You know that moment when you discover something so game-changing that you want to shout it from the rooftops? That was me three years ago when I stumbled upon Vietnamese skincare routines. I’m not even kidding – my skin went from looking like a stressed-out college student’s to something that actually gets compliments at the grocery store!
Vietnamese women have some of the most radiant, porcelain-like skin I’ve ever seen, and it’s not just genetics. Their skincare philosophy combines ancient wisdom with surprisingly simple techniques that won’t break your bank account. After years of trying every K-beauty trend and expensive French serums, I finally found what actually works.
The Foundation: Rice Water and Green Tea (My Gateway Drugs)
Let me tell you about my first epic fail with Vietnamese skincare. I read somewhere that rice water was supposed to be amazing for your skin, so I literally just dumped some leftover rice cooking water on my face. Big mistake – it was way too concentrated and left my skin feeling tight and weird.
Here’s what I learned the hard way: you need to dilute that rice water properly! Now I save the water from washing jasmine rice (before cooking), let it sit for about 30 minutes, then strain it. I use it as a gentle toner every morning, and honestly, it’s been a game-changer for my pore size.
The green tea part was easier to figure out. Vietnamese women often use cooled green tea as a facial mist throughout the day. I keep a little spray bottle in my purse – it’s perfect for that 3 PM skin refresh when you’re starting to look a bit rough around the edges.
The Double Cleanse: Oil First, Then Foam
This technique totally changed my cleansing game. Vietnamese skincare emphasizes removing makeup and sunscreen with oil first – I use coconut oil because it’s cheap and works great. Then you follow up with a gentle foam cleanser.
I used to think oil would make my already oily skin worse, but it actually balanced everything out! The key is using just enough oil to break down your makeup, then thoroughly removing it with the foam cleanser. My skin feels clean but not stripped, which was always my problem with harsh Western cleansers.
Pro tip: massage the oil in circular motions for at least a minute. It’s like giving yourself a mini facial massage, and the lymphatic drainage benefits are real.
Natural Ingredients That Actually Work
Vietnamese skincare is all about ingredients you can pronounce – and probably have in your kitchen. Turmeric became my best friend for dealing with stubborn dark spots. I mix it with honey and yogurt once a week, and while it temporarily turns me yellow (glamorous, I know), the results are worth it.
Tomatoes are another weird one that works. Fresh tomato juice acts as a natural astringent and helps with oily skin. I slice up a fresh tomato and rub it on my face after cleansing – sounds bizarre but it’s incredibly refreshing, especially in summer.
The banana face mask thing seemed too simple to work, but mashed banana with a little honey gives you this amazing glow. It’s probably the most Instagram-worthy skincare moment you’ll ever have, even if you look ridiculous while doing it.
The Gentle Approach: Less Is Definitely More
Here’s where Vietnamese skincare completely changed my mindset. I used to layer on like seven different products every night, thinking more meant better results. Vietnamese women focus on consistency with fewer, gentler products.
Their approach is all about maintaining your skin’s natural barrier instead of constantly disrupting it. No harsh scrubs, no aggressive acids every day – just gentle, nourishing ingredients that work with your skin, not against it.
I cut my routine down to maybe four products max, and my skin has never been happier. Sometimes I think we overthink skincare way too much in the West.
Sun Protection: The Non-Negotiable Step
Vietnamese women are absolutely religious about sun protection, and not just at the beach. They wear SPF daily, carry umbrellas, and often wear long sleeves even in hot weather.
This was probably the hardest habit for me to adopt consistently. I kept forgetting to reapply sunscreen, especially on cloudy days. Now I set phone reminders, and I keep a small tube in every purse I own.
The payoff is real though – my skin tone is way more even now, and I’m not getting those little sun spots that used to pop up every summer.
Your Skin Journey Starts Here
The beauty of Vietnamese skincare is that it’s accessible and adaptable to your specific skin needs. You don’t need to buy expensive products or follow every single step I mentioned – start with what resonates with you and build from there.
Remember, skincare is super personal, and what works for me might need tweaking for your skin type. Always patch test new ingredients, especially if you have sensitive skin, and be patient with the process.
If you’re hungry for more skincare tips and honest product reviews, definitely check out more posts here on Chou Iu. I’m always sharing my latest beauty discoveries and the occasional skincare disaster – because let’s be real, we all have those moments!
