Put simply, TFC5 includes biomimetic peptides, moisture-enhancing proteins and protective antioxidants to nourish the skin barrier, improve elasticity and kickstart renewal but at levels designed for a younger 18 to 35-year-old audience.
To test drive the formulas, Dua took the lab samples on tour. “I was like, this is the perfect test if my skin can keep up with all the travelling and the dancing and the sweating and the makeup. When it [Dua’s skin] was showing up for me, even on the hardest days, I was like, OK, we’re onto a winner.” She added that she noticed her skin was calmer and felt stronger, too. “Sometimes I tend to get a little bit of redness. And it really kind of took a lot of that away.”
In a very un-celeb move, she’s more excited about letting her skin “reset and recharge” rather than jump on a new, trending makeup look for the upcoming party season. “With my tour wrapping up towards the end of the year, I’m really just looking forward to giving my skin a bit of a break from makeup and leaning into more of a natural, less-is-more look,” she said.
As for Dua’s top tip for reinvigorating dull, winter skin? Instead of highlighter, “I always use the Supercharged Glow Complex to help give my skin that glowy look and keep it hydrated at the same time. It’s like magic in a bottle and goes to work immediately after you put it on.” See you in the queue.
My verdict on every product in the DUA collection:
I was one of the first beauty editors to receive top-secret lab samples from the DUA skincare range. Here are my honest thoughts:
DUA Balancing Cream Cleanser
DUA Balancing Cream Cleanser
One of my favourite types of cleanser is a cream-to-foam formula because it does the job of lifting away makeup and daily grime but is still gentle on the skin. I like how the DUA Balancing Cream Cleanser left my pores feeling squeaky clean without stripping my skin and that there’s even the hero TFC5 complex in this step, alongside prebiotics to help balance the skin, tsubaki oil to melt away makeup and lipids to hydrate.
DUA Supercharged Glow Complex
DUA Supercharged Glow Complex
I’m actually obsessed with this product. For the past few weeks, the Glamour team has been asking what I’m using on my skin as it’s defying winter’s grey, dull, withered legacy. Well, team, here it is – a vitamin-packed serum designed to firm the skin and give it a mega-watt glow with TFC5, niacinamide and a non-irritating marine ingredient that mimics retinol.
DUA Renewal Cream
This gel-cream moisturiser is the dream consistency for me. It strikes the perfect balance between being deeply hydrating and not being heavy or pore-clogging. I love how it leaves my skin feeling bouncy, but it is also powered by some scientifically heavyweight ingredients, including TFC5 and a peptide to keep the skin barrier strong. Better still, I like how Dua has made this a very inclusive product. It plays nicely with sensitive and spot-prone skin, too, thanks to a blend of amino acids and pre- and postbiotics to calm any redness and balance the skin.
For more from Fiona Embleton, GLAMOUR’s Associate Beauty Director, follow her on @fiembleton.
Lactic acid accelerates skin turnover, promoting renewal. “This process not only reveals fresher and more youthful-looking skin but also helps to unclog pores, which can be beneficial for treating whiteheads, blackheads and acne pimples,” Dr Phillips notes.
3. Boosts hydration
Lactic acid is also a powerful humectant, meaning it helps to attract and draw moisture into the skin to keep it hydrated.
4. Supports the skin barrier
“Lactic acid has been shown to enhance the skin barrier function by increasing the production of ceramides, which help to maintain a waterproof skin barrier, reducing loss of moisture from the skin,” says Dr Phillips.
5. Stimulates the production of collagen
“Additionally, lactic acid can stimulate the production of collagen and structural molecules called glycosaminoglycans (GAGS), resulting in firmer and plumper skin with fewer fine lines and wrinkles,” he adds.
6. Fade signs of discolouration
Dark spots and patches of uneven skin tone are the result of your skin cells producing excess pigment. Triggers include sun exposure, hormonal changes, inflammation and acne scars. According to Paula Begoun, founder of Paula’s Choice, concentrations of 5-12% lactic acid help to fade signs of discolouration by speeding up the shedding and renewal of these cells on the skin’s surface.
Can you use lactic acid every day?
“Lactic acid can be used daily; however, if you are experiencing dryness, redness or irritation, you will need to use smaller quantities or use it less frequently,” says consultant dermatologist Dr Magnus Lynch.
Also, take note of what other ingredients you’re using and “avoid using multiple exfoliating acids [such as salicylic acid and glycolic acid] in the same routine as lactic acid unless they have been formulated to work together,” says Dr Phillips.
11 best ceramide serums to boost your delicate skin barrier
By Rebecca Fearn
What’s the best way to use lactic acid for skin?
