The difference between Asian skin and other skin types is significant. Ever wondered what makes Asian skin so unique? Is it a result of genetic inheritance or the prevailing weather conditions in these regions of the world?
The sections below enumerate the factors that make Asian skin unique and different from other skin types and the important products that are necessary for Asian women when it comes to skincare.
Leading dermatologists and skincare specialists agree that different skin types have different requirements in terms of care. While considering the age, lifestyle, diet, and environmental factors is important, it is equally crucial to understand the skin type before choosing facial products.
When it comes to Asian skin, understanding its uniqueness and difference in compared to the Caucasians or even the Western skin types.
Following are some features that contribute to the uniqueness of the Asian skin.
Let’s start with some good news. Asian skin is slow to age which makes Asian women appear younger as compared to others.
So what’s the secret?
The dermis layer of Asian skin is thicker as compared to other skin types. This means it has a dense packing of collagen and elastin which gives the skin its tightness and elasticity that’s synonymous with a youthful appearance.
With more collagen and elastin (connective cells) in the skin, the less likely you are to develop wrinkles.
Asian skincare is hence aimed at preserving the natural goodness of the skin by protecting the dermis.
Asian skin has a high amount of melanin which increases the chances of pigmentation and related skin conditions like sun spots and melasma.
While melanin works as an excellent shield against the harmful effects of UV radiation from the sun, a higher amount of melanin increases the chances of pigmentation on the top layer.
Finding the right skincare routine that protects against pigmentation issues is hence necessary.
Asian skin has more oil glands (also known as sebaceous glands). This causes the skin to appear way more oiler than Caucasian or white skin. While the increased production of oil (sebum) keeps the skin smooth and supple and is one of the contributing factors for slower skin aging, it also makes the skin more prone to acne.
A higher number of sebaceous glands results in enlarged pores which causes acne and other similar issues like clogged pores.
External factors such as high humidity in these regions can also cause the sebaceous glands to overreact and produce oil.
Gentle exfoliation and hydration are recommended to keep the skin balanced on its oil levels.
Studies conducted to measure the “Trans Epidermal Water Loss (TEWL)” have shown that the figures are highest for Asian skin. This essentially refers to the water/moisture lost by the body during non-sweating conditions.
This means that the Asian skin has a tendency to continually lose moisture all through the day. Dermatologists believe that this can be attributed to the thin stratum in the Asian skin which does not effectively protects against water loss.
Loss of moisture results in dry, dehydrated, scaly, itchy skin. It is hence recommended to use both skin hydration products which have water-absorbing properties and moisturizers which create an artificial lipid layer the epidermis to prevent water loss.
Since Asian skin is more prone to acne, the chances of getting acne scars are also high. As mentioned earlier, the barrier layer or the stratum corneum is very thin in Asian skin. This makes the skin extremely vulnerable and harder to heal.
Issues like picking the acne may result in inflammation and skin damage that can leave permanent scars on the skin. It is hence recommended to manage the oil levels in the body and treat the root cause of skin issues with appropriate products.
Another unique feature of Asian Skin is its thin stratum corneum, which is the outermost layer of the epidermis. The topmost layer being thin means that the Asian skin is extremely sensitive to environmental factors as well as harsh chemicals.
Chemicals may create a disruption in the skin’s pH balance and can cause allergies, redness or patches of broken skin. It is hence recommended to choose your skincare products carefully and ensure that they do not contain strong chemicals, alcohol or fragrance.
This is where we go on to our next section, where we will discuss about the importance of plant-based products for Asian skin.
Plant based skincare products have been the traditional approach for treating skin issues and the world is going back to them once again. There has been a growing popularity for plant-based products for their nourishing properties and reduced chances of toxicity.
Plant based skincare products indicate beauty products made out of plant ingredients such as plant oils, fruits, seeds, whole grains, flowers, etc. Being packed with nature’s goodness including essential minerals, vitamins, and nutrients, these products are considered the best for getting naturally healthy and glowing skin.
Since most of these products are free from harsh chemicals, they are less likely to cause effects like allergies or skin irritation.
As mentioned in the section above, Asian skin has various unique features which makes it prone to scarring, sensitivity, and pigmentation.
Going for products that combine the best ingredients in nature is the way to achieve pure and rejuvenated skin. Ensure that the products you choose are free of artificial colors, fragrances, alcohol, and silicone. For Asian women, choosing products that are completely mild and gentle on the skin is absolutely recommended.
The use of technology to create products that have reduced molecular size and offer deeper penetration in the skin is the latest revolution in the world of skincare.
As we know, Asian skin is particularly sensitive and needs more protection against environmental factors as well as harsh chemicals. Products that offer effective Asian skin solutions are hence not easy to find.
That being said, the following product types should definitely be included in your skincare regime if you’re an Asian woman.
