Skin Need's Private Formula for Every Skin Type
Whether you have dry or oily skin, there’s a private skincare formula for you.
Whether you’re a budding skincare lover or a beauty guru, we could all agree that there’s no one-size-fits-all skincare regime. Just as everyone’s skin is unique, our skin concerns can vary greatly, depending on intrinsic factors as well as the climate and environment we live in.
To help us take the guesswork out of our skincare routine, Hong Kong-based skincare brand Skin Need has invented a “private formula” to meet the dynamic needs of the skin with safe, plant-based skincare designed to be mixed and matched, allowing the skin to reach optimal health through customised mixology.
Manufactured in an FDA-approved, cGMP certified laboratory in the US, Skin Need combines high-technology delivery systems and cell modulating ingredients with naturally derived botanical extracts to develop luxury beauty—one that’s sustainable to our health and the environment, cruelty-free, vegan, safe for pregnant and breastfeeding women and skin associated with eczema and psoriasis.
While there can be endless combinations of skin types and conditions, Skin Need’s suggested routines are not limited to a single product or skin type, but rather a mix and match of precise formulations that cater to the skin’s specific needs.
To help simplify things, we’ve created personalised skin-care guides for your skin type. Read on for a glimpse into how you should design a step-by-step regimen for your skin.
Not sure what skin type you fall into? Try Skin Need’s skin diagnosis protocol to decipher your “private formula”—a suggested routine that considers your skin type, skin attributes, lifestyle and geographic location. Or follow Skin Need’s formulator Christal Leung (@theskincareturtle) to get pro tips on skincare and beauty.
If You Have Dry Skin/Sensitive Skin
Light Cleanser + Just Toner
Perfect for dull, dry and sensitive skin, this gentle foaming cleanser is a concoction of revitalising and anti-oxidising ingredients, including rosehip seed oil, aloe vera leaf juice, kumquat extract, evening primrose extract to remove skin impurities while preserving the skin’s natural oils for maximum comfort. For ultra-sensitive skin, mix it with a few drops of Just Toner, a rare blend of hyaluronic acid and mineral infusion that instantly calms redness-prone and dehydrated skin.
Wash face in an upward circular motion for no more than 30 seconds. Rinse thoroughly with tepid water, and repeat the above procedure to remove water-soluble make-up, followed by Skin Need Toner.
100% Hyaluronic Acid + Hyaluronic Acid + B5 Aqua Infusion Mask
Composed of a high concentration of 100% nano-diameter hyaluronic acid (HA), which can diffuse into deeper layers of the skin to bind moisture and maintain skin suppleness compared to regular HA, this water-based serum is infused with silica and trace mineral rich bamboo extract to bolster up skin immunity and resilience against sensitising agents. Need an instant hydration boost? We like Skin Need’s suggestion of mixing it with the Hyaluronic Acid + B5 Aqua Infusion Mask, which provides below-the-surface hydration using vitamin B3, B5, nutrient-rich oceanic phytoplankton extract. This mixology is ideal even after invasive treatments.
100% Squalane +Vitamin E
For extra pampering effects, blend this omnipotent super oil with the water-based 100% hyaluronic acid serum. Derived from hand-picked, organically grown Kalamata olives, it is a raw material grade and top quality serum enriched with radical combating vitamin E, nourishing argan oil, UV damage reversing raspberry seed oil, age fading rose hip seed oil to offer full-spectrum skin protection and reduce TEWL (trans-epidermal water loss).
Universally blendable, this serum can be freely mixed into serums, moisturizers, sun screens and foundations for a richer texture and smoother finish.
Hydra Smooth Essence
A feathery light moisturiser packed with powerful antioxidants and skin immunity boosting ingredients, this lotion will give your skin the TLC it truly deserves. Made of calming organic rice bran oil, wheat-derived glucan, anti-inflammatory vitamin B5, skin renewing algae extract and anti-oxidative sea buckthorn extract, the gentle and clean formula is especially beneficial for skin associated with sensitivity.