Available in cleansers, exfoliators, serums and creams, lactic acid can easily be incorporated into your daily skincare routine. For lactic acid first-timers, seek out a product with a low strength (around 5% – 10%) and slowly work your way up. Start by using it one to three times a week to build tolerance and increase frequency only if there is zero redness or irritation.
I don’t know about you, but washing my face is the highlight of my day, and I’ve come to realise nothing beats the magic of the best Korean cleansers. They deliver a proper cleanse without compromising my skin barrier, unlike other formulas I’ve tested (and trust me, as a longtime beauty journalist, I’ve reviewed hundreds of skincare products in my lifetime).
Be it a nourishing cleansing balm, a gentle cleansing oil, or a purifying foaming cleanser, quality K-beauty formulas never miss the mark. They’re designed to be gentle yet effective, often focusing on skin-balancing while thoroughly cleansing without stripping the skin, says Charlotte Cho, a licensed aesthetician based in New York City and cofounder of Then I Met You skincare brand and Soko Glam online beauty retailer. Unlike Western cleansers, which often rely on harsh surfactants or astringent ingredients, Korean ones maintain the skin’s moisture barrier and natural pH balance, says Cho. Think: Centella asiatica, ginseng, rice extract, vitamin C, niacinamide, and ceramides – a.k.a. the ingredients that you’ll often find in other barrier-strengthening Korean skincare products.
To help you find your pick, I asked K-beauty experts and dermatologists to share their favourite products, and tested them firsthand on my dry and sensitive skin, as well as tapped fellow beauty editors with different skin concerns to share what they love. One product stood out above the rest: the Beauty of Joseon Green Plum Refreshing Cleanser. This gentle option works well on all skin types, balancing oil while also leaving skin soft and prepped for the next steps in your routine. Looking for other options? Enter: your definitive guide to the most hype-worthy Korean cleansers.
Since becoming a beauty journalist half a decade ago, I always gravitated toward K-beauty products for their efficacy and innovation. And as far as Korean cleansers go, over the years, I’ve tested dozens of the most popular formulas, including everything from cleansing balms to gels, foams, and oils.
When reviewing each formula, I always aim to make note of its ingredient list to determine whether or not it will: (1) cause any irritation for sensitive-skin types; (2) disturb the skin barrier; or (3) strip the skin of its natural moisture. Alongside Glamour editors, I also point out any pros and cons objectively to help our readers make the most informed decision. Plus, I always aim to consult with industry professionals and dermatologists when curating each skin-care-related edit while also keeping in mind my own expertise.
1. Best Overall: Beauty of Joseon Green Plum Refreshing Cleanser
Beauty of Joseon Green Plum Refreshing Cleanser
Original video from Sarah Y. Wu testing Beauty of Joseon Green Plum Refreshing Cleanser
Pros: Doesn’t strip the skin of its natural moisture; suitable for all skin types; refreshing feel; barrier-friendly formula
Cons: Nothing of note
Our best overall pick goes to this gentle daily cleanser, which we’d recommend for any skin type: dry, combination, oily, and sensitive. It features a slightly acidic formulation to avoid compromising your skin’s moisture barrier and stripping it of its natural oils while effectively removing dirt and impurities. It’s also infused with soothing, antioxidant-rich plant extracts including green plum, mung bean, and green tea.
“I have combination skin and it’s sensitive, so I usually swap out cleansers depending on what phase my skin is in,” says Glamour contributor Sarah Y. Wu. “In the past, I’ve used more hydrating formulas when my face feels dry, sebum-targeting ones when it gets greasy, and extra-gentle ones when I’m having redness and irritation. This is one of the rare cleansers that can handle all three scenarios with ease. The clear gel feels so refreshing and turns into a mild lather that doesn’t strip my skin or cause irritation. It helps balance my sebum levels and thoroughly cleanse but still leaves my complexion feeling hydrated, soft, and prepped for my Korean toners and serums.”
2. Best Cleansing Balm: Then I Met You Living Cleansing Balm
Then I Met You Living Cleansing Balm
Original video from Denise Primbet testing Then I Met You Living Cleansing Balm
Pros: Great for thorough makeup removal; feels nourishing on the skin; brightens the skin over prolonged use
Cons: May not be best for those with sensitive eyes as it has an apparent scent
Suitable for all skin types (including oily skin), this cleansing balm is full of antioxidants and skin-loving ingredients, including seaberry oil, vitamin E, and persimmon extract. Apart from its cleansing abilities, it also has a handful of long-term benefits. From brightening and evening out your skin tone to protecting your skin against free radicals and ensuring lasting hydration, it’s safe to say that your skin barrier will be well taken care of. It starts off as a rich balm, then transforms into a luxurious face oil with an uplifting citrusy scent. Did we mention that it’s also cruelty-free and doesn’t feature any parabens and sulfates?
