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BEAUTY BEGINS THE MOMENT
YOU DECIDE TO BE
YOURSELF.
Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel
12 MONTHS SKIN PROGRAMME
This comprehensive skin programme is tailored to your skin's biology and specific skin type. The programme is structured in four phases, which will be discussed in detail during your first free consultation.
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4 PHASES
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Skin Barrier Repair – 3 Months
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Skin Cleanse, Exfoliation, and Detox – 2 Months
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Skin Health: Colour and Texture Replenishment (Glow, Radiance, pH Balance, Hydration) – 3 Months
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Treatment for Individual Skin Conditions (e.g. sensitive, dry, acne-prone, eczema, rosacea): Wrinkle Treatment, Firmness, Elasticity, Lifting, and Sculpting – 4 Months
PHASE 1: SKIN REPAIR
Programme Guidelines:
a. Background: What does "Korean Functional Skincare" mean?
b. Problem: What’s preventing your skin from glowing?
c. Solution: The science behind Korean natural and active ingredients.
d. Result: What will you gain from this programme?
e. Roadmap: What’s the timeline and duration of each phase?
Your skin has endured a lot over the years, and the changing climate, along with unpredictable and often harsh environmental conditions, is taking a toll on your health and lifestyle.
Air pollution, viruses, extreme weather, mental stress, and other environmental factors have a significant negative impact on your skin’s barrier function.
The pandemic, along with the widespread use of face masks, contributed to issues like rashes and irritation. Add to that the DIY skincare trend, which often leads to more harm than good, leaving your skin feeling damaged, sensitive, and in need of urgent care. Unfortunately, many people overlook these signs until the damage becomes more pronounced.
Is your skin showing signs of neglect from improper skincare?
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Let’s take a closer look at the biology behind it.​​
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c. Products containing pseudo-ceramides help improve the dryness, itchiness, and scaling caused by a poorly functioning barrier (ceramide-rich moisturizers).
These are also especially helpful if you have acne-prone skin, when the barrier is often impaired, and acne treatments leaves skin dry and reddened. Occlusive moisturisers are made of ingredients that reduce the amount of water loss from the skin, leaving a thin film on your skin as protection (ie, petrolatum, known to block as much as 99% of water loss from your skin, hyaluronic acid, glycerin, honey, urea).
Oils are the go-to solution in many skin’s care practices. They help repair the skin barrier and also prevent your skin barrier from losing moisture. Many of these oils have antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects, too.
There are many ways you can use plant oils on your skin, to include them in your daily skincare routine.
Other natural Korean ingredients that have made a difference in the current skincare practices around the world are snails mucin, centella asiatica (cica), bamboo extract, ginseng, tremella mushroom, propolis, birch juice, white truffle extract, yuza (citrus fruit, 3x more concentrated in vitamin C), and others.
Additional active ingredients beyond the above are niacinamide, sun protecting factor, squalene. Omegas, colloidal oatmeal, and probiotics on the inside. Stress and lack of sleep are not to be ignored, given the holistic approach inspired by the Korean skincare philosophy.
d. This skin repairing phase will result in a skin looking significantly different, with clear improvement on its overall health.
Your skin will look hydrated, smooth, plump, radiant displaying a distinctive glowing complexion resulting in an overall healthy texture and color.
Texture is free of bumps, scars, wrinkles, and acne, with firmness and tightness; tone is even, with lack of sunspots and blotchiness. Your skin is neither too dry nor chapped nor too oily. The pores are closed.
Your skin is radiant aka the light that hits your face travel back in a straight line instead of scattering it so that a person looking at you sees your skin shine and glow.
Isn't glow like this mythical creature that appears only to those blessed by the skincare gods?!
And yet, it is simply explained by understanding the way light works and interacts with our skin and how this affects the external port of view.
When using the scientific lens, there are multiple "radiance types", which depend on the angle the light hits the skin layers.​ Some of the light penetrates and get absorbed, whereas some bounces back to the surface in a more diffused and subtle way.
When using "the external point of you" lens, it looks like your face is oily but seemingly healthier. You can’t really pinpoint the exact factor, but that radiance is something to behold.
a. THE SKIN BARRIER
Also known as the stratum corneum, is the outermost layer of your skin, acting as a vital protective shield.
