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We’ve just entered into phase two of our country’s reopening, and are steadily regaining some sense of normalcy amidst the global pandemic.

Unfortunately for those of us who have been anxiously waiting to get their facials and treatments done, we might have to wait a little longer as facial salons, spas, and aesthetic clinics may just be fully booked due to a sudden surge in demand island-wide.

However, if you think you’ll have to live with lacklustre skin for another few weeks, here’s some good news. There are ways to take good care of your skin and achieve skin radiance at home, including levelling up your skin care game with spa-grade products.

Read on for the seven skincare habits that will set you on the path towards a glowing complexion. Are you practising all of them?

Skin whitening tip #1: Hydration is essential

You may be surprised: aren’t we talking about brighter skin? What does this have to do with hydration?

But any skin expert that you speak to will put extra emphasis on the importance of hydration. Why? Because lack of moisture in your skin causes it to lose its lustre and accelerates the formation of signs of ageing faster.

Just think about the difference between a grape and a raisin (a dried grape). You know which skin texture you’d prefer to be yours.

Not only does keeping skin hydrated give a plumper, more supple look, it also improves the appearance of your skin and helps to address surface dullness by combating the buildup of dead skin cells.

On top of drinking around eight glasses of water a day, consider incorporating hydrating skincare products in the rest of your routine; try a hydrating cleanser, hydrating serum, and of course, an intensely hydrating moisturiser.

Skin whitening tip #2: Double cleanse even when you’re not wearing makeup

Woman-with-water-in-hand

If you don’t already know and practise this tip by now, it’s time to start making this a habit. Using just a regular cleanser only washed off the first layer of dirt and that’s hardly enough to leave your skin clean.

With an oil cleanser as the first cleansing step, it pulls oil-based impurities, bacteria, and pollution out of your skin, and melts away excess sebum and any extra makeup or sunscreen. After all, oil extracts other oils (the ones you don’t want sticking around) like a magnet.

Doctors seem to agree with the benefits of double cleansing too, especially in this current situation where we have to don a mask whenever we step out of the house. This in turn causes sweat and grime to get stuck between the mask and our skin, resulting in breakouts. It also helps to massage your cleansing oil into your face, as it helps to promote blood circulation.

Follow with a gel or foam cleanser to more thoroughly cleanse your skin.

DV tip: Place your oil cleanser next to your foam cleanser so you’re always reminded to use them together.

Skin whitening tip #3: Layer products correctly

Wonder why your skin occasionally pills when you’re applying your skincare? Chances are, you’re over-massaging the product into your skin; skincare products in general need time to absorb so when you do that, you’ll just end up rubbing it off your face.

If possible, try to wait three to five minutes before applying the next product in your routine. The same applies with your foundation: applying all your products with little to no waiting time in between can cause your foundation to flake up or keep it from setting properly.

DV tip: To make your skincare routine extra breezy, create a music playlist with three-minute songs. Then, after applying one product, play something from the playlist and simply close your eyes and relax for the duration of the song. Once the song is finished, it’s time for the next step!

Skin whitening tip #4: Double up on sun protection

Woman shielding face from sun with hand

Any dermatologist worth his salt will tell you that sunscreen is the most important step in your skin care routine because it protects from free radical damage that can cause skin cancer and early signs of ageing. Having said that, sunscreen isn’t just the only form of protection available. Consider incorporating topical forms of vitamins C and E n your routine for added photo-protection.

Vitamin C is an antioxidant while vitamin E is high in antioxidants, which means both can help to reduce the damage that free radicals inflict on the skin.

DV tip: We know how difficult it is to be disciplined with applying and reapplying sunscreen throughout the day.

To help you achieve seamless UV protection all day long, try the Kinohimitsu UV-Bright Drink, an award-winning functional drink that is said to provide up to nine hours of UV protection while targeting melanin formation and restoring skin vitality.

Kinohimitsu UV Bright Drink

Powered by a cocktail of brightening and anti-ageing botanicals and vitamins, the UV-Bright Drink harvests the key properties of grape seed extract, grape and apple polyphenols, various berry extracts as well as vitamin C.

This easy-to-drink formula helps to keep your skin protected from the inside out, fend off free radicals, and break down melanin and inhibit its new formation. Aside from lightening existing pigmentation concerns such as dark eye circles, freckles, sunburn, brown spots, uneven skin tone and darkened skin patches, it can also aid the repair of damaged cells and help skin lock in essential moisture.

Hand holding a bottle of Kinohimitsu UV-Bright Drink

For first-time users, it’s recommended to take one bottle a day for a consecutive period of six days for visible results. If you’re taking it for added sun protection, drink one bottle a day before breakfast or any outdoor activity. If soft, fair skin is what you’re after, you can consume one bottle every two days.