“I’m a sucker for a quality cleansing balm for my double-cleanse routine, and this formula from Then I Met You is my ultimate go-to. In fact, I’ve already emptied at least six of these,” says Glamour contributor Denise Primbet. “I love how effortlessly it removes my makeup (even waterproof mascara and fake lash glue) without causing any flare-ups or irritation.”
3. Best Cleansing Oil: HaruHaru Wonder Black Rice Moisture Cleansing Oil
HARUHARU Wonder Black Rice Moisture Cleansing Oil
Original video from Denise Primbet testing HaruHaru Wonder Black Rice Moisture Cleansing Oil
Pros: Unscented; feels gentle on the skin; impressive when it comes to makeup and sunscreen removal
Cons: May not be the best fit for oily skin
Featuring a simple yet effective blend of naturally derived jojoba-seed, olive, and rice-bran oils, the HaruHaru Wonder Black Rice Moisture Cleansing Oil is an Amazon bestseller for a reason. It delivers thorough cleansing and lasting moisture without compromising your delicate skin barrier. Simply apply a few pumps onto dry skin and gently rub your face in circular motions for at least 30 seconds. Once done, make sure to emulsify it with water, massage it once more, and rinse away. You can also use a handy washcloth for an added exfoliating effect.
When is matcha not a Kermit-coloured drink consumed by 6am yoga lovers? When it becomes a trending ingredient in skincare, stealing the spotlight away from hyaluronic acid for a hot second.
The global market value for matcha is set to surpass £6billion by 2030, such is our love affair with whisking this finely ground powder made from green tea leaves into TikTok-worthy lattes. Lauded for its energy and metabolism-boosting benefits, ingesting matcha has become fashionable in the wellness space, but a highlight reel of spring 2024’s most popular skincare ingredients would suggest the antioxidants in matcha tea are entering the skin barrier conversation, too.
Matcha isn’t exactly a new ingredient in skincare. Rewind six years, and superfoods were booming, which meant it sidled up to kombucha in Milk Makeup’s groundbreaking, but now discontinued, Matcha Toner and Origins RitualiTea Matcha Madness Revitalising Powder Face Mask.
Then, last autumn, Huda Beauty launched its GloWish Super Jenny Lip Balm in Matcha. Powered by the lurid green superfood, it transforms into a more palatable pink shade when it hits your lips and now we’re seeing echoes of this ingredient everywhere.
In the last month alone, no fewer than three matcha-laced cleansers have hit the market. Tatcha’s The Matcha Cleanse is designed for oily skin and leans on Japanese Kyo-Matcha to calm redness. Likewise, K Beauty brand KraveBeauty has just landed in the UK with its Matcha Hemp Hydrating Cleanser to sooth and protect against environmental aggressors. And Hello Klean’s new body cleanser, the Nourishing Micronutrient Wash, has infused a chelating complex with matcha green tea, which founder Karlee Ozener, says “prevents mineral residue from settling on the skin while reducing dryness and inflammation caused by impurities in tap water.”
Tatcha The Matcha Cleanse
Krave Beauty Matcha Hemp Hydrating Cleanser
Hello Klean Nourishing Micronutrient Wash
When asked about the reason for matcha’s current boom, GP and aesthetic doctor Dr Sonia Khorana says, “Green tea has long been included in skincare products and now we are focusing on matcha as a newer ingredient. Matcha is thought to be super high in antioxidants (epigallocatechin gallate – EGCG), which have protective effects to fight free-radical damage, anti-inflammatory properties and possibly reduce the effects of sun damage.”
Cosmetic formulator Ginger King also hails its “strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory soothing effect.” However, despite matcha having high amounts of chlorophyll, she warns against reading too much into the ‘detox’ benefits popularised on TikTok. “There is no data I know of to support chlorophyll used topically for detox,” she adds.
So is it worth giving matcha skincare a go? Dr Khorana believes so, although more studies are needed on its topical benefits. “Matcha can be safe for a wide range of skin types,” she says. “There is some research to show that matcha might be beneficial for people with sensitive skin types or those exposed to free radicals and pollution, so it might be able to reach its peak potential when delivered through serums and masks, which stay on your skin longer.”
So you may want to consider topping off your matcha cleansing routine with the Elemis Superfood Matcha Eye Dew. Although not new, it’s brilliant at supporting the microbiome on delicate under-eye skin, while combatting puffiness and dryness. Zelens Tea Shot, another tried-and-true favourite, is a serum supercharged with five different types of tea, including matcha to counter the effects of pollution and to stimulate collagen production.
Huda Beauty GloWish Super Jenny Lip Balm in Matcha
If you fancy a total matcha odyssey, it’s worth noting that aside from the skincare aisle, you’ll also find perfumes laced with its grassy, vegetal scent.
