As a beauty writer, I’m often asked about the various ways in which I can help people to make the most out of their looks. In order to look your best, it’s imperative that your skin is in optimum condition – this is particularly important if you’re getting married as you’ll want to look the best you ever have.
Irrespective of your skin tone and ethnicity, you should choose products that suit your skin and help it look its best. I’m frequently contacted by Asian brides to be, who are anxious to know how they can achieve beautiful, flawless skin for their big day. There is a greater emphasis on skincare in much of Asian culture, and they are generally much more focused on caring for their skin than Western women are. Having dull and blemish ridden skin would be catastrophic for some Asian brides to be.
It’s important to understand that Asian skin is drier and more prone to irritation than other ethnicities, this is because the outer layer of the skin (the stratum corneum) is thinner. This means that Asian skin is more sensitive to chemicals and environmental factors than other ethnicities, and chemicals can easily disrupt the delicate pH balance.
Asian skin is also more likely to be suffer from pigmentation problems than other ethnicities, such as hyperpigmentation and freckles. Many cosmetics targeted at Asian skin contain lightening and brightening ingredients for this reason. Although Asian skin produces more melanin than light skinned people, it is still very important to apply sunscreen daily as it will help minimise any pigmentation that may occur.
In addition, Asian skin is prone to being oilier than Caucasian skin because of the presence of more sebaceous glands – this can result in the skin becoming congested easily. It may be necessary to exfoliate once or twice a week to minimise this, taking care not to use products that are too harsh, ones that will strip the skin of its natural lubrication which can result in it becoming oilier still.
The good news is, Asian skin is less likely to show signs of age because of a thicker dermis that is bolstered with skin plumping collagen.
Fortunately, there are several things that can be done to address the problems affecting some Asian skins.
Follow these 5 top tips, and radiant, glowing skin will soon be yours.
Tip 1: It’s important to understand your skin because the foundation of all good skin begins with knowing what your skin needs. It’s a good idea to consult a skin specialist, who will determine your skin type. This will allow you to buy products and undertake treatments that are tailored for your exact skin type. It really is worth investing in a skin consultation as it will educate you with regards to the most suitable products for you. You will no longer need to waste time and money on unsuitable products and treatments that won’t facilitate your skin looking its best.
It’s also a great idea to have a skin imaging treatment such as Visia, that provides detailed skin analysis. Visia provides skin and complexion evaluations by picking up damage and signs of ageing that are invisible to the naked eye. Practitioners can then evaluate the imaging to ascertain the health and appearance of the skin based on six criteria that affect your complexion: wrinkles, spots, pores, evenness (skin tone colour variation), porphyrins (evidence of bacteria in your pores), and UV spots caused by overexposure to the sun. During the VISIA skin and complexion analysis, clients will have their skin compared to that of others of the same age and ethnicity. This way dermatologists can gain additional insight about your skin and complexion results. At the end of the evaluation, you will walk away with a copy of your customised VISIA report, which includes a detailed description of your skin analysis, professional recommendations for treatment and skin care options.
Tip 2 : Clean skin is healthy skin, and so it’s worth investing in the lead up to the wedding in really good cleansing treatments that blast away old skin and debris and resurface the look of the skin. Hydrafacial is excellent for this: it’s a non-surgical, non-invasive resurfacing procedure that provides cleansing, exfoliation, extractions and hydration including infusions of antioxidants, peptides and hyaluronic acid. Its effects are immediate, and there’s no discomfort or downtime.
Chemical skin peels remove damaged outer superficial layers of skin, and are a great way to treat superficial sun damage, acne scarring, hyperpigmentation and uneven skin tone. The application of a chemical peel will result in fresher, younger looking skin and make imperfections much less obvious. It’s imperative to ensure that the chemical peel is suitable for Asian skin however, and that the practitioner is experienced in treating Asian skin. This is important because Asian skin has different tones and textures compared to non-Asian skins, and hyperpigmentation and discolouration can occur after a chemical peel if care is not taken. Vi Peel is often a good choice for Asian skin.
After a peel, the skin is more absorbent to moisturisers and serums and other skincare products, and the skin will look younger and more radiant due to increased absorption of ingredients and the deep exfoliating effect of the peel . It’s important to persist with sun protection and your normal skincare regime in order to obtain maximum benefit from the peel and prevent further damage. You must also ensure that all make up is removed thoroughly and religiously, every day.
A bride to be who has flawless skin will not only look glowing on her big day, but her skin will serve as the perfect canvas for her wedding day make-up.
Tip 3: Try and invest in skincare that is scientifically proven to work – there are countless products on the market that claim to perform miracles, but all too frequently they fail to deliver what is promised. It is very annoying to pay often extortionate amounts for lotions and potions that fail to live up to expectations – it is all too easy to fall for a good marketing campaign and/or a celebrity endorsement. But if there is clinical and scientific evidence that a product is effective, then you will get the best value for money and your skin will benefit immensely.
