With so many products to choose from, building a simple skincare routine can be a daunting task – but it doesn't have to be. Photo: AIO
Achieving a healthy, glowing complexion is really about getting basics right. From reinforcing the skin's barrier to exfoliating and nourishing, choose the right products to get the most benefit out of your skincare routine.
Here are a few of the latest beauty releases to try out.
Balanced, firmer and brighter skin
AIO’s Super Essence features the brand’s Oxyniacine formula drenched in tropaeolum majus for boosting skin vibrancy, B3 niacinamide for reinforcing the skin barrier and vitamin E that has nourishing benefits to improve oil-water balance and keep skin healthy.
Aiming at getting your skin to be well-balanced and resilient, as well as firmer and brighter, the exclusive matcha-coloured jelly-like texture offers a relaxing scent reminiscent of the Kyoto woods.
The light non-greasy texture is also suitable for sensitive skin.
Use it twice a day by taking a pearl-sized amount with your dry fingertips and dotting it onto your forehead, cheeks and chin. Massage evenly over face outward and upwards.
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Gentle skin prep
Takami’s Skinpeel Essence is designed to be the “step 0” in every skincare routine, to be used right after cleansing, both morning and night.
Suitable for all ages, genders, skin conditions and skin types, even those that are acne-prone and sensitive, it is made of just 13 ingredients including a propriety formulation of seven fruit extracts.
The product is meant to gently nurture the skin, instead of aggressively peeling it and to promote healthy skin turnover while respecting the skin’s pH.
Its light watery texture allows for immediate absorption into the delicate 0.02mm of the skin, ensuring that it preps the skin for the skincare to follow.
Soothing and smoothing
The Shiseido Elixir Superieur Design Time Serum is meant to be used as a product that tackles the first signs of ageing, aiming to rejuvenate the skin from the inside.
Made with ingredients that create a stretching and smoothing effect, it includes iris root extract and cornflower flower extract that effectively treat skin imperfections, providing a soothing effect while smoothing wrinkles and moisturising the skin.
Glycerin and water-soluble collagen also moisturise and soften the skin, while watercress extract improves microcirculation in cells, contributing to skin renewal.
Use it in the morning and evening after cleansing and applying lotion.
Clear pores and radiant skin
Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant is a leave-on formula that’s gentle enough for daily use on all skin types.
It exfoliates dead skin cells while clearing pores for a more even, radiant tone, plus visibly reduces fine lines and wrinkles.
Meant to tackle dull, dry and congested skin which happens when dead skin cells build up on its surface, beta hydroxy acid (BHA, also known as salicylic acid) mimics the natural exfoliation process of younger skin by helping it shed extra layers while unclogging and clearing pores.
It can be used on all skin types, but the texture is especially suited for those with normal to oily or combination skin, stubborn blackheads and blemish-prone skin.
Apply once or twice daily after cleansing and toning by lightly soaking a cotton pad and applying it over the entire face, including the eye area (avoid the lower lash line and eyelids).
Do not rinse the product, and for daytime, follow with a broad-spectrum sunscreen rated SPF 30 or greater. It can also be used to eliminate calluses on feet, elbows and knees.
Read more: Sunburn as acne treatment? Skin doctors caution against trying this beauty trend
Building resilience
Verso’s Super Elixir is a brightening, moisturising and nourishing facial serum formulated and developed to target the appearance of uneven skin tone.
The formula contains Near 1(Niacinamidoethyl Retinoate), a new and unique Verso molecule which combines vitamin A and niacinamide, where niacinamide helps to further stabilise and enhance the benefits of vitamin A.
The result is a stable vitamin A that can work effectively and gently on the skin – the first of its kind. The benefits of using this stable form include its ability to deliver the visible results of vitamin A with less to no irritation.
Formulated to improve the appearance of even skin tone and to help the skin to be more resistant to the visible effects of environmental stressors, it also contains licorice root to boost soothing properties and enhance brightening results.
To use, apply a few drops in the morning and/or evening on cleansed skin, recommend starting with fewer drops if you experience an oilier skin condition. Use it alone or together with other skincare products.
