If you’ve nailed a filter-worthy base with makeup but still see dull-looking skin after cleansing each night, perhaps it’s time to rethink how you can achieve a radiant complexion in the long run.
Turn to the women with wisdom, our Asian mums, and you’ll realise that their health and beauty tips have their merits. Even though not all of these tips originate from Asian practices, they might sound oh-so-familiar to your ears because, well, Mum has said it time and time again.
Strip off your makeup and read on, because here are five “Asian mum” hacks that will bring you one step closer to achieving the glowing skin of your dreams!
Mask your skin with rice-water-soaked cucumbers
Photo source: @glowwithava/TikTok
Cucumbers and face masks have been a match made in heaven since the beginning.
If we were looking for a sticker to represent #selfcare on our Instagram, we’d choose one with cucumbers slapped neatly over the eyes and with a sheet mask over the face.
Korean mums, however, have taken cucumbers – this hero skincare saviour – up a notch. Instead of just over the eyes, Koreans cut thin slices of cucumber, soak them in rice water, and then, place them all over the face for a brightening boost.
@organicbeautylover Tips on how Korean women brighten skin at home #kbeauty #koreanskincare #kbeautyroutine #kbeautytips #koreangirl #kbeautyskincare #kbeautyskincaretips #koreanskincareproducts #koreanskincaretips #kbeautyskincareroutine #skincaretiktok #koreanskin #skintok #over30club #millennialsoftiktok #tiktokbeauty #tiktokskincare #over30skincare #skintok
Does it work? Well, cucumbers have high water content, and powerful antioxidant properties, and are rich in cucurbitacins, which make them ideal for soothing and hydrating the skin. They’re also reported to reduce puffiness (think: cucumbers on the under-eyes), soothe inflammation, and brighten the skin.
Photo source: @glowwithava/TikTok
The reason Koreans use ultra-thin slices of cucumber is that the pieces will be able to better absorb rich-in-nutrient rice water, which they’re soaked in before being put onto the skin.
Rice water is also known as Asians’ secret to brighter, bouncier skin, thanks to its high vitamin, mineral, and antioxidant content. Japanese and Korean skincare products also often feature rice water to moisturise and refresh the skin.
@glowwithava really should be doing this more!!! its so easy 🥒 and an excuse to eat more cucumber dishes for #innerhealth 💛 #ricewater #jelloskin #cucumbermask #koreanbeautytips #beautysecrets #beautytipswithava #ricewaterforskin #diyfacemask #over30sclub #diymask #freeskincare ♬ original sound – AVA
We’re thinking “heck yes” to rice-water-soaked cucumber slices for a dewier glass skin glow!
How? Prep by chopping a cucumber up into thin slices and soaking them in the rice water for about 30 minutes. Once you’re done, leave them on your skin for about 15 to 20 minutes, or until they dry out.
Drink bird’s nest beverages
Kinohimitsu Red Dates Bird’s Nest Beverage. Photo source: Kinohimitsu
Asian mums seem to have a home recipe for any health-related issue, such as honey water for soothing an itchy throat, and bitter herbal teas that are “cooling” for the body.
@chefchrischo What does YOUR mom make you drink or eat? 😳 #foodie #healthycooking #mom #son #korean #asian #homemade #tiktokchef #koreanfood #요리 #추천 #foryou #fyp
Well, bird’s nests are yet another one on the list of Asian mums’ must-drink beverages, because, as our mothers would tell us, they’re good, and not just for your health but also your skin.
Indeed, bird’s nests have long been recognised to boost the immune system, bring up energy levels, and improve blood circulation.
Besides being a traditional health food, bird’s nests are also seen as a beauty drink. After all, they brim with plenty of proteins that help to strengthen the skin barrier, reduce wrinkles, and tone the skin for a youthful, radiant glow!
Kinohimitsu Red Dates Bird’s Nest Beverage. Photo source: Kinohimitsu
Free from added sugar, preservatives, and artificial colouring, Kinohimitsu Red Dates Bird’s Nest Beverage is ideal for supplementing your skin’s glow from the inside-out.
