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Fine Lines, Dryness and Dullness? This 3-Step Skincare System Targets All Three

Fine lines, dullness, loss of firmness — these are all signs that skin is changing with age, and all concerns that seemingly require a different product to address. It’s easy to get lost in the sea of creams, serums and treatments available, but what if your anti-aging skincare routine could be simplified to just three core products that actually deliver on their promise? Cue KaramMD’s Trifecta, a three-step skincare system designed to take the guesswork out of caring for aging skin.

Created by double-board-certified facial plastic surgeon Dr. Amir Karam, Trifecta combines a daily cleanser, triple-form Vitamin C serum and all-in-one anti-aging cream to target multiple signs of aging at once. Rinse is a non-foaming gel cleanser that removes dirt, oil and buildup without leaving skin feeling stripped (a common issue with most cleansers). It’s a gentle formula that creates a smooth, fresh canvas for the products that follow, and an especially thoughtful first step for mature or dry skin, since cleansing can sometimes leave already moisture-depleted skin feeling even tighter.

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Then there’s Quench, a brightening serum powered by three stable forms of vitamin C to help tackle dullness and discoloration (two issues aging skin can experience). It also contains hyaluronic acid for hydration, so instead of layering separate brightening, hydrating and antioxidant serums, Quench combines those benefits into a single formula.

Lastly, Illuminate does much of the heavy lifting. Think of it as a moisturizer that does it all: it pairs slow-release retinol with peptides to help soften the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, support collagen and improve the look of firmness and uneven pigmentation. Dr. Karam considers retinol one of the most important skincare ingredients outside of SPF, and Illuminate makes it easier to incorporate the powerhouse active into your routine without adding yet another standalone treatment.

With consistent use, skin can gradually look smoother, brighter and more hydrated, while concerns like fine lines and loss of firmness may become less noticeable. If your current skincare routine feels more complicated than effective, Trifecta makes a strong case for simplifying things. Shop the KaramMD Trifecta and put all three steps to work!

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How to Tell If Your Skincare Routine Is Wrecking Your Skin Barrier

How to Tell If Your Skincare Routine Is Wrecking Your Skin Barrier

If your ceramide serum shelf is deep but your skin still feels tight, red or randomly reactive, the problem probably isn’t the next product. Dermatologists say barrier damage is behind more of the redness, breakouts and stinging skincare-obsessed shoppers experience than most realize, and the fix has less to do with buying more and more to do with backing off.

What the Skin Barrier Actually Is

“Your skin barrier is basically your outer layer of the skin. It’s dead, not alive, and it’s made up of dead cells, lipids, proteins and fats that help protect your skin from the environment,” Dr. Melissa Piliang told Cleveland Clinic.

She likened it to armour around a living organism. “It works to keep water in and to keep chemicals and infectious bacteria out. So it’s very important for our skin health,” Piliang said.

It sits within the stratum corneum, the top layer of skin, and functions like a brick wall. Tough skin cells called corneocytes form the bricks. Ceramides, cholesterol and fatty acids act as the mortar filling the gaps, which is exactly why those lipids headline every barrier-repair formula in your rotation.

Signs Your Skin Barrier Is Damaged

A healthy barrier keeps skin hydrated and plump, calms sensitivity, evens tone and helps everything else in your routine actually absorb. When it breaks down, the shift is fast.

Watch for persistent dryness even after moisturizing, tight or itchy skin, redness from products you used to tolerate and sudden breakouts. Sheila Farhang, a dermatologist and founder of Avant Dermatology + Aesthetics in Tucson, Arizona, told Good Housekeeping the classic red flags are “Skin redness, itching or burning.”

Whitney Bowe, a New York dermatologist, told the same outlet that “Those with rosacea and eczema have intrinsically compromised skin barriers,” and that “When the skin barrier is disrupted, skin becomes dry and can develop rough patches.”

