Gender Neutral Skincare is the Future of Beauty

Is there really a difference between products marketed for men and women? “These differences are at its heart, related to certain social inclinations or biases that characterise each gender. Increasingly, marketing tactics aside, brands are aware of the dermatological science that supports the use of gender-neutral skincare products,” Dr. Teo Wan Lin, accredited dermatologist.

First things first, is there a difference in male and female skin?

Dr. Teo explains that “the physiology of skin is truly gender neutral. This is apart from certain characteristics which are determined by circulating hormones. Men have higher amounts of circulating testosterone, and do not have oestrogen – the hormone dominant amongst women. As a result, we have certain skin differences.

Men tend to have more sebaceous, oilier skin, because of the higher amount of androgens. Men will also tend to find that their skin texture may be coarser, as oestrogen in women is what is responsible for smooth and soft skin. Nevertheless, there are also men with dry skin and women with oily skin.”

Do men and women require different skincare / beauty products?

“In dermatology, there has never been a distinction in skincare products for men and women. Rather, the key thing is to view the skin as a universal organ that has certain requirements. For example, the barrier function of skin. This is best envisioned as a brick wall joined together by blocks of cement, with the cement being ceramide. A good skincare product should respect this skin barrier. In terms of addressing the underlying differences in oil production, the same gentle cleanser is able to exert sebum homeostatic effects. The gentle cleanser is able to maintain the skin barrier when we use it on both excessively oily skin, or very dry skin,” Dr. Teo Wan Lin.

What products do you recommend for both men and women?

“Products should work for all skin types.

The acid test would be to have an effective anti-ageing ingredient that would also be well tolerated by individuals with eczema. As well as individuals with oily, acne prone skin, who could, also by the way, have or develop eczema. So, it’s a clear ‘NO’ to using retinols or exfoliating acids in leave-on skincare for my practice. Retinols and retinoids are effective, but only if you do not get irritation. Our equatorial climate with near maximum UV-exposure further exacerbates photosensitive side effects.

The challenge in skincare formulation is in fact to find retinol/retinoid-like molecules without the irritating side effects. If you have acne and use an OTC retinol and find your acne getting worse, you probably know what I am referring to. Even when you have greasy, acne-prone skin, gentle but effective cleansing is what is recommended by dermatologists. A well-formulated anti-oxidant serum is as beneficial for acne prone skin as it is for someone with eczema. The key word here is tolerability, and it is what I look for in skincare.” Dr. Teo Wan Lin, accredited dermatologist.

Now that we’ve established that when buying products for our skin, we should focus on desired results rather than packaging, here are some recommendations that work for all:

The Dream Concealer™- Colour Correction Service features packages of 2 colours, the basic set of 3, the deluxe set of 5, or the complete set of 8 colour correctors; for both male and female problem skin concerns.

Colour Correction Service

The Dream Concealer is a customised colour correction service which targets at each individual’s skin tone and evaluation of problem areas. The advanced Colour Science System applies algorithmic titrations of mineral pigments and natural luminescence to counteract one’s skin blemishes and correct uneven skin tone.

Made with a cosmeceutical oligopeptide base that serves to lift and repair skin, it also contains active ingredients like Niacinamide that helps with brightening, and Larecea extract for regeneration. Since it is a customised service, the Dream Concealer colour correction is suitable for all skin types, both men and women, to get the perfect colour match for your skin.

Gender Neutral Skincare Cosmeceutical CC Cream

CellTalk™ Cosmeceutical CC Cream is dermatologist-approved for all skin types including acne, rosacea, sensitive/dry skin.

Gender Neutral Cosmeceutical Makeup Blender

The Smart Beauty Blender Alternative Sofsmooth™ Airbrush Finish is ideally designed for use with Dream Concealer and CellTalk Cosmeceutical CC Cream

Colour Correction Cream

The CellTalk Cosmeceutical CC Cream is the final step of colour correction. While the standard formula is for type II and III skin, the most common match for fair to medium skin, customisation is also available. This makes the product suitable for all skin tones and genders. We compound the CC Cream with phytoceramides for skin barrier repair, arbutin for skin lightening and pigmentation, along with other active ingredients. This dermatologist-approved CC cream is suitable for all skin types including those with acne, rosacea, or sensitive/dry skin.