NH ENG _Mac2022

NATURAL Beauty
By: Dr Low Dyoi-E
Consultant Dermatologist, Pantai Hospital Cheras (PHC)
deactivate the active ingredient or
affect the product’s overall pH.
Can you give an example of a
simple skincare routine that
you would recommend to a
patient who breaks out easily
or is prone to skin irritation?
A basic skincare routine should include
a gentle cleanser, moisturiser and
sunscreen. Those who are acne-prone
and have oily skin can choose a
stronger cleanser to remove the
excessive oil. The moisturiser can be
skipped – try switching to a toner with
retinol. Make sure your sunscreen is
lightweight. As for those with dry skin,
a gentle cleanser, moisturiser
(especially with ceramide and/or
hyaluronic acid) and sunscreen will be
good enough. Toner is optional for
those with very dry skin.
What are the three most
essential products to use in a
simple skincare routine?
A cleanser is mandatory. Leaving
makeup residue on the skin can cause
inflammation and premature ageing.
Additionally, sunscreens are essential
for Malaysians due to our sunny
climate. A good sunscreen helps
prevent premature ageing from daily
UV exposure. Moisturisers also help
maintain the skin barrier function and
give the skin an overall healthy and
hydrated look.
Some might argue retinol is an
essential product for anti-ageing, but it
must be used with care, especially for
those with sensitive skin, as retinol
might cause excessive skin peeling.
Besides these products, masks and
face mists can benefit people with dry,
sensitive skin, but they are not really
essential for those with oily skin.
Not all of us can use the same skincare
products or routines. For example,
toner is one of the products that’s not
necessary for everyone. It’s more
suitable for those with acne-prone
(oily) skin.
In fact, toners with retinol can reduce
sebum (oil) production, thus
preventing acne outbreaks. If a patient
with dry skin uses the toner excessively,
it might eventually lead to skin peeling
and allergic skin reactions.
Products aside, how can we
take better care of our skin?
Diet and hormonal factors play an
essential role in our skin health. It is
ideal for those with acne-prone skin to
reduce carbohydrate-rich food such as
rice, noodles, bread, and dairy
products. Instead, consume more
Vitamin C. Hormonal disturbances due
to lack of sleep, stress and
menstruation have been proven to
worsen acne. Lead a healthy lifestyle,
have a balanced diet, sleep early and
don’t stress yourself too much. As for
those with dry and sensitive skin, there
is no harm in taking probiotics to help
enhance the skin barrier function.
Simple skincare also means
simple ingredients in the
products. In your opinion,
what ingredients should
we avoid?
Whenever possible, try to avoid using
products with synthetic fragrances.
They might give the products a
welcoming smell, but prolonged use
would bring about allergic contact
dermatitis. Parabens are inexpensive
and a common preservative used in
many skincare products to keep the
product fresh. They also prevent the
product from harbouring harmful
bacteria. There have been an
increasing number of allergic skin
reactions following the usage of
products with parabens.
Another ingredient, Sodium Lauryl
Sulfate (SLS), is a foam booster and
cleansing agent that might irritate your
skin, eyes and lungs. It can also trigger
allergies. Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES)
is much gentler and doesn’t strip the
epidermis of any excess moisture.
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) is actually
the parent chemical modified to make
Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES). Both
SLS and SLES are commonly found in
shampoo, body wash and bubble
baths. Fortunately, many
manufacturers nowadays have reduced
the use of SLS and SLES in skincare
products.
In skincare, no one product applies to
all. Thus, skincare routines need to be
individualised, whether you have
normal or dry skin oily or sensitive skin.
For people with sensitive skin,
choosing simpler products and
maintaining a no-frills daily routine for
washing and moisturising your skin can
help you achieve healthier skin and
keep irritation and redness at bay.
Natural Health * March 2022 VOL 126
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