When it comes to anti-aging, Asia leads in innovation and expertise. Learn how SPFs, UPF clothing and following a traditional asian inspired beauty skincare routine, can bring out your best skin.
Asia is rich in historical culture and thousand year old beauty rituals. (Ever heard of a nightingale poo facial?) With so many years of skincare knowledge, Asia definitely knows the secrets to beautiful, youthful skin. Travel a little further south of Asia you will find Australia, where the climate is more harsher on your skin. Australia has, out of necessity, become world leaders in SPF formulation and SPF efficacy with some of the strictest SPF regulations anywhere in the world.
But, let’s start in Asia. You can’t talk about skincare without talking about the founders of modern day skincare, Japan and Korea. These two nations are at the leading edge of skincare product innovation. However, they have distinct differences. Japanese consumers look for skincare perfection. They desire a pore-less, translucent and flawless complexion, trying to maintain perfect skin quality. While the Korean consumer desires an overall illumination or dewy, glowy complexion, resulting in a more youthful radiance. Combine these two concepts, and you have the most powerful anti-aging tools in your arsenal. Let’s break down the steps you need to follow to get that flawless Asian glow.
Asia’s Anti-Aging Beauty Secret #1: Glowy, dewy complexions
A youthful, dewy complexion full of bouncy collagen is the intention for most people. So how do those in Asia achieve this? Well, typically by following a rigorous skincare regime. There are sometimes 5, 8, or even 11 steps to follow, consisting of double cleansing, toning, toning again, a combination of serums to treat issues, moisturising, and retinol. Some people may very well enjoy a comprehensive 11 step skincare regime, however you can condense the key steps and still reap the benefits of Asia’s anti-ageing beauty secrets.
Step 1: Double Cleanse
A double cleanse is imperative to achieve a flawless complexion. But first, what is a double cleanse? It’s essentially washing your face twice. The first cleanse removes make-up and your SPF. (Yes, you need SPF daily! Don’t question if you should, just put it on) And the second cleanse, actually CLEANS your skin. Cleans it from dirt, pollution, sweat, oil, dead skin cells and sometimes any left over make-up or SPF that was left behind after the fist cleanse.
Step 2: Tone
Now that we have a beautiful blank, clean canvas we want to apply a toner. The toner serves a double purpose. First, to remove any oil or grease that may have been left behind from cleansing. And secondly, it neutralises the pH of the skin in order for the next steps to be better absorbed.
Step 3: Serums
Now that our skin is clean and pH prepped we are ready to add a serum. This can be any serum targeted to your individual needs. For example, if you have pigmentation, acne or any anti-aging (retinol) needs, use serums specifically targeted for those concerns.
Step 4: Moisturise
Lock in all these delicious serums with a great moisturiser. A moisturise’s purpose is to lock in moisture from the atmosphere or moisturise already in your skin. They typically contain emollients, humectants or occlusives which aid in the protection of your skin.
Asia’s Anti-Aging Beauty Secret #2: The best SPFs start in Asia.
Every dermatologist will agree that applying an SPF to your skin daily, is the number one secret to anti-aging.
Australia are the world leaders in sun protection. They’ve had to be, with some of the word’s harshest sun environments and the highest rates of skin melanomas, they truly understand SPF protection. Some of SPFs best brands have been born in Australia. They have come out of rigorous scientific and technological advanced studies.
Supreme Screen SPF 50+
SPF 50+ Moisturiser, Very-Good-Sun-Protection and Primer. A hydrating, high SPF formula with a clean scent. An all-rounder that’s perfect for normal to dry skin.
SunSense Ultra SPF 50+
A great family sunscreen, SunSense Ultra is easily applied and readily absorbed, with no greasy residue. It provides very high sun protection and moisturising vitamin B3 to help care for your skin.
Ultra UV Protective Moisturiser SPF 50 Hydrating
This best-selling, hydrating, non-whitening, and lightweight formula protects the skin from harmful UVA and UVB rays to help prevent premature skin ageing.
Suitable for normal to dry skin types.
Relief Sun
Fitted with broad-spectrum SPF 50+ PA++++ to fend off UVA and UVB rays, this organic sunscreen comes in a lightweight and quick-absorbent texture that doesn’t leave a white cast. Additional ingredients of rice extract and grain-derived probiotics help keep skin supple and hydrated. Formulated without oxybenzone, octinoxate and animal-derived ingredients, the Relief Sun is suitable for sensitive skin.
Watery Essence Aqua Rich SPF 50+
Colourless, light, watery texture that is easily absorbed and does not leave any sticky after feel. It also contains Hyaluronic Acid, Royal Jelly Extract and Butylene Glycol for moisturizing. The innovative Micro Defense formula prevents uneven application and forms an invisible waterproof shield on skin without feeling sticky.
Asia’s Anti-Aging Beauty Secret #3: UPF Clothing offers additional protection
In Japan, women cover themselves up religiously from head to toe from the sun with the help of UPF clothing. UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) clothing indicates how much UV radiation a fabric allows to reach your skin. Additionally, a Japanese woman will never leave the house without her hat, or an umbrella to protect her from the sun’s harmful rays. Japanese women take pride in looking after their skin and a healthy, youthful complexion is sought after.
Companies like Uniqlo, BlueStone Sunshields, and UV Skinz are at the forefront of UPF technology.
WOMEN AIRism Mesh UV Protection Full-Zip Hoodie
Highly breathable AIRism mesh is smooth and refreshing to wear, while also providing UV protection.UPF50+. Comes in a multitude of colours
Full-Luxe Rainbow
Blocks 99% UVA and UVB rays. The transparent, adjustable lens can be worn up like a visor or down to provide protection across your entire face. Heat resistant lens means you can keep your cool even during the hottest days.
Bamboo Sun Sleeves
Made from UPF 50+ fabric. Perfect for golfing, driving, or any other outdoor activity, these unisex Bamboo Sun Sleeves provide comfortable coverage. Fingerless is a bonus, so you can still be tactile.
Your skin age is largely in your control. Therefore, make it a habit to look after your skin following the advice of Asia’s best anti-ageing beauty secrets above. Religiously apply SPF everyday, wear UPF clothing and a hat when outdoors. Your skin will hugely benefit from each of these habits and will reward you will beautiful, healthy, glowy skin for many years to come.
[…] in Cosmetic Science and Technology, 2017). For this reason, including a ceramide in your beauty routine is always a good idea, no matter what age you […]
[…] Korean beauty is the creme de la creme of the skincare world. Topping that list are Korean sunscreens. Korean SPFs are fantastic because they are elegant formulations. And what do we mean by that? It is: formulas that sit well under make-up, leave no eye-sting or sensitivity, leave no extreme white cast, no pilling, aren’t too greasy, aren’t heavily fragranced, are affordable, and leave that typical dewy Korean finish. Most of the formulations now also user UV filters which are even better at delivering sun protection. […]