What Chinese Medicine Says About American Skin Habits

Why skincare might never fully work for you — until you try this.

In this episode of Face It, Bari sits down with Ava Lee — known online as Glow With Ava — who blends traditional Chinese medicine, inside-out wellness, and K-beauty in a way that actually makes sense. Together, they break down why the Western approach to skincare keeps so many people stuck, and what ancient practices can teach us about getting to the root cause.

From what you eat and drink to how you move and sleep, this conversation reframes everything you thought you knew about clear, healthy skin.

This is skincare from the inside out — no quick fixes, just real habits that actually work.

We cover:

• Why the US approach to skincare and medicine is fundamentally different from Chinese medicine
• What it means to treat your body as an ecosystem — not separate parts
• The one daily habit Ava says has the biggest impact on your skin
• Why ice water, cold coffee, and raw salads may be quietly wrecking your digestion
• What "dampness" is in TCM — and how it shows up on your face as acne and congestion
• What your breakout location is actually telling you about what's going on inside
• The TCM organ clock and why eating breakfast at the right time matters more than you think
• Why going to sleep with wet hair and cold feet can affect your hormones and skin
• What to actually eat for skin brightening, plumping, and anti-aging benefits
• The truth about collagen — does eating it actually do anything?
• Why cold plunges may not be good for women
• What gua sha, facial massage, and lymphatic drainage actually are — and how they differ
• The biggest misconception about lymphatic drainage (more pressure is not better)
• What ear seeding is, how it works, and what it can actually change about your appearance
• Why Korean skincare is not a scam — and the real reason K-beauty is so far ahead
• The three K-beauty rules everyone should follow
• Why habits don't sell bottles — and how the beauty industry benefits from that
• Face movements for smile lines, crow's feet, jawline, dark circles, and more

Watch now and let us know your thoughts in the comments.