Skincare using traditional Chinese medicine goes bespoke to treat acne, eczema and other common skin conditions

Commercial skincare brands incorporate some herbs used in Chinese traditional medicine, but a Hong Kong doctor prescribes tailor-made all-TCM creams

David Lee, who is qualified in Western and TCM medicine, explains the benefits of using both, and the modern applications of four Chinese medicinal herbs

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Herbs from traditional Chinese medicine are being used to create skincare products. Commercial products based entirely on TCM are still rare, but a Hong Kong doctor creates tailor-made all-TCM skincare for patients. Photo: Shutterstock

Published: 12:15pm, 10 Feb 2020Updated: 8:17pm, 11 Feb 2020

As the clean beauty movement continues to gain momentum, more skincare brands are looking to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) to source natural ingredients that are chemical-free and effective.

Big names such as Fresh, Sulwhasoo and Shiseido continue to incorporate popular herbs used in TCM into their formulations, while others such as Wei Beauty, the first Chinese skincare band available at beauty chain Sephora in the United States, have based their entire range on its principles and techniques.

For those looking for a more bespoke offering, a visit to your local TCM practitioner may be the answer. A registered Chinese medical practitioner and fellow of the Hong Kong College of Family Physicians, Dr David Lee Hung Fai opened his practice in Hong Kong’s Central district two years ago, offering topical skincare solutions that combine the best of Eastern and Western medicine.

“Medicine is borderless, and I didn’t want to limit myself by just practising Western medicine. Although I am a family doctor, I noticed more people coming to me for skincare problems, and it made sense to combine the best of both worlds in a more integrative way. Nowadays the trend is towards products that are more organic, so TCM is a good complement. It has been used for centuries to treat a variety of skincare conditions,” he says.

Dr David Lee uses use both Western and Chinese systems when diagnosing and treating patients.

Although Lee studied Western medicine at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, it was during his TCM studies in Guangdong province, southern China, that he noticed herbs being used on the skin in addition to being taken internally. Now he offers scientifically backed procedures and medications such as Botox and IPL (intense pulse laser) therapy, along with complementary TCM treatments.