This beauty brand owner's skincare journey is so inspiring that you will want to dive right into your own routine just to make sure you're doing everything correctly
Finding skincare and makeup that work for your skin needs time, patience and a whole lot of experimentation. Not all of us are lucky enough to find products that consistently work for our skin as we age. Yu-Chen Shih knows exactly how this feels.
Born in Taipei and raised in Singapore, Shih's Chinese-Malay background and international upbringing may have exposed her to beauty rituals of different cultures and ignited her passion for beauty at a young age—but she never felt truly accepted by the beauty industry. She spent years settling for products that were not made with her needs in mind. Driven by her mission to break the barrier between luxury and inclusivity, Yu-Chen created Orcé to celebrate her Asian heritage with high-performance skincare-infused cosmetics that address "skin tones and skin types overlooked by the beauty industry".
With the aim of meeting the unique needs of global Asian beauty lovers, she created the makeup brand Orcé Cosmetics in Los Angeles, where she has been based in since her teens. Pronounced as "or-say", the brand’s collection is specially formulated to reveal and enhance Asian complexions as it pays homage to Asian women.
Since its launch in February 2019 in Los Angeles, its Come Closer Skin Perfecting Serum-Foundation collection has proven to be a cult favourite of celebrity makeup artists in Hollywood, who have used Orcé on stars such as Michelle Yeoh, Olivia Palermo, Lana Condor and more. Each foundation was custom developed based on a real Asian woman’s skin colour.
But beyond makeup, Shih understands the importance of skincare. While living in humid Singapore, the beauty brand owner struggled with a skin problem that many of us can relate to: acne breakouts. Years later, she also encountered hormonal acne and worked hard to find yet another solution to solve her skincare woes.
Fortunately for her, she figured out what works for her skin. However, it was not always an easy journey. Below, she shares more about her skincare tips as well as how she created a routine that protected and improved her skin. Plus, she also reveals her favourite facial salon and how she discovered retinol after meeting an aesthetician in Beverly Hills.
How long do you typically spend on your skincare routine?
Yu-Chen Shih (YCS): As a solo founder, my days are packed with conference calls and meetings, so I only have about 10 minutes to spare for my morning routine. I typically spend a longer time on my skincare ritual at night (anywhere from 20 minutes to an hour) as I use that as an opportunity to decompress—incorporating face massage, face toning devices, and/or masks.
What is your skincare routine like for day?
YCS: I have typical Asian skin: sensitive, oily, yet dehydrated at the same time. I used to wash my face with a cleanser twice a day and found that it exacerbated the challenges I faced with my skin. Now, I only cleanse my face with (cold) water in the morning, then follow with an alcohol-free toner if I’m feeling extra greasy. Next, I apply a vitamin C serum layered with a hyaluronic acid serum, and seal off the hydration with a non-comedogenic moisturiser. Finally, a generous layer of non-pilling sunscreen and our Come Closer Perfecting Serum-Foundation to double-down on the skin nourishment and protection from environmental stressors.
What is your skincare routine for night?
YCS: My nighttime skincare ritual is definitely my favourite time of day, as it allows me to unplug and reconnect with myself. I start with taking the day off using a cotton pad soaked with micellar water, followed by a salicylic acid cleanser. I make sure I spend at least one minute massaging my face with the cleanser, focusing on hard to reach areas that tend to collect dirt and bacteria. Then, I apply a hydrating gel mask (my favourite is the Skin Inc Pure Deepsea Hydrating Mask) and either massage my face in a lymphatic drainage motion, or use a facial toning device. After removing the mask, I apply a niacinamide serum or growth factor serum layered with a hyaluronic acid serum, followed by moisturiser and eye cream. Once a week, I exfoliate my skin using a chemical exfoliator.
What was the last skincare product that you bought?
YCS: Skinceuticals Phloretin CF serum.
