Here’s How To Get Glowing, Dewy Skin Without The Unwanted Oily Shine
Cracking the secret to glowing skin can be challenging and first, we must understand the difference between dewy glowing skin and an oily, shiny sheen, the latter of course, is what we want to avoid in this tropical climate of ours. Humidity doesn't favour products that are too rich and heavy, so it definitely requires a different approach to maintain fresh, dewy and glowing skin in Malaysia’s sunny weather.
Plus, with the constant exposure to external aggressors such as UV rays and pollution amongst others, we end up becoming prone to a plethora of skincare concerns such as dark spots, enlarged pores, excess sebum and sun damage. On top of this, as one of the most stressed out countries in the world, the effects of this will inevitably show up on our skin, rendering us further away from the goal of dewy, glowing skin.
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Here are some top tips alongside our favourite go-to beauty products, from essences and serums to cleansers and moisturisers, to help us beat the humidity and achieve our glowing skin goals:
1/7 The key to glowing skin is a good cleanse
It is never a good idea to skip on cleansing in this hot and humid climate of ours even if you are in an air-conditioned room most of the time. You'd be surprised to know how much buildup your skin accumulates through the day so as a start for your glowing skincare routine, it’s extremely important to thoroughly cleanse the impurities off your skin. Here is our top pick for a cleanser that helps to clear your pores without stripping the moisture off your skin.
SK-II Facial Treatment Gentle Cleanser
Infused with SK-II’s signature and exclusive PITERA™ and White Willow Extract, SK-II’s gentle foaming cleanser exfoliates skin and removes impurities and pores without stripping our skin’s essential oils. At the same time, it also keeps the skin moisturized. PITERA™ contains over 50 micro-nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, amino acids and organic acids, to condition your skin texture for a smoother, silky complexion while boosting the absorption of your next skincare regimen. A pearl-sized amount of this cleanser is all you need to achieve that healthy, glowing complexion.
Tatler Tip: Foam and massage the cleanser gently into your face in circular motions, and don’t forget your neck.
Price
RM249 (120g)
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2/7 Clarify with a Toner to reveal the glow
Skincare buffs may be familiar with the reputation that toners used to have (a long time ago!) for being too astringent, and incredibly drying, all of which are just the opposite of what we would need to achieve glowing skin. These days, with improved research and technology, toners have evolved so much and do just the opposite. A good toner delivers hydration and helps remove impurities off the surface of the skin and these are our absolute favourites.
SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion
Our skin goes through a natural exfoliating process daily and the SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion helps to enhance this process. Formulated with PITERATM and Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA), the hydrating toner has an exfoliative effect, which effectively clears dead skin cells, dirt and remove stubborn impurities. AHA has also been known to reduce visible signs of sun damage. The appearance of dullness and uneven skin tone will be eliminated, leaving you with fresh-looking skin.
Tatler Tip: Gently wipe the entire face with a saturated cotton pad, starting with the T-Zone, followed by upward and outward motion from your chin towards the cheek. Use the other side of the cotton pad to wipe the neck area in an upward motion.
Price
RM275 (230ml)
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Herbivore Botanicals Jasmine Green Tea Balancing Toner
Made with organic jasmine water infused with antioxidant-rich green tea, white willow bark and witch hazel, this natural and vegan toner soothes and reduces the appearance of redness.
Tatler Tip: Simply spritz this onto your skin after cleansing in the morning and evening to reap its magical benefits.
Price
RM169 (120ml)
3/7 The Importance of an Essence to get glowing skin
Facial essences are an important part of a skincare routine because it bolsters the benefits of all the other products in your routine and allows your serums and moisturiser to better absorb into the skin. If you’re trying to obtain that dewy, glowing complexion, a light layer of moisturising essence is a key step you wouldn’t want to miss and these are the essences you should add to cart right now.
