Boost your skincare regimen with these beauty devices

SINGAPORE - When it comes to cleaning our faces, we are often more than happy to use our bare hands. But what if there’s a beauty gadget that can enhance the efficacy of a product used, for example, leading to better absorption and thus more effective results? You can even forget Botox and fillers — some gadgets are said to instantly firm and lift our faces as well.

Does it seem too good to be true? You’re not alone, said Dr Lim Hock Hin, director of beauty gadget boutique Clariancy. The company first introduced beauty devices in 2011, but faced a doubtful public.

“People were sceptical at first and our staff (had) to spend some time (educating) customers who walked into our stores,” he said. “Most did not even know these technologies existed, not to mention whether they were safe and effective. Sales were tepid, but slowly gained momentum.”

Today, Clariancy has nine outlets in Singapore and five in Malaysia, retailing more than 50 beauty gadgets sourced from Japan, South Korea, the United States, the United Kingdom and Israel. “With the increasing popularity and knowledge of aesthetic treatments, people in Singapore are more aware of these technologies and receptive towards them,” said Dr Lim. “It also helps that there has been positive feedback from our customers.”

One of the earliest devices available in Singapore was Clarisonic, which uses gentle sonic frequency micro-massage waves to make one’s skin look younger, healthier and more radiant. Created by a team of engineers and entrepreneurs in Seattle in 2001, it paved the way for the Clarisonic Pro Sonic Skin Cleansing System in 2004, which was originally meant to be used by skincare professionals. However, it swiftly became the No 1 cleansing brush recommended by top dermatologists, spa professionals and aestheticians.

Today, Clarisonic has counters at TANGS Orchard and Robinsons Raffles City, and is retailing at all Sephora stores and Aramsa Spa. The brand offers cleansing devices for the face and body, as well as skincare and body care products.

Beauty brand Skin Inc recently debuted its third gadget, the Optimizer Voyage. Sabrina Tan, founder and CEO of Skin Inc, said: “Skin Inc has always been a technologically driven brand and Optimizer Voyage makes use of technology to cater for the urban woman today. We want to empower these women with products that are fast and efficient and also optimise their skincare investment.”

The Optimizer Voyage offers four core benefits that can “switch on awesome skin”, by increasing elastin and collagen production by up to 90 per cent; achieving a lifted V-shape facial contour; repairing and renewing damaged skin cells; and boosting the efficacy of products used. It’s so popular that the battery-charged device has sold out thrice in Sephora since its launch in January.

Janice Chen, assistant marketing regional manager of Sephora in Singapore, said its stores have also seen promising sales of new gadgets such as NuFACE’s Trinity, a “multi-solution skincare device” designed with interchangeable treatment attachments to help with facial stimulation and the reduction of fine lines and wrinkles; and FOREO’s LUNA, a cleansing device developed in Sweden that delivers deep-cleansing via T-Sonic technology and anti-ageing therapy through lower-frequency pulsations.

“Sales for beauty gadgets in Sephora Singapore have definitely been encouraging,” she said. “Shoppers in Singapore are very well-informed about beauty trends and innovations, so there has been a healthy interest in the gadgets that Sephora has brought in, especially over the past half a year with the launch of FOREO and NuFACE.”

Chen posited that those brands are highly lauded as “effective treatment tools, so customers are willing to invest in them”.

Here are some gadgets to consider for your skincare regimen.

TO CLEAN.

Clarisonic Aria Sonic Skin Cleansing Brush, S$270, Sephora, TANGS Orchard, Robinsons Raffles City and Aramsa Spa.

This nifty device oscillates back and forth to swiftly and gently remove impurities and grime that can’t be removed by hand, allowing your skin to be more receptive to skincare products.

Clinique Sonic System Purifying Cleansing Brush, S$149, Clinique counters.

The demand for this lightweight device was so high that it sold out worldwide within three months of its launch date. Clinique Singapore’s brand general manager, Caroline Dunlop, said: “In consumer studies of women representing all four skin types, (this cleansing brush) was praised for effective cleansing, gentleness, ease of use, improved skin feel and better preparedness for subsequent skincare products. In fact, 97 per cent of users agreed the brush gently cleansed skin, while thoroughly removing dirt, oil and impurities. And 94 per cent of users agreed skin looked clearer and more radiant.”

TO PROMOTE BETTER ABSORPTION

Skin Inc Optimizer Voyage, S$268, Sephora, Skin Inc concept stores, www.iloveskininc.com and www.luxola.com.

This portable device employs an anti-ageing light therapy based on NASA technology to make your skin look better. Using it 10 minutes daily produces visible results including smoother skin and diminished pores and wrinkles. Tan said: “The low-frequency stimulation helps active skincare ingredients penetrate deeper into skin, from the usual 40 to 50 per cent up to 90 per cent. This greatly enhances the effectiveness of your skincare, and, at the same time, improves blood circulation and (drains) excessive water from your lymphatic system.”

Ya-Man Uruoi Hot & Cold, S$498, Clariancy boutiques.

This device uses iontophoresis (a technique that uses mild electrical current to drive active ingredients into the deeper layers of skin) to boost absorption of water-based serums, gels and lotions. It also delivers cool (12°C) and warm (42°C) treatments to aid in reviving dull-looking skin and minimising pores.

TO LIFT, FIRM AND TONE

NuFACE Trinity Kit, S$536, Sephora.

NuFACE’s Trinity device uses soft wave micro-current to stimulate and lift skin, especially along the cheekbones, forehead and jawline. Soft wave micro-current is a safe, low-level electrical impulse used as a medical and professional anti-ageing aesthetic treatment. Expect improved and toned facial contours, smoother skin and a reduction in wrinkles and lines with regular usage.

Sensica SensiLift, S$598, Clariancy boutiques.

Radio Frequency technology employed in Sensica SensiLift restores your skin to its youthful glory. The waves stimulate the collagen fibres in the dermal layers to tighten, lift and improve skin elasticity. It also reduces the size of pores and evens out skin texture.

TO FIRM UP THE EYE AREA

SK-II Magnetic Wand Eye Care Kit, S$174, SK-II counters.

SK-II’s new Magnetic Wand features a tri-magnetic technology that works in tandem with SK-II’s STEMPOWER Eye Cream’s key ingredient, niacinamide. The ingredient is repelled by the wand, “pushing” it deeper into skin for greater absorption. On top of a plumper and firmer eye area, SK-II promises a 23 per cent reduction of fine lines around the eye after 10 days of use.

ReFa S Carat, S$220, ReFa counter at Takashimaya Level 1 Beauty Hall.

Use this to reduce crepiness and puffiness around your peepers. It mimics the technique of professional aestheticians who use the tips of their fingers to gently knead the delicate eye area for a bright-eyed look.