Prevent and treat skin diseases: Traditional Chinese medicine teaches you how to achieve a healthy complexion
2026-06-26
As temperatures rise, humidity increases, and sunlight intensifies in June, along with heightened mosquito activity, various skin conditions enter their peak season. On June 16, the National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine (NATCM) held a special press conference on “TCM Prevention and Treatment of Skin Diseases.”
National-level TCM skin disease management
Ouyang Bo, Deputy Director of the Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine and Ethnic Minority Medicine Division of NATCM, introduced that the agency attaches great importance to TCM-based skin disease prevention and treatment. It has selected and built 25 national TCM specialty departments for dermatology, promoted provincial specialty alliances, published national standard terminology for dermatology and 51 TCM industry standards, supported research on psoriasis, vitiligo, and other conditions, and cultivated a batch of high-level talents in the field.
Expert advice on common summer skin issues
Liu Hong, Chief Physician at Puhuangyu Community Health Service Center in Fengtai District, Beijing, emphasized “treating acute and chronic stages separately, combining internal and external therapies” for recurrent summer eczema. During the acute phase, focus on clearing heat, draining dampness, and stopping itching; in the remission phase, prioritize strengthening the spleen, nourishing blood, and moisturizing dryness. External treatments include TCM wet compresses, herbal baths, and moxibustion. Lifestyle adjustments involve “controlling diet, avoiding scratching, and managing emotions.”
For mosquito bites causing redness and itching, Liu Hong recommends applying crushed fresh mint leaves externally, wet compressing with chrysanthemum water, or washing with mugwort and pepper water—simple and effective methods.
Herpes zoster (shingles) commonly affects immunocompromised individuals and the elderly. Song Ping, Chief Physician and Deputy Director of Xiyuan Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, noted that during the acute phase, techniques like bloodletting cupping, fire needle therapy, and topical herbal applications can rapidly relieve pain. For post-herpetic neuralgia, modified formulas such as Xuefu Zhuyu Tang (Blood Mansion Stasis-Expelling Decoction) or Buyang Huanwu Tang (Restore Yang and Move Blood Decoction)—which promote blood circulation and unblock meridians to stop pain—combined with acupuncture, moxibustion, and acupoint injections, yield significant results.
For infantile eczema, Song Ping suggests wet compresses or baths with honeysuckle water, which are safe and gentle. For diaper rash, apply TCM herbal oils that clear heat, detoxify, and promote wound healing externally, keeping the area dry and changing diapers frequently. Breastfeeding mothers should avoid foods that trigger allergies, such as seafood, spicy dishes, eggs, and milk. When introducing complementary foods to babies, add one new food at a time and observe for allergic reactions. If a baby’s rash covers a large area, oozes severely, or is accompanied by pustules, fever, or lethargy, seek medical attention immediately.
TCM’s holistic view of skin health
In TCM theory, the skin reflects the internal state of organs, qi, and blood. Turxun Wuer, Chief Physician and Director of the Skin Diagnosis and Treatment Center at Xinjiang Uygur Medical Hospital, explained that changes in complexion, skin, hair, and nails indicate internal organ function. TCM practitioners never focus solely on skin lesions but comprehensively assess sleep, diet, emotions, and bowel/bladder habits to achieve both internal regulation and external treatment, addressing root causes and symptoms.
Zhou Dongmei, Chief Physician and Director of the Dermatology Department at Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, clarified that statements like “itchy skin means dampness” or “acne is due to ‘internal heat’” are one-sided. TCM associates itching with wind, dampness, parasites, deficiency, or heat; “internal heat” includes both excess and deficient types, and indiscriminate heat-clearing may damage yang energy. Skin peeling is not just dryness—it could stem from blood deficiency with wind-dryness or impaired fluid distribution.
For adolescent acne, Zhou Dongmei emphasized syndrome differentiation based on patterns like lung-stomach heat excess, damp-heat accumulation, or liver stagnation transforming into fire. Lifestyle adjustments include reducing sweets, dairy, and cold drinks, sleeping before 11 PM, and avoiding squeezing pimples or misusing steroid creams.
In female beauty care, Zhou Dongmei noted that melasma is often linked to liver qi stagnation, liver-kidney deficiency, spleen deficiency with dampness, or qi stagnation and blood stasis. TCM regulates the corresponding organs to replenish qi and blood, naturally improving complexion. At home, drink red date and goji berry tea, massage acupoints like Siba (around the eyes) and Zusanli, combine with sun protection and adequate sleep.
Liu Hong warned that stress and depression exacerbate skin diseases. TCM holds that the liver governs free flow of qi, and liver qi stagnation can trigger acne, seborrheic dermatitis, etc. She recommends three self-care methods: massaging Taichong acupoint to release stagnation, pressing Danzhong acupoint to broaden the chest and regulate qi, and returning to a “slow lifestyle” to adjust mindset.
Expert summary
Experts remind that skin issues “manifest externally but originate internally.” Under the guidance of professional physicians, syndrome differentiation and targeted treatment, combined with a healthy lifestyle, are essential to protect skin health from the root.
Edit：WENWEN Responsible editor：LINXUAN
Source：People's Daily Overseas Edition
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