Skin Health Secrets from the Imperial Palace

Imperial physicians have some of the most challenging jobs in the world. They have exceptional clinical skills and unlimited resources to research and scout out the best remedies for different conditions. Imperial physicians were selected from some of the best candidates from all over the country in old China, with patients being exclusively royal family members.  

An emperor could have had many wives and concubines in the old patriarchal society. Women were required to look youthful to attract the emperor. Beauty and good skin health become a top priority. If the imperial physicians could not keep the woman beautiful and at the top peak with their skin health, they would be fired, or worse—their heads could get chopped off. If they could work their magic, they would receive enormous financial rewards and great honors throughout the palace and country. Therefore, there were significant incentives to develop the best methods or formulations for youthful and beautiful skin. 

On a mystic, quiet morning in the North Sea Park next to the Imperial Palace, I had just finished practicing Tai Ji Quan with my master teacher Dr. Zhao, Shao Qin. He is agile, balanced, and strong. You would think he is in his 40s though he is beyond his 80s. His father was the head of the Imperial Hospital and cared for the families of the last few emperors in the Qing Dynasty. As a direct descendent of Imperial physicians, Dr. Zhao is beyond famous in his clinical skills and sees thousands of patients yearly.  

As we sat down for morning tea before going to our regular hospital duties, I had the opportunity to hear his stories of playing in the Palace, following his father seeing royal family members, and reading the Palace’s secret formulary books. This morning was a rare morning. He decided to talk about skin health. As the lake started to reflect the orange morning sun, penetrating through a veil of fog, he stated this was his inspiration. His tips included:

To have beautiful skin, you must have healthy skin. Unhealthy skin will never be beautiful, no matter how hard you try to work on it from the outside. To have healthy skin, you must have healthy organs inside. It starts with the lungs. If your lungs are clean and clear, the skin will be clean and clear. Therefore, good air quality and not smoking are essential basic requirements.  

The second organ system essential to the skin is our digestive system. Good digestion and absorption can ensure our skin, an organ system, has proper nourishment and a balanced replacement cycle. Overindulgence in sweet, greasy, fatty foods can create blemishes, pimples, sores, and blisters.

The liver and gall bladder are the third organ system essential for our skin. The liver and gallbladder help our body digest fats and remove toxins from our blood and the foods we ingest. This breakdown process is vital to keep toxins out of our body and keep our blood vessels clean. If our blood vessels are clean, the skin will also be clean. It’s important to keep alcohol to a minimum.

There is no replacement for happiness. When one is grateful and happy, our body secrets healthy hormones and chemicals that keep us young and healthy. If we worry too much, we will create more lines on our faces. Dr. Zhao’s advice is to live more and worry less, do more and think less, and do more activity and less sitting.

Sun damage is real. All outside activities and exercises should be done in the early mornings and late afternoons. Exercises should be completed in large parks when the air is fresher and with fewer people. He states to stay inside, work during the middle of the day, and always wear a hat to protect the face and head when entering the sun.

Understanding the female fertility journey is the most crucial aspect of good skin health. Women run in 7-year cycles: 

At age 7, the reproductive system starts to develop. 

At age 14, the first menstrual cycle begins, and sex hormones rise. 

At age 21, the body reaches maximum height, and the adult teeth are complete.

At age 28, bones and muscles are strong, and fertility potential and hormones peak. 

At age 35, wrinkles appear on the face, and potential fertility declines, though childbearing can still happen. 

At age 42, the face wanes, and the hair greys, with childbirth still occurring. 

At age 49, menopause can start, the body can become tired, and bones become brittle.  

Therefore, one must start working on skin health at age 35 to prevent or slow down aging. There are also many techniques to have healthy skin, including Dao Yin facial massage techniques, acupressure, acupuncture, herbal formulations, and other nutritional supplements.  

As my teacher sipped his Oolong tea, I massaged my face and did not dare to miss my last Tai Ji Quan routine anymore.