Autumn Skin Care Tips

The skin, which has suffered from the heat and sunlight all summer, is easily and rapidly damaged as it transitions into autumn, with moisture easily evaporating due to the cold wind. The skin's function weakens, causing spots and freckles to deepen or the skin to lose elasticity, and as the climate changes, the skin becomes sensitive and fine wrinkles appear around the eyes and mouth. Autumn skin requires care that softens the dead skin layer that thickened over the summer and promotes skin function that begins to decline as the temperature suddenly drops.

A phenomenon commonly observed in autumn skin changes is melasma, caused by frequent UV exposure. Melasma is a hyperpigmentation disorder appearing as light brown or dark brown pigment spots, typically on the face and neck, with boundaries that are relatively distinct from the surrounding healthy skin.

In traditional Korean medicine (한방, Hanbang), it is often called Ganban (간반, 肝疹), meaning "liver spot," because its color resembles the surface of the liver. It is also referred to as Hwalgalban (황갈반,活褐斑), Myeongan (면간, 面肝), or Myeonheukgan (면흑간, 面黑肝) .

Melasma is caused by external factors as well as an imbalance in internal organs.

• It can arise from Qi stagnation due to a tense lifestyle.

• If food is not properly consumed and the function of digestion and absorption is compromised, unnecessary moisture stagnates, hindering circulation and preventing the supply of clear nutrients to the face, making melasma likely to occur.

• Furthermore, excessive sexual activity or overwork damages the Jing (essence) of the kidneys (the body's primary energy source) and also damages Yang energy. This causes turbid (unclean) substances to stagnate on the face, leading to the appearance of melasma.

If melasma is caused by Qi stagnation (Gi Ulche), it is important for the patient to release mental tension, calm an overly sensitive personality, and consciously work to manage stress and fatigue, striving to maintain regular lifestyle habits.

• Effect for Qi Stagnation: Doing so normalizes the liver’s detoxification function, allowing it to effectively eliminate toxins accumulated in the body.

In cases where Spleen/Stomach function is weak (Biwi Heoyak), the treatment should focus on tonifying the function of the weakened Spleen and Stomach to ensure that sufficient nutrients are absorbed from ingested food and supplied to the skin. Simultaneously, the patient must strive to maintain regular eating habits.

For melasma commonly seen in women that is caused by a uterine functional imbalance, it is necessary to improve blood circulation in the uterus, disperse stagnant blood (어혈, Eohyeol), balance internal hormones, and replenish deficient nutrients to ensure the skin receives adequate nourishment.

In cases of melasma due to large intestine functional abnormalities, it is necessary to eliminate impacted stool (sukbyeon) and facilitate bowel activity to induce regular and normal bowel movements. This detoxifies toxins within the intestines, which helps prevent and treat melasma.

In cases where lung function is diminished, the goal is to lubricate (moisturize) the dried respiratory system, thereby normalizing the lowered lung function. Along with this treatment, it is crucial for the patient themselves to make efforts, such as quitting smoking (Geumyeon), to achieve healthy lungs.

For folk remedies, you can see results with a red bean (팥, adzuki bean) and rice bran (쌀겨) massage.

Preparation and Usage:

1. Roast the red beans until they are not quite burnt, then grind them into a powder using a mixer.

2. Mix the red bean powder and rice bran in a 3:1 ratio (3 parts red bean powder to 1 part rice bran).

3. Soak this mixture in warm water and massage the skin using a gentle, rubbing motion with gauze.

4. Persist with this treatment 2 to 3 times a day.

Furthermore, job's tears (율무, Coix seed) are very well-known as a folk remedy or a natural pack ingredient for managing pigmentation issues like melasma (gimi), and their efficacy is also recognized in traditional Korean medicine (Hanbang).

The reasons why a job's tears pack is helpful for melasma include its known excellent effects in:

• Whitening and inhibiting pigmentation

• Removing dead skin cells and waste products

• Providing moisture and improving elasticity

Autumn is known as the "season of high skies and fattening horses" (Cheongo-mabi), making it ideal for outdoor activities and leisure time.

However, exposing the skin without sufficient preparation can further damage the skin already fatigued from the summer's harsh sun, leading to causes of wrinkles, melasma (gimi), and freckles.

The use of sunscreen is essential. It is also helpful to consume fresh fruits, vegetables, and nuts that are rich in vitamins A, C, and E. Furthermore, to maintain the health of internal organs, it is crucial to keep a relaxed mind and avoid mental stress.

To add to the explanation,

황갈반 黃褐斑 (Hwanggalban)

• Meaning: A yellowish-brown spot (macule).

• Significance: This term expresses the external appearance (color) of melasma (기미), describing the pigmentation as having a yellowish-brown color.

면간 面肝 (Myeongan)

• Meaning: The state of the Liver (간) as it appears on the Face (면).

• Significance: This term signifies that problems within the Liver (such as stagnation) are reflected onto the facial skin, linking internal organ imbalances directly to the manifestation of melasma.

면흑간 面黑肝 (Myeonheukgan)

• Meaning: The state of a dark/black (흑) Liver (간) as it appears on the Face (면).

• Significance: This term implies either that the color of the melasma has deepened/darkened, or that the damage to the Liver's function is severe and is being reflected on the face.

Photo by Marika Iaccarino on Unsplash

The product is the RETURNITY Job's Tears Skin Clean Pack, sold or distributed by the itzyuz company.