Overuse is a common trigger. “I’ve seen a lot of acne patients who overuse products and disrupt their barrier, and the acne gets worse,” Farhang said.

Unexpected Ways You’re Damaging Your Skin Barrier

Harsh cleansers are the obvious offender, but the list runs longer than most #skintok viewers realize. Kally Papantoniou, a board-certified dermatologist in Melville, NY, told New Beauty the usual suspects include “Over-exfoliating, over-cleansing, very hot showers, environmental stressors, skipping moisturizer and overloading the skin with products.”

Hot water in a long shower strips natural oils, so switch to lukewarm water and a gentle pH-balanced cleanser.

Layering actives without a buffer is the quiet saboteur most multi-step routines are guilty of. Joel Schlessinger, a board-certified dermatologist in Omaha, NE, pointed to “Layering too many actives without buffering.” His fix starts slow. Introduce ingredients gradually, use retinol every other night rather than daily, and alternate a retinol evening with a vitamin C morning. If a product still stings, apply a hydrating serum first as a buffer.

Indoor air matters too. Dry air “depletes moisture faster than most people realize,” Schlessinger said. A humidifier at home and a hydrating mist for your bag both help.

Internal factors count as much as topical ones. “Chronic stress elevates cortisol in ways that impair barrier repair,” Schlessinger added. A sunburn is itself a form of barrier damage, which is why dermatologists push broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher every single day.

Related: You Are Probably Using Salicylic Acid Wrong and Here Is How to Tell

If you’ve spent five minutes on skincare TikTok, you already know salicylic acid is basically the main character of the acne aisle. It’s in cleansers, toners, serums and spot treatments at pretty much every drugstore, which is exactly why so many people mess it up. Used the right way, it clears clogged pores and smooths […]

How to Repair a Damaged Skin Barrier

The barrier can rebuild itself. Mild irritation can settle in a few hours, though deeper damage takes longer.

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Bowe recommends a gentle cleanser that doesn’t leave skin squeaky-clean, and Farhang says to stick with cool or lukewarm water. Skip gritty physical scrubs, Bowe advises, and reach for sloughing acids in hydrating serum forms instead.

For rebuilding, look for moisturizers with ceramides and squalane, which replenish the barrier’s natural lipids. Prebiotic and postbiotic formulas support healthy skin bacteria. Avoid fragrances and essential oils. And as Bowe put it, “Stop use of anything that burns upon application, which is an indication that your barrier is being damaged.”

Papantoniou’s advice is to strip things back. “To repair the skin barrier, try simplifying your skin-care routine, pausing strong actives and focusing on hydration,” she said.

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Skincare range for aesthetic procedure prep now in S'pore, also tackles dryness & dullness

Skincare range for aesthetic procedure prep now in S’pore, also tackles dryness & dullness

Alastin launches in Singapore with skincare for aesthetic procedures and everyday use

You may have heard of the all-important prepping and priming steps when it comes to makeup, but as it turns out, those aren’t just things for foundation and eyeshadow anymore.

In the aesthetics world, getting your skin ready before a treatment can matter just as much as what you do afterwards, and that’s something skincare brand Alastin is putting more focus on.

The professional-grade skincare brand by Galderma has officially launched in Singapore, with products designed to support skin before and after aesthetic procedures, while also tackling everyday concerns such as dryness, dullness, fine lines, and loss of elasticity.

Image courtesy of Alastin

At a recent media preview, aesthetics doctor Dr Ashley Yuen shared that patients traditionally weren’t encouraged to prep and prime their skin before aesthetic procedures. Instead, most of the attention tended to come after the treatment, once the skin was already recovering.

That’s where Alastin takes a slightly different approach, putting more emphasis on getting the skin into better shape before the treatment even begins.

And even if needles or lasers aren’t on your agenda anytime soon, don’t tune out just yet. The range has also been designed to work as standalone skincare, with products catering to different skin types, ages, and everyday concerns.

