Fresh Face Forward

Starting the new year refreshed comes down to knowing your skincare essentials.

- JOSEPH LOW

Achieving a fresh, rejuvenated, and youthful appearance may be the beauty enthusiast's ultimate aspiration, but others will still recognise the importance of looking presentable.

Although foundations, concealers, eyeshadows, lipsticks and setting powders can undeniably enhance one's appearance, piling them on may only mask the fundamental issue that our bare skin may not be at its optimal state. Layering makeup not only exacerbates the compromised condition of the skin but also proves counterintuitive in achieving that youthful glow.

In this day and age, the adage "less is more" is truer than ever.

The basis of having a smooth facial complexion hinges on a solid skincare routine and a comprehensive understanding of the purposes behind each product applied to the skin. At present, several key ingredients serve as fundamental elements, ranging from acids (AHAS, BHAS, and PHAS) to vitamin C, ceramides, and retinols.

Among these, retinols stand out as perhaps the most misunderstood due to the intricacies surrounding this age-reversing ingredient.

In short, retinols are derived from vitamin A and belongs to a group of compounds called retinoids, which also includes other forms such as retinoic acid. For many, it is a potent ingredient that promises age-defying and anti-acne properties.