How living in the city can affect your skin

Will the 'film' clog or suffocate the skin, especially in Singapore's humid weather?

Credit: Aesop

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Quite the contrary. Parsley Seed Anti-Oxidant Intense Serum is near weightless, even though it possess film forming properties. Our serums are daily-use moisturisers characterised by their light textures and finish, in fact among the lightest of our range of hydrating formulations.

The product is a lightweight, rapidly absorbing serum (non-sticky, tacky and certainly not overly occlusive or burdening) which leaves the skin soft and hydrated, with a matte finish. It spreads effortlessly to deliver more with less. As a fortifying, daily-use hydrating serum, the formulation is ideal for city dwellers and those seeking an alternative to the weight and texture of cream or oil-based moisturisers—delivering impressive levels of sustained, moisture binding efficacy, a greater level of hydration than would perhaps be expected based on its light texture.

For the development of Parsley Seed Anti-Oxidant Intense Serum our team worked meticulously to optimise the selection and levels of key ingredients in order to confer the benefits we sought to deliver with this product. There was a fine balance between needing to include sufficient levels of film-forming ingredients to help prevent ‘landing’ of airborne particles, but without compromising texture or skin-feel. Often minute adjustments were made in the ratios of ingredients until we arrived at the final formulation. Extracts of Tara Gum and Red Algae work together to deliver this breathable but nonetheless efficacious film, helping minimise deposition of skin-aggravating particulates while also facilitating their easier removal during cleansing at day’s end. The result is a serum that imperceptibly and invisibly safeguards the skin.

How does parsley seed benefit the skin?

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Aesop’s Parsley Seed Skin Care range is the result of extensive research and development into the most effective way to deliver anti-oxidants to the skin.

Research detailing the significant anti-oxidant properties of Parsley Seed essential oil—an extract of Carum petroselinum—inspired us to explore ways to incorporate this potent ingredient in our skin care formulations.

The efficacy and wide-reaching suitability of Parsley Seed oil led us to develop a ‘family’ of Aesop skin care products focussing on the generous measures of anti-oxidant fortification it offers, helping to assuage the effects of daily environmental aggressors. This has grown over the years into a comprehensive range of formulations to cleanse, tone and hydrate, including a deep-cleansing masque and targeted preparations for the eye area.

We seek to use essential oils in a meaningful way, to make the most of their distinctive properties. With Parsley Seed extract, we sought to deliver its potent anti-oxidant properties in a range of formats, from oils to lightweight serums.

What does city pollution truly mean and how it is damaging to our skin?

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The skin is our interface with the external environment, and as such our skin is subject to daily onslaught from environmental aggressors. For all the beauty, life and vigour of the city, it does represent challenge conditions for our skin.

One of the most important considerations for urban dwellers is therefore to be mindful and aware of your environment, and the potential impacts it has upon skin. In urban settings skin is vulnerable the effects of these environmental factors and the stresses—of all kinds—of city living, which may heighten susceptibility to oxidative stress—a situation in which the skin’s natural support system, that ordinarily works to keep reactive oxygen species in check, is overwhelmed.

Exposure to airborne gases and particulates—such as dust, pollen and other particulates, the detritus of urban landscapes— all have potential to contribute to increased production of reactive oxygen species, which may again result in oxidative stress.

Oxidative stress has potential to compromise the lipid ‘mortar’ of the stratum corneum, adversely affecting the barrier properties and overall resilience of the skin. This can lead to skin dehydration—as water loss increases—as well as a greater propensity for reactivity, sensitivity and aggravation.

Pollutants in the city air

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Of note is the effect of particulates, which have potential to aggravate the skin—known consequences of which include hyperpigmentation, reactivity, dull or patchy appearance and loss of skin suppleness, resilience. These are the typical ways in which our skin alerts us to the need for greater care, to impart measures of anti-oxidant enriched hydration, to fortify, bolster and nourish it.

Meaningful inputs of anti-oxidants are included in Parsley Seed Anti-Oxidant Intense Serum to help fortify skin and counter the detrimental effects of oxidative stress. A considered combination of Grape Seed, Green Tea and Parsley Seed extracts, supported by nourishing Tocopherol (Vitamin E), work to bolster and nurture the skin.

With an understanding of the influence the environment has on our skin we also saw an opportunity to build in additional layers of efficacy to support and complement these key anti-oxidant benefits: benefits that are a central part of the Parsley Seed Skin Care range.

Through careful use of film-forming ingredients in Parsley Seed Anti-Oxidant Intense Serum—creating a light, non-occlusive and flexible film—we can also help to minimise the ‘landing’ of skin-aggravating airborne particulates. This film has the added benefit of facilitating the swift removal of these particles during cleansing at the end of the day, and we recommend Parsley Seed Facial Cleansing Oil or Parsley Seed Facial Cleanser, formulations designed for use in polluted urban environments, to lift impurities and thoroughly refresh the skin.

Lastly, the product provides sustained hydration and nourishment to support the inherent barrier properties of the skin, and to confer greater resilience in urban environments.

How do we use the new Parsley Seed Intense Serum?

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The sophisticated design, construction and benefits offered by Parsley Seed Anti-Oxidant Intense Serum enable it to meet the demands of urban living, and the needs of those residing in hot, humid climates seeking skin-supportive yet non-burdening hydration.

There is flexibility in how this product can be used — whether as standalone hydrator, layered or blended. We encourage customers to use the product in the manner that delivers the best results for their skin, noting that special consideration must be given to the order of application to ensure the product’s characteristic film is not disrupted.

(Read also "Get Glowing Skin With These Hydrating And Brightening Serums")

The Aesop skincare regime - gentle preparation

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Morning and evening, cleanse the skin with either Parsley Seed Facial Cleanser ($53) or Parsley Seed Facial Cleansing Oil. Substitute twice-weekly with Purifying Facial Exfoliant Paste and Parsley Seed Cleansing Masque to clarify, lift impurities, decongest the skin and leave it refreshed for application of subsequent hydrating products — Parsley Seed Anti-Oxidant Intense Serum included.

The product can be used on its own by applying a quarter of a pipette to freshly cleansed and toned skin. Alternatively, layer over a preferred hydrating cream, lotion, oil or gel once the previous product has fully absorbed.

The Aesop skincare regime - protection

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Bolster the skin by layering Protective Facial Lotion SPF25 ($77) over Parsley Seed Anti-Oxidant Intense Serum each morning, though it is important to ensure the serum is touch dry before sunscreen is applied.

The Aesop skincare regime - nourishing boost

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Nightly application of Parsley Seed Anti-Oxidant Intense Serum will deliver sustained hydration while you rest. Blend with Parsley Seed Anti-Oxidant Facial Treatment ($80) to increase emollience and impart a nourishing boost. Follow with Parsley Seed Anti-Oxidant Eye Cream to hydrate and fortify the delicate skin surrounding the eyes.

This article was first published in The Singapore Women's Weekly.