What Is Involved in a Chinese Herbal Facial Treatment?

A Traditional Chinese herbal facial treatment combines the physical and energetic aspects of skincare for comprehensive skin well-being.

This facial involves several steps aimed at cleansing, nourishing, and rejuvenating the skin using natural herbal ingredients. The below is an outline of the steps involved:

Consultation: Rosanna will conduct a brief consultation to assess your skin type, any specific concerns, and overall health conditions to tailor the facial to your needs.

Cleansing: The first step is to cleanse the skin thoroughly to remove any dirt, oil, or makeup. This may involve using a gentle herbal cleanser or herbal-infused water.

Steam: Steam is often used to open up the pores and prepare the skin for better absorption of the herbal ingredients.

Exfoliation: Exfoliation helps to remove dead skin cells and promote cell turnover, revealing smoother, brighter skin. Traditional Chinese herbal exfoliants may contain ingredients such as ground adzuki beans, green tea powder, or finely ground herbs, almond oil, wild yam and panax (ginseng)

Massage: A gentle facial massage using herbal oils or creams is performed to promote circulation, lymphatic drainage, and relaxation. This helps to further enhance the absorption of herbal ingredients and improve skin tone and texture.

Gua Sha:  Facial Gua Sha is a traditional Chinese therapy technique that involves scraping the skin with a smooth-edged tool to promote circulation, lymphatic drainage, and overall skin health. Gua Sha helps with facial sculpting and contouring the face by reducing puffiness, toning facial muscles, and defining the jawline and cheekbones. Along with enhanced circulation and opening of the pores allowing better absorption of serums/oils to penetrate more deeply into the skin, maximizing their effectiveness.

Herbal Mask: A customized herbal mask is applied to the skin based on your skin type and concerns. The mask may contain a variety of herbal ingredients such as ginseng, licorice root, goji berries, or pearl powder, mixed with a base such as honey, aloe vera, or clay. This mask is left on for a certain period to allow the skin to absorb the beneficial properties of the herbs.

Toning: After removing the herbal mask, a toner containing herbal extracts or floral waters may be applied to rebalance the skin’s pH and tighten the pores.

Moisturisation: Finally, a moisturiser or serum infused with herbal extracts is applied to hydrate and nourish the skin. This helps to lock in moisture and protect the skin from environmental damage.

Sun Protection: If the herbal facial is performed during the daytime, it’s essential to apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen to protect the skin from harmful UV rays. It is recommended to avoid sun for a few hours after the treatment.