5 Easy Ways to Amp Up Your Skin’s Luminosity

I have always spied on Korean drama actresses and wondered the secret to the Korean dewy skin. You’ve probably heard of it – the rave about perfect, poreless, fair, dewy complexion has now been amplified to another level. If you are one of the lucky ones who got bored of luminous dewy skin, here’s another shot for you – Glass Skin. In pursuit of the perfect complexion, the next move up the dewy skin ladder is “Glass skin”. This requires a dedicated buff-and-shine skin regime to achieve that clear, crystalline, water-glow effect, like a piece of clear glass. Clear, dewy skin has always been a sign of youth in parts of Asia. And now, like a fancy and much anticipated iPhone or Samsung upgrade, clear, glassy skin looks set to overtake its predecessor. For those who have not heard of it yet, glass skin refers to perfectly smooth, clear, crystalline, shiny skin, like a piece of clear glass. We spoke to Dr Michelle Lim from The SW1 Clinic on tips Continue Reading

Bring the Sexy Back: How to Banish Back Acne & Marks

Whether you are fashion girl basking in the southern summer sun or braving the northern winter winds, the allure of the sexy back is eternal, season after season, year after year. So does back acne (or bacne, in short) and its scarring aftermath – which can serve as one of those helpful reminders that the universe tends toward chaos and complications. Acne is like the worst kind of house guest: It shows up uninvited at the least convenient time, overstays its welcome, and leaves a mess after it’s gone. The breakouts on your chest and back tend to be a little different than the acne on your face. While some may see zits on their shoulders, chest and back just their facial acne, many cases of isolated bacne spots may be technically folliculitis, which is when the hair follicle becomes infected. However, it looks the same as facial pimples and is treated the same skincare ingredients and medications.   Bolt To The Shower After Your Workout One of the first Continue Reading

Acne Fighting Guide – Pit Bacteria Against Bacteria to Get Rid Of Acne

The ultimate guide to fighting acne would usually include using acne products such as a deep cleanser, an astringent toner, pimple creams, and oil-free moisturizers. Doctors will usually include a topical antibiotic preparation into the regime, or start their patients on oral antibiotics. A recent trend in skincare for troubled skin is the use of topical probiotics. Yes, I am referring to applying things like Acidophilus on your skin. In case it doesn’t ring a bell, probiotics contain live bacterial cultures, exactly like those you find in yogurt, or what my 3 year old son likes – Yakult. In fact, people who regularly consume fermented food such as the Japanese natto (really smelly, fermented beans), korean kimchi, kombucha and kefir or those who take probiotic supplements have noted reduction in their acne. The basis for this is that scientists have found that people with healthy, clear skin have antimicrobial peptides that are produced by bacteria which selectively act against acne-causing bacteria.   Why Probiotics Are Good For Acne-Prone Skin In Continue Reading

5 Things You Need To Know Before Getting That Lip Filler

The lips are usually not the first feature that people rush to augment, but in the last 5 years, the plump pout has clearly become popular. We are not talking about simple lip liner jobs which only go as far as giving you limited headway with overlining or shading. We are talking about delectably filled lips, like Kylie Jenner’s. But before you rush into it, know that lip filler results may not result in the most natural-looking set of lips. We spoke to Dr Low Chai Ling, founder of the SW1 Clinic, and she gave 5 insider tips to help you sidestep the botched filler job and emerge a winner in the sexy lip lane.   1. You Need To Prepare For It   First of all, leave Kylie Jenner’s photo at home. If you have super thin lips and want to go from nothing to everything at one go, the likelihood of having your lips overfilled is probably 100%. Overfilled lips tend to have the cosmetically made (or botched) Continue Reading

5 Things To Start Now To Look Younger Than Your Friends in 10 Years’ Time

If you ever need a reminder at how fast you might be aging, look at your friends. Women, especially, age at dramatic speed once they hit 35, and after they have had kids. If you are still quite happy with the way you look, congratulations! But time does have its way of creeping up on people, and who’s to say who will look better as they age? Well, I have always been careful of the saying “burning the candle at both ends”, and now, in my late 30s, I am fairly comforted by the fact that I look younger than my real age. It takes a bit of effort, a little investment but you will thank yourself when you go for your next class reunion and log that youthful-looking face in a photo.   Build Up Your Collagen Bank   First of all, think of your skin’s collagen stores like a piggy bank. Collagen is abundant (like how parents put hard-earned money raising children) when we are young, but this Continue Reading