BEAUTIFUL IN YOUR OWN SKIN
Beauty brand aims to help those with severe dry skin conditions care for their skin.
MOST people often perceive beauty as having a glowing face and flawless skin, when in fact, having inner confidence is what real beauty is all about.
It is about being comfortable with yourself, and that includes accepting your body and skin condition.
Beauty brand Dove has introduced its latest Derma Series to empower women who suffer from severely dry and sensitive skin conditions with a skin-soothing solution, to help unlock their skin’s potential to become healthy from within.
Dry skin occurs due to a lack of moisture in the outer cell layer of skin, the stratum corneum. In severe dry skin conditions, the stratum corneum becomes dysfunctional, and as such, is unable to repair itself. This results in cracked, itchy and painful skin.
Derma Series is completely hypoallergenic and fragrance-free, and can help to elevate the skin’s natural processes in restoring and rejuvenating skin.
Those living with severely sensitive and dry skin often face social challenges as our skin condition not only affects physical appearance, but also one’s well-being too as self-esteem and psychological health take a hit.
Leading psycho dermatologist Dr Evan Rieder said that focusing on the person as well as the condition is critical to the success of the treatment.
“In the study of psycho-dermatology, we look at the two-way relationship between the mind and body to ensure that we’re treating the person as well as the skin condition.
“When you have very dry skin, your body care regimen should be your salvation physically and emotionally. Skincare needs to work on a physical level, and go hand in hand with an emotional and sensuous approach, generating a sense of much-needed mindfulness. Today, body care has never been more personal or intimate,” she said.
Beauty brand Dove hopes to change the way those living with dry skin conditions care for their skin.
It has come up with a “Make Peace With Dry Skin” campaign to empower women with sensitive skin to help them feel confident, positive and be proud of their skin.
Be happy with yourself
Charlene Hor has had to put up with red dots on her skin since she was young. As her career progressed, her skin condition deteriorated as it flared up even more. Doctors’ appointments, creams, pills and emotional rides dictated her life.
“Everyday, I had to face clients despite of my skin condition. I get stares and feel that they are looking at my skin – it can be very uncomfortable,” said the 29-year-old freelance financial planner.
“I have since learnt to be confident with my own skin, because it’s the person beneath the skin that matters, and how you interact with others. I have become more aware of how I want to be as a person.
“I want to tell women with similar skin conditions to just be happy, be who you are. Take care of yourself and be more aware of your body needs, that’s when you are beautiful,” advised Hor.
Making peace with her skin
For 26-year-old Farah Abdul Jalin, her skin condition took a turn for the worse during her university days.
“The assignments, quizzes and exams as well as the hot and humid Malaysian weather affected my sensitive skin. “The more I worried about my skin, the more stressed I was and the worse it became,” said the auditor.
Things changed for Farah when she finally realised the amount of positive energy she got from her family, supportive friends and boyfriend.
“My skin concerns are still there, but when my skin flares up, I approach this more confidently now.
“At the end of the day, you can’t compare yourself to others. Now I just compare myself to yesterday’s me, and try to be more positive and enjoy life. Making peace with my skin helped me be who I am,” she added.
Accepting yourself for who you are
For Michelle Loo Sian Yin, 31, her skin reacted when she had to juggle between being a mother and teacher.
“My fingers would flare up so badly that tasks like opening a water bottle or holding a pencil would be painful.
“Some days, my skin would crack so badly that I would completely lose my fingerprints. I felt frustrated as I couldn’t do the job I needed to, and it felt as if my condition was taking over my identity.
“Initially, I struggled with low confidence and worried about how people looked at me, especially when they shook my hand,” she said, adding that she felt more at ease after learning to accept her skin condition.
“Real beauty is acceptance of yourself. I now believe I’m at my most confident, and my confidence has grown because of my kids. Dry skin doesn’t set me apart, it’s my family as they define me,” said the mother of two.
Realising your skin’s potential
Aimed at doing good for the skin as much as it feels good on the skin, the new Dove Derma Series offers everyone a chance of realising their skin’s potential to be beautiful.
The latest range of products are formulated with three key factors: moisturisers targeting transepidermal water loss from skin; ingredients that help skin repair; and ingredients that help soothe irritated or inflamed skin.
Pioneering the mild cleansing revolution 60 years ago, the Dove Derma Series cleansers are said to help skin rebuild its lipid barrier, protect corneocytes and reduce moisture loss from the outermost layer of the skin. The new series of moisturisers work to moisturise skin as well as activate PPAR (a protein found in skin) to replenish skin lipids and improve the quality of skin’s outermost layer.
Its has four new products. Dry Skin Relief Gentle Cleansing Body Wash has a unique blend of skin-natural lipids, sunflower oil and mild-cleansing actives that makes it 10 times more nourishing than a regular body wash while Dry Skin Relief Replenishing Body Lotion, infused with Amino Silk Complex and PPAR-activating technology, replenishes dry skin while providing 24-hour lasting comfort and restoring barrier function over time.
Dry Skin Relief Replenishing Hand Cream, optimised for faster absorption leaves no sticky feeling; and Dry Skin Relief Expert Repairing Balm works to repair stubborn dry spots including knees, elbows and heels, locking in moisture, and nourishes skin back to health.
In addition to the lotions and cream being quick absorbing, the body wash also has superior textures and a creamy lather which adds to the comfort of users.
Derma Series is available at all Watsons, Guardian, Aeon Wellness, Caring and Play-Up Advanced stores as well as online on Lazada, Shopee, Watsons online and Guardian online.
Lazada shoppers are entitled to RM20 off with RM80 worth of Dove Derma Series products when they use the promo code DOVEDERMA20S. Valid from now until Aug 17.
I am in control, not the dots on my skin.
Charlene
When my skin flares up, I bring it down with confidence.
Farah
I will leave my mark, with or without fingerprints.
Michelle