WHITEOUT!
skincare 7
whiteout!
4
writer Kirsten Henton
1 5
isn’t it funny how the grass is always greener on the other side? It could be your friend’s job, your neighbour’s husband or your mate’s dinner, but whatever it is, that little green flame of envy is ignited in all of us at one time or another. A shining and peculiar example of this is represented in the world of skincare. In our previous issue we looked at sun care and tanning products, yet here we are, a mere two months on, with a scrumptious array of products that promise to help whiten and brighten your skin. For some very strange and long standing reason, the whities over in the west have been trying their hardest to look bronzed and golden, risking skin cancer with hours of baking in the sun. This no doubt seems very bizarre in the polar opposite East, where they will do almost anything to appear as white and pure looking as possible, also potentially risking their health with the chance of contracting mercury poisoning, the metal having been long used as a skin bleacher with good results but life threatening side effects as it attacks the nervous system and kidneys. It has been suggested that many people crave white, impurity free skin because of what it represents; in colonial days while the Western powers were busy sailing round the world, claiming countries and planting flags, white skin tone became synonymous with wealth, power and privilege. In the East there is a deep history associated with the sought after white skin: Japanese Geishas would powder their faces with chalk and in China women would swallow ground pearls in a bid to lighten and even their tone. It used to be desirable in Europe as well; wealthy men and women would powder their faces snow white in an effort to distinguish themselves from the darker workers who laboured outside in the sun. Whitening products do not just serve those wanting to achieve virgin skin; those with naturally white skin tone can also benefit. If you suffer from hyperpigmentation and brown age spots so often caused by extensive sun exposure, a whitening product can inhibit the production of melanin in your skin. If you’re not quite ready to white out your skin, then the numerous brightening products on the market work to refresh and rejuvenate your complexion, giving you a new glow but without actually attempting to inhibit melanin production. Whatever the history or reasoning, the fact remains that the desire for milky skin has created a lucrative market in the industry. There is no real promise with whitening products but with safer ones available on the market and a steady demand, this craze is set to continue as it has for centuries gone by.
1. Babor’s White Effect range is supremely natural and mild, using the power of the tropical plant charmingly called sleepy morning, which halts melanin production in the skin. The product visibly brightens skin and removes pigment marks, protecting with sunflower extract. www.babor.com 2. comfort zone’s absolute pearl system uses pearl powder, bearberry extract, lemon and UVA and UVB filters to lighten skin tone. While the antioxidant rich cream moisturises, the concentrate delivers a shimmer, the weekly mask reoxygenates and lightens and the corrector can be used on pigment spots. www.comfortzone.it
4. Organic Kuush products include the Skin Brightening Moisturiser whose main ingredient is spirulina, which protects skin by trapping UV rays. Avocado, bilberry, rice and Australian grape oil deliver antioxidants. www.kuush.com.au 5. MTM’s Superior Custom-blended Eye Mask includes the Superior 100% Plant Collagen Eye Pad to calm traces of stress along with the hydrating lotion, which targets the eye’s dark circles and uneven pigmentation. www.mtmskincare.com 6. An intense treatment for sun-damaged skin, be your own chemist with Murad’s Environmental Shield Vitamin C Infusion Home Facial Kit. Mix the gel and powder fresh and apply with a brush to reverse phytodamage and the effects of aging, and deliver the highest levels of antioxidants in a home product. www.murad.com
7. Ole Henriksen’s micro/mini peel system incorporates a pro-grade microdermabrasion and peel to brighten skin tone. Almond polish refines, lemon strips peel and chamomile comforts. Use once a week along with the enlighten me pigmentation lightening serum. www.olehenriksen.com 8. Origins’ Never A Dull Moment is a fruit smoothie for your face. This skin brightening cleanser includes fruit extracts of papaya and mango to bring a healthy glow. Follow with Never A Dull Moment skin-brightening face polisher. www.origins.com 9. Orlane’s Soin De Blanc range virtually eliminates melanin-laden epidermal cells through their powerful Arbutin Whitening System. The Whitening Essence, Whitening Lotion, Whitening Serum and Whitening Cream make up the ultimate rejuvenating team. www.orlane.com 10. Pevonia’s Radiance Lightening Gel brings strong bleaching agents like azelaic acid, arbutin, glycolic acid and mulberry extract to work together to lighten skin tones and bring a unified complexion. www.pevonia.com
6 8
3. For a luminous look, Korner’s Sparkle Brightly Renewal Mask is an exfoliating gel cream crammed with sugar cane AHAs full of vitamin C to inhibit melanin production, marine actives to regulate pigmentation, and other exotic ingredients like Ecuadorian pink berries and Madagascan ylang ylang. www.kornerskincare.com
9
2
10
Spa Treatment ©iStockphoto.com/Sladjana Lukic
3 46
AsiaSpa 2008
2008 AsiaSpa
47
whiteout!
