This is the art of listening to your skin and the science of choosing the right skincare.
Lightweight but intensely moisturising, with antioxidant-rich fruit seed oils, omega oils and vitamins.
Miley Cyrus had it right when she sang “No one stays the same… change is a thing you can count on”. Well, that applies to your skin and its needs too.
Just as your body requires different nourishment at different times – extra vitamin C when there’s a flu bug going around, or a double-shot latte after pulling an all-nighter – your skin can’t always cruise by with the same products. There will be days when its not bringing its A-game and needs an extra boost to get back on track.
Actress Oon Shu An, for one, pays close attention to her skin. Every day, she takes note of how it looks and feels, then tweaks or swops out her skincare accordingly – even if it goes against her usual routine or skin type. It’s the way to maintain good skin, she says. We agree.
It’s not about carrying out major shake-ups all the time. Stick to your basic routine, then add what’s needed or switch one product for another that better addresses your skin condition at the time.
#1 SKIN FEELS DRY AND TAUT
Everyone, even those with oily skin, can be hit by dehydration. Too much time in air-conditioning, lack of sleep, changing hormones, too much alcohol or caffeine – these are just a few factors that can result in dry, flaky skin that feels tight and itchy.
Provides oil-free hydration and has salicylic acid to exfoliate skin and cleanse pores.
#2 ZITS ARE REARING THEIR HEADS
Blemishes boil down to excess sebum, dead skin cells and bacteria becoming stuck in pores. This spike in oil may be due to hormonal changes, pollution, unsuitable products or overzealous cleansing that dries skin out, causing it to over-compensate by producing more oil.
Suitable for sensitive skin and chemical peel noobs, this two-step DIY peel exfoliates with gentle acids and nourishes with antiageing actives like retinol and vitamin E.
#3 COMPLEXION IS LACKLUSTRE AND TIRED
Pollutants, dehydration, sleep deprivation, stress, diet – there’s a host of factors that can lead to sluggish blood circulation and skin turnover, making you look less than brilliant.
Refreshing and soothing, this oil-free moisturiser with a matte finish has antioxidant vitamins and hyaluronic acid to prevent moisture loss.
#4 PORES ARE ENLARGED AND SKIN LOOKS ROUGH
Just returned from a sun-drenched holiday or recovering from a recent breakout? Maybe you’ve been slack with moisturising, or makeup is clogging your skin. If your natural skin type isn’t oily or combination, the visible pores and coarse skin could be due to UV damage, drynessinduced sagging or heavy makeup.
Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Intensive Recovery Ampoules, $200
This concentrate supports skin’s natural recovery processes and reduces visible signs of irritation overnight.
#5 SKIN REDNESS AND DISCOMFORT LIKE ITCHING, DRYNESS AND STINGING
Unless you have an allergy or skin condition like eczema and rosacea, skin sensitivity is most oft often the result of environmental factors like wind, dust and yoyo-ing temperatures, or lifestyle ones like stress, dehydration and lack of sleep.
TEXT GOH YEE HUAY
