3 Beauty Secrets from Chinese Medicine—Practices for Glowing Skin and Vibrant Health

Exclusive Interview with Dr. Will Cole, Functional Medicine Doctor and Amrit Singh, Licensed Herbalist and Acupuncturist

 Beauty isn't just skin-deep—it’s a reflection of what's happening beneath the surface. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), glowing skin, bright eyes, and strong, healthy hair aren’t just cosmetic—they’re signs that your body is functioning optimally. With roots stretching back thousands of years, TCM emphasizes inner balance, a smooth flow of Qi, and nourishment from within as the foundation of lasting beauty.

 Dr. Will Cole, Functional Medicine Practitioner, Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine, and bestselling author states, “The beauty and anti-aging space is full of quick fixes and surface-level solutions. Natural medicine and TCM remind us that beauty is the result of inner balance and wellness, and that the best way to get that glow is to care for your body, mind, and spirit.”Building on this idea, Traditional Chinese Medicine views beauty as a natural byproduct of internal harmony. When the body’s natural healing mechanism, known as Qi, flows freely, blood is nourished, and the body's detox pathways are supported—the skin reflects this vitality. Instead of masking symptoms, TCM encourages a deeper, more sustainable approach to beauty, one that honors the body’s natural rhythms and promotes that “glow” from the inside out. In this article, we’ll explore 3 powerful beauty practices from TCM—gua sha, cosmetic acupuncture, and skin-nourishing herbs— to help you cultivate beauty that lasts well beyond the mirror.

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Gua Sha- Sculpt, Smooth and Support Circulation

 One of the most popular TCM beauty tools is Gua Sha, a technique that involves gently scraping the skin with a smooth-edged tool (often jade or rose quartz) to boost circulation and encourage lymphatic flow. Originally used to release tension, pain and stagnation in the body, facial Gua Sha has become a beloved ritual for enhancing skin health. “Facial Gua Sha is the gold standard at-home skincare, and in my opinion, the ultimate glow-up tool, states Amrit Singh, Toronto-based Registered Acupuncturist and founder of Soni Wellness. “It lifts, sculpts, depuffs, and boosts circulation leaving your skin looking snatched and radiant. With consistent daily use, the results can truly be remarkable.” When practiced consistently, Gua Sha can create a subtle lifting effect, reduce the appearance of fine lines, and support overall skin health. It is also known to help reduce headaches and jaw tension.

Regular use of Gua Sha promotes:

• Increased blood flow and Qi circulation

• Stimulation of collagen and elastin production

• Lymphatic drainage to reduce puffiness

• A smoother, more radiant complexion

Pro Tip: Use gentle strokes following the natural contours of your face. Pair your practice with a nourishing facial oil for smooth gliding and enhanced absorption.

Cosmetic Acupuncture- Beauty Meets Balance

Cosmetic acupuncture is an extension of traditional acupuncture that targets the face to address fine lines, dullness, puffiness, and other common skin concerns. But unlike Botox or fillers, it works holistically—stimulating your body’s natural healing mechanisms while supporting internal organ systems tied to beauty. “Cosmetic acupuncture is where beauty meets deep healing. You truly get the best of both worlds, while the needles stimulate collagen production and improve skin tone, they also tap into the energy of your internal organs through carefully selected body points”, emphasized Singh. “It’s a treatment that supports your glow on the outside and balance on the inside.” She also reminds us that it’s also not an either/or approach when it comes to Cosmetic Acupuncture. “It can be done alongside most treatments, as long as they’re spaced out appropriately. In fact, it offers healing and support even when paired with more invasive procedures.”

Tiny needles are inserted into the face and body to:

• Stimulate collagen production

• Improve circulation

• Reduce muscle tension and sagging

• Enhance overall complexion

• Help improve acne and acne scars 

Cosmetic acupuncture also supports the digestive and detoxification systems, which are closely linked to skin clarity and tone in TCM. Dr. Cole stresses the importance that “Cosmetic acupuncture offers direct benefits to the skin while supporting your entire system. It addresses root causes of premature aging like stress and poor lymphatic drainage, stimulates the production of collagen, and enhances blood circulation to support natural radiance. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, beauty is a reflection of this inner harmony. Acupuncture and TCM help to bring the body into balance–reducing inflammation, supporting the liver, encouraging healthy digestion–and our skin naturally radiates that vitality”. 

 Pro Tip: A series of sessions yields the best results, but many people notice a healthy glow and reduced puffiness even after one treatment. Your practitioner will also be adding body points to address root imbalances like stress, poor digestion, or hormonal changes.

Herbs for Skin Health—Glowing from Within

In Chinese Medicine, herbs are used to treat both the root and manifestation of skin issues. Certain botanicals are prized for their ability to enhance Qi, nourish the blood, reduce inflammation, and boost the skin’s natural collagen production. “Herbs have long been the quiet powerhouses for thousands of years in Chinese Medicine for beauty and skin health—I truly believe Mother Nature has already given us everything we need to treat many skin concerns, both internally and topically, through herbs”, states Singh. In Chinese Medicine, internal disharmonies often show up on the face, which is why herbal support can be so effective in creating long lasting, radiant change, she continued.

Here are a few favorites:

• Schisandra Berry (Wu Wei Zi)- An adaptogenic berry that helps the body manage stress—a major skin saboteur. It also protects against free radical damage and supports liver detoxification for a dewy, clear complexion.

• Reishi Mushroom (Ling Zhi)- Known as the “Mushroom of Immortality,” Reishi is deeply anti-aging, supports immune function, and improves the skin’s ability to retain moisture and resist environmental stressors.

•  Goji Berries (Gou Qi Zi)- This “superfood” is rich in antioxidants and nutrients, these berries help improve skin tone, elasticity, and overall glow. They’re often brewed into teas, added to herbal formulas, and are delicious as a dried fruit snack.

•  Huang Qi (Astragalus Root)- A foundational herb in TCM that boosts Qi and immunity, Huang Qi is also known for improving circulation and promoting collagen synthesis—making it a favorite in anti-aging formulas.

Pro Tip: Many of these herbs are available in teas, powders, or tinctures. Always consult a licensed herbalist or TCM practitioner before adding herbs to your wellness routine.

“Traditional Chinese Medicine in the beauty industry is definitely having its moment. With the introduction of tools like facial rollers (jade rollers date back to 7th-century China) and facial Gua Sha, more people are discovering the wider world of TCM, including acupuncture and herbal medicine”, said Singh. “But I don’t think it’s just a trend because it actually works and people can see that. People are looking for sustainable, holistic, and healthy ways to live that naturally reflects on the outside. More than ever, people want to look how they feel. And TCM supports that beautifully because it’s a medicine that looks at the individual and how everything within that person is connected.” Whether you're looking to smooth fine lines, boost glow, or simply align your skincare with your overall wellness, these 3 practices inspired by Traditional Chinese Medicine—Gua Sha, cosmetic acupuncture, and skin-supportive herbs—offer a powerful and natural way to enhance your beauty and vitality, inside and out.

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