19. Skin Whitening Secrets: Sunscreen, Traditional Chinese Medicine Therapy, and Skin Whitening Recipes

The foolproof whitening secrets (2) - Sunscreen

To achieve fair skin, the first step is proper sun protection. Sunscreen isn't just something you do when you're out in the sun; ultraviolet (UV) rays are present everywhere, whether it's sunny or cloudy, indoors or outdoors. Therefore, for truly fair skin, sun protection is a daily necessity. According to professional dermatologists, it's best to start sun protection from a young age. A study shows that 70% of a person's lifetime UV exposure occurs between the ages of 1 and 18, and UV damage accumulates over time. Commercially available sunscreens generally fall into two categories: chemical and physical. Chemical sunscreens absorb UV rays and feel refreshing, but they are prone to causing allergies, making them unsuitable for people with sensitive skin. Physical sunscreens directly block UV rays, so they tend to be oilier, but they don't cause allergies.

How to choose sunscreen products

Sunscreen is a fundamental step in skin whitening, but choosing the wrong sunscreen can lead to skin problems such as acne, pimples, or allergic reactions. Therefore, carefully selecting sunscreen is a crucial part of achieving a fairer complexion.

A higher SPF does not necessarily mean better protection.

Many people who develop acne due to improper use of sunscreen share a common thread: they used sunscreens with a high SPF (Sun Protection Factor) to protect against UV rays. Many consumers in China mistakenly believe that the higher the SPF, the better the sun protection. In fact, sunscreens with higher SPFs tend to have higher levels of chemical components and are usually more oily. Therefore, under high temperatures and with excessive oil, sunscreen can hinder the metabolism of sebaceous glands on the face, making acne and pimples more likely to occur.

Choose according to your individual skin type

A person's skin type can be categorized into oily, normal, and dry based on the amount of sebum secreted. For oily or normal skin, sunscreens with hydrophilic bases are recommended; while dry skin is better suited to sunscreens with lipophilic bases. Additionally, people with fair skin are more prone to sunburn and tanning, so they should consider choosing sunscreens with a higher SPF; while people with darker skin are less prone to sunburn and tanning, and can choose sunscreens with a lower SPF.

Choose according to time, activity, and nature of work.

If you need to work under the sun for extended periods, you should choose a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15 and a hydrophilic base. If you plan to swim, you should choose a high SPF sunscreen with a lipophilic base to ensure it adheres well to the skin and doesn't easily come off. Office workers, who are rarely directly exposed to the sun, can use a low SPF of 8 or 15 sunscreen.

How to apply sunscreen

Sunscreen's effectiveness usually diminishes significantly after three to four hours, so it should be reapplied promptly, ideally every three to four hours.

Special sun protection methods

Besides applying sunscreen, there are other ways to protect yourself from the sun, such as wearing a wide-brimmed hat, using a parasol, or wearing a thin long-sleeved shirt. These methods can block up to 70% of UV rays, but they won't block UV rays that are reflected from the ground.

The foolproof whitening secrets (3) - Traditional Chinese Medicine whitening methods

Traditional Chinese medicine believes that skin texture and complexion can be improved through internal conditioning. Whether the skin is fair and even depends entirely on the essence and qi of the internal organs. Once the functions of the five internal organs are imbalanced, the essence and qi will become weak, and the complexion will naturally become dull and lackluster, and may even develop spots and cause diseases.

The most important organs affecting skin color are the liver, spleen, and kidneys. When the liver malfunctions, the face will appear yellowish; damage to the spleen can easily lead to dark spots, sweat spots, and other yellowish-brown patches on the face, resulting in a dull complexion; and kidney problems can cause a deficiency of water and an excess of fire, leading to a worsened complexion.

From a Traditional Chinese Medicine perspective, it's important to get enough sleep and avoid excessive consumption of stimulating drinks such as coffee and alcohol, which can easily cause nervous tension or excitement. In terms of diet, some medicinal herbs have excellent skin-whitening effects, such as Solomon's Seal, Ganoderma lucidum, Poria cocos, Angelica dahurica, winter melon seeds, soybean sprouts, peas, persimmons, and lychees. Making these ingredients into a salad and eating them can achieve skin-nourishing effects without worrying about excessive calorie intake.

