The 5 Eastern Skin Care Secrets You Absolutely Must Know

While certainly not a new or unusual concept, double cleansing is one of those practices that is so important in Korean skin care regimens that we deemed it necessary to address here. It involves washing your face with an oil-based cleanser followed directly by a water-based cleanser in order to fully remove impurities from your skin and prevent breakouts.

First, target oil-based debris, like makeup, with an oil cleanser that you gently massage onto your face. Then use a water-based foam cleanser to remove water-based debris, like sweat, that the oil cleanser didn't catch.

One of the quickest ways to acquire premature lines is by pulling on the skin unnecessarily, which happens most often when you're applying product to the face or removing it. Instead of rubbing, use quick yet gentle pressure and either tap the product on with your finger or pat it on with a cotton pad. This method still effectively transfers the product onto your skin, without the damage.

With so many exotic ingredients at their disposal, it's no wonder that Japanese and Korean women are adept at using specific ingredients to target specific problem areas. There's seaweed, tea tree oil, and ginseng, but our favorite ingredient discovery is one that's a little more accessible: green tea. Rich in antioxidants and anti-irritants, green tea extract — specifically Gyokuro tea extract — can help target dark spots for an even-toned complexion. Using a serum and moisturizer that contain this key ingredient can help soothe skin, reverse the appearance of pigmentation, and resist future darkening.

"Our research has proven that hyperpigmentation is caused by two main factors — First is UV damage which is widely known, second is inflammation, as irritated skin will hyperpigment," said Janet Pardo, the senior vice president of Clinique product development. "The Gyokuro tea extract, found in our Even Better Clinical + Optimizer, is a polyphenol and antioxidant that soothes and calms the skin to help break the cycle of skin damage caused by irritation."

You're probably familiar with using a facial cleansing brush to help exfoliate your skin and clear your pores, but many Japanese women skip the nylon bristles in favor of something more natural: a konjac sponge. The sponge is made from the root of the konjac plant, and similar to a cleansing brush, can help remove dirt, oil, and blackheads from your pores when used alongside a cleanser.

We may be guilty of overlooking the neck area when it comes to our skin care regimen, but many Chinese women make a conscious effort to include it in their daily routine thanks to the help of an age-old tool known as a jade roller. The small device, made from the precious gemstone, has been an antiaging tool in Chinese culture for centuries, and is simple to use. Start at the center of the neck and roll upwards and outwards over the face and toward the hairline to boost circulation, improve elasticity, balance fluids in the tissue, and increase cell turnover for youthful-looking skin.