SK-II Facial Treatment Essence
Known as the ‘miracle water’, this lightweight yet powerful Facial Treatment Essence contains over 90 per cent PITERA™, an SK-II exclusive natural bio-ingredient derived from yeast fermentation, which resembles skin's natural moisturising factors (NMF). The PITERA™ based essence mimics our skin surface, letting it easily absorb all the goodness of the essence in.
Packed with vitamins, amino acids and minerals, PITERA™ keeps skin's fluctuations in check, boosts regeneration of cells, balance skin's pH level, reverse signs of ageing, reduce dark spot and revitalises for a clear, hydrated complexion.
Tatler Tip: Pour 2-3 shakes of the SK-II PITERA™ Essence into your palms & pat it with your hands until your skin fully absorbs it.
Price
RM759 (230ml)
Fresh Black Tea Kombucha Facial Treatment Essence
This glow-enhancing and silky, lightweight essence water is made out of kombucha, which is rich in vitamins, and organic acids. The toner defends against pollutio, prevents premature ageing, minimises pores and increases luminosity for a radiant complexion.
Price
RM306 (150ml)
4/7 A glowing boost of Serum / Facial Oil
To really amp up your glowing skincare routine, add a layer of serum or facial oil to give your skin the boost it needs to beat daily external stressors. It is a minimal but powerful step with major skin benefits especially if you pick the right product based on your skin type and the skin care concern you're targeting. Here are our go-to(s) for glowing skin without the shine.
SK-II GenOptics Aura Essence
Packed with radiance-enhancing ingredients such as GenOptics Aura Complex, PITERA™, Ume and Prunus extract, this lightweight brightening serum has vitamins, minerals, antioxidant and anti-glycation properties to deliver effective results. With regular use, it will help prevent the appearance of dullness, improve the appearance of skin tone, reduce appearance of visible dark spots caused by sun damage and oxidative stress, revealing a radiant complexion and helping you achieve your glowing skin goals.
Tatler Tip: Apply a pump of this potent serum following the PITERA™ Essence to reap the best benefits.
Price
RM1,179 (75ml)
Drunk Elephant Virgin Marula Luxury Facial Oil
Formulated with marula fruit straight from the pip, powerful antioxidants as well as omega-6 and 9, the face oil absorbs quickly into skin to diminish fine lines and wrinkles. Star ingredient marula nourishes and balances to restore that youthful glow.
Price
RM313 (30ml)
Kora Organics By Miranda Kerr Noni Glow Face Oil
This vegan and organic treatment oil has a combination of noni extract, rose hip, pomegranate and sea buckthorn oil that's full of antioxidants and essential fatty acids. The rich yet delicate oil absorbs quickly into the skin to diminish blemishes and scarring while boosting skin's health for a natural glow.
Price
RM258 (30ml)
Sunday Riley C.E.O. Glow Vitamin C + Turmeric Face Oil
Powered by Vitamin C and turmeric, this face oil gives your skin an instant boost thanks to skin-loving botanicals such as red raspberry oil, evening primrose and ginger.
Price
RM357 (35ml)
5/7 Always Moisturise
Yes, we want to achieve a dewy glow without an oily sheen but don’t skip the moisturiser even if you have oily or combination skin. Moisturising is an important step to help balance your skin's complexion and keep sebum levels in check. If rich and heavy creams don’t work for your skin, here are some lightweight moisturisers that work well for our weather.
Origins Ginzing Oil-Free Energy-Boosting Gel Moisturiser
Wake tired skin up in the morning with this energy-boosting moisturiser fortified with coffee beans and panax ginseng. Promising at least 72 hours of hydration, your skin will thank you for its improved radiance.
Price
RM125 (50ml)
Farmacy Daily Greens Oil-Free Gel Moisturizer With Moringa And Papaya
Get your daily dose of green with this oil-free and lightweight moisturiser that doesn't leave your skin feeling greasy. Packed with papaya and moringa seed extracts, the moisturiser gently exfoliates as well as purifies skin to reveal a fresh-looking complexion. This vegan, cruelty-free formula also contains hyaluronic acid and a blend of phytonutrients known to clear pores and reduce shine.