4
writer Kirsten Henton
1 5
isn’t it funny how the grass is always greener on the other side? It could be your friend’s job, your neighbour’s husband or your mate’s dinner, but whatever it is, that little green flame of envy is ignited in all of us at one time or another. A shining and peculiar example of this is represented in the world of skincare. In our previous issue we looked at sun care and tanning products, yet here we are, a mere two months on, with a scrumptious array of products that promise to help whiten and brighten your skin. For some very strange and long standing reason, the whities over in the west have been trying their hardest to look bronzed and golden, risking skin cancer with hours of baking in the sun. This no doubt seems very bizarre in the polar opposite East, where they will do almost anything to appear as white and pure looking as possible, also potentially risking their health with the chance of contracting mercury poisoning, the metal having been long used as a skin bleacher with good results but life threatening side effects as it attacks the nervous system and kidneys. It has been suggested that many people crave white, impurity free skin because of what it represents; in colonial days while the Western powers were busy sailing round the world, claiming countries and planting flags, white skin tone became synonymous with wealth, power and privilege. In the East there is a deep history associated with the sought after white skin: Japanese Geishas would powder their faces with chalk and in China women would swallow ground pearls in a bid to lighten and even their tone. It used to be desirable in Europe as well; wealthy men and women would powder their faces snow white in an effort to distinguish themselves from the darker workers who laboured outside in the sun. Whitening products do not just serve those wanting to achieve virgin skin; those with naturally white skin tone can also benefit. If you suffer from hyperpigmentation and brown age spots so often caused by extensive sun exposure, a whitening product can inhibit the production of melanin in your skin. If you’re not quite ready to white out your skin, then the numerous brightening products on the market work to refresh and rejuvenate your complexion, giving you a new glow but without actually attempting to inhibit melanin production. Whatever the history or reasoning, the fact remains that the desire for milky skin has created a lucrative market in the industry. There is no real promise with whitening products but with safer ones available on the market and a steady demand, this craze is set to continue as it has for centuries gone by.
1. Babor’s White Effect range is supremely natural and mild, using the power of the tropical plant charmingly called sleepy morning, which halts melanin production in the skin. The product visibly brightens skin and removes pigment marks, protecting with sunflower extract. www.babor.com 2. comfort zone’s absolute pearl system uses pearl powder, bearberry extract, lemon and UVA and UVB filters to lighten skin tone. While the antioxidant rich cream moisturises, the concentrate delivers a shimmer, the weekly mask reoxygenates and lightens and the corrector can be used on pigment spots. www.comfortzone.it
4. Organic Kuush products include the Skin Brightening Moisturiser whose main ingredient is spirulina, which protects skin by trapping UV rays. Avocado, bilberry, rice and Australian grape oil deliver antioxidants. www.kuush.com.au 5. MTM’s Superior Custom-blended Eye Mask includes the Superior 100% Plant Collagen Eye Pad to calm traces of stress along with the hydrating lotion, which targets the eye’s dark circles and uneven pigmentation. www.mtmskincare.com 6. An intense treatment for sun-damaged skin, be your own chemist with Murad’s Environmental Shield Vitamin C Infusion Home Facial Kit. Mix the gel and powder fresh and apply with a brush to reverse phytodamage and the effects of aging, and deliver the highest levels of antioxidants in a home product. www.murad.com
7. Ole Henriksen’s micro/mini peel system incorporates a pro-grade microdermabrasion and peel to brighten skin tone. Almond polish refines, lemon strips peel and chamomile comforts. Use once a week along with the enlighten me pigmentation lightening serum. www.olehenriksen.com 8. Origins’ Never A Dull Moment is a fruit smoothie for your face. This skin brightening cleanser includes fruit extracts of papaya and mango to bring a healthy glow. Follow with Never A Dull Moment skin-brightening face polisher. www.origins.com 9. Orlane’s Soin De Blanc range virtually eliminates melanin-laden epidermal cells through their powerful Arbutin Whitening System. The Whitening Essence, Whitening Lotion, Whitening Serum and Whitening Cream make up the ultimate rejuvenating team. www.orlane.com 10. Pevonia’s Radiance Lightening Gel brings strong bleaching agents like azelaic acid, arbutin, glycolic acid and mulberry extract to work together to lighten skin tones and bring a unified complexion. www.pevonia.com
6 8
3. For a luminous look, Korner’s Sparkle Brightly Renewal Mask is an exfoliating gel cream crammed with sugar cane AHAs full of vitamin C to inhibit melanin production, marine actives to regulate pigmentation, and other exotic ingredients like Ecuadorian pink berries and Madagascan ylang ylang. www.kornerskincare.com
9
2
10
Spa Treatment ©iStockphoto.com/Sladjana Lukic
3 46
AsiaSpa 2008
2008 AsiaSpa
47
