Cover Nikki Tang, Dr Jennie Diaz, Andrea Navarro Simón and Leticia Rúa Tavira (Photo: courtesy of DMark Beauty)
Nikki Tang, Dr Jennie Diaz, Andrea Navarro Simón and Leticia Rúa Tavira (Photo: courtesy of DMark Beauty)
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Skincare is no longer just cosmetic. At a recent event in Makati, DMark Beauty and Cantabria Labs made the case for science-led, dermatology-backed routines that prioritise both health and appearance
Skincare, as it turns out, is not simply about vanity. It’s about science, health and—at least for some—confidence. But in a world full of products promising miracle results, where social media influencers peddle the latest “game-changing” serum, most people are left to navigate such a saturated landscape alone. They patch together routines, mix incompatible ingredients and often end up doing more harm than good.
That’s why, on July 31, 2025 in Makati City, a group of beauty experts and enthusiasts gathered at Blackbird at the Nielson Tower for a social event, albeit closer to a scientific briefing. The occasion: Beauty Lab: The Science of Modern Beauty, hosted by DMark Beauty and Spain’s Cantabria Labs, long-time partners in promoting dermatological care in the Philippines.
The aim was more than just showcasing their products (six enhanced skincare lines were put into the spotlight) but to make a case for an entirely different approach to skincare, one built on clinical research, professional advice and, above all, precision.
More from Tatler: Facing the future: Nikki Tang and her journey with DMark Beauty
Above DMark Beauty CEO Nikki Tang (Photo: courtesy of DMark Beauty)
Above Leticia Rúa Tavira and Andrea Navarro Simón of Cantabria Labs (Photo: courtesy of DMark Beauty)
DMark Beauty CEO Nikki Tang (Photo: courtesy of DMark Beauty)
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Take sun protection. Most people, when thinking of sunscreen, imagine a bottle tucked into a beach bag, applied once with good intentions, and then forgotten. But Cantabria Labs has spent decades refining Heliocare, their flagship sun protection line, which now includes an oral capsule made from a patented plant extract. “I walked the streets with Heliocare,” said Dr Jennie Diaz, medical director of Skin 101, who champions Cantabria Labs products in their clinics and was among the event’s speakers. “Eight hours in the sun, and I didn’t burn.”
For DMark Beauty’s chief executive officer Nikki Tang, and Cantabria Labs’ Leticia Rúa Tavira and Andrea Navarro Simón, evidence is everything. Their companies’ partnership stretches back 15 years, and the products they’ve introduced—Iraltone for hair, Endocare for skin regeneration, Biretix for acne, among many others—are sold and prescribed.
“We’re not just about distribution—we advocate education and innovation,” says Tang. “At DMark Beauty, it’s about providing skincare solutions, not just products, because beauty, after all, begins with skin health.”
Dr Diaz also explains: “Skincare is not just cosmetic, it’s also all about health. And without expert guidance, people often end up buying the wrong product, or worse, damaging their skin.”
Above At the event, DMark Beauty showcased six brands from Cantabria Labs: Iraltone, Heliocare, Biretix, Endocare, Neoretin and Skin Resist (Photo: courtesy of DMark Beauty)
At the event, DMark Beauty showcased six brands from Cantabria Labs: Iraltone, Heliocare, Biretix, Endocare, Neoretin and Skin Resist (Photo: courtesy of DMark Beauty)
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Part of that expert guidance involves knowing when to adjust your skincare to life’s natural changes. “If you are a person who has oily skin, normally, you’ll have to start with a lighter formulation. We’re talking gels and serums,” Dr Diaz explained. “As you age, as you mature with every decade of life, you actually can transition from a serum to maybe a lotion and eventually, in your 50s and 60s, you can lather on the cream.” She added, “The older you are, with perimenopause or menopause, you actually get drier, and that’s when you need more moisture.”
This emphasis on dermatology over DIY was echoed by Tavira. “Every product we launch is backed by doctors, clinical studies and real results. You wouldn’t take medicine without a prescription—why should skincare be any different?”
Related: Much ado about wellness (Part 2): on the value of wellness routines and personal journeys
Above Skin Resist is a new skincare brand backed by Cantabria Labs and designed specifically for the care of sensitive and reactive skin (Photo: courtesy of DMark Beauty)
Skin Resist is a new skincare brand backed by Cantabria Labs and designed specifically for the care of sensitive and reactive skin (Photo: courtesy of DMark Beauty)
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Of course, this level of care and expertise comes at a cost, both literal and figurative. Oral sunblock and clinically validated serums are not cheap. But, as Dr Diaz pointed out, “It’s cheaper than laser treatment ten years from now. Prevention is the real luxury.”
What stood out most at Beauty Lab wasn’t a single product or testimonial, but the underlying philosophy: that skincare is an investment in health and not just a pursuit of perfection. It requires knowledge and the right guidance. In other words, it’s above buying what’s trendy on social media—it’s about doing what works. And for that, there is no shortcut. Just science.
For more information, visit dmarkbeauty.com and cantabrialabs.com
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Angela Nicole Regis Guiral is a digital editor at Tatler Philippines. She studied journalism and has since written features that look closely at how culture, lifestyle and social impact converge, while occasionally wandering into the worlds of style and travel.