Image courtesy of Alastin

Built around skin recovery, not just the treatment itself

We also heard from Professor Alan Widgerow, Galderma’s Chief Scientific Officer and Head of Alastin Innovation, who brings with him decades of experience across plastic surgery, wound care, tissue engineering, and skincare research.

That background makes sense, given how Alastin came about. The brand was created by a plastic surgeon and a formulation scientist, with the idea of looking after your skin across the whole treatment journey, not just once the procedure is over.

As Dr Yuen explained, traditional aesthetic care tended to be much more reactive. You’d go for the treatment, then deal with the redness, irritation, or downtime afterwards with soothing creams, sunscreen, or whatever else your doctor recommended.

Alastin’s approach is to start a little earlier.

Image courtesy of Alastin

It calls this pre-conditioning the skin, essentially giving it some extra support before heat, energy, or needles enter the picture, rather than only thinking about recovery afterwards.

And that covers a pretty broad spectrum of treatments, from non-invasive options such as HIFU and other energy-based skin-tightening procedures, to Pico and fractional lasers, and needle-based treatments such as radiofrequency microneedling, dermal fillers, skinboosters, botulinum toxins, and biostimulatory injectables.

Source: cottonbro studio on Pexels, for illustration purposes only

The star of the show is Alastin’s proprietary TriHex Technology, a peptide-based system designed to help clear aged, damaged collagen and elastin, while supporting the production of new, healthy collagen and elastin.

Its newer TriHex+ Technology, found in the Restorative Skin Complex, also supports the skin’s natural production of high-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid.

Alastin sums the whole process up as “remove, rebuild, and replenish”, essentially spring cleaning for your skin: clearing out the damaged stuff, making room for new collagen and elastin, and helping maintain smoother, healthier-looking skin over time.

But while all of that sounds pretty impressive, there is one important distinction to make. In response to queries from MS News, Alastin clarified that this doesn’t make the range a scar treatment.

Its products are designed to support post-procedure recovery and overall skin quality, but aren’t intended to treat surgical scars, replace post-operative care, or reduce the appearance of scars from surgery or injury.

For the pre- and post-procedure crowd

If you’ve got a little glow-up procedure pencilled into your calendar, Alastin’s Skin Nectar with TriHex Technology is designed to support your skin both before and after the appointment.

Image courtesy of Alastin

Designed for use before treatment, it helps support the skin barrier, then soothes skin as it recovers afterwards. The anhydrous, preservative-free formula also means there’s no water in the mix, keeping things simple for pre- and post-treatment skin.

Alastin says prepping the skin beforehand may also help it better handle treatment and support recovery afterwards, a bit like warming up before a workout instead of going in cold.

There’s also INhance Serum with TriHex Technology, which is designed to complement cosmetic treatments while keeping skin hydrated and looking plumper.

Its cooling applicator tip is a nice touch, too, especially when your skin is feeling a little tender after treatment.

Image courtesy of Alastin

They work well as regular skincare, too

If you’ve been reading this thinking it all sounds a bit too clinic-focused, good news: you don’t need an upcoming injectable or laser appointment to get something out of the range.

Although much of Alastin’s science is tied to aesthetic treatments, the products were also designed to work as standalone skincare.

For everyday ageing concerns, the Restorative Skin Complex with TriHex+ Technology targets fine lines, wrinkles, dullness, and uneven skin tone, while helping skin look plumper and more elastic.

Image courtesy of Alastin

There are also dedicated formulas for the areas we tend to ignore until they suddenly start demanding attention.

The Restorative Neck Complex, for instance, focuses on the neck and décolleté, while the Restorative Eye Complex targets dark circles, puffiness, fine lines, and wrinkles.

If serums are more your thing, HA Immerse Serum is all about hydration, A-Luminate Brightening Serum targets visible discolouration and pigmentation, and C-RADICAL DEFENSE Antioxidant Serum combines Vitamin C with 14 antioxidants to help protect against environmental stressors.

