Iattended Watsons’ Skin Solutions event, which was held in partnership with the Philippine Dermatological Society at the SM Mall of Asia from October 20 to 25. Events like these allow me the privilege of hearing what board-certified dermatologists have to say about skin care and what kind of ingredients and practices could be beneficial or potentially irritating to my skin.
For three consecutive years, Watsons has made accessible derma-backed skincare more accessible through its Derm Skin campaign. This time, Watsons is marking the second year of its partnership with the Philippine Dermatological Society.
During the event, Dr. Kristine Josephine Busa talked about TikTok trends and which ones are fact or fiction. Medicated pimple patches, for instance, can get rid of pimples overnight but they only protect those with a head or have already been extracted. Busa also talked about slugging, a trend wherein people sleep with their faces slathered in petroleum jelly. She said this could work on people with extremely dry faces but slugging could also potentially clog pores, especially those with acne-prone skin. She advised that a thin layer of petroleum jelly can be applied over the dry areas of the skin only. Another trend that Busa talked about is the 10-step Korean skincare routine.
‘Your skin is not a 10-course set menu. While hydration will give you the dewy look you want, more products could also irritate your skin. A regimen that includes a gentle cleanser, a moisturizer, and a sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher is the best way to go,’ said Busa. It-burns-so-it-works is also another skincare trend fiction, she said, as it signals that the skin is irritated. She also advises skipping sunscreen when makeup already has SPF. This is because we don’t apply enough makeup to protect our skin.
Dr. Isabel Belizario tackled the subject of skin damage sustained from the sun and even indoor lights. ‘Majority of those who get melasma are females but even males can get it,’ she said. Melasma manifests on the skin with dark brown, tan, or grayish patches of hyperpigmentation. It mostly affects women as they get older.
Hydroquinone, said Belizario, is considered the gold standard in treating melasma. It’s effective because it inhibits melanin or pigment production. Meanwhile, she said the ‘friendlier’ topicals we can use are retinoids, ascorbic acid or vitamin C, glycolic acid, and tranexamic acid.
‘However, when using lightening agents, always use them with caution. Make sure you get the proper medical advice on how to use these products,’ said Belizario. ‘The treatment for melasma is a marathon; it’s not a race.’
Dr. Kirk Llew Quijote discussed practical skincare tips such as what product combinations are right and wrong.
‘The cornerstone of skincare is the combination of cleanser, moisturizer, and sunscreen. But we might need some actives or even products that require prescription by board-certified dermatologists,’ he said.
‘Our skin needs a strategy, not a shopping spree. We don’t want to spend a lot to achieve glowing skin,’ he added.
Before buying anything, Quijote said the most important thing is to determine one’s skin type. He advised using a blue blotting sheet on the T-zone (forehead, nose, and skin). If it becomes saturated with oil, your skin is oily. If it doesn’t your skin is dry. Dry skin types need a non-foaming cleanser, preferably fragrance-free. For moisturizers, check out those that contain ceramides, dimethicone, and urea. For combination skin types, he said you can use different products for different areas. Quijote’s practical tip is to apply moisturizer to skin that’s still damp.
‘Always check the active ingredients before buying anything. For example, brightening products will always include niacinamide, alpha arbutin, vitamin C, or an exfoliating acid like glycolic acid. But some of these have the same mechanisms of action so they may be redundant,’ he said.
Another tip that Quijote shared is that ingredients of skincare products above 1 percent are listed in decreasing order so those with higher concentrations are listed first.
‘Don’t mistake claims for clinical evidence. Some products might say they are dermatologically-tested but testing does not mean recommendation. You need to ask a board-certified dermatologist for evidence regarding the efficacy, safety, and adverse effects of these products,’ he said.