Just when you thought you knew everything about ageing skin, the researchers at SK-II come along and tell you that your sagging face is due to the decline in the skin's epidermal root cell activity.

As one ages, skin cell activation declines, leading to a drop in the production of lift-proteins, the loss of the skin's "springy" structure and a flattening of the epidermal layer. This is how skin loses its radical firmness and is the root cause of multiple skin ageing.

To address this, the Japanese skincare brand is launching a new plant-derived ingredient - Stem-Acanax. SK-II says the ingredient is effective in stimulating epidermal root cells to help promote lift-protein production, thus enhancing the skin's epidermal springy structure and helping in skin renewal. It is taken from the root of the Siberian Ginseng harvested from an organic farm on Korea's Jeju Island.

This proprietary ingredient now works in synergy with SK-II's signature ingredient, Pitera, to form SK-II Stem-Acanax Complex, which is used in a new line of anti-ageing products called Stempower. The milky lotion SK-II Stempower ($149 for 50g; $219 for 80g) is a daily moisturiser designed to make the user feel radical firmness in 10 days. It has a high active penetration formula that focuses on the source of skin renewal to improve multiple signs of skin ageing, including loss of firmness, sagging, roughness and lack of radiance.

A more high-powered version is the SK-II Stempower Rich Cream ($209 for 50g), which contains the Stem-Acanax Complex and 49 per cent more skin conditioning ingredients to deliver greater hydration and protect the skin from severe environmental conditions and signs of ageing.

Finally, the SK-II Stempower Cream Compact Foundation ($101) with SPF 20 PA++ is a pretty-looking product with three blended layers of foundation swirls to provide a rosy complexion and an even finish.

Available at all SK-II counters from Aug 15.

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