We have at our disposal various cosmetic treatments that work faster to provide results such as firmer skin, pigmentation removal, a slimmer figure, treat acne and fill out lines and wrinkles to address our skin and body concerns.

These treatments are often considered the gold standard in skincare, but are not always readily embraced by the average woman for a number of reasons.

For one, there are downsides to such treatments despite their proven efficacy. Not many of us are ready to fork out bigs sums to afford such treatments, which can cost anything from high hundreds to thousands of dollars per session, and continue with follow-up treatments that are required to maintain the effects. Also, there may be a downtime required to recover from treatments.

In more extreme cases, patients may suffer from botched ops if the treatments are not administered properly.

Beauty companies have addressed these concerns by coming up with potions that can provide almost similar results to what you can expect from aesthetic treatments at a
fraction of the cost and with less risk,

Here are a few that are already on the market:

Clinique Repairwear Laser Focus Wrinkle & Photo Damage Corrector Serum
Said to be benchmarked against Fraxel Laser, a laser treatment that penetrates deeply into the dermis and rids old epidermal pigmented cells, but leaves healthy tissue untouched to treat fine lines around the eyes, age spots and sunspots, pigment irregularities and uneven skin tone. The 3-in-1 de-ageing serum has a 63 per cent efficiency rate when compared to Fraxel Laser and works to reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles, as well as visibly repair photo damage and strengthen skin against sun,
stress and pollution.

A blend of three patented repair enzymes work to reverse the damage that is already done to skin and mend "solar scars", while a high-level peptide complex tboosts natural
collagen production and diminishes the breakdown of existing collagen with essential ingredients. Another cocktail of ingredients, namely vitamins C and E, ergothioneine, a
naturally occuring amino acid that works as a powerful antioxidant, and pomegranate juice extract prevents pollution from binding to skin and blocks free radicals.

Apply morning and night evenly all over face and around eye area after cleansing, and before moisturising. Retails at Clinique counters at S$89 from this month.

Premium line-ups from Olay Regenerist and White Radiance

The trick to preserving youthfulness is to start at the beginning. Signs of ageing - sagging skin, age spots, and wrinkles - have their beginnings when our bodies do not produce enough collagen to rebuild cells. However, there is research to suggest that an aminopeptide called Pal-KTTKS acts at the cell surface to trigger the production of structural proteins such as collagen, fibronectin and elastin, all of which  are key to unlocking skin's youthful potential at the cell level. Another aminopeptide complex is niacinamde, which can even skin tone, boost skin energy levels, enhance skin renewal and boost collagen production.

Play promises youthful-looking skin without a facelit with its new Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Serum, and Superstructure Cream.

The Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Serum is made up of 66 per cent more aminopeptides than any of its Regenerist products, it addresses ageing concerns at the skin's cellular level.

Looking at making a direct intervention at the first step of the cellular chain reactions, this philosophy of early-step cell care treats the cell as a whole to make each cell look, act and behave better, and helps to curbing skin ageing more effectively.

Also new to the boutique is the Olay Regenerist Superstructure cream, which helps protect skin and maintain collagen’s structural integrity. This cream offers broad-spectrum sunscreen protection by blocking UVB and UVA rays that could cause DNA damage.

It has also adopted the same idea for its whitening skincare range - White Radiance.

Eschewing the need for jabs, Olay’s exclusive CelLucent™ Complex, which is powered by a new formula containing the innovative ingredient Sepiwhite, provides whitening by blocking the first stage of melanin production.

It helps to inhibit subsequent stages from occurring and reduces the amount of melanin produced.

Olay White Radiance CelLucent™ White Essence is a milky essence formulated with a light texture that allows quick absorption onto skin.  Also new is the Olay White Radiance CelLucent™ White Cream, a shape-memory gel packed with higher hydration power than the essence.

The premium Olay Regenerist line-up includes:
Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Serum (50ml) retailing at S$59.90, and Olay Regenerist Superstructure Cream (50ml) retailing at  S$59.90

The premium Olay White Radiance line-up includes:
Olay White Radiance CelLucent™ White Essence (40ml) retailing at S$59.90, and  Olay White Radiance CelLucent™ White Cream (50g) retailing at S$59.90