The Asian Woman’s Guide to Great Skin

Asian skin, which can range from very light to dark, contains more collagen than other ethnic skin types. This collagen helps stave off wrinkling that can occur earlier in people of other ethnicities – so many Asians look young well into their 50s. On the flip side, Asian skin is often more sensitive to chemicals than other ethnic skin types due to a thinner epidermis (or top) layer.

Exactly where wrinkles eventually appear on the face also depends on nationality. Research has shown that Chinese women typically have more severe wrinkles around the eyes compared with Japanese women, while Thai women tend to have more wrinkling in the lower halves of their faces compared with Chinese women.

Additionally, Asian skin is often oily and can be more prone to acne. And with the high humidity of many Asian climates, the problem can be even worse. Asians (particularly those with darker skin like Malaysians and Indians) are also generally more likely to experience post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) or dark spots that linger for weeks or months after acne has healed.

Skincare “Musts” for Asian Women:

● Cleanse With the Right Product. Wash morning and night with a cleanser that contains salicylic acid to help remove dead skin cells and keep pores clear. It can also help to use a cleansing brush or microdermabrasion tool to exfoliate more deeply.

● Prioritize a Moisturizer with SPF. Follow with a moisturizing SPF lotion packed with antioxidants to guard against both sun and surface free radical damage.

● Try a Spot-Fading Treatment. If you struggle with hyperpigmentation or dark spots, a spot-fading treatment can help give you a brighter, more even skin tone.

● Use a Different Moisturizer at Night. In the evening, use a brightening moisturizer with N-Acetyl Glucosamine and Niacinimide, which will leave skin glowing by promoting surface skin cell turnover and reducing the look of discolourations.

These simple skincare steps will help pave the way to your best beautiful skin — bright, smooth, and healthy-looking!

Sources:
http://www.mayoclinic.org/symptoms/dark-circles-under-eyes/basics/causes/sym-20050624
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMc4583889/ http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/704995_5 http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/704995_2