Each set contains two flavours of bird’s nest: the Red Dates & Wolfberries and the Red Dates & Collagen. Wolfberries have strong antioxidant properties that can help skin fight the effects of ageing; collagen, we already know, is a key ingredient for firmer, bouncier skin.
Kinohimitsu Red Dates Bird’s Nest Beverage. Photo source: Kinohimitsu
It comes with a total of eight bird’s nest bottles – simply pop them in the fridge or heat it in a bowl of hot water to enjoy a refreshing pick-me-up at any time of the day.
Kinohimitsu Red Dates Bird’s Nest Beverage Gift Set currently retails at S$54.90 for two boxes (instead of $$109.80) at Kinohimitsu counters (Northpoint City, OG Albert Complex, and OG Orchard Point).
You can also shop it online on Kinohimitsu’s e-store, and major e-commerce platforms such as Shopee, and Lazada.
Get 2 Kinohimitsu Red Dates Bird's Nest Beverage for the price of 1
Snag this deal here!Reapply sunscreen throughout the day
Photo source: @liana.melabimage/TikTok
Sunscreen needs to be reapplied every two to three hours after each application – we know it, and Korean mums know it extra well.
TikTok creator Ava Lee, when revealing beauty tips that her Korean mum lives by, showed her mum taking sunscreen out of her small purse – a crucial item to take with her on the go.
@glowwithava thank you for being my mom 🥺❤️ #사랑해 #koreanmom #beautytipswithava
It’s also why sun cushions are such a popular skincare product in Korea; these sunscreens in cushion format that are designed to make reapplication a breeze.
Of course, there are now tons of other sunscreen products that make reapplying sunscreen over makeup a much less messy feat, including sunscreen sticks, powder sunscreen, and sunscreen sprays.
@lianachoi_ Korean ladies obsessed with #sunscreen #koreanbeauty #koreanskincare #kbeautyaustralia #kbeautyskincare #koreansunscreen #skincaretip #skincareroutinekorean
No more excuses to skimp on sunscreen during the day for a forever-youthful skin glow!
Get sufficient sleep every night
Photo source: Ketut Subiyanto/Pexels
There’s a reason why our Asian mums nag at us to get our “beauty sleep”.
It’s not just so that you won’t have to sneak in that second cup of coffee in the mornings – getting sufficient sleep at night also lets you reap health benefits in the long run, including for your skin!
While you sleep, your body rebalances its hydration levels, which means that your skin also gets its dose of moisture.
Photo source: cottonbro studio/Pexels
A study by the journal Sleep found that participants who slept six hours or less per night were at a higher chance of dehydration compared to those who had regular seven to eight hours of rest.
During sleep, the skin also produces new collagen, crucial for maintaining your skin’s plumpness and jello-like bounce.
It all adds up: aside from doing your nightly skincare routine, make sure you’re hopping into bed early enough to get just the right amount of beauty sleep!
Massage your face regularly with your fingers
Photo source: @bondenavant/TikTok
My mum taught me to massage around my eyes with my fingers to relieve stress and get blood pumping to my skin.
Granted, gua sha tools have all the hype, but, really, all it takes is your hands and some face oil to give your skin a pick-me-up during the day (with a clean face and clean hands, of course).
@theodisseya #facialmassage #SKINTOK #🌸 #facegym #GiveWithAllYourHeart #MyAncestryStory
With roots in traditional Chinese medicine, facial massages are known to increase blood circulation, relieve muscle tension, and aid in lymphatic drainage – all of which lend to clearer, healthier skin.
Additionally, when you stimulate blood flow, more oxygen is sent to your skin, which leads to an increase in collagen and elastin production. The result is skin that’s plumper, firmer, and more youthful!
Psst! Make sure your skin is well-oiled to avoid pulling or tugging at your skin, which will do your skin more harm than good.
Featured image credit: @glowwithava/TikTok
This article is brought to you by Kinohimitsu.
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