Like other Skin Need moisturisers, it is designed to be a base that allows users to freely blend with Skin Need serums to create one’s very own private skin care formula. The dispenser plate is a hygienic and convenient way to pump the moisturiser and blend with the serum.
If You Have Acne-prone Skin/Combination Skin
Deep Cleanser
Designed to invigorate purify and brighten dull, oil-prone and congested skin, the Deep Cleanser is a medley of herbal, antibacterial and antiseptic ingredients, including lemongrass, aloe vera, witch hazel and cucumber.
Rich and refreshing, this cleanser also acts as an effective makeup remover without drying out the skin or stripping away the skin’s critical oils.
Deep Toner + On-the-go Skin Purifying Pads
One of our favourite products from Skin Need, the Deep Toner goes beyond second cleansing and pH balancing. Formulated with skin renewing, collagen stimulating and pore clearing AHA + BHA, this alcohol-free toner is enriched with exfoliating plant extracts to boost cellular turnover and oil-reducing herbs to calm inflammation and reduce occurrence of pore congestion that often leads to breakouts and comedones.
Instead of using regular cotton pads, take your skin toning step to the next level with Skin Need’s On-the-go Skin Purifying Pads. Woven with dye-free cotton and infused with dehydrated botanical actives—including citrus, gingko leaf and white tea extracts—which are activated when moistened with Skin Need toners (or even distilled water) to remove makeup, excess sebum and impurities on the skin. A perfect outdoor essential to pack for hikes, camping or beach days when the skin requires instant cleansing.
Aloe Vera Ginseng Extract
Currently our favourite moisturiser from Skin Need, this lightweight yet moisturising gel is richly packed with bactericidal, antiviral and antifungal herbal extracts such as aloe vera leaf juice, ginseng extract, serenoa serrulata fruit extract, sesame seed extract and rosemary extract to fend off breakouts, inflammation and sensitivity.
Formulated specifically for breakout-prone skin, we like how soothing this gel moisturiser feels on the skin, especially after a long day in the sun. Powered by anti-inflammatory aloe vera and anti-oxidising ginseng, it can be used alone as a moisturiser or an overnight mask, or combined with Deep Toner or 100% Hyaluronic Acid + B5 to calm the skin from redness and sensitivity associated with acne inflammation.
Moisturising and Calming Mask
We are big fans of Skin Need’s smooth-on masks—not only are they small enough to carry around, they’re also extremely functional and targeted to address specific skin concerns. For oil-prone, combination and congested skin, the Moisturising and Calming Mask comprises a powerful blend of herbs such as organic mallow, peppermint leaf, primula veris and alchemilla vulgaris to combat excess sebum formation and its associated skin problems such as blackheads, comedones, acne and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
Instead of using strong alcohols, harsh acids or antibiotics that can potentially damage the skin’s natural barrier protection, thin out the skin or cause irritation, this complex formula aims to alleviate symptoms of mild to moderate acne by ways of natural extracts to deliver long-term results.
All skin types
Physical Sunblock
“If your skincare routine doesn’t involve sunscreen, then you don’t have a skincare routine,” says Christal Leung, founder and formulator of Skin Need. And if you think sunblocks are only important on sunny days, think again. Even on rainy or cloudy days, the harmful UVA and UVB rays can still penetrate the clouds. Same goes for spending time indoors, as the UVA rays—the main cause of premature skin aging—are very good at penetrating glass.
Unlike chemical sunblocks which absorb UV rays, Skin Need’s physical sunblock acts like a shield to deflect the sun’s rays. The Oil Free Moisturiser with SPF 18 makes for a wonderful SPF protection lotion without clogging the pores, balancing oily and breakout-prone skin with chamomile extract and aloe vera leaf juice. We prefer to layer it with UV Perfect SPF 40 in Natural Beige to even out the skin tone for a colour balanced complexion and optimal UV protection.
Photos: Courtesy of Skin Need
