Many people are afraid to age because of the visible skin changes that aging may cause.
The harsh truth is that you can’t do anything to avoid the effects of the natural aging process. Intrinsic aging, which is caused by declining physiological factors, health status and weakened defense, will certainly result to visible lines on the face, dryness, and thinning.¹

While there’s nothing you can do to avoid intrinsic aging, you can influence extrinsic aging which is caused by your environment and lifestyle choices. Extrinsic aging causes skin dullness, sagging, wrinkles, and overall dull appearance.²

“With a good skincare regimen, you can slow down the effects of extrinsic aging on your skin. For example, you can protect your skin from the harmful UV rays by including sun protection in your skincare routine,” said Prof. Aw.

A skincare product that may work for one person may not be as effective for another. That’s because people have different skin types (oily, dry, or combination).

“Each skin type requires unique care and treatment routine. With the appropriate skincare regimen, you can manage more effectively your specific skin concerns such as acne, dry skin, dark spots or scarring,” explained Prof. Aw.

No matter what your skin type is, you need a daily skin care routine that can help you maintain overall skin health.

Many women depend on makeup foundation or cosmetic procedures like laser and peels to deal with their unevenly pigmented skin. This skin problem can be avoided by sticking to a good skincare routine. With consistent use of appropriate skincare products, you can achieve an even-toned complexion and young-looking skin.

According to Prof. Aw, maintaining a uniform skin tone requires that your skincare regimen include brightening agents like tranexamic acid, niacinamide, kojic acid, AHAs, licorice root extract, and water-soluble derivatives of vitamin C.

Recent studies suggest that acne, one of the common skin blemishes, is a complex condition involving excessive sebum production, bacterial proliferation, and an inflammatory immune response.⁶ With a daily skincare routine that involves thorough yet gentle cleansing, you can avoid the causes of acne and other skin blemishes.

Choose a mild soap or cleanser to wash off the oil, dirt and makeup. Remember to wash it only in the morning and at night. The more you wash, the more you irritate your skin and wash away its natural oils. Do not use kitchen products like apple cider vinegar, lemon, and toothpaste for your skin.⁸

After you cleanse your skin, apply a moisturizer to keep it hydrated. “Get a dedicated moisturizer that is fit for your skin type. For example, lightweight ones for oily skin and hydrating creams for dry skin,” recommended Prof. Aw.

“Photo damage from sun exposure especially from 10am to 2pm when the UV rays are strongest causes wrinkles, uneven skin tone, and other signs of skin aging,” said Prof. Aw. To protect yourself from the sun, use umbrella, hat and sunglasses. Likewise, get a dedicated sunscreen with at least SPF 30 for everyday use. A non-stinging sunscreen used in the prescribed amounts is always safe for sun protection.¹⁰