Asian Skin

Asian Skincare Tips

Learning about Asian skin came on to my radar when I began working with a mineral makeup company started in Shanghai. Although I was brought on as a specialist concerning mineral makeup, I began learning a lot about skincare for Asian women.

As I asked more questions and became more familiar with what Asian women want and need, I realized I needed to write about this information and share it with YOU.

So, to begin our tutorial, we’ll outline typical traits and types of skin Asians have and then we’ll move on to practical skincare routines.

Yellow Undertone- The most general trait is these skin tones have a yellow undertone.

Pale Skin- I learned Chinese women want to look paler. They are more concerned with their skin tone than with wrinkles, as we Americans are. This is because their skin will show discolorations, dark spots, freckles, hyper-pigmentation and uneven skin tones long before it will show wrinkles and loss of skin elasticity.

Acne- Asian acne concerns are high, also. The skin is more prone to acne due to the climate in many Asian countries; warm and humid. This causes the skin to produce more oil, which can clog pores and cause breakouts. Also, be careful of cosmetic grade oils and esters as they may be easily trapped in your pores and cause the blockage known as acne. Acne can also lead to scarring.

Visible Pores- This leads to the next trait; pores. With pores that can be larger than other ethnicities, exfoliation will probably be part of your daily routine. Why? Larger pores= more chances for foreign debris, oil, sebum and makeup to get into the pore and clog it.

Dry Skin- Back to climate. Winters can be brutal in many Asian countries. Cold, dry weather will dry skin out quickly and leave it looking flaky and dull.

Sensitive Skin- Finally, Asian skin seems to be more sensitive and prone to irritation from common preservatives, fragrances and alcohol suitable for other skin types.

• Japanese: is the lightest skin tone, with little skin redness.


• Filipino (Malay): is the most yellow skin tone.


• Indian: is the darkest skin tone, with high skin redness.


• Chinese and Korean: skin tends to show fewer wrinkles.

To maintain beautiful skin, we've developed a generic Asian skin care regimen that you can alter to meet your needs.

Cleanse and Moisturize: twice daily. Use oil-free cleansers, especially in the summer when women consider their skin more acne-prone, and oil-free moisturizers. The more hydrated the skin is, the less oil it will have to produce, and thus, the less problems you should notice.

Avoid Fragrances and Preservatives: in your daily routine. These ingredients are in many cosmetics and skin care items, so it pays to be a label reader. If you find you don’t have sensitive skin you’re lucky and can use just about any product.

Exfoliate: to keep your skin radiant and your pores minimized. Use gentle exfoliators, like microbeads, and only exfoliate twice a week. Too much can damage your skin.

Rejuvenate: your skin each night. Products containing retinoid, beta hydroxy acids, kinerase, antioxidants, alpha hydroxy acids, etc. will leave your looking fresh and bright.

Sunscreen: is imperative. Be sure to protect your skin from the sun every day. This skin type is prone to discoloration, so skincare for Asian women should always include sunscreen.

Remember, this is a general outline. You will have to fine-tune it to your specific needs and preferences. Still, using these skincare tips will put you on the right track for the healthiest skin possible.

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