The local beauty brand owner discovered the importance of sunscreen the hard way

Xenia Wong was only 10 years old when she learnt her first lesson in the importance of skincare. And it was all thanks to a trip to a water amusement park when she refused to apply any sunscreen and was badly sunburnt afterwards. Today, she has more than understood the need to wear sunscreen as she went on to launch her own skincare line, Sigi Skin.  

The young entrepreneur was inspired to start her own brand after she enrolled in renowned Korean makeup artist Jung Saem Mool's Art Academy and Makeup Forever makeup courses where she discovered that the answer to healthy skin is an effective superfood-infused skincare regimen rather than with makeup.

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Wong wanted her skincare range to be straightforward and easy to use so she focused on enhancing the skin’s natural state with a range of high-quality core products, including cleanser, day and night moisturisers, hydrating mist, physical sunscreen and even sheet masks. This month, Sigi Skin introduced its new deep-cleansing duo, the Garden Party Clay Mask and Bright Skies Gentle Gel Exfoliator. The pudding-like clay mask is packed with antioxidants and helps to deeply purify skin without stripping it of moisture while the latter works to deeply exfoliate the skin without the use of physical abrasives that can damage skin or over-exfoliate.

As of 2021, Sigi Skin does not use any animal ingredients and animal-derived ingredients in its entire line of products. This includes popular skincare ingredients such as honey, beeswax, and collagen. The decision to go 100 per cent vegan was made with skin health and the environment in mind. 

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Below, Wong takes us through her daily beauty routine and shares more about her personal skincare beliefs. 

Tatler Asia

How long do you typically spend on your skincare routine?

I typically spend 10 to 15 minutes on my skincare routine. These 15 minutes help me to get in the right headspace and help me to start my day right!

What is your skincare routine like for the day?

My skincare routine during the day is very simple. I cleanse my face with just water and follow up with Dew Potion, a waterless essence mist that doubles up as a toner. I follow up with a Vitamin C serum, followed by Idyllic Fields (a daytime waterless moisturiser), and end my routine with Morning Glow, a physical sunscreen. It takes me around 10 minutes at most.

What is your skincare routine for the night?

My skincare routine for the night differs slightly from my morning routine. I use ingredients and products in the morning that help to protect the skin from free radical damage and pollution. During the night I use ingredients and products that aid in recovery and repair such as Bakuchiol. I start my skincare routine by double cleansing with Kaleanser—it doesn’t matter if I am wearing makeup or not, I double cleanse these days as I have to wear a mask in the office so there is a lot of grime, it is beneficial to double cleanse. I follow up with Dew Potion, followed by a night serum that aids in hydration and rebalancing of skin and finally DreamCapsule, an overnight sleeping mask that helps to repair and boost collagen production while you sleep. Twice a week, I exfoliate my skin with Bright Skies, a gentle peeling gel that is able to remove dead skin cells without any physical abrasives, followed by Garden Party, a clay mask that draws all the impurities out. This ensures that my skin is not clogged, and I finish it up with Tea-Tox sheet mask, a 20 per cent probiotics mask that helps to rebalance my skin with good microbiomes to prevent flare-ups and irritation

What was the last skincare product that you bought?

A new retinol product! 

Are there any new skincare trends that you’re excited to try?

Healthy and happy skin is always in! So I usually stick to products that work to protect and strengthen my skin barrier. So I usually don’t chase any trends, but tend to look for ingredients that work well for my skin.

When did you start paying extra attention to your skin?

I started paying attention to my skin when I was 10. I went to a water amusement park and refused to apply any sunscreen and was badly sunburnt later. I did not like the feeling of heavy sunscreens on my skin and I paid the price for it. Ever since then I have applied it religiously even though I did not like it. That also spurred me to create a sunscreen that everyone enjoys applying, hence we created MorningGlow, a physical sunscreen.

What’s one skincare must-have you’ve “influenced” others to purchase?

Definitely sunscreen! I am a sunscreen advocate.

What’s a skincare product you can’t live without?

Right now it’s Idyllic Fields, our daytime moisturiser. It really helps to calm my skin—especially when I am wearing a face mask in the office. Its texture is so lightweight, making it perfect as a daytime moisturiser.

What’s the most important skincare step to you?

For me, it will definitely be sunscreen! I never skip Morning Glow.

Where and what is your go-to facial?

Ever since Circuit Breaker last year, I recreated my facial experience at home. Sigi Skin is so excited to be launching two products in October 2021 Bright Skies, a peeling exfoliator and Garden Party, a deep cleansing clay mask to help complete the facial experience at home. I start off double cleansing with Kaleanser, and follow up with my Bright Skies exfoliator. It helps to remove dead skin cells and unclog your pores. I will apply Garden Partythereafter to help draw away excess sebum and any other impurities on the skin. It also has a firming effect that helps to make the pores look smaller. I complete the whole ritual with Tea-Tox, our 20% probiotics sheet mask and DreamCapsule, an overnight sleeping mask that is also our best seller. 

Is skincare the new self-care? What are your thoughts on this? 

Yes, I truly believe so! It feels relaxing and grounding to start off your day with your skincare routine. It gets me in the right headspace.

What is one piece of skincare advice that you live by?

It’s never too early or too late to start having a proper skincare routine.

What is your beauty tool of choice?

I use a firming device from time to time.

What is the most unique beauty treatment you tried overseas?

When I was in Seoul, I tried a Korean facial massage that claims to be able to shape your face. It was interesting but painful; I only went once.

Have you tried out aesthetic treatments? Why or why not?

Not yet, as I don’t see the need yet, but I am not ruling it out entirely when I am older.

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