Beauty

The Secret to Cixi’s Youthful Looks: Can Modern Women Replicate Her Anti-Aging Success?

Empress Dowager Cixi - the powerful and enigmatic woman of the Qing Dynasty, attributed her ageless beauty to her unique skin care regimen, which included the consumption of pig skin.

Administrator

10 September, 2024

Empress Dowager Cixi was not only known for her power as a woman, but also for her extravagant lifestyle and her rigorous body and beauty care and maintenance routine. As a result, she achieved an ageless beauty that inspired awe in others.

It is said that one of her female officials described her as follows: “When she (Empress Dowager Cixi) was 60 years old, her skin was still as smooth and elastic as it was in her youth.” Katharine Augusta Carl, a 38-year-old female painter who had the opportunity to paint a portrait of Cixi, recounted: “At that time, she was 70 years old but looked only 30. I was truly amazed.”

Empress Dowager Cixi remained youthful at 70 years old due to her attention to body and beauty care from the inside out.

The recreated portraits of Empress Dowager Cixi in her youth all depict her as a “legendary beauty” within the Forbidden City.

As we can see, despite her age, Empress Dowager Cixi maintained smooth skin and a graceful figure, leading later generations to wonder about her beauty secrets. In reality, her health and beauty regimen was deeply ingrained in her daily life, including her diet, clothing, living environment, and travel habits, and these were all meticulously recorded.

According to one recorded source, although Cixi was extravagant in her eating habits, consuming up to 300 dishes a day, there were some dishes that she particularly favored and ate regularly, including one that was typically consumed only by the poor—pork skin.

She was particularly fastidious about her diet, consuming up to 300 dishes a day. (Illustration)

She especially loved pork skin because it was delicious and she believed it helped supplement collagen, promoting beauty from within.

The reason why Empress Dowager Cixi favored this dish was its perceived beauty benefits. According to the principles of traditional Chinese medicine, the renowned physician Zhang Zhongjing studied and compiled a list of dishes made from animals and plants that had beauty-enhancing and youth-preserving effects, known as “medicine food.” Pork skin was among these dishes.

In traditional Chinese medicine, it is believed that to nourish the skin, one should consume “refined blood with emotions,” which refers to animal fat and skin. In particular, pork skin has a sweet taste and a cool nature, and it is believed to nourish the yin, blood, and skin, thus enhancing one’s complexion. This explains Empress Dowager Cixi’s fondness for this often-discarded part of the pig.

Nowadays, many women also believe that pork skin is rich in collagen and actively seek to include it in their diets, with some even using it as a facial mask to achieve smooth and glowing skin. But does pork skin really provide collagen, and can it give women the skin of their dreams?

Does Pork Skin Contain Collagen?

A woman’s beauty is intimately linked to collagen. In the dermis layer of human skin, collagen accounts for 75% of the total composition. When we are young, our bodies produce abundant collagen, but after the age of 30, collagen levels begin to decline. Therefore, women strive to supplement their collagen intake to make up for the loss and retain their youthful appearance.

In addition to taking collagen supplements, many women look for ways to boost their collagen levels through their diet, and pork skin is considered a rich source of this protein.

Pork skin contains high levels of collagen.

Many people mistakenly believe that this rind is primarily composed of fat, but in reality, the fat content in the skin is only half that of the meat. Moreover, it is rich in protein, and over 90% of it consists of collagen and elastin.

Should You Eat Pork Skin for Collagen?

While it is true that pork skin is abundant in collagen, eating it does not directly contribute to collagen supplementation in the human body. This is because all the substances we consume go through the process of digestion. After the collagen in pork skin is digested, it breaks down into various amino acids, which are then utilized by the body. The collagen itself is not directly utilized. Therefore, it is not entirely accurate to say that eating pork skin can provide collagen for beauty enhancement.

Nutritionist Zhang Yinxuan from Taiwan also points out that although pig’s trotters, pork skin, chicken skin, fish skin, etc., contain collagen, their absorption is limited due to their large molecular size. If you eat these foods with the sole intention of boosting your collagen intake, you will not achieve the desired high level of efficiency.

It is important to understand that from the process of ingestion to digestion, absorption, and re-synthesis, the nutrients in pork skin undergo multiple transformations, and ultimately, the amount of beneficial substances that can actually affect the body is minimal.

Women cannot achieve beautiful skin solely by eating pork skin.

It is possible that Empress Dowager Cixi maintained her youthful and beautiful skin not just because of pork skin but also due to a combination of other methods, as she was known for her extensive beauty regimen. Therefore, women need not follow Cixi’s example of consuming pork skin to boost their collagen intake.

Frequently asked questions

The secret to Cixi’s youthful looks is believed to be a combination of her daily beauty routine and healthy lifestyle habits. Cixi was known for her dedication to skincare and beauty rituals, which included using natural ingredients and traditional Chinese medicine techniques.

Yes, modern women can definitely replicate Cixi’s anti-aging success by adopting similar practices. While some of her methods may be outdated or impractical for today’s busy women, the key is to focus on a consistent skincare routine, healthy diet, and lifestyle choices that promote overall well-being.

Some of Cixi’s beauty practices that are still relevant and beneficial today include using natural, organic skincare products, incorporating facial massages and acupressure techniques, and paying attention to overall health and wellness. Modern women can also adopt a holistic approach to beauty, focusing on stress management, adequate sleep, and a balanced diet rich in nutrients.

Using natural and organic ingredients in skincare is a key aspect of Cixi’s beauty philosophy. Natural ingredients are often packed with antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals that nourish the skin. They are also typically gentler and less likely to cause irritation compared to products with synthetic chemicals. Adopting this approach can help promote healthy, glowing skin and prevent premature aging.

Cixi was known to incorporate facial massages and acupressure techniques into her beauty routine. These methods improve blood circulation, reduce puffiness, and promote lymphatic drainage. She also believed in the benefits of traditional Chinese medicine, using herbal remedies and treatments to enhance her skin’s health and maintain a youthful appearance.