PETALING JAYA - The desire to look beautiful with healthy skin is something many people aspire to, prompting some individuals to become overly eager to try increasingly complex skincare routines as part of their daily lifestyle.
With a wide range of skincare products readily available - whether affordable or premium - many consumers are willing to spend and experiment, as long as it helps them achieve and satisfy their desire for their ideal skin.
Today, popular skincare trends such as the ‘10-step Korean Skincare Routine,’ which involves the use of multiple products, have become a phenomenon and widely followed. However, does such a complicated and elaborate routine truly guarantee effectiveness in achieving healthy skin?
According to dermatologist Dr Benji Teoh Tze Yuen, consumers do not need to chase trends solely to attain healthy and beautiful skin. Instead, they should choose beauty products based on their specific skin concerns and use them minimally.
"For example, if you have issues such as age spots or pigmentation, using one or two (active) ingredients that address the problem may already be sufficient.
"There’s no need for up to 10 or 20 steps… sometimes you’re just repeating the same thing and wasting money,” he said at the launch of the Cetaphil Ceramide Repair Lotion, which was hosted by celebrity Amelia Henderson.
While acknowledging that most ingredients in skincare products are generally not harmful, he said certain chemical substances carry a risk of causing irritation if used excessively.
Therefore, he stressed that it is crucial for every consumer - regardless of gender - to first understand their skin’s needs and prioritise the most basic routine, such as moisturiser and sunscreen, before adding additional steps.
The expert also reminded that skincare is not merely a cosmetic matter but involves overall health, as the skin is the largest organ in the human body and is exposed to various disease risks.
"Although it may seem like just the skin, it actually accounts for 16 per cent of our body weight and can experience various issues beyond cosmetic concerns,” he said, adding that a minimalist approach to skincare can reduce the risk of damage while saving time and cost.
Meanwhile, actress Amelia, who also shared her personal skincare experience, emphasised the importance of adequate water intake and quality sleep, in addition to using moisturiser, sun protection (SPF), and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
"From the beginning, the most important thing I always stress to people is moisturising. I once went through a phase of severe breakouts, and it really affected my confidence to the point where I was afraid to leave the house.
"During that phase, I thought that using moisturiser would make my skin worse. But what I learned is that our skin can become oily due to dehydration - when it lacks moisture, it overproduces oil, clogs pores, and worsens skin conditions,” she said.
For the Studio Sembang host, skincare is not just about beauty but also about self-respect, which in turn boosts self-confidence and has a positive impact on a person’s daily life and relationships with others. - BERNAMA