Skincare has become so specialized that a one-size-fits-all regimen just no longer flies.
Take skin toners, for instance. Prestige beauty brands now have toner formulations that claim to be customized in addressing concerns for every skin age.
Not biological age, as one might think, says Karen Kee, regional trainer of the French company Clarins. Biological age, she explains, isn’t always an accurate measure for determining a woman’s skin condition, as a woman in her 20s could have more fine lines and premature wrinkles than another woman in her 40s. It all boils down to one’s genes and lifestyle.
Clarins’ new line of anti-aging toners, or “treatment essences,” as it calls them, are the first step to every anti-aging routine, Kee says. The range is formulated for Asian women, rich in plant extracts that boost the benefits of one’s daily skincare routine.
The essence breaks the barrier that allows the beneficial ingredients to be absorbed into the skin. The older the skin, the harder it is for anti-aging molecules or cosmetic ingredients to break through this barrier.
Three variants
Clarins’ Multi-Active Treatment Essence Vitality (pink) has teasel extract to boost skin vitality, and acerola seed extract to enhance skin radiance. This is made for women who are beginning to exhibit fine lines and early wrinkles, says Kee.
The Extra-Firming Treatment Essence Bounciness (peach) targets wrinkles and skin sagging, and reinforces the skin’s structure with its lemon thyme and green banana extracts.
The Super Restorative Treatment Essence Smoothness (red) is for older skin or women needing help for hormonal skin aging. It contains ginseng and green coffee extracts to stimulate collagen production and help smooth the skin, and pueraria lobata to reactivate skin renewal.
The latter is the most potent, but Kee doesn’t recommend it for women who may not yet need that strong a formulation.
“I could say yes, go for it, since that would be better for sales since it’s the most expensive variant,” she says. “But it will be a waste if your skin is not yet at that stage. Go for what suits your skin condition.”
Clarins is exclusively available at Rustan’s.
