Understanding your skin

> How to choose the right Derma Skincare

WITH increasing levels of stress in our daily lives, combined with adverse environmental factors, our skin is bound to deteriorate. It is therefore unsurprising that Derma Skincare products are becoming increasingly popular. With the large selection of brands of skincare in the market, it is important to educate yourself to make the correct choice for yourself.

Associate Prof Dr Adrian Yong said: “The cosmeceutical market is mature throughout the world. However, not all brands available in the market have been dermatologically tested for efficacy and safety.”

He added that Derma Skincare developed by dermatologists and chemists have gone through many clinical studies therefore the efficacy and safety of the products have been established.

He said that since dermatologists understand the difference between skin types and skin conditions hence they know the best ways to care for skin and manage its challenges such as acne, oil control and sensitive skin.

In conclusion, only after understanding your skin well, can you have a chance at choosing a skincare product that is suitable to solve your problem.

Here, Yong shares a few tips with theSun readers on how to choose the most suitable Derma Skincare products for your skin.

OILY AND ACNE-PRONE SKIN

Myth: Wash your face frequently using exfoliating facial cleanser. Truth: Excessive washing using unsuitable products will further aggravate the skin. The symptoms of acne-prone skin include skin peeling, increased sebum secretion, bacterial growth and skin inflammation. Solution: Choose Derma Skincare which contains four active ingredients such as L-carnitine, decanediol, lactic acid and licochalcone extract. These ingredients can directly target the root cause of acne by reducing its sebum secretion, provide antibacterial effect and tighten pores.

Besides that, salicylic acid and mandelic acid can help remove dead skin cells and reduce sebum secretion. However, it cannot regulate inflammation.

DRY SKIN

Myth: Choose a rich and thick face cream. Truth: Skin pores can be clogged if you apply a thick cream onto dry and peeling skin. Dry skin indicates that sebum production is inadequate leading to the inability to retain moisture. The skin's protective layer is also weakened hence it is easily irritated and becomes red with rashes. This can cause the skin to feel tight or rough with poor elasticity, wrinkles and fine lines may occur. Solution: Use products which contain hyaluronic acid and glycine-saponin which can lock-in moisture while increasing skin's natural moisturising factor.

SENSITIVE SKIN

Myth: Only use products that are made from natural ingredients. Truth: The use of natural ingredients in skincare is not governed so it can be difficult to determine if the products touted as "natural" are authentic, pure, safe or efficient. What's more, many different things can trigger a reaction – from stress and sunlight to the weather and even the products we use because sensitive skin reacts to substances that may be perfectly fine for normal or nonsensitive skin. Solution: Products with a mildly acidic pH level have been proven to strengthen skin's defences by stimulating its natural protective enzymes. For example, Eucerin's pH5 shower gel and lotion can help stabilise skin's pH value while strengthening the skin barrier.

AGEING SKIN

Myth: Frequent use of skincare can slow down skin ageing. Truth: Ageing skin is affected by genetics, hormonal changes, slower metabolism and blood circulation, with smoking, UV exposure and pollution adding to the problem. This can lead to skin dryness and sensitivity, reduced elasticity, dullness and the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Solution: To address this multitude of challenges requires using products containing a precise combination of proven ingredients, backed by clinical research, to help stimulate the natural processes of the skin, restoring radiance and improving skin texture. This includes supplying vital nutrients that support connective tissues and cell renewal, as well as ingredients that fight the effects of free radicals and UV exposure.