In a clinical test conducted on 23 Asian females between 25 and 55 years old, 100%* of participants showed a decrease in melanin production and significant brightening results after consuming UV-Bright for 21 consecutive days – how amazing is that?!

And like most of Kinohimitsu’s supplement formulas, the UV-Bright Drink is very palatable and delicious. With its high content of grapes and berries, it has a similar taste to slightly sweetened cranberry juice or a glass of Ribena with less sugar. Keeping it chilled in the fridge definitely helps increase its deliciousness – it’s very refreshing to enjoy it straight out from the fridge every morning.

Skin whitening tip #5: Fight hyperpigmentation around the clock

Vitamin C-citruses-flatlay

Photo by Bruna Branco/Unsplash

Hyperpigmentation is one of the toughest skin concerns to treat, and has multiple triggers ranging from long-term sun exposure to hormonal changes. But it’s not a lost cause just yet; you still have a chance at winning the battle if you know which skincare weapons to choose.

Skin experts recommend treating dark spots using different targeted products in your morning and nighttime routine: antioxidant-laden formulas during the day (and don’t forget your sunscreen) and topical retinoids at night to promote cell turnover to shed pigment. This won’t be one of those overnight successes though, you’ll need to invest at least three to six months of regular use before you see significant improvements.

Skin whitening tip #6: Invest in a “skin whitening diet”

Regardless of how many hi-tech or expensive products you slather on the face, it’s just impossible for your skin to bring its A-game if your diet sucks. To achieve that coveted glow, you need to be supplying your body with beauty-enhancing vitamins and minerals. Similarly, there are some foods that you need to avoid if you’re eating with your skin in mind – alcohol, sugary drinks, and deep-fried munchies are a few of the skin’s worst enemies.

It goes without saying that you should be drinking plenty of water throughout the day too – it’s a skincare no-brainer. If you’re not keeping your body hydrated enough and drink at least two litres daily, it can make your skin look dull and emphasise fine lines.

DV tip: While you’re rethinking your diet, why not incorporate beauty-boosting supplements that can address pigmentation issues and restore that healthy radiance to your skin? We like the combination of Kinohimitsu’s UV-Bright Drink (remember it from Tip #4?) and ProWhite powder, both of which are designed to effectively brighten skin from the inside out.

Kinohimitsu ProWwhite Powder

Designed to eliminate dark spots and restore skin radiance, the Kinohimitsu ProWhite powder is powered by a blend of glutathione, camu-camu, and maqui berry to encourage healthy cell turnover, prevent new melanin formation, and even help maintain liver health for a stronger immunity system. This last function is especially beneficial for those who tend to stay up late, drink regularly or smoke as it is said to have the ability to guard the liver against harmful toxins.

You can pair this supplement with the Kinohimitsu UV-Bright Drink for the ultimate skin brightening combo. Like the UV-Bright Drink, Pro-White powder is just as easy to consume – simply mix the lilac-coloured powder with chilled water in a glass and enjoy it at night before bedtime.

Skin whitening tip #7: Sleep smarter

Sleeping Pillow Type

Photo by Christopher Jolly/Unsplash

Getting eight hours of sleep is important for healthy, rested skin, but the type of pillowcase you use is also equally as crucial.

Sure, it’s no secret that silk is easier on the hair – it helps avoid tangles and breakage – but did you know that it can also ward off wrinkles? Because of the way the material glides easily, there’d be no creases in your pillow which technically equals no long-term creases on your skin.

Dermatologists are gradually beginning to see the benefits that the skin can reap from regularly using clean silk pillowcases too. And because of the materials that they’re made in, silk pillowcases are less likely to absorb moisture from the skin compared to others which in turn, keep your skincare products from escaping from your skin so you can rest assured that they are penetrating. As mentioned earlier, hydrated skin amounts to a brighter complexion. Better hair and skin while you sleep? Oh yes, please!

Step up on your skin whitening and UV protection routine now

Kinohimitsu UV-Bright and ProWhite beauty supplements: Where can you buy them?

The UV-Bright Drink retails for S$39.90 per box of 10 bottles, and is available on Kinohimitsu official online store, Watsons, Guardian, Lazada, Qoo10, Shopee, Taobao, OG, BHG, and all Kinohimitsu retail outlets.

The ProWhite powder retails for S$69.90 per box of 30 sachets, and is available on Kinohimitsu official online store, Watsons, Guardian, Lazada, Qoo10, Shopee, Taobao, OG, BHG, and all Kinohimitsu retail outlets.

Special deal alert!

Get these beauty supplements at special promotional prices starting from S$33.90. Click here to start shopping. Offer valid until 15 July 2020.

*Based on clinic testing on 23 Asian females between 25 and 55 years old under Derma-Lab Supervision in TOYO BIO TEC Skin Lab, Japan.