The hype behind a seven to 10-step moisture- and actives-packed skincare regimen or a five-figure face cream or essence with extracts sourced from the highest altitudes to the depths of the ocean aren’t completely unfounded, but in pursuit of your best skin yet, they’re not the only way to go.
Happy Skin has always been about dispelling notions that beauty has to be prohibitive, from usability down to cost. “For the past four years, what made the brand grow is that women found the solution to wearing makeup without harming their skin,” Happy Skin co-founder Rissa Trillo says during the launch of their three-step skincare line early this week.
“A lot of our consumers were pressuring us, when will you release skincare to complement the makeup? When you’re hiyang na with a brand, you don’t want to switch anymore. After all, the first step to perfecting your makeup look is by having good skin,” Happy Skin co-founder Jacqe Gutierrez says.
Three years in the making, the skincare-in-makeup brand’s first full-on skincare line harnesses the expertise of Korean and Japanese beauty for oil-control and anti-aging, respectively. Happy Skin also took extra steps in making sure your beauty regimen can be sustainable. Nothing in the line costs above P1,000. For anybody just getting into skincare, the labels are self-explanatory. At a glance, you know that they are paraben-free, what special ingredients are in it, what its functions are in three emblems, and where it’s made.
“It’s either raining or hot, so we made sure it gets absorbed instantly and is compatible with makeup. I’m always diligent about testing our products. We also tested it among different skin types,” says Trillo.
Happy Skin Beauty co-founders Jacque Yuengtian-Gutierrez and Rissa Mananquil Trillo with Dr. Raissa Pasion, Board-certified dermatologist; SKIN Dermatology and Laser Center; Fellow, Philippine Dermatological Society
But does it work? Dermatologist Raissa Pasion was impressed by the mix of next-generation, emerging active extracts with clinically proven ingredients. “They are very popular ingredients in Japan. These could be the cutting-edge future of potent antioxidants.”
Pasion tried out the anti-aging line even while five months pregnant without a sitch. “Chardonnay extract from grape active is an Alpha-Hydroxy Acid. This is anti-aging because our skin doesn’t shed effectively and doesn’t regenerate like when we’re younger. Natural acids found in food increases ceramide production and is also a natural humectant,” she says. “AHA is safe for pregnancy, unlike retinols.”
Umbrella pine extract protects the skin by activating the Nrf2 compound naturally found in cells that generates powerful antioxidants. Citrus jabara extract offers physical protection against free radicals and biological protection by promoting collagen production. Best for normal, dry and combination skin, it comes in the low-pH Hydrating Facial Wash that supports our skin’s natural low-pH state; Time Reversing Serum to firm up skin, prevent moisture loss, and stimulate cell turnover; meant to be sealed in with the Regenerating Moisturizer for long-lasting hydration as defense against wrinkle formation while promoting collagen production. Trillo suggests applying it up to the neck and décolletage to prevent wrinkles and sunspots there, too.
The oil control line combines clinically-tested ingredients like brightening vitamin C and salicylic acid, “a BHA for mild acne that cleans out pores and is also anti-inflammatory,” and a next-generation ingredient centella asiatica extract. “It heals skin while inhibiting pigment production. It’s anti-inflammatory and contributes to collagen synthesis.” These are all in the Skin Smoothening Gel Facial Wash which deeply cleans pores and reduces oiliness and impurities without dryness; Mattifying Ampoule to keep you matte and shine-free; and Oil Controlling Moisturizer, a light and quick-absorbent formula that keeps the skin supple and hydrated without greasiness.
Want to do a targeted mix of the two? Pasion assures me that the interaction between the BHA salicylic acid and the AHA Chardonnay extract will not cause a reaction. “Or you can do the oil-control line during the day and anti-aging at night. The most important thing is not to forget sunscreen!”
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Visit happyskincosmetics.com/stores for a full list of Happy Skin’s stores and counters. Shop online via happyskincosmetics.com andbeautymnl.com. Available on zalora.com.ph by March 5. Follow @happyskin_ph on Instagram and facebook.com/happyskincosmetics for updates.