SWW: What are your favourite beauty secrets or tips?

Karen Lam (KL: I am a big believer in leading a healthy lifestyle, both physically and mentally. Simple things such as having a balanced diet, drinking plenty of water, exercising, clocking sufficient sleep and even taking a moment to slow down goes a long way in achieving good mental wellbeing, and healthy skin.

Sunscreen is one skincare product I can’t do without. I can never emphasise enough the importance of applying sunscreen. If there is only one thing you can do for your skin, always wear sunscreen. My go-to is est.lab’s SunShield SPF50 ($96) which has both UV and blue light protection. It even doubles up as a tinted moisturiser for days when I go makeup free. It is also great under the mask as you won’t have to put on so many layers which can clog pores and cause breakouts (i.e. maskne).

These are really open ‘secrets’ – but the key to achieving them is discipline.

SWW: What’s your go-to product or trick for fixing a skin disaster?

KL: I have really sensitive skin so I am extremely picky of the products we bring to market. I will be the first to road test new formulations before launch to ensure they are suitable even for people with sensitive skin. I swear by ést.lab’s PurClear Anti-Acne Serum ($152) to combat these breakouts effectively without drying out my sensitive skin. 

My other go-to product is ést.lab’s ActivCalm Anti-Stress Hydra Cream ($118) that soothes skin redness and discomfort quickly. The new and improved version that just launched in January has anti-pollution benefits that’s perfect for people who live in urban cities who are exposed to dust and heavy metals present in the air. On days where my skin feels extremely sensitive and fragile, I will go for a minimalist skincare routine and this moisturiser is all I apply. It keeps my skin hydrated without feeling sticky at all, and it helps to soothe any inflammation quickly and effectively.

SWW: And when it comes to hyperpigmentation or acne scars?

KL: I’d recommend going for regular facials for faster results. I love Estetica’s OxyGeneo Therapy that exfoliates, oxygenates and infuses the skin with nutrients all at the same time. The skin looks instantly brighter and feels silky-smooth after every session.

To complement aesthetic treatments, home care is equally important. Exfoliate twice a week with ést.lab’s LumiWhite Exfoliating Scrub ($78, gentle for sensitive skin too!) to remove buildup of dead skin cells and aid in cell renewal. Follow with est.lab’s LumiWhite Brightening Serum ($198) which contains Vitamin C and Niacinamide to help fade pigmentation and acne scars for overall brighter, smoother and healthier-looking skin.

SWW: What was your relationship with beauty like 10 years ago and what is it like now? How has it changed over the years?

KL: 10 years ago, before motherhood, I had the luxury of time and could spend up to 2 hours on my multi-step skincare routine and have fun experimenting with new brands without knowing what went into their formulations. I never would’ve imagined there’d come a day when I’d wake up and think twice about whether I had enough time to shower or apply any skincare. These days, I only go for fuss-free skincare that actually works for my sensitive skin.

Now, instead of experimenting with new brands and following trends, I have learned the importance of understanding the science and ingredients that go into each product. Effective products don’t have to be harsh and can work well on sensitive skin too. I swear by multi-tasking products which save me loads of time such as est.lab’s SunShield SPF50 ($96), a tinted moisturiser with SPF so I’ve combined 3 steps – sun protection, moisturiser and makeup base, into one.

SWW: Beauty advice you’d share with your younger self?

KL: I love nature and outdoor sports. However I didn’t realise the importance of sun protection in my younger days. Prolonged sun exposure compromised my skin’s immunity, caused hyper pigmentation and also resulted in severe acne breakouts. It took a long time for my skin to recover. If I could turn back the clock, “apply sunscreen religiously” would be the one piece of advice I would give myself.

SWW: Take us through your morning routine, including your skincare steps please!

KL: Cleanse: In the morning, I use ést.lab VitaLift A+ Cleansing Milk ($78) to remove the previous night’s residual cream on my face and neck. 

Serum: As my skin is prone to redness during the day, I dab on ést.lab ActivCalm Ultra Calm Serum ($160) onto the sensitive areas. This calms my skin down considerably throughout the day. It’s suitable even for eczema-prone skin.

Day cream: I apply a small amount of ést.lab ActivCalm Anti-stress Hydra Cream ($118) to adequately hydrate my skin for the day and it also helps to quickly reduce skin redness and sensitivity. I love that it is now enhanced with anti-pollution benefits to protect my skin against urban pollution which can damage the skin barrier, leading to inflammation and a whole slew of skin issues. 

Sunscreen: A generous application of the ést.lab’s SunShield SPF50 ($96) protects my skin from UVA, UVB and blue light exposure throughout the day. 

SWW: Any mid-day perk-me-ups for the skin?

KL: ést.lab’s OptimaLift A+ Intelligent Eye Revitaliser ($106) is a must-have for time-starved ladies on-the-go like me. It’s a nifty little device that I use to perk up my fatigued eye contours whenever I have small pockets of time throughout the day. 

SWW: What about your nightly routine, does it include any wellness rituals?

KL: When we are asleep, our skin goes into renewal mode. It tends to lose more moisture at night, especially if you sleep in air-conditioned rooms. I spend a little more time on my skincare routine at night as I treat it as a mini self-care session to decompress from the day’s stresses.

Double cleanse: A good cleanser refreshes your skin without stripping away the skin’s protective barrier. The first cleanse with ést.lab ActivCalm Makeup Removal Wipes ($36) is to primarily remove makeup and the second cleanse with ést.lab ActivCalm Gentle Hydrating Mousse ($48) is to remove residual dirt and impurities accumulated on the skin throughout the day.

Scrub: I exfoliate twice weekly with ést.lab LumiWhite Exfoliating Scrub ($78) to slough away micro matter like dead surface skin cells.

Toner: A good toner helps to balance your skin’s pH and prep the skin for better absorption of follow-on products. I use ést.lab VitaLift A+ Skin Revive Lotion Essence ($98) as it contains antioxidants for an anti-ageing boost.

Serum: I apply the ést.lab VitaLift A+ Miracle Lift Serum ($280) with a light lymphatic massage to drain away toxins and excess fluids.

Night cream: This is my favourite part of the routine. I perform a long soothing lifting massage on my face and neck until the cream penetrates into the skin. A good night cream should repair and rejuvenate your skin while you sleep without clogging your pores, like ést.lab VitaLift A+ Cellular Ultra-Repair Cream ($146).

Face mask: I apply ést.lab VitaLift A+ Brillage Face Mask ($18) twice a week for a deep hydration boost and visible firming effects. This nano bio-cellulose mask is also infused with vitamins and nutrients that can be absorbed by your skin more effectively. I also store the mask in the fridge as applying it cold provides immediate relief for my skin especially after a long, tired day.