Cover Photo courtesy of Gay Lao Chen

For this mom, beauty expert and one of Estée Lauder Companies Philippines’ top execs, skipping serums and moisturisers is a definite no-no

The perfect skincare regimen for your complexion exists. It just takes a good deal of research and practice. However, if you find yourself in a constant loop of hits and misses, make things a bit easier by learning from skincare enthusiasts and specialists. Gone are the days of only dreaming of a flawless face. We now feature various personalities who know the key to achieving their best skin.

This time, the belle for Tatler’s Before Bed series is Gay Lao Chen, brand general manager of Estée Lauder Companies Philippines. Join Gay and discover her skincare secrets, hacks, nightmares and tips:

Tatler Asia
Above Gay Lao Chen at ‘The Night Is Yours’ gala night (Photo courtesy of Gay)

What’s your skin type?

My skin type is combination/normal. My T-zone tends to be oilier than the rest of my face.

Who or what influenced your skincare routine?

From a very young age, I’ve always loved beautiful things, and on my first day at University, I became friends with a group of girls who love to take care of themselves. I learned to keep my skin clean and apply moisturisers and sunblock daily as early as 18. Taking care of your skin is critical to ensuring it remains healthy and beautiful.

See also: 5 anti-ageing creams we swear by

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Photo 1 of 6 Estée Lauder Advanced Night Micro Active Cleansing Balm
Photo 2 of 6 Clinique Liquid Facial Soap in Mild
Photo 3 of 6 Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye Concentrate Matrix
Photo 4 of 6 Mega-Mushroom Relief & Resilience Soothing Treatment Lotion
Photo 5 of 6 Clinique Smart Night™ Clinical MD Multi-Dimensional Repair Treatment Retinol
Photo 6 of 6 Revitalizing Supreme+ Night Moisturizer Intensive Restorative Creme

What is your evening skincare routine?

It’s very important to start your evening routine with a clean base because your skin regenerates the most while you sleep. There are a few core steps:

I always make sure I remove my makeup with Estée Lauder Advanced Night Micro Active Cleansing Balm; just a tiny amount to can get rid of the heaviest makeup and ensure your skin is super clean.

Then I wash my face with Clinique Liquid Facial Soap in Mild, followed by the Origins Mega Mushroom Treatment Lotion to prep my skin for my serums and moisturisers.

Next, I apply my Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye Concentrate Matrix—this product has a wand that feels cool around my eye area, which helps me relax after a long day.

Serum and moisturiser are up next. I use Clinique Smart Serum with Retinoid and I can see the difference in my fine lines. I like to top it up with my favourite Estée Lauder Revitalizing Supreme + Night Intensive Restorative Crème because the next day you feel like you’ve gone to the spa!

One thing I remember though—when I was in my teens and early 20s, my skin was oilier and I thought I didn’t need a serum and moisturiser. I was wrong! Skipping them only made my skin feel tighter and dehydrated. Finding what works for you can be confusing and I would recommend that consumers visit our counters to discuss with our beauty advisors. They can help ensure you select the right products for your skin.

Tatler Asia
Above Estee's Double Wear event (Photo courtesy of Gay)

What are your holy grail products?

Sunscreen is a must and your skin’s best friend! Serums and eye creams are also important skincare allies.

What’s one skincare product you cannot live without?

Advanced Night Repair Eye Matrix.

Tatler Asia
Above Advanced Night Repair Eye Matrix.

What is a skincare hack you think we should know?

Adding 1 drop of Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Serum to your fave foundation—you can thank me later! Your makeup will look flawless, with the perfect dewiness!

How often do you practice skin fasting (a break from skincare)?

I always scale down when I go to the beach. I remove any active ingredients to make sure my skin is not sun-sensitive.

See also: Is beauty for all?: Beauty brands that advocate for inclusivity and diversity

Tatler Asia
Above Clinique’s Show Your Glow event (Photo courtesy of Gay)

Are there any skincare rules you’ve broken that have done wonders for your skin?

Putting non-eye products on your eyes! I often put face serum around my eyes followed by my eye cream. This works for me personally as I feel my eye area looks better and healthier. It also works wonders on my fine lines!

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