It defends your skin from environmental stressors, irritants, and inflammation, while also retaining moisture—lots of moisture.
Think of it as a carefully structured wall made up of cells and lipids. The cells, called keratinocytes, act as the bricks, while the lipids—such as cholesterol and ceramides—fill the gaps between them, functioning like mortar. This intricate system keeps your skin healthy, hydrated, and protected from external damage.
Layers of skin: epidermis and dermis
Healthy skin's cells composition
External environmental threats
Layers of skin: epidermis and dermis
​Each piece is vital in keeping the ecosystem of your face happy​
Your skin is made up of three main layers:
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The Epidermis: The outermost layer that acts as a protective shield.
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The Dermis: The middle layer that contains collagen, elastin, and the skin's nerve and blood supply.
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Subcutaneous Fat: The deepest layer that forms a barrier between the skin and muscle.
While your skin barrier serves as a shield, it’s far more delicate than a brick wall and can be easily compromised.
A variety of external and internal factors threaten the integrity of your skin barrier. These can damage the lipid layer, which is essential for your skin's health and protection.
External Factors
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Environmental Stressors: Extreme weather, sun exposure, pollution, smoking, and environmental toxins can all weaken the skin barrier.
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Harsh Products: Use of irritating products, such as alkaline detergents and harsh exfoliants, can cause physical damage to the skin.
Internal Factors
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Medical Conditions: Conditions like diabetes, psoriasis, and atopic dermatitis can affect the skin barrier's function.
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Genetics: Certain genetic factors may make your skin more susceptible to these conditions.
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Age: As you age, ceramide levels decrease. Ceramides are the essential "mortar" that holds the skin cells (the "bricks") together, along with fatty acids and cholesterol.
For your skin to look healthy, supple, and plump, it requires an effective balance of fats, moisture, and hydration. When this balance is disrupted, your skin’s appearance and function can suffer.
b. SKIN BARRIER DAMAGE
A common, and often carried with you throughout your daily life if you do not take the appropriate measures to restore a healthy skin condition.
Skin barrier damage is a frequent concern that can linger throughout your daily life if not properly addressed. Without the right care, your skin’s ability to function and heal effectively can be compromised.
The slightly acidic pH of the skin barrier plays a crucial role in defending against harmful bacteria, viruses, and fungi, preventing infections and supporting the healing process. To maintain this protective balance, it is essential to use products with a pH between 4.0 and 5.0, as your skin's natural pH is around 4.7 (some products can range from 3.7 to 8.2).
This pH balance is vital for preventing conditions like dermatitis, acne, ichthyosis, rosacea, psoriasis, and infections such as Candida albicans. Certain health conditions, like diabetes, can alter the skin’s acidity, weakening this natural barrier. Being aware of these changes allows you to choose the right products to help restore and maintain a healthy pH balance.
Recognize the Symptoms of a Damaged Skin Barrier
A damaged skin barrier doesn't just result in dry, dehydrated, dull, or rough skin with increased fine lines—it also triggers specific skin conditions like eczema and rosacea. Watch for symptoms such as:
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Chronic skin irritation
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Hyperpigmentation
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Skin infections (bacterial, fungal, or viral)
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Itchy or inflamed skin
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Delayed wound healing
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Discolored patches
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Acne flare-ups
These are clear signs that your skin barrier is compromised, affecting the overall glow and balance of your complexion. Damaged skin accumulates excess dead skin cells on the surface, making your face appear tired and dull. This loss of moisture over time is known as Trans-Epidermal Water Loss (TEWL), and it becomes more pronounced with age.
Inflammation, hyperpigmentation, fine lines, uneven texture, dryeness, dark spots, eczema, infections, etc
Epidermal water loss
trans-epidermal water loss
Inflammation, hyperpigmentation, fine lines, uneven texture, dryeness, dark spots, eczema, infections, etc
c. PSEUDO-CERAMIDES: a solution for Dry, Scaly and Itchy Skin
Products containing pseudo-ceramides are highly effective in alleviating dryness, itchiness, and scaling caused by a compromised skin barrier. Ceramide-rich moisturizers are especially beneficial for acne-prone skin, which often experiences barrier damage from acne treatments that leave the skin dry and irritated.