Le Labo’s cult Thé Matcha 26 is infused with creamy fig, earthy vetiver, cedar wood and bitter orange that softly hug the skin. Also nice: Maison Margiela Replica Matcha Meditation, which captures the heat from a cup of matcha tea and the coolness of a bright, clear day in Tokyo with fresh green tea and bergamot and a dry down of sweet white chocolate and woods.
Proof if you needed it, that hot-drink inspired beauty trends are going nowhere.
Le Labo Thé Matcha 26, 100ml EDP
Maison Margiela Replica Matcha Meditation, 100ml EDT
For more from Fiona Embleton, GLAMOUR’s Associate Beauty Director, follow her on @fiembleton.
When I think of bar soaps, my mind immediately jumps to bars of Irish Spring or Ivory—soaps that I might find in a guest bathroom or an Airbnb. Bar soap has always had a place in the bathroom, but I’d be hard-pressed to say it’s chic. That is until the most recent bar soap iterations hit the market.
For the first time in recent memory, bar soap is having, dare I say, a moment. The most high-end brands in the bodycare realm are releasing bar soaps. Not only do you want to use these soaps, but they also feel like a moment of self-care. Many are packed with exfoliators, vitamins, and other good-for-your-skin ingredients. Plus, bar soaps have gone from plain rectangles in unexciting packaging to gorgeously crafted shapes in colors of every kind, housed in luxe, sustainable containers.
Using the wrong cleanser is just as bad as not cleansing your skin effectively. Rouleau says if you don’t choose the right formula for your skin type, you can risk everything from irritation to dehydration and a compromised moisture barrier. In other words, you’re really rolling the dice, and no one wants to do that with their skin.
Luckily, Rouleau has tips for choosing the right cleanser for your skin type. Start by paying attention to the texture of the cleanser. “If you struggle with very oily skin, gel cleansers are the way to go,” she says. “If your skin is on the drier side, you can opt for a creamy cleanser (or, if you wear heavier makeup or lots of sunscreen, a balm for nighttime). For those with combination skin, I usually recommend a gel cleanser in the morning and a creamy lotion or balm cleanser at night.”
Just keep in mind the texture of the cleanser determines how it should be used. “Gel cleansers should be applied to wet skin, while cleansers with a cream, balm, or lotion texture should be applied to dry skin,” Rouleau says. “If you apply a cleanser to dry skin, start by massaging it for 30 seconds. Then, add water to emulsify and massage.” Once it’s dissolved sunscreen, makeup, dirt, and debris, wipe or rinse your skin clean.
I think we all owe face wash an apology—at least I do, anyway! For years, I always considered my cleanser the least important part of my skincare routine. I’d splash some water on my face, slather on the cheapest face wash I could find at the drugstore, mush it around for, oh, a good 10 seconds, and then I’d rinse. Ugh. Let’s just say I know so much better now! For one, most experts say we should spend at least one full minute massaging our face wash into our face, a time frame that ensures we get every last crumb of naughties expunged from our pores. So set a timer, listen to half of your favorite tune, or just guesstimate.
Second, the formulation of your face wash can and will make a significant difference in the health and look of your complexion. (Take it from someone who learned the hard way that her cleanser was solely responsible for a never-ending cycle of breakouts.)
Additionally, some face washes are equipped with higher-quality, strategic ingredients if you’re looking to boost your skin with an extra dose of anti-aging perks. No, your cleanser still won’t be as important as your serums and moisturizers, since those are the products that will spend the most quality time on your skin, but every little bit helps, and using the right face wash with the right ingredients can definitely encourage a plump, balanced, hydrated, all-around youthful-looking complexion. If you’re into that kind of thing!
To give us the lay of the land where the best anti-aging face washes are concerned, I reached out to celebrity facialist Renée Rouleau and Joshua Zeichner, MD, FAAD. Ahead, they’ll be breaking down what to avoid and what to look for whilst face wash shopping, in addition to the specific products they recommend. Keep scrolling for the lowdown.
The word noncomedogenic is key here. This means that the product is formulated without pore-clogging ingredients that tend to trap dirt and sebum. A few highly comedogenic ingredients that Shirazi recommends avoiding are coconut oil, isopropyl myristate, lanolin, and algae extract. “Lanolin is a waxy, oily substance that helps retain moisture but can worsen acne and clog pores,” she says. “Look for cleansing balms with almond, argan, grape-seed, and castor oil [instead]. You’ll also want to avoid ones with alcohol and salt, which can dry and irritate the skin.”
To sum up, cleansing balms are a great alternative to makeup wipes and provide extra hydration for the skin, as long as you choose the right one for you. Those with acne-prone skin and ingredient sensitivities will want to read the label carefully before selecting one to add to their routine. To give you a head start on your search, I’ve rounded up the best cleansing balms for acne-prone skin below.
