The Hayo'U Method: A One Minute Ritual That Could Change Your Skin

Over the last couple of decades Chinese medicine has gotten a bit of a bad rep; walking through the tourist hub of Chinatown in London's Soho district, every other window is filled with anatomical diagrams and claims they can cure you of every body ache you've ever experienced. Slightly dusty shopfronts are adorned with herbs, lucky cat charms and trinkets to take away, while grey-haired women man the desk hoping for someone to step in and ask for help. Although this may create a perception of Chinese medicine that's a sham based on getting Westerners through the door, in actual fact it's a concept that's steeped in centuries of effective practice and long-standing traditions. It doesn't have to be just about acupuncture or strange smelling teas (although I've personally seen great results from both acupuncture and strange smelling teas!) because there's so much more to the practices that are adopted. Hayo’u is a brand that has its absolute foundations in Chinese medicine, after the founder Katie Brindle discovered the benefits it could offer following a road traffic accident and quit her job to start a degree in Five Element Acupuncture; she read voraciously even traveled to Asia to meet some of the masters of ancient medicine, the result of which is a concept that excitingly marries together Western troubles with Eastern solutions.


Hayo’u is a brand that's focused on helping people deal with the stress associated with a modern lifestyle; increasing family and social commitments, late nights and heavy workloads all play a role in our increasing stress levels - which are often shown on the face before anywhere else. The stress hormone cortisol (released in such situations,) not only has a negative impact on our blood pressure, immunity and weight, but it can cause breakouts, skin conditions such as psoriasis and rosacea, and even accelerated ageing. Katie says: "Stress is the gateway to solving more acute health issues like depression, sleep problems, physical pain and so on - all of which Chinese Medicine has the power to address. Hayo’u is derived from the Chinese word for wellness. And that's exactly my aim... To equip you with all you need to learn how to be really well!"

All of the Hayo’u products and concepts are focused on tackling skin and body issues at the root, via simple and effective rituals alongside beautifully designed and affordable products. The most intriguing, exciting and ingenius one for me is undoubtedly the Beauty Restorer: one of the first facial Gua Sha tools to hit the UK. Dubbed the Eastern Facelift, Gua Sha is set to be a big new Asian beauty trend for 2017 thanks to its ability to relieve the body of stress and expel toxins and tension from within. This traditional Chinese medical treatment works by scraping the skin to product light bruising; practitioners believe this releases unhealthy elements from injured areas and stimulates blood flow and healing. Not only is it recommended by the equivalent of the Chinese National Health Service, but it’s seeing celebrity fans (including Gwyneth Paltrow) adopt the practice as a way of rejuvenating their complexions. 

The Beauty Restorer (£35.00) helps to clear away the signs of stress and ageing on your face via a one minute long daily ritual; the really easy and simple self treatment utilises the natural excretory function of the skin to draw out toxicity and tensions, leaving behind a revitalised complexion. It enhances the nutrient supply to the skin, activates acupressure points to soothe and drains lymph nodes to help reduce congestion. Made from 100% Xiuyan Jade (known for its restorative qualities as well as providing a constant cooling sensation,) the ergonomic design moves around the face with ease to help 'swipe' away both tension and toxins to leave skin instantly feeling refreshed. It sounds complicated, but in reality it's very simple: you use the stone on lubricated skin to gently 'scrape' outwards around the face (eight times in each key area, including forehead, eyebrows, cheeks, jawline, neck and nose) followed by small twisting movements. The entire process takes only a minute and you can start to see the results practically instantly, with the complexion being plumped and dark circles being reduced. (For a full demo, watch the video below.)