Occlusive moisturizers help lock in moisture by forming a thin protective film on your skin, reducing water loss. Ingredients like petrolatum (which can block up to 99% of water loss), hyaluronic acid, glycerin, honey, and urea are key examples of occlusive agents that keep your skin hydrated and protected.
Plant oils are another go-to solution in skincare. They not only repair the skin barrier but also prevent moisture loss. Many of these oils have added benefits, such as antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties.
Incorporating plant oils into your daily routine can offer multiple skin benefits. Other natural Korean ingredients that have revolutionized global skincare include snail mucin, centella asiatica (cica), bamboo extract, ginseng, tremella mushroom, propolis, birch juice, white truffle extract, and yuza (a citrus fruit rich in vitamin C).
Additionally, other active ingredients like niacinamide, sunscreen, squalene, omega fatty acids, colloidal oatmeal, and probiotics can further enhance your skin's health. A holistic approach inspired by Korean skincare also emphasizes the importance of managing stress and sleep, as both can affect your skin's condition.
d. RESULTS: Skin Repairing Phase
This skin-repairing phase will lead to significant improvements in your skin’s overall health and appearance. Your skin will look hydrated, smooth, plump, and radiant, showcasing a distinct glow that reflects overall skin health, texture, and color.
The texture will be free from bumps, scars, wrinkles, and acne, with improved firmness and tightness. Your tone will be even, with no sunspots or blotchiness. Your skin will feel balanced—not too dry, chapped, or oily, with closed pores.
Radiance will be restored, meaning that light hitting your face will reflect back in a straight line, instead of scattering. This creates a noticeable glow, visible to those around you.
Glow isn’t a mythical trait reserved for a select few; it’s rooted in the way light interacts with your skin. The "radiance types" depend on how the light hits the skin. Some light is absorbed by the skin, while other light is diffused and bounces back, creating a subtle, healthy shine.
From an external perspective, it may appear that your skin is slightly oily, but in reality, it’s radiating a healthy, vibrant glow. This radiance is not easily defined, but it’s something truly captivating.​
Approximately 93-96% of the light we perceive is Diffuse Radiance, where light penetrates the skin and is scattered. The remaining 4-7% is Spectral Radiance, which interacts with the surface of the skin and then bounces back.
Interestingly, the external appearance of your skin is more influenced by Spectral Radiance than by Diffuse Radiance. Skin with low Spectral Radiance (matte skin) tends to look older and less vibrant, while skin with higher Spectral Radiance appears healthier and more youthful.
In other words, matte skin can make you look a few years older, while radiant, dewy skin gives you a youthful, glowing appearance that reflects optimal health.
My goal is to enhance both Spectral Radiance and Diffuse Radiance to their fullest potential. Strengthening the skin barrier is the key to achieving optimal hydration. When the skin maintains high water content, it triggers light scattering, resulting in increased Diffuse Radiance, which promotes a dewy, glowing complexion.
Some of the targets set at the start of the skin programme include:
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Some of the key targets at the start of the skin programme include:
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Reducing sebum production with retinoids and other active ingredients
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Improving skin texture through gentle exfoliation and antioxidants
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Using emollients like petrolatum to add shine and restore radiance to dull skin
This is my role: to select science-backed ingredients and design a customized skincare regimen tailored to your skin type and lifestyle.
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e. THE TIMELINES: Skin Barrier Damage Repair
The time it takes to repair a damaged skin barrier depends on the severity of the damage, with a minimum of 3 months required to see noticeable improvement. The healing process also varies depending on your skin type. For example, dry and mature skin typically takes longer to heal, while combination or oily skin has a better self-healing ability.
While the timeline may vary based on individual circumstances, proper treatment can restore your skin barrier to health. The journey can be challenging, as it generally takes 3 to 4 months to start seeing significant results.
Patience is key—give your products and habits time to work. Rebuilding your skin barrier is an ongoing process, and once your skin reaches a healthy state, it’s important to maintain a consistent skincare routine to support long-term repair.
As the largest and ever-evolving organ of your body, your skin has the remarkable ability to renew itself. Skin cell turnover is a natural process where cells from the deepest layers of the epidermis gradually move upward, eventually dying and shedding to reveal fresher, more radiant skin.
This turnover process typically takes between 28 and 42 days, depending on the individual. As you age, this process slows down, meaning it takes longer for your skin to repair itself and replace damaged cells.​
