A skincare essential that boosts the immune system

An additional step to your daily skincare regimen does the body good, both inside and out

The Korean skincare routine is basking in its warranted heyday. But in case you didn’t know, the immaculate complexion sported by Koreans is achieved only through the use of numerous products, from moisturizers to sheet masks. Now added to the ever growing loot are skin boosters, which beauty experts are swearing by.

Skin boosters boast a plethora of benefits, starting from pore unclogging. Most kinds contain vitamin C, which can address hyperpigmentation and prevent premature skin aging. Studies show that skin boosters make the skin’s outermost layer, the stratum corneum, more intact, which is crucial for the immune system. Boosting the said barrier prevents infection and dehydration and will result in a healthy glow.

Skin boosters are applied after cleansing and toning and before applying serums, because unlike the latter, which primarily retain the skin’s moisture and targets only certain problems, skin boosters nurture the overall skin surface.

Brands have been championing the product, making use of probiotics along with integrating a healthy dose of surface hydrators in their formulas, like flaxseed and glasswort extracts. Elizabeth Arden’s national training manager David Whyte explains how boosters allow the skin to perform at its optimum state while still keeping enough bacteria around that skin cells need: ‘‘Just like we have good and bad bacteria in our gut flora, we have bacterial microflora on the surface of our skin, which is essential for maintaining the health of the skin.”

Ultimately, skin boosters make other skin products work more efficiently. It’s the essential top coat to protect skin from toxins.

Staying beautiful and healthy doesn’t come without a price tag, but with the inevitable pollution and other noxious substances we encounter on a daily basis, the best bet is to invest on the care of our first layer of defense. Just be cautious of the amount you apply as it would depend on your skin’s level of dryness. Results are visible shortly, evident in the three signs of healthy-looking skin: softness, evenness, and radiance.