Image courtesy of Alastin

And for days when you don’t have the time or energy for a full-on routine, there’s the Ultra Nourishing Moisturizer with TriHex Technology, which provides up to 24 hours of hydration while helping support the skin barrier.

For more information on Alastin and where to find it in Singapore, visit the brand’s official website.

Also read: Vietnamese fragrance brand has S$9.90 pocket perfumes inspired by tea & sweet treats, now in S’pore

Vietnamese fragrance brand has S$9.90 pocket perfumes inspired by tea & sweet treats, now in S’pore

Have news you must share? Get in touch with us via email at news@mustsharenews.com.

Featured image courtesy of Alastin.

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Five Vitamin C Serums Worth Adding To Your Post-Monsoon Skincare Routine

Five Vitamin C Serums Worth Adding To Your Post-Monsoon Skincare Routine

Monsoon humidity, pollution and unpredictable sun exposure can leave skin looking tired and uneven by the time September rolls around. This is exactly when a good vitamin C serum earns its place in your post-monsoon skincare routine. Known for its brightening and antioxidant properties, vitamin C serum benefits range from fading pigmentation and dark spots to reviving dull, monsoon-worn skin.

If you are searching for the best vitamin C serums this season, here are five options available in India from the luxury skincare world, arranged from the most indulgent splurge to the most accessible.

The Ultra-Luxe Picks

Augustinus Bader The Vitamin C Serum

Available on Tira for around Rs 33,700 for 30ml, this comes backed by the brand’s signature TFC8 technology. It is designed to brighten skin tone while supporting the skin’s natural repair process, making it a strong pick for anyone who wants premium vitamin C skincare with a cult following.

SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic

A cult favourite widely stocked across Indian skincare retailers, this one costs roughly Rs 20,000 for 30ml. It combines 15% vitamin C with vitamin E and ferulic acid, and is often called the gold standard for a vitamin C serum for pigmentation. Clinical studies point to a marked reduction in UV-related skin damage, along with firmer, more even-toned skin over time.

Sunday Riley C.E.O. 15% Vitamin C Brightening Serum

Rounding off the ultra-luxe tier is this pick from Sephora India, priced at about Rs 8,200 for 30ml. Formulated with THD ascorbate, a stable form of vitamin C, it targets dark spots, minimises the look of pores and softens fine lines, all while keeping sensitivity in check.

Also Read: Why Niacinamide Is The ‘It’ Ingredient For Skin Brightening, And Anti-Ageing

It is a strong pick for anyone chasing the best vitamin C serum for glowing skin without irritation.

Kiehl’s Powerful-Strength Line-Reducing Concentrate

For those who want high-end skincare products at a gentler price point, this one is available at Kiehl’s India for around Rs 6,600 for 50ml. With 10.5% L-Ascorbic Acid and 2 percent Ascorbyl Glucoside, it visibly softens fine lines, refines pores and boosts overall radiance, and it is gentle enough for regular use, even on sensitive skin.

Lumineve Youth Radiance Serum with 10% Vitamin C and Ferulic Acid

Closing out the list is this serum from Lumineve, available for Rs 1,499 for 30ml. Built on liposomal technology, the formula wraps vitamin C in nano-sized lipid spheres, allowing deeper penetration and better absorption. It brightens a dull, uneven complexion, supports hydration and strengthens the skin barrier, all in one bottle, making it an easy entry point into premium vitamin C skincare.

Also Read: The 30-40-50 Rule: A Dermatologist’s Guide To Evolving Skincare Goals

Whichever bottle earns a place on your vanity, a vitamin C serum remains one of luxury skincare’s enduring staples, the kind of investment that rewards patience with a complexion that simply looks lit from within.

Published At: 10 September 2026 04:00 PM

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CNA938 Rewind - Mind Your Money - Can our beauty routines generate less waste?

