed can also work as an anti-inflammatory agent and rejuvenate skin.

They also include soy-based products in their diets that can play an essential role in reducing the appearance of skin ageing. Soy products have less saturated fat than cow's milk, and they also lower the body's LDL. Soy milk could be an excellent substitute for people with hormonal acne.

Other healthy eating habits of the Japanese include drinking green tea, preferring boiling or grilling over frying, and consuming fermented foods rich in probiotics.

Lifestyle choices shape your skin's health

If your lifestyle is hectic and full of stress, it will somehow affect your skin and overall health. In Japan, skincare is more like a ritual rather than a routine.

Stress can often be the cause of several skin issues. Japanese practice managing stress with meditation, relaxing spa sessions, and saunas. Lower stress means fewer breakouts and better overall skin health.

Japanese people also love spending time in natural settings and practising 'Shinrin-yoku', or forest bathing. They believe that by being connected to nature can reduce stress and promote overall well-being.

Walking or cycling is a common practice among Japanese people. They also do low-impact exercises like yoga or tai chi. Regular physical exercise detoxifies, increases oxygen flow, and can help with skin elasticity.

The Japanese highly value quality sleep. An adequate amount of sleep helps the skin recover from daily stress and repair itself. Seven to nine hours of sleep are considered to be an excellent 'Beauty sleep.' Sleeping less than six hours regularly can have side effects on the skin.

In the chase for glowing skin, the key is a combination of mindful routines, a healthy lifestyle, and just doing what works best for you and your skin. We also need to pay attention to the fact that genetics play an essential role in the appearance of the skin. But practising good habits like the Japanese is undoubtedly beneficial to skin and overall health.

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