From The Straits Times    |
skincare

skincare products

Photo: mod.young / Instagram

Getting your skincare game right is straight up confusing, with the myriad of that are so readily available, all professing to be the ONE to change your skin. Here’s our ultimate guide to the world of skincare ingredients, and which you should be using for your skin concerns.

Azelaic acid, coenzyme-Q10, AHAs, retinol, salicylic acid – it sure can be confusing trying to make sense of the different ingredients available in the beauty aisle, and deciding which are the right ones for your skin without the help of Google. These days, it almost feels as though you need a degree in chemistry to understand what’s going on in your serums and moisturisers! We know how daunting that can be, especially when you’re facing the prospect of dropping major bucks.

Which is why it’s crucial to understand which ingredients you should be looking out for, and exactly how they work to improve your skin. TWe tackle 3 top skin concerns in Singapore – oily, acne-prone and aging – in a 3-part guide and highlight the best ingredients to add to your regime for flawless skin.

 

ALSO READ: HERE’S TO BETTER SKIN! MORE AND IMPROVED ANTIOXIDANTS TO COME IN THE FUTURE FOR SKINCARE

 

Oily skin

Shiseido

Photo: shiseido / Instagram

In our humid climate, the struggle to reach the end of the day without having an oil slick on our face is very real. While environmental aggressors do a play a role in exacerbating this condition, for most people, oily skin is something you are born with, and can get better or worse depending on your lifestyle habits, stress and of course, your skincare regime.

Aside from the fact that no one wants a perpetual shine, oily skin is frustrating because it also causes your pores to become enlarged as it is unable to handle the amounts of sebum being generated. This also results in blackheads and whiteheads forming, as the pore lining thickens and blocks oil from getting to the skin’s surface. Not a good look.

 

Best ingredients for oily skin types

Glamglow supermud clearing treatment

Photo: Sephora

Clay – particularly kaolin, a naturally occurring white clay that helps absorb oil and mattify skin. Commonly found in face masks, as the clay dries on your skin, it “sucks” up excess sebum and dries out blackheads and whiteheads. We like Glamglow’s Supermud Clearing Treatment, a HG (holy grail) product that controls sebum production and improves the appearance of blackheads with frequent application.

Boscia revitalizing hydrating gel

Photo: Sephora

Dimethicone – look for oil-free moisturisers that contain dimethicone, which mimics oils and leaves skin feeling heathy but matte after use. It forms a protective layer over your skin to help keep in moisture and your skin hydrated. You might not think oily skin needs moisturiser, but skipping it is counterproductive as that causes your skin to overcompensate and produce even more oil. Opt for a lightweight gel formula like Boscia Revitalizing Black Hydration Gel, which also contains activated charcoal to absorb impurities and excess oils.

Allies of Skin’s Promise Keeper Blemish Facial

Photo: Allies of Skin

Niacinamide – also known as vitamin B3, this ingredient helps to improve the appearance of large pores caused by excessive oil and help repair a weakened skin surface. It protects against dehydration and increases your skin’s ability to retain moisture while helping to balance your natural sebum levels. If your oily skin is causing breakouts, this ingredient is also a star at helping to calm angry zits. We recommend using Allies of Skin’s Promise Keeper Blemish Facial in place of your nightly moisturiser every 2 weeks until you see a difference in sebum levels. This treatment also contains hyaluronic acid, which ensures your skin stays thoroughly hydrated and less prone to overcompensating.

 

ALSO READ: THE BEST FACE MASKS FOR OILY, ACNE-PRONE SKIN ARE EXFOLIATING MASKS

 

Coach ID Lanyard
Now $75
Original price: $168
Shop Now
Jabra Elite 4 Wireless Earbuds
Now $88
Original price: $162
Shop Now
BaByliss Air Pro 2300
Now $63
Original price: $144
Shop Now
Abib Collagen Eye Patch
Now $19
Original price: $35
Shop Now