CNA938 Rewind – The Wellness Hour – How Auolive is creating skincare for Singapore’s climate

Natural skincare is becoming part of the wider wellness conversation, as consumers look for simple, mindful routines and products suited to Singapore’s hot, humid climate. Cheryl Goh looks at how homegrown brand Auolive is developing locally made skincare, and why caring for the skin can also be part of caring for overall wellbeing with Claire Au, founder of Auolive.

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TruSkin Launches Nutrient-Rich Skincare Line Featuring Top-Rated Vitamin C Serum

TruSkin Launches Nutrient-Rich Skincare Line Featuring Top-Rated Vitamin C Serum

TruSkin is making waves in the skincare industry with its innovative, plant-powered formulas designed for a variety of skin types. Each product in the lineup is meticulously crafted using high-quality and effective ingredients, catering to the diverse needs of consumers seeking healthier skin.

Among their standout offerings is the Vitamin C Serum, which holds the title of the #1 online-rated serum, backed by over 156,000 positive reviews. This dynamic serum is known for its ability to brighten skin tone, combat free radicals, and support collagen production, resulting in a more youthful appearance. Customers have praised its effectiveness in softening fine lines and wrinkles, contributing to a radiant and healthy complexion.

Expanding on the benefits of Vitamin C, the Vitamin C Super Serum+ is another popular choice. This powerful formula combines Vitamin C with Retinol, enhancing its anti-aging properties. The addition of Vitamin B3 (niacinamide) and Salicylic Acid strengthens its ability to rejuvenate and nourish the skin while addressing issues like uneven skin tone. This serum is further enriched with Organic Aloe Vera, Squalane, Hyaluronic Acid, MSM, and Rose Hip Oil, making it a comprehensive solution for those looking to enhance their skin’s texture and brightness.

TruSkin’s Longevity Eye Cream stands out with its special formulation featuring Green Coffee Bean, which targets puffiness and dark circles effectively. The inclusion of Lingonberry Stem Cells is designed to combat visible damage caused by blue light exposure and oxidative stress, making it a timely addition to anyone’s skincare routine in our digital age.

In addition to these concentrated serums and creams, TruSkin offers a variety of other products, including a Vitamin C Moisturizer, Retinol Serum, and Hyaluronic Acid Serum, among others. For customers looking to streamline their skincare regimen with quality products, there is a limit of five items per order, coupled with the convenience of free shipping.

With a commitment to delivering effective and safe skincare solutions, TruSkin continues to attract a loyal customer base excited about achieving glowing and healthy skin.

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Naturals Beauty marks 18 years with 2 new skincare products

Naturals Beauty marks 18 years with 2 new skincare products

Local skincare brand Naturals Beauty is marking its 18th anniversary with two new locally made products, expanding its offering with a peptide-focused facial serum and a botanical body oil ahead of the summer season.

Image supplied

Founded in a South African mother’s kitchen, Naturals Beauty has grown into a local skincare business built around naturally inspired ingredients, local manufacturing and uncomplicated formulations.

The latest launches — the Re-Gen Peptide Power Serum and Botanical Body Oil — extend the brand’s offering from targeted facial care to everyday body care.

“Eighteen years ago, Naturals Beauty started because I wanted products I felt comfortable using on my own family,” says founder Tanya du Bois. “That belief in effective, uncomplicated skincare has never changed.”

A science-led addition to the range

The Re-Gen Peptide Power Serum introduces a more targeted approach to facial skincare, centred on a 2% biotechnology-derived peptide active produced using plant-based biotechnology.

Image supplied

The formula also contains Copper Tripeptide-1 and Malachite Extract, combining peptide technology with antioxidant and skin-conditioning ingredients. Designed for all skin types, including sensitive skin, the lightweight, fragrance-free serum can be incorporated into morning or evening skincare routines.

The product is positioned around smoother, firmer-looking and more resilient skin, while keeping application relatively simple — applied after cleansing and before moisturiser and sunscreen.