Asian skin is prone to quick dehydration due to the thin stratum layer on the top. Additionally, environmental factors like intense heat add to the water loss. Hydration products that absorb water as well as protect the skin from damaging UVA and UVB rays are a great choice.
Additionally, the products should be able to cushion the skin from strong infrared radiation that cause burn marks and water loss. Continual water loss is one of the main reasons for premature aging and skin damage.
Products that provide moisture and nourishment to the skin are suitable for daily use for Asian women.
Ensuring that the products are silicon free is important to keep the pores open and let the skin breathe naturally. Asian skin is highly sensitive in nature. Products that understand this and are gentle and natural are highly suitable for daily use.
Check out aspurely’s Anti-Pollutant & Infrared Hydrating Sunscreen.
Due to both internal and external factors, Asian skins are prone to losing the skin’s natural pH balance. Being highly sensitive makes is prone to chemical reactions and allergies. Using skin rejuvenation and replenishing tonics will help restore the natural balance within the skin.
These work by soothing the skin and calming the redness, irritation, and pigmentation which results from harsh environmental factors in these regions.
Organic plant-based products with no artificial additives (like alcohol, fragrance, colors) are recommended for the sensitive Asian skin.
Facial oils are required to hydrate as well as moisturize the skin. They not just improve the skin texture and appearance but also work by creating an artificial lipid layer on the skin which helps prevent water loss.
Additionally, some of these products are carefully created to penetrate deep within the skin layers and boost the production of collagen and elastin. This helps in keeping the skin free from wrinkles and fine lines, thereby slowing the process of aging.
Plant based facial oils have the added advantage of being completely natural and free from any synthetic additives.
Since Asian skin has higher numbers of sebaceous (oil)
glands, it has a tendency to look oily and greasy with
traces of dirt and pollutants. That said, the use of an appropriate face cleansers on a daily basis is a must.
Ensure that the face cleansers you choose are carefully designed to penetrate the skin quickly and lift dirt from the pores.
At the same time, the face cleansers should be gentle enough to not disturb the skin’s natural lipid layer. Since the purpose here is to restore the skin to its original pure state, ensure that the face cleansers you use are free from synthetic additives like fragrance and colors.
aspurely’s Natural Amino Acid Cleansing Foam is a proprietary blend of pure essential oils that deeply cleanses while refining your skin’s texture and improve softness.
Skin aging is a problem that affects all women in their 30s. Despite the good news that Asian skin is slower to age, the need to combat skin aging issues at an early stage is important to maintain a youthful glow.
Products that are designed to support the strengthening of the skin structure, tighten and refine the pores, rejuvenate the dermal matrix, fill out the fine lines, and sculpt and contour the skin can be chosen.
Ensure that the products you choose also help in neutralizing the free radical reactions thereby offering complete protection for your skin.
Facial sculpting products help in redensifying your skin for a fuller, more defined youthful appearance that is hard to miss.
Check out aspurely’s Face Lifting Scalp Treatment for luminous, glowing and lifted skin.
Hydration is extremely essential for Asian skin which is highly prone to dehydration.
When usual hydration products don’t work, adding hydration masks to your skin care routine does the job. A well-formulated hydration mask helps restore the skin’s natural microbiome, deeply nourishes and hydrates the skin, strengthens the lipid barrier and also soothes the dry, parched skin.
Deep and rapid hydration also helps to remove the blemishes and pigmentation marks on the skin.
Cell damage is extremely common in the thin stratum Asian skin. Cell repair serums that work to restore and repair the skin are hence a necessity. These work by improving the health condition of the skin cells and triggering the production of elastin and collagen fibers to help keep the skin soft and plump.
Cell repair serums like aspurely’s Anti-Aging Revival Serum help in restoring and empowering the skin cells to fight against external aggressors and brighten the skin, lending it a more youthful texture.
The human skin is the largest organ in the body and works like a big sponge, soaking up everything – good or bad. What you give to your skin is what you see in the mirror. Asian skin with its unique features (both positive and negative), needs a careful selection of skincare products.
Opting for plant-based skincare products that are specifically designed for sensitive skin is a smart move. Choose your skincare products wisely!
With love,
aspurely
Co-founder and Head of Research
Ms Ong has more than 25 years of extensive experiences in research and development, conceptualization, formulation, and production process development. She is currently the Head of Research and Development at aspurely skincare.
She has authored 2 best-selling Beauty and Wellness books with Marshall Cavendish, Nature’s Spa: DIY Beauty Treatments and Nature’s Treats: Recipes for Wellness, which are currently available in the Singapore National Library collection.
Ms Ong was also a Beauty columnist for Lianhe Zaobao, Singapore's largest Chinese-language newspaper publication, with huge regional presence. As its weekly expert contributor, she shared the latest research and technologies from the Beauty industry, and addressed many readers’ skincare issues and concerns, offered beauty tips, quick fixes and insider knowledge.
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