Price
RM200 (50ml)
La Mer Créme de la Mer
Renowned as a miracle broth, the Crème de la Mer is infused the self-generating giant sea kelp, which helps unlock the powers of cell-renewal and heals dry skin with deep moisture. The luxurious cream visibly soothes skin and acts as a natural barrier against environmental stressors to give your skin a healthier and radiant skin, while diminishing the appearance of lines and wrinkles.
Price
RM1,395 (60ml)
6/7 When in doubt, mask it out
A good facial mask makes the perfect pampering treatment to help you with your skincare concerns. If you’re under the weather and feeling stressed, your skin will be the one paying the price as it will gradually appear dull and dreary if left unaddressed. Our top tip to bring back that glow is through a routine mask, especially one that can help hydrate the skin, remove excess oils and improve the appearance of your pores. Such masks are perfect in our tropical climate and will help you on your road to achieving that radiant glow – stat. Try one of these.
Allies Of Skin 1A Retianl + Peptides Overnight Mask
This multi-tasking overnight mask boost skin's immunity and natural reparative process while accelerating renewal of cells. Supercharged with retinaldehyde, a stabilised form of retinol that combats blemishes, reduces wrinkles, and reverses sun damage. This creamy formula also contains organic argan oil and multiple peptides that reinvigorates dull-looking skin.
Price
RM386 (50ml)
Tata Harper Resurfacing Mask
The Resurfacing Mask instantly transforms a dull complexion into glowing, healthy-looking skin by accelerating cell renewal, minimising pores, and reducing redness with no less than 11 powerful ingredients including BHA from white willow bark and pomegranate enzymes.
Price
RM271 (30ml)
7/7 Keep your skin glowing all day with a facial mist
At times, our skin just needs that midday pick-me-up, especially when we are filtering in and out of air-conditioned malls to beat the heat. Facial mists are great for giving yourself a much-needed boost of cooling hydration whenever you feel the need to hit refresh without disturbing your existing skincare or make-up. Just a sprirtz of these great facial mists and you’ll be on your way to glow city.
Dr. Roebucks Bondi Hydrating Mist
The Bondi Hydrating Mist is a Vitamin B3-booster formulated with Australian superfruit, Kakadu plum, and cucumber to protect the skin from everyday environmental aggressors. The fresh-scented mist also calms skin while reducing the appearance of blemishes and sun damage.
Price
RM97 (100ml)
Caudalie Beauty Elixir
Caudalie’s Beauty Elixir is infused with extracts of grape, rosemary, orange blossom, rose, myrrh and organic balm mint that instantly soothe and relax skin.
Tatler Tip: It doubles as a toner and a face serum, and a spritz of this is a quick way to refresh, tone and prep skin.
Price
RM195 (100ml)
Tatcha Luminous Dewy Skin Mist
Boasting botanical oils such as Okinawa red algae and hyaluronic acid, this mist delivers and replenishes moisture as well as protects your foundation from caking.
Tatler Tip: The silky and fine texture makes it a great touch-up mist under and on top of your make-up
Price
RM200 (40ml)
The connection between sleep and glowing skin is stronger than you think—your body slips into repair mode and begins producing new collagen, which allows for the skin to appear more youthful. On top of this, your body boosts blood flow to the skin so you can look forward to glowing skin once the sun rises.
Keep yourself healthy—both mentally and physically
From yoga to running, physical activity that makes you break a sweat helps in both releasing toxins and also circulating blood. On top of this, a quick 30 minutes of exercise goes a long way in helping you to destress, take time off work and focus on yourself. Stress is one of the biggest causes of dull, dreary skin, so don’t forget to take a step back and practice mindfulness – your skin will thank you for it.
Brought to you by SK-II.