If you’re savvy, you can find the products that are used and recommended by top skincare experts such as dermatologists, top plastic surgeons and cosmetic doctors. These products (that are known to deliver what is promised) are not always easily obtained as they are often specialist products, but are worth sourcing as they really do go the extra mile. My favourites include Clinical Skincare, Medik8, Exuviance Skincare, Skinceuticals, and Neostrata Skincare, all of which can be used on Asian skin.
The skin is the biggest organ in your body and deserves to be treated with the very best and most effective products you can afford. So go ahead and make that investment, you won’t regret it.
Tip 4: It is sensible to begin looking after your skin meticulously at least 6 months prior to your wedding. A 6 month skin management plan will afford you several benefits, and allow you to get your skin into peak condition ahead of your big day. A consultation with a skin care expert is prudent, in particular if you suffer from acne or hyperpigmentation, in order for you to address these issues in plenty of time.
Hyperpigmentation can be treated with skincare products that brighten the skin an increase luminosity. As hyperpigmentation and age spots are common in the Asian population (the Asian market leads the globe in the number of products on the market to treat hyperpigmentation issues, Asia alone accounts for 37% of the overall worldwide sales in this category) there are several ways to improve its appearance. The most obvious, and indeed effective, is the use of sunscreen with a high SPF to protect the skin from developing and further blemishes. There are options such as the aforementioned chemical peels that can help but a dermatologist or other skin expert will be able to advise you on the best course of action.
The stress of planning a wedding can make brides susceptible to skin conditions that they don’t usually suffer from, including acne. Treating acne on Asian skin presents special challenges that are often overlooked by the manufacturers of the most popular acne care products. The products that work on other skin types can be harmful for Asian skin. Any product that foams, fizzes, or tingles can damage Asian skin, but products with tiny bubbles in a thin lather are unlikely to cause any damage. Acne prone Asian skin needs to be hydrated rather than dried out, and so it is best to avoid any skincare product that contains alcohol. Again, if the acne is very problematic it may be necessary to consult a skin care expert who can advise a course of treatment such as microdermabrasion, or chemical peels to treat scarring.
If you have lines and wrinkles that need addressing before your big day then you may wish to consult an aesthetic practitioner with a view to wrinkle relaxing injections, and/or fillers. If you have lost weight in preparation for the wedding then this can result in the loss of facial volume and wrinkles and lines appearing more pronounced, and you may wish to remedy this non-surgically.
Tiredness and stress can cause dark circles and bags under the eyes – these can be addressed in various ways depending on their cause and severity. Abstaining from drinking alcohol and smoking can help prevent dark circles from occurring as can getting 7 or 8 hours sleep per night and keeping hydrated. Dark circles and under eye bags that are more stubborn and have occurred due to age – related thinning of the skin and loss of volume in the orbital area may require the administration of a dermal filler into the tear-trough area, or even the more drastic option of blepharoplasty surgery if it is warranted and there is enough recovery time before the wedding.
Tip 5 : How we nourish and treat our bodies is often reflected in our skin – eating a high fat and sugar laden diet will lead to lacklustre skin, brittle nails and dull and lifeless hair. A clean diet devoid of junk food and which includes plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables will provide your body and skin with the nutrients it needs in order to function properly and look its best. Arguably, eating well is the most important thing you can do for your skin.
Eating antioxidant packed fruit and vegetables will protect skin from cellular damage caused by free radicals. Betacarotene (found in pumpkins, carrots and sweet potatoes), and lutein (found in kale and spinach) are potent anti-oxidants which are important for a healthy skin tone. Vitamin C (found in blackcurrants, blueberries, broccoli, kiwi fruits and strawberries to name but a few) helps produce collagen that plumps up the skin.
Selenium is also a powerful antioxidant. It works alongside other antioxidants such as vitamins E and C and is essential for the immune system. Studies suggest that a selenium-rich diet can help to protect against skin cancer, sun damage and age spots. One way to boost your intake is to eat Brazil nuts. Just four nuts will provide the recommended daily amount (RDA). Mix Brazil nuts with other seeds rich in vitamin E as a snack or salad sprinkle. Other good sources are fish, shellfish, eggs, shellfish, , wheatgerm, and broccoli.
It’s essential to drink plenty of water in order to hydrate the skin and flush toxins out of the body, and a minimum of 7 hours sleep per night will allow your body to repair and rejuvenate skin. If you add a little exercise, which improves blood flow to the skin and subsequently helps rid it of toxins this will help your skin to appear fresh and dewy. It will also have a positive effect on your figure and mood, in particular if you’re suffering from pre-wedding anxiety.
Doing these things will help keep your skin soft, supple and blemish free before your big day, and you can concentrate on being a fabulous bride.
