Category: Skin | 7-Minute Read
Asian skin is a unique and amazing type of skin that has been the subject of many studies. Asian skin’s functions are unlike any other kind of human skin. It protects the body from UV rays, it detoxifies itself through sweat glands, and it can even change colour temporarily to protect itself from harsh conditions!
Asian Skin is an interesting type of human skin. It has lots of different purposes than your typical white person’s. For example, Asian Skin prevents people from getting cancer by protecting them against harmful UV rays; also, it changes colours when exposed to harsh weather or surroundings (like in cold water), which is completely different from most other types of human skin!
We all have skin!
Skin health plays a huge part in a person’s mental health on bad skin days and can display if it is being well-cared for or neglected.
Within many communities, especially the other ethnic groups and Asian communities, health and happiness are often associated with the radiance of someone’s face.
Therefore we need glowing skin to feel happy, healthy, confident and for our loved ones to see that too!
Now, I really should move on to the biological and medical reasons why healthy skin is truly the way forward.
So let’s start with…..it keeps things out and other things in!
What on earth am I talking about?
The skin is a barrier that prevents anything from entering our bodies with ease (unless it is supposed to be absorbed). This is important when we talk about skincare……Stay with me and I’ll come back to this!
It is also a barrier to keep our insides in so we don’t leak out!
This refers to our organs and their components but also the vitamins, minerals, and water that we need within our bodies.
Within the skin barrier (you’ll hear me say this term a lot!), it is comprised of many cells. Skin also controls how much water and nutrients are taken in and released. So a healthy skin barrier keeps the skin hydrated, tight and glowing!
It also regulates temperature through sweating, acts as a sensory organ so we feel touch on our skin, and it protects the body from harmful ultra-violet radiation! I promise that I will be talking about this A LOT!
And this one is my absolute favourite… ! (Yes! I have a favourite skin function and I’m not ashamed!!!)
Your skin communicates what your body is feeling
What do I mean?
Ok…If you are getting lots of acne and inflammation, something within your body is unbalanced.
If your skin is dry and flaky, your skin barrier is struggling to regulate your hydration.
If you are noticing hair thinning or hair loss, this can be a result of vitamin deficiency or trauma.
There is a whole science behind what is happening on your skin! So how can we expect a simple cream from Boots to permanently fix the problem
What makes Asian skin so remarkable?
Asian skin can be defined as the type of skin that Asians have. This is actually quite ironic as this refers to all people who are originally from Asia, but it is called “Asian” as in the past Asian countries were not as exposed to foreign cultures as much as they are now so their bodies adapted and changed! The key differences between Asian skin and non-Asian skin are as follows:
- Asian skin has a thinner stratum corneum. The stratum corneum is the outermost layer of the epidermis and as a result, is responsible for keeping things out as well as giving our skin an appearance of strength. When this layer is too thin, it becomes fragile as well as unable to protect the skin!
- The sweat glands are fewer in number as well as smaller in size. This means that there is less moisture as well as not as much sweat to cool you down when the weather is hot as well as keeping you warm in the winter.
- The number of melanocytes, as well as pigmentary rate, is much lower as compared to other skin types as well as skin colours leading to a reduced defence against environmental as well as UV damage and as a result, more pigmentation problems such as hyperpigmentation, as well as a greater risk of skin cancer.
- The number of Langerhans cells as compared to Caucasians, as well as African skin types and skin tones, is much lower as causing a significantly lower immune function.
5 Amazing characteristics of the Asian Skin
- The Asian skin is more acne-prone.
- The Asian skin is able to maintain moisture as well as protect itself from the environment as well as harmful ultraviolet light.
- This skin type is able to regulate its body temperature as well as maintain a healthy barrier function as a result of good hydration as well a healthy skin barrier. Asian skin loses moisture easily as well as does not have as much sebum as compared to other skin types as well as races.
- Skin that is able to reduce pigmentation as well as inflammation as a result of good immune function as well as balanced epidermal cells.
- It is able to communicate what is happening within the body as a result of good skin barrier function as well as the presence of Langerhans cells as well as melanin.
Understanding Asian skin: skin phototypes
In order to understand Asian skin, it is important to recognise how it is unique from other skin types as well as races; what makes it different as well as how these differences can impact the health of your skin.
And by the way: do you know your skin type?
Check out our blog post on the six types of skin, you can self assess yourself by using the Fitzpatrick Skin Phototypes scale, or you can book an appointment with me to help you with any concerns or questions you might have.
Building Healthy Habits
You can create your own skincare at home and you can start by building up healthy and easy skincare habits:
1. Cleanse
With the absence of sweat glands as well as sebum, Asian skin is much more prone to dehydration as well as pimples.
2. Tone
The pH of Asian skin is more acidic than other skin types and this means that it is more sensitive. Therefore, it is more important to use toner.
3. Moisturise
Even though you have less sebum to moisturise with, you have more and drier skin. Skin hydration is very important!
4. Sunscreen!
Asian skin is more prone to skin cancers as well as pigmentation problems. This means that sunscreen is an absolute must!
And on top of this, Asian skin ages faster than other ethnicities, so sun exposure should be minimal. The sun damage is less impactful when you use the right skincare products.
A skin that is not treated well is more exposed to common skin disorders and skin diseases.
How to start a healthy skincare routine?
Before you start your skincare routine, I want to ask you a question:
- What is your skin saying?
- When does it communicate with you?
- How do you feel when your skin communicates with you?
The good habits start with small steps, with daily cleansing as well as toning: this is as important as washing your hands as well as your face.
Special Skin, Special Skincare Products
As you might know, Skin NV is parenting up with Get Harley skincare to bring you the right cosmetics, directly to your door, anywhere in the world you might be!
Book your appointment online, for skincare NV Experience, at home or in one of our clinics.
Skin Confidence Journey
I’d like to invite you on this journey to Skin Confidence by listening to what your skin is saying! Beneath the skin, as well as on top of it, your skin communicates what is happening within the body as a result of good skin barrier function.
Conclusion
Asian skin is unique as it has fewer sweat glands as well as sebum, which can lead to more acne as well as less moisture.
It also absorbs water much quicker than other skin types and needs protection from the environment as well as harmful ultraviolet light.
Asian skin loses moisture easily so hydration is important in your skincare routine! Make sure you use sunscreen on a daily basis or if not possible at least during peak sun hours of 10am-2pm when UV rays are strongest.
Your immune system may be lower because there are few Langerhans cells but this doesn’t mean that you should neglect taking care of your beautiful Asian Skin!
When following these tips, I’m confident that you will have glowing healthy-looking skin.
I hope you enjoyed my blog post as much as I enjoyed writing it!
*pictures from Unsplash and suttonderm.com*
Did you find this blog interesting? Let me know in the comments!
As always,
Prioritise yourselves!
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