K-beauty is known for many things, and one of its most popular trends has got to be the pursuit of glass skin. Wanting to uncover the secrets of a glowing, luminous complexion led Xenia Wong, founder of Sigi Skin, to enrolling in Jung Saem Mool Art Academy and Make Up Forever beauty courses.
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Through this process, she discovered that truly gorgeous skin is healthy skin. As she shares, “healthy skin can only be achieved with an effective skincare regimen, as opposed to just hiding your flaws with makeup.”
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While the Korean routine is notorious for its elaborate steps, Wong wanted to create an alternative that pared it down to the essentials at their best. Her hope for Sigi Skin? That it would be an efficacious and minimalist approach to skincare – beginning with ingredients, nutrients and superfood-infused products.
“Always remember to apply sunscreen! Sunscreen protects your skin. It prevents 90 per cent of your skin’s problems such as premature photo-ageing, wrinkles, hyperpigmentation and as well as acne. No matter what other products you’re using in your routine, without applying sunscreen in the day, it will be a total waste of time and effort.
When I first started the brand, even my formulators asked me if I really wanted to start with sunscreen. It’s one of the most difficult and costly skincare products to formulate. However, I know that many of us are not using sunscreen as it is very uncomfortable to apply. I suffered from a bad sunburn when I was much younger because I did not want to apply sunscreen due to its greasy texture. So it was very personal to me to create the perfect sunscreen that people would look forward to applying every morning.”
“Sigi Skin’s Tea-Tox for an immediate quick fix, it is able to calm down any inflammation, redness or any dry patches instantly.”
“Look for products that contain niacinamide and ingredients that speed up cell renewal progress such as purslane. Don’t expect instant results — your skin takes time to heal and renew itself.”
“I used to change products every three months to follow a certain skin ‘fad’, but the past few years has been all about achieving healthy and strong skin. With heathier and stronger skin, your skin won’t easily get inflamed and will be less sensitised. I have found that frequent switching of skincare will ultimately cause your skin barrier to be over-sensitised. Stick to what works.”
“Start applying sunscreen. The earlier, the better.”
“Probiotics, in general, help to restore skin’s microbiome, improve barrier function, maintain calm and reduce sensitivity, manufacture moisturising factors and maintain the skin’s pH.
Kombucha is also a probiotic, and it contains loads of vitamin B that helps to even out skin tone. It also improves skin elasticity and helps to improve and combat fine lines and wrinkles. It is best for Kombucha to be paired with other probiotics actives to bring the best results for your skin. Kombucha is safe for all skin types, even for eczema and rosacea skin. Unless you have a known allergy to Kombucha, it is safe for everyone to use.”
“Teas are an excellent source of antioxidants, that has soothing and skin calming properties. Which makes this a great choice for people who have sensitive skin or pregnant ladies that would not be able to take harsh actives. Kombucha, matcha and chamomile are some of the more beneficial teas for our skin.
Chamomile extracts are excellent for skin soothing and skin itching (perfect for people who have eczema), they have strong anti-bacterial properties as well. Chamomile extracts are also found in Sigi Skin Dew Potion, a 100 per cent waterless essence mist. People who have eczema love this, and it is a good replacement for their steroid creams when they’re pregnant.”
This hydrating vegan sunscreen protects the skin from UVA and dUVB rays and leaves no white residue or greasy film after application. Packed with superfoods like avocado and acai extracts that are rich in vitamin E and fatty acids, this sunscreen helps keep the skin supple while moisturised with its four per cent niacinamide.
According to Wong: “I wanted to create a physical sunscreen as it provides protection against UVA, UVB rays as well as blue light rays, and it is also safe for pregnant and breast-feeding ladies. Morning Glow is even safe for babies to use as well, as opposed to a chemical sunscreen, which might contain skin irritants and allergens. I am always happy to hear from customers that they used to hate applying sunscreen, but they now look forward to using it!”
P.S. In case you are curious about its reputation among celebrities, this sunscreen is also one of Daniel Martin (celebrity makeup artist to Meghan Markle and Jessica Alba)’s favourite.
This probiotics sheet mask helps to brighten, soothe, and heal the skin while eliminating any redness and irritation. Wong says: “The luxurious silky sheet mask material is an extra added bonus, so you can really feel that you’re pampering your skin. Luxury skincare without the luxury price tag, I would say!”
“It’s an affordable option to give your skin health a boost. I love that it contains 20 per cent probiotics, kombucha and cold-pressed yuzu extracts. It really helps to restore your skin’s microbiome, making it stronger and less sensitive over time.”
While Sigi Skin’s products are all geared towards strengthening the skin and its immunity, they’ve also paid special attention to the packaging. With Dream Capsule, Wong shares that “the overnight sleeping mask sits pretty in a lilac, airless pump packaging. It has a silky whip cream texture that melts into your skin instantly and gives you an instant hydration boost. With long-term usage, you will see calmer skin and fewer acne scars.”
This overnight mask helps to nourish and repair the skin through Bakuchiol and Purslane, an anti-ageing ingredient that helps to protect the skin’s DNA by strengthening the cells’ repair function.
This article first appeared in Singapore Women’s Weekly