Is Kimchee Good for Your Skin?

KIMCHEE: Fermented Korean pickled cabbage

Growing up in a Korean family, kimchee (Korean fermented pickled cabbage) was always in the fridge and served with dinner main dishes. It's true, Koreans do consume a lot of kimchee. The average Korean consumes about 40kg of kimchee a year. And even my not so average Korean parents whom have all kinds of self-imposed dietary restrictions -- no-spice, practically vegan -- for hopes of long-life, eat kimchee everyday. Being an obsessively minded beauty writer, the question I asked myself recently was: is kimchee good for your skin?

This question came about because Koreans are absolutely obsessed with good skin. I was always encouraged, err... forced (the threat being that I would GASP! have tragically BAD skin) to eat all kinds of fruits and vegetables and foods on the pure basis that it was good for my complexion from as far back as I can remember. "Eat tomatoes because it's good for your skin!" urged my mother. "Eat that tofu because it's good for your complexion!" "You better finish that cucumber because it's (you got it, readers...) good for your skin!" And kimchee was always there for the eating.

Good skin is just exceedingly important in Korean culture. Historically, a woman's skin was really the essence of their beauty, and if you think about the more minimalistic features of Korean faces, it makes sense on a purely aesthetic sense: skin is the more prominent feature, other than bone structure.

Example of what would be considered beauitful skin in Korea on Korean Model in Traditional Korean Clothing. Repost from http://newmodernhanbok.tumblr.com

My research showed that kimchee is high in vitamins A and C. Both these vitamins are antioxidants, which help your body fight against free radicals. Vitamin C, in particular helps with the body's production of collagen, which helps keeps skin more elastic. Hmmmm, sounding like a very strong case for kimchee = great skin. But, then again, kimchee has a very high sodium count, one serving having about roughly 45-65 percent of an individuals recommended intake. And, the average Korean eats kimchee three times a day. A high salt diet causes bloating, and puffiness. Puffy face, um, no thanks.

So the results of my study? Maybe kimchee does provide some nutritional value that is good for skin, but I think it's more about how Korean culture takes such pride in caring for skin from the inside out -- through food and dietary knowledge, and passion. Anything flourishes with that much care -- as skin, is an organ, and needs a lot of TLC. Koreans just think skincare is serious business and start the skin education and care, from birth.

Hey, maybe you'll choose to try a kimchee grilled cheese sandwich at your next meal, who knows? But good skin, starts from great nutrition and from being good to your body as a whole.

-- N.C.

Disclaimer: I have no affiliation with the companies I write and vlog about. My picks and decisions are always editorially and artistically-based and independent.

References:
http://www.livestrong.com/article/478382-health-benefits-of-kimchi/

Getting ready for Winter Skin: Happy Skin!

Snowy Days, Happy Skin and Warmth

Originally posted Wednesday, February 2, 2011 

Hi! I know it's been awhile since I've written in, but life's been throwing me a bunch of curve balls and I have a few changes in the works here at NuyBeauty ;-). Meanwhile, here's a #repost of how to treat #dryskin and keep your precious #kiddos and yourselves (#mommies #takecare!) #healthy and #warm. Enjoy and by the by, my newest rediscovery from my past for moisturizing: COCONUT OIL! What a wonderful, #natural emollient! Try it out and tell me what you think. It works head to toe!

xoxo - Nuy

My daughter, some of our dear friends, and I built a snowman after a big snow fall.
I felt that perhaps he needed a little color amidst all the white.

It has been snowy day after snowy day here in New York City. Every week we seem to get a new, crazier blizzard or storm, and the salt stains on my favorite pair of weather-proof boots rise up like the layers you see in a canyon.

BRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!

Both my daughter's skin and mine have been drier than ever as the heater's have been cranked up to their hottest temperatures to keep us warm. For this I've been moisturizing us, sometimes twice daily, with Aveeno Baby Daily Moisture Lotion ($8.00 for 18 oz.), and I've also recently introduced a new humidifier into the home, the Walgreen's Warm Steam Vaporizer ($16). It's got a fantastic price, and is great for those like me who suffer from sinus issues. For soothing those really rough, super dry and itchy patches of skin, I still depend on Vanicream Moisturizing Skin Cream ($14.00 for 16 oz.), for both of us.

And, to digress slightly, when I can, I've been making the occasional stew to warm up my family's tummies from the inside. The newest dish I introduced into the dinner rotation was a rendition of Chicken Adobo, after being inspired by a New York Times article. And, I've been roasting lots of veggies (loving brussel sprouts). The way the high heat softens and sweetens everything that gets cooked, I barely have to coax my daughter to eat her daily greens!

After all, happy skin isn't just about adequate hydration. It's about healthy, wholesome eating too.

-N.C.

Disclaimer: Nuy Cho has no affiliation to any of the beauty companies mentioned on www.nuybeauty.com.