Traditional Chinese Medicine Whitening Formula

◎ Modified Xiaoyao Powder: Angelica sinensis 10g, Paeonia lactiflora 10g, Bupleurum chinense 8g, Poria cocos 8g, Aucklandia lappa 10g, Mentha haplocalyx 6g, Atractylodes lancea 10g, Magnolia officinalis 10g, Citrus reticulata 10g, Glycyrrhiza uralensis 4g, Pogostemon cablin 10g, Cyperus rotundus 10g, Curcuma longa 10g.

◎Supplement Pill: Codonopsis pilosula 120g, Atractylodes macrocephala 100g, Coix lacryma-jobi 300g, winter melon peel 300g, Aucklandia lappa 100g, Poria cocos 120g, Rehmannia glutinosa 120g, Angelica sinensis 100g, Spatholobus suberectus 200g, and chicken gizzard lining 100g.

◎Yiyin Pill: Cuscuta chinensis 300g, Ligustrum lucidum 300g, Rehmannia glutinosa (raw and prepared) 150g, Paeonia suffruticosa 150g, Taxillus chinensis 300g, Angelica sinensis 120g, Eclipta prostrata 200g, Spatholobus suberectus 200g, Trichosanthes kirilowii 120g, Poria cocos 120g.

◎Gui Pi Tang: Astragalus membranaceus (processed) 24-30g, Codonopsis pilosula 10-24g, Atractylodes macrocephala (processed) 15g, Poria cocos (processed) 15g, Ziziphus jujuba (processed) 12-15g, Polygala tenuifolia (processed) 5-15g, Longan aril 15g, Angelica sinensis 15g, Aucklandia lappa 5g, Gastrodia elata 12g, Amomum villosum 9g, Cicadae periostracum 6g, Glycyrrhiza uralensis (processed) 6g, Ziziphus jujuba 6g.

Since skin whitening prescriptions are formulated to suit different body types, it is best to consult a professional Chinese medicine doctor for diagnosis and prescription.

The foolproof whitening secrets (4) - Whitening recipes

Whitening Tea A

Ingredients: 3 grams of tea leaves, 5 grams of persimmon leaves, and 10 grams of angelica root.

Instructions: Simmer all ingredients together, strain out the solids, and consume once daily.

Benefits: Replenishes Vitamin C, whitens skin, and removes dark spots.

Whitening Tea B

Ingredients: 6 grams of goji berries, 5 grams of green plums, 5 grams of longan, and rock sugar to taste.

Instructions: Wash the ingredients and steep them together with rock sugar in boiling water.

Efficacy: Restores skin radiance.

Whitening Tea C

Ingredients: 5 grams of peach blossoms, 5 grams of winter melon seeds, and 2.5 grams of white willow bark.

Instructions: Simply steep the ingredients in boiling water and drink it as usual.

Efficacy: Dispels wind and promotes blood circulation, nourishes the skin, and removes dark spots.

Whitening Tea D

Ingredients: 100g fresh milk, 3g black tea, salt to taste.

Instructions: First, brew the black tea into a strong brew. Then, boil the milk and pour it into a bowl. Add the concentrated black tea and a pinch of salt. Drink once a day, preferably hot.

Efficacy: Nourishes the skin.

Ginkgo and Rice Porridge

Ingredients: 50g Job's tears, 25g ginkgo nuts, 5 slices of licorice root, and rock sugar to taste.

Instructions: First, wash the ginkgo nuts and Job's tears and soak them overnight. After soaking, pour them into a pot along with the soaking water and cook over high heat. After boiling, add the licorice root and simmer over low heat for 1 hour. Finally, in a separate pot, dissolve the rock sugar in hot water and add it to the cooked ginkgo nuts and Job's tears.

Efficacy: Nourishing and beautifying.

The foolproof whitening secrets (5) - Beauty tips

Vegetable water that can reduce swelling and remove excess oil from the face

Ingredients: Spinach, red beans, or soybeans are all acceptable.

Instructions: Blanch the spinach in boiling water. After boiling for a while, the water will turn green.

Benefits: This green water contains emulsifying and oil-washing components. If you have pimples on your face, washing your face with it can reduce swelling. Other waters, such as water from boiled red beans or soybeans, have the same effect.

Rice water with excellent whitening effect

Ingredients: Water used to wash rice.

Instructions: First, let the rice water settle, then use it to wash your face.

Benefits: Whitening. The effect will be even better if you use the water from washing brown rice.

Tea water that easily relieves itching

Ingredients: Tea leaves, water.

Instructions: Steep tea leaves in water and gently wash your face.

Benefits: Resolves the problem of dry and itchy face, while also moisturizing the skin.