How To Fix Your Skin In One Month

These ICU-equivalent of beauty products give intensive help to dry, lined and less than glowing skin. We love how much smoother, brighter and more radiant our skin became.

Here’s what you need to know about skincare boosters: They’re short-term treatment programmes you use from as little as two weeks to up to two months, and then stop. They contain a higher concentration of ingredients than everyday skincare, and are meant to give your skin intensive help, addressing concerns from dryness to dark spots, dullness, wrinkles and sagging.

And as these are treatment programmes, you shouldn’t expect to see results overnight. The changes in your skin will take time – you need to be patient.

With the year-end festivities – albeit muted this year – approaching, you should start boosting your skin now, to see results in time.

"Sisley Sisleya La Cure, $1,350 (box of four vials)"

TO IMPROVE SKIN RESILIENCE AND INCREASE RADIANCE

WHAT IT IS

A four-week programme that reactivates cell energy so skin can better combat environmental aggressors. Skin gets stronger and more radiant, thanks to ginkgo biloba, peony, centella and yeast protein.

HOW OFTEN

Twice a day, one vial a week, over four weeks.

WE TRY YOU BUY

The texture is really light, absorbs quickly, and is nourishing. I love the lavender scent too.

Before I started on La Cure, my complexion was uneven, dull and dehydrated, and I had redness around my nose and chin. Two weeks in, my skin looks clearer, brighter and the redness is reduced. After four weeks, my skin is transformed – my complexion glows. I was hesitant about giving up my multi-serum routine, but La Cure did not let my skin down. – Ng Yi Lian

"Vichy Liftactiv Glyco-C Night Peel Ampoule, $52 (box of 10 ampoules)"

TO LIGHTLY FADE DARK SPOTS AND BOOST SKIN EVENNESS AND RADIANCE

WHAT IT IS

A night treatment for dark spots, and uneven and dull skin, with 10 per cent glycolic acid complex, vitamin C and hyaluronic acid. It smooths skin, plumps it with moisture, and increases collagen production.

HOW OFTEN

Every night (one ampoule covers two nights), over 20 days.

WE TRY YOU BUY

I expected to feel a stinging sensation due to the acids, but there was none. While the texture has a water-like consistency, it feels slightly oily. After Night Four, I was surprised to see that my stressed skin looked brighter and healthily glowy. By Night 10, my dark spots were slightly faded.

But the effects of the nightly peel are much more obvious with makeup – I need less foundation and my skin looks flawless and clear. The downside: Be careful of jagged edges around the rim after breaking off the top of the glass ampoule. – Penelope Chan

"Kiehl’s Dermatologist Solutions Clearly Corrective Accelerated Clarity Renewing Ampoules, $155 (box of 28 vials)"

TO LIGHTEN DARK SPOTS, EVEN AND BRIGHTEN SKIN TONE

WHAT IT IS

A 14-day programme containing a trio of gentle acids – glycolic, lactic and phytic – and activated vitamin C. It promises to slough off dead skin cells, refine skin texture and reduce hyperpigmentation.

HOW OFTEN

Two vials a day, morning and night, over 14 days. If you have sensitive skin, use one vial nightly.

WE TRY YOU BUY

My complexion was looking dull and new WFH pigmentation was starting to show. The brand recommended that I follow the ampoule with Kiehl’s Dermatologist Solutions Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Solution to boost its brightening effects. And it really helped. A week in, my complexion was looking more even and my old acne scars, lighter.

After two weeks, my skin feels smoother, and has a subtle glow – even makeup sits better.

However, while the acids are gentle, the formula did make my skin a little dry; using a richer moisturiser helped minimise the dryness and itch. – Vanessa Chia

"Fancl BC Intensive Skin Booster, $248 (box of three pairs; each pair consists of a powder and essence)"

TO REVIVE A DULL COMPLEXION AND BOOST HYDRATION

WHAT IT IS

A 30-day programme to revive dull, tired skin. It contains a freeze-dried vitamin C derivative, and rose and grape bud extracts to boost elasticity, lighten dark spots and restore radiance.

HOW OFTEN

Twice a day, over 30 days.

WE TRY YOU BUY

It looks like a science experiment each time I use a new bottle, as it involves mixing the essence into the powder. While it can be a hassle to do this every 10 days, you’ll be rewarded with supple skin by the second cycle – my skin felt hydrated and even sported a faint glow.

While I love the fragrance-free formula (great for sensitive skins and noses), the slightly tacky finish takes getting used to. Fortunately, the serum absorbs quickly, and I’m surprised at how well it hydrates my skin, though I still follow up with my usual skincare. – Cara Van Miriah

"Lavien Carni-V Ampoule (Blue), $185, and Rejuve Skin Roller, $150; box of five each"

TO BOOST SKIN REPAIR AND STRENGTHEN SKIN

WHAT IT IS

The ampoule helps boost skin elasticity and collagen production, while the roller, which has 3,000 microneedles made up of hyaluronic acid, peptides and antiinflammatory cica, helps increase moisture levels. The “needles” create temporary micro holes on skin, allowing both formulas to be delivered; it doesn’t hurt, prick or draw blood.

HOW OFTEN

One vial and roller head, once a week, over five weeks.

WE TRY YOU BUY

I run the roller over my face, apply the ampoule, then roll again to enhance absorption. There is a slight pinprick sensation at first, but it goes away. The first week, my parched skin drank up the ampoule. What was great: a lifted and more defined V-shape face in the morning.

In two weeks, my skin felt more supple and plump, and looked less tired. I didn’t seem to need to use so much of the ampoule. I did a laser treatment between weeks three and four, and found that my skin healed faster too. – Vanessa Chia

TEXT VANESSA CHIA

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