Botanical body care for summer

The Botanical Body Oil takes the brand’s approach into body care, combining Sweet Almond, Jojoba and Baobab oils with Neroli, Rose Geranium and Sweet Orange essential oils.

Image supplied

The fast-absorbing formulation is designed to nourish dry skin without leaving a heavy residue. The brand is positioning it as a summer-friendly addition to daily routines, particularly following activities such as swimming and shaving or exposure to sun and air conditioning.

The oil can be applied to slightly damp skin after bathing or showering to help retain moisture.

From kitchen beginnings to local skincare brand

Naturals Beauty was established 18 years ago after founder du Bois began making skincare products at home for her family.

That focus on accessible, locally produced skincare remains central to the business as it expands its product portfolio.

“We’ve learnt so much over 18 years, but I still come back to the same question when we develop something new: does this product have a genuine place in someone’s routine?” says du Bois.

“Beauty can become incredibly complicated. We want Naturals Beauty to be the opposite of that. Good ingredients, considered formulations and products that people actually enjoy using.”

Both new products launched on 23 August 2026 and are available through the Naturals Beauty online store and selected stockists nationwide.

The launches give the brand an opportunity to mark its anniversary while responding to two established areas of consumer skincare demand: more targeted facial treatments and simplified body-care routines.

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Can expensive products slow ageing? Dermatologist debunks 5 skincare myths

Can expensive products slow ageing? Dermatologist debunks 5 skincare myths

Anti-ageing skincare is surrounded by misconceptions, with everyone offering their two cents and skincare aisles overflowing with products. Amid all this noise, it is best to take a step back and look at skincare with renewed clarity instead of blindly following marketing hype.

Dr Rinky Kapoor, director and co-founder of The Esthetic Clinics, shared that ageing is a natural process, but social media narratives can sometimes complicate how we approach it.

She said, “From believing that an anti-ageing regimen should only be started after reaching a certain age to assuming that using more products will lead to better results, there are several misconceptions about skincare that may make routines ineffective or excessive.”

Therefore, following age-based rules or piling on multiple products may backfire. Instead, skincare should be simple, consistent, and tailored to the skin’s individual needs.

Here’s a set of myths that she debunked with relevant facts:

Myth 1: An anti-ageing skincare regimen should only be started after the age of 40

  • Skin ageing begins well before the appearance of visible wrinkles.
  • The skin produces collagen, which gradually decreases with age, while exposure to the sun and other environmental factors may accelerate the ageing process.

Myth 2: Wrinkles are the sole indication of ageing on the face

  • The ageing process is much broader than just the formation of wrinkles.
  • Changes in collagen and elastin levels, pigmentation, texture, elasticity, hydration, as well as facial volume and contours, can all affect how the face looks over time.
  • This is why an effective anti-ageing approach should focus on overall skin quality, rather than just wrinkles.

Myth 3: Expensive skincare products provide better anti-ageing results

  • Cost does not necessarily determine the efficacy of a product. What truly matters is its formulation, active ingredients, concentration and suitability for your skin type and concerns.
  • An effective skincare regimen using simple products with scientifically proven ingredients can be more beneficial than constantly experimenting with expensive formulations.

Myth 4: Multiple anti-ageing products are needed to achieve better results

  • This myth stems from the idea that using more products will lead to better results.
  • But applying too many ingredients, acids or exfoliators at once can cause irritation and compromise the skin barrier.
  • It is better to build a simple skincare routine and gradually introduce active ingredients into it.

Myth 5: Aesthetic procedures can replace good skincare and healthy lifestyle choices

  • Aesthetic treatments can target specific concerns; however, they cannot replace the basics of good skincare and a healthy lifestyle.
  • Using sunscreen, getting adequate rest, maintaining proper nutrition, exercising, managing stress and following a consistent skincare regimen are essential for healthy ageing.
  • Aesthetic treatments should be tailored to an individual’s physical characteristics, skin concerns and expectations.
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