Royal beauty secrets

Every morning Empress Dowager Cixi applied face powder made up of pearls and skin cream made of flower distillate. At night, she applied egg white, kept it on until half an hour before sleep, and then applied flower extract, finally patting her wet face dry with soft towels. Furthermore, she used a jade face roller, cool and smooth, on her face again and again every morning before dressing. High-quality jade is believed by many to have natural health-enhancing functions and repeated rolling is in essence a good massage for the face.

These beauty techniques are used today at modern spas around the world. But let us look back at more examples of classical Chinese beauty treatments.

Yang Yuhuan, the most famous concubine in Chinese history, was also renowned for her delicate skin. She used litchi, rich in protein, vitamin B and C, phosphorus and iron, which all bubbled away in her regular hot spring bath. The bath not only moistened her smooth skin, but also refreshed her mind. She would pat and massage different parts of her face and body to further stimulate the absorption of those beauty enhancers.