SKIN is resilient but aggressors like harmful UV rays and pollution on a daily basis can lead to problems like blemishes, premature wrinkles and uneven skin tone. Keep skin smooth and pimple-free by adding effective products to your skincare regimen while getting the latest treatments that offer immediate results.

Fight pimples. Pimples and blackheads don?t just appear during teenage years but can happen at any age.

Product: Keeping pimples at bay can be a difficult and costly process. Switch to anti-acne products that contain benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid. This kills bacteria and minimizes oil, shortening the life span of existing pimples and preventing new ones from forming.

Treatment: If you want pimples gone within a matter of hours, consult a dermatologist. ?If it?s a cystic type, we can inject a triamcinolone acetonide steroid into it. If it?s an inflammatory type, we can remove it through pricking and apply an antibiotic solution after so it won?t get infected. Another option is taking the pimple out through laser,? says Dr. Ellaine Eusebio-Galvez, member of the Philippine Dermatological Society.

Moisturize skin

Dryness causes skin to look and feel rough and makes it more prone to wrinkles.

Product: ?The best moisturizers have urea in them, which helps skin absorb and retain moisture. Also, ingredients like alpha hydroxy acid and glycolic acid help prevent acne and protect skin from photo damage which leads to blotchiness and fine wrinkles,? says Galvez. For oily skin, use toner with keratolytics (which soften the top layer of the skin), alpha and beta hydroxy acid, salicylic acid and retinol (which stimulates collagen production) after moisturizing to leave skin supple. For sensitive skin, switch to a moisturizer designed for babies to prevent allergic reactions.

Treatment: Getting a moisturizing facial sloughs away dry, flaky skin and leaves it soft and hydrated. Doing this every two weeks makes a big difference ? a relaxing combination of gentle exfoliation, steam and ultra-moisturizing masks and creams do wonders for your skin. Makeup brand Shiseido (G/F, Greenbelt 5) offers facials suited to your skin type, so does Dermalogica (Heaven on the 5th, Rustan?s). The Spa (B8, Bonifacio High Street) recently introduced Gua Sha Facial Treatment with revitalizing massage using Gua Sha boards.

Erase fine lines and age spots. Exposing skin to harmful UV rays on a daily basis speeds up early signs of aging.

Product: Wearing sunscreen should be part of our daily skincare regimen. ?UV damage is cumulative, and in time, can cause more pigmentation, premature wrinkles and photo aging,? says Galvez. A light, non-greasy sunscreen should work best for everyday use. Or wearing moisturizer or makeup with SPF 15 and up can also help. At night, use products with retinol or peptides to boost the production of collagen.

Treatment: Fractional Laser improves the appearance of wrinkles, uneven pigmentation, acne scars and stretch marks by delivering light in micro beams that penetrate into the dermis, accelerating the formation of new, healthy tissue to fill in damaged skin.