How Internal Balance Can Transform Your Complexion
by Mimi Wang
If you're someone who's tried every skincare routine under the sun but still haven't achieved the radiant skin you desire, it might be time to look inward. Traditional Chinese Medicine takes a holistic approach to skin health, the key to optimal skin health goes beyond what you apply topically. Acne, eczema, signs of premature aging and other common skin concerns are often outward manifestations of imbalances in your internal state. The health of your skin relies on the balance of two crucial organs.
Which 2 Organs Hold the Key?
You might not think about the lungs and spleen on a daily basis, but they are a crucial part of keeping your skin healthy. This powerful pair belongs to the Tai Yin system. They regulate moisture, protect the skin from external factors, and ensure it gets the nourishment it needs.
The lungs are primarily responsible for your skin’s ability to retain moisture. They act as a barrier against the elements. When weak, your skin can become dry, fragile, and prone to irritation. On the other hand, the spleen plays a role in producing the qi and blood to nourish and fortify the skin from within. A strong spleen ensures the skin receives the necessary nutrients to maintain its luster and elasticity. Its imbalance also disrupts your fluid metabolism. Excess pathogenic fluids, called dampness in Chinese Medicine, can accumulate. This can show up as puffiness, breakouts and eczema flare ups.
Where Did We Get This Idea?
The Huang Di Nei Jing (The Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Medicine) is one of the foundational texts of TCM. The passage below connects the strength these organs to the vitality of the skin:
"The lungs are the tender organ. When the lungs are weak, the skin becomes dry and rough. The spleen governs transformation and transportation; when it is strong, the skin glows, and the body is nourished with qi and blood." (Huang Di Nei Jing, Su Wen, Chapter 15)
The Shang Han Lun (Treatise on Cold Damage), another important TCM text, discusses the role of the Tai Yin organs in managing fluid balance in the body:
"When Tai Yin is disturbed, the body accumulates moisture and dampness. This dampness, when not properly expelled, will show up on the skin as puffiness or lesions. The spleen is the root of dampness, and the lungs must disperse the moisture to prevent it from stagnating." (Shang Han Lun, Chapter 3)
When in balance, the lungs and spleen allow the skin to glow with vitality. But when disrupted, they can lead to a host of skin conditions. Both organs must work together to maintain healthy skin.
What Does the Science Say?
A study published in the Journal of Dermatology examined how acupuncture which targets the lungs and spleen meridians showed significant improvement in patients suffering from chronic skin conditions like eczema and acne. The study noted that stimulating these meridians helped to balance internal moisture levels and reduce inflammation, directly improving skin appearance and health (Choi et al., 2013).
Another study in the American Journal of Chinese Medicine explored how spleen qi deficiency is linked to common skin issues, including acne, dullness, and puffiness. This research found that supporting the spleen through diet, herbs, and acupuncture could help clear excess damp from the body, leading to healthier, more vibrant skin. The spleen’s role in blood production and nourishment directly impacts the skin’s ability to heal and stay hydrated (Zhao & Wu, 2012).
What Can I Do to Support my Tai Yin Organs?
1. Eat Warm, Easily Digestible Foods to Nourish the Spleen
In TCM, the spleen is highly sensitive to cold and dampness. Cold, raw foods can impair its function. Focus on warm, cooked meals that are easy to digest.
What to eat: Cooked vegetables, whole grains like rice and oats, yellow root vegetables (carrots, sweet potatoes, squash), soups, and stews.
What to avoid: Cold salads, dairy, and heavily processed foods.
Why it works: Warm foods strengthen the spleen’s ability to process nutrients, support the blood and metabolize fluids.
2. Incorporate Foods That Strengthen Lung Qi
The lungs are responsible for dispersing Qi throughout the body, including to the skin. Foods that support lung health can help maintain skin hydration and resilience.
What to eat: Pears, apples, almonds, sesame seeds, honey, white pepper, and white coloured foods like daikon radish and mushrooms
What to avoid: Greasy and fried foods, which can block the lung’s function of dispersing Qi.
Why it works: These foods nourish the moisture of the lungs to hydrate the skin, and assist its dispersing & descending function.
3. Practice Breathing Exercises to Strengthen Lung Function
Deep breathing exercises can support lung function by increasing the circulation of oxygen and qi in the body.
How to do it: Try diaphragmatic breathing (deep belly breathing) for 5-10 minutes each day. You can also practice Qigong or Tai Chi for gentle movement and controlled breathing.
4. Avoid Overconsumption of Sugar and Dairy
Excess sugar and dairy can create dampness in the body, which negatively affects both the spleen and the skin. Dampness is a key factor in acne, puffiness, and dull skin.
What to do: Limit or avoid sugary snacks, sodas, pastries, and dairy like cheese and cold milk.
Why it works: Reducing dampness in your diet prevents the spleen from becoming overworked.
5. Stay Hydrated with Warm Liquids
Drinking enough water is crucial for skin health, but in TCM, the temperature of your drinks matters. Warm liquids are gentler on the spleen and better help to hydrate your skin.
What to drink: Herbal teas like ginger, chrysanthemum, and licorice root tea are all great options that support both spleen and lung health. You can also sip on warm water throughout the day.
What to avoid: Ice-cold or ice blended beverages, or drinks with added sugars.
Why it works: Warm liquids help strengthen digestion, hydrate the skin, and maintain the natural balance of moisture within the body.
6. Acupuncture: Balance Your Lungs and Spleen for Glowing Skin
Acupuncture is an effective way to support the Tai Yin system. By targeting specific points to balance lung qi and spleen qi, acupuncture works to regulate internal moisture, enhance nutrient absorption, and promote healthy circulation.
Regular acupuncture treatments can help improve your skin by addressing the root causes of imbalances that show up on your complexion. Whether you're dealing with skin conditions like eczema or simply want to boost your skin’s natural glow, acupuncture can help bring your body back into harmony.
Nurturing Skin From Within
Supporting the spleen and lungs is key to unlocking healthy skin. By incorporating these actionable steps, you’re providing your body with the foundation it needs to maintain a clear, hydrated complexion.
To experience the full benefits of acupuncture and get personalized treatment for your skin issues, consider booking a session with me. Together, we can help restore balance to your lungs and spleen, and bring your skin into harmony from the inside out.
Meet Mimi Wang
Mimi is dedicated to addressing imbalances that stem from the demands of modern life, including those that manifest in the skin. With a holistic approach, she integrates acupuncture, cupping, microneedling and aromatherapy to restore harmony within the body, which in turn enhances complexion and skin vitality. Certified in cosmetic acupuncture and meridian facial massage, Mimi’s treatments work to boost collagen, improve circulation, and promote overall skin health. Rooted in her deep understanding of Traditional Chinese Medicine—passed down through generations—she blends time-honored wisdom with modern insights to help individuals achieve radiant, balanced skin from the inside out.
References
Choi, T. Y., Lee, M. S., Lee, H., Lee, H., Shin, B. C., & Ernst, E. (2013). Acupuncture for acute low back pain: a systematic review. The Clinical Journal of Pain, 29(3), 179-182.
Zhao, Z., & Wu, Y. (2012). The relationship between spleen Qi deficiency and acne vulgaris. American Journal of Chinese Medicine, 40(6), 1031-1040.
