When you’re some time away from your next facial or aesthetics appointment, or if you just want a pared-down routine, these are the must-have products to get your skin glowing.
1 If You’re Watching Your Budget
Instead of buying separate products, go for multi-duty, multi-fix products that target more than one concern or deliver a variety of results.
1. Beyond Professional Defense Scalp & Hair Treatment, $31
In place of regular hair repair treatments, this product helps nourish the scalp and leaves hair 2 hydrated so it looks healthier. It contains calendula, which has anti-inflammatory properties, and a blend of berries that protects hair from oxidative stress.
2. D program Allerdefense BB Essence SPF43/ PA+++, $38.90
This triple treat is a BB essence, sunscreen and provides up to 12 hours of moisture. Comes in two shades and promises lightweight smudge-free coverage.
2 Simplify Your Skincare Routine
Become the ultimate skincare minimalist with this pared down routine: in the day, serum to target your biggest skin concern, and sunscreen to protect your skin; at night, an intensive mask.
SERUMS
1. Sulwhasoo 5th Generation First Care Activating Serum, $118
The newest iteration of the South Korean beauty brand’s iconic serum. Its anti-ageing complex gives you hydrated, firmer skin, while ingredients like white lily and peony work to keep skin bouncy and soft. You could even get away with skipping moisturiser if your skin isn’t overly dehydrated.
2. Chantecaille Radiance Elixir, $360
To avoid skin irritation when using multiple skincare products, simplify what you put on it with this nourishing and brightening serum. It’s a vegan formula that contains peptides and skin-boosting ingredients that support natural collagen production and boost skin clarity.
SUNSCREENS
3. Supergoop Glowscreen Broad Spectrum Sunscreen Primer SPF40/PA+++, $55
Streamline your This is a makeup primer and sunscreen in one. The dewy and hydrating formula protects skin from UV rays and doesn’t leave a white cast.
4. Shiseido Future Solution LX Universal Defense E, $120
You still need sunscreen even if your daily sun exposure is limited. This one improves skin vitality and vibrancy, and contains shimmering micro-powders that leave a radiant, youthful-looking finish.
NIGHT TREATMENTS
5. Chanel Hydra Beauty Camellia Repair Mask, $102
This powerful and ultra-creamy hydrating mask delivers an instant plumping effect, supple skin and a more even-toned complexion. You can use it like a regular 10-minute mask, or apply a thicker layer to leave on through the night or as an intensive moisturiser.
6. Olay Regenerist Retinol24 Night Eye Cream, $54.90
A light and non-greasy anti-ageing formula that brightens dark circles and gives the eye area up to 24 hours of hydration.
7. Sisley Supremya at Night, $880
Hone in on an anti-ageing night-time routine with high-performance botanical ingredients that work to smooth skin and boost cell turnover overnight. The result: firmer, more radiant skin.
3 Extend the Effects of Your Botox
Opt for no-needle Botox-mimicking products that help prolong the effects of your last aesthetics clinic visit – until you can go for a tune-up. These offer subtle results but still help to smooth the look of fine lines and wrinkles, or temporarily shape the contours of the face.
1. Laneige Time Freeze Sleeping Mask, $56
The anti-ageing sleeping mask improves skin firmness through the night. For more contoured results, you can massage the mask into skin for five minutes, using the Laneige Time Freeze Face-Fit Roller.
2. Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Cream, $115
To add to your night-time routine, this rich cream is formulated with hyaluronic acid and gambir extract to reduce the look of fine lines and wrinkles, while helping skin retain moisture.
3. Clarins Super Restorative Rose Radiance Cream, $200
The antioxidant-filled moisturiser helps to firm skin and protect it against pollution during the day. It neutralises free radicals and speeds up cell turnover at the same time. Skin should feel more hydrated and smooth.
4. Kiehl’s Skin-Strengthening Super Serum, $79
It contains the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory ingredient rosmarinic acid, to protect skin cells from environmental damage and strengthen the skin barrier, plus hyaluronic acid to boost hydration levels. It also includes Korean red ginseng root that improves skin texture by prolonging the lifespan of skin cells.
5. Peter Thomas Roth Peptide 21 Wrinkle Resist Serum, $170
Formulated with neuropeptides and peptides, the serum helps stimulate collagen production to reduce the look of lines and wrinkles, as well as to help skin become more resilient.
6. Kate Somerville Wrinkle Warrior Eye Cream, $91
A double dose of hyaluronic acid in the formula draws moisture into the eye area, to help plump up wrinkles. It also helps depuff eyes, using yeast and botanical extracts, which activate oxygen circulation.
7. Estee Lauder Perfectionist Pro Rapid Firm + Lift Treatment, $202
The serum uses a peptide called acetyl hexapeptide-8 that triggers the production of proteins to improve skin elasticity and give your face a non-surgical lift. It helps with loss of plumpness, skin density and facial definition.
When skin cells are hydrated, they swell up, filling in fine lines and wrinkles. The next step should be to lock in that hydration, which is what a good moisturiser can do.
4 Keep Skin Radiant Until Your Next Facial
You may not be able to get an appointment at your beauty salon or medispa but you can still protect, strengthen and reset your skin with serums, masks and ampoules that deliver an intense dose of ingredients to help with moisture, anti-ageing or brightening.
1. Re:erth Illuminating Concentrate, $128
In lieu of your laser treatments for hyperpigmentation, apply this spot treatment on stubborn dark spots, which the brand says will fade in up to four weeks, so your skin tone looks brighter and more even-toned.
2. Kiehl’s Clearly Corrective Accelerated Clarity Renewing Ampoules, $155
This 14-day brightening programme consists of 28 ampoules (use two a day), each containing activated vitamin C and a combo of three acids to slough off melanin-laden dead skin cells, refine skin texture and reduce the appearance of dark spots.
3. D program Whitening Clear Lotion, $42.90
Lightweight in texture but rich in hydration, it inhibits melanin production and calms inflammation from acne.
4. Dior Matte Dew Hydration Sorbet Droplet Emulsion, $110
Reset your skin and help it become hydrated and shine-free. It’s ideal for all skin types as it’s not only incredibly hydrating, but also won’t clog pores or leave skin feeling oily. It leaves a matte, velvety finish without looking greasy.
5. Babor 3D Firming Fluid Ampoule Concentrates, $105
The seven-ampoule set is meant to be used daily to achieve improved skin elasticity and reduce the appearance of wrinkles.
6. Vichy Liftactiv Peptide-C Anti-Aging Ampoules, $52
These 10 ampoules – one a day, half in the morning and the other half at night – contain 12 per cent vitamin C and hyaluronic acid, to deeply moisturise and firm skin instantly. At the end of the 10-day course, you should see brighter, smoother and more radiant skin.
7. Kew Organics Divelyn Gently Micro Exfoliant, $61.60
This exfoliator uses ingredients like salicylic acid to remove dry, dead skin cells, and vitamins C and E to balance the skin, while soothing and protecting the skin barrier against free radicals.
8. Tatcha Violet-C Radiance Mask, $95
To replace your brightening facials, this mask uses antioxidant-rich botanicals like uji green tea and algae to detoxify skin and deliver a moisturised, healthier-looking appearance. It also promotes the production of new skin cells, giving way to improved skin texture.
TEXT SINEAD LEE
