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Showing posts from May, 2025

Modern Beauty Ingredients & Traditional Herbs: Understanding Skincare Ingredients

In today’s skincare world, we often hear about buzzwords like AHA, BHA, hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, retinol, and kojic acid. These active ingredients show up in serums, creams, and masks, yet few people really understand their distinct functions — let alone how they might align with the wisdom of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). As a licensed acupuncturist and holistic skincare practitioner, I’d like to guide you through what these actives do for your skin and how they resonate with time-honored TCM herbs that support similar goals — naturally and holistically.  1. AHA (Alpha Hydroxy Acids)  Function: Exfoliates surface dead skin cells to brighten and smooth skin.   It is found in glycolic acid (sugar cane), lactic acid (milk), and mandelic acid (almonds). Skin Benefits: Improves skin texture Fades hyperpigmentation Enhances skin radiance Helps with mild acne and clogged pores  TCM Herb Match: Bai Zhi (Angelica Dahurica) Traditio...