While skincare isn’t a sprint but more of a slow jog to combat skin concerns over time, there are certain products that have upgraded, potent formulas that can get us the result we want faster. These innovative skincare products employ a hybrid of active ingredients, ranging from vitamin C to niacinamide, working in tandem to target skin concerns, such as pigmentation, dehydration, loss of firmness and volume or general anti-ageing.
This Dior serum harnesses the extracts of fermented longoza and iris together with H.A. poly-filler technology consisting of hyaluronic acids and polyglycerols. Together, the ingredients help firm, hydrate and rejuvenate the skin from the cellular level.
With a combination of 15 per cent L-ascorbic acid and lactic acid, the Dr. Dennis Gross serum was created specifically to target signs of ageing including hyperpigmentation, skin density and elasticity. Lactic acid also serves to hydrate the skin as it gently exfoliates.
Dr. Dennis Gross 15% Vitamin C Firm & Bright Serum, $130, Sephora
Paula Choice’s hydrating and skin-plumping serum employs new pro-collagen peptide technology. It works in conjunction with amino acids and hyaluronic acid to deeply hydrate and bolster skin collagen and elastin production.
Allies of Skin is another homegrown beauty brand known for its targeted formulas containing multiple actives. This serum brightens and fades the look of dark spots using a blend of niacinamide, tranexamic acid, alpha arbutin, mushroom complex and six other brighteners and peptides.
Tranexamic & Arbutin Advanced Brightening Serum, $166, sg.allies.shop
An oldie but a goodie, The Ordinary’s namesake serum contains two star ingredients – 10 per cent niacinamide and one per cent zinc. The former combats the appearance of blemishes and texture while the latter absorbs excess sebum and further refines the complexion.
The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%, $8.50, www.lookfantastic.com.sg
Part of the latest addition to the reparative Mega-Mushroom line, the concentrate has a potent cocktail of reishi and tremella mushroom extracts as well as Centella asiatica. Use this serum when your skin feels stripped, sensitised and looking red and irritated.
Origins Dr. Andrew Weil Mega-Mushroom Restorative Skin Concentrate, $138, www.lazada.sg
Local beauty label Sigi Skin’s overnight mask uses bakuchiol, a plant-based retinol derivative, to promote skin and collagen regeneration as you sleep. Meanwhile, purslane protects DNA from oxidative damage while omega-3 fatty acids and squalane soothe, moisturise and protect the skin barrier.
Dream Capsule Daily Overnight Sleeping Mask, $82, www.sigiskin.com
Pola is a Japanese label that made a name for its anti-ageing skincare. Their latest face mask drop combines PCE-DP*1, tranexamic acid and nine of the brand’s original beauty ingredients to target pigmentation and melanin while deeply hydrating the skin at the same time.
Pola White Shot Mask QXS, $168, Level 1 Takashimaya D.S
This article was originally published in Female.