A firm believer of starting young, Hong Kong actress Michele Reis has used skincare on her son since he was born. MOH SHUYING finds out in Tokyo what her latest age
defence is. 

I’ve been using skincare since I was 14. But don’t gasp. It’s not a big deal, especially if you hear how Hong Kong actress Michele Reis has been applying moisturisers from natural brands on her toddler son since he was born.

The yummy mummy told me in Tokyo recently at the launch of the new Shiseido Revital Vital-Perfection Science Cream AAA that she moisturises her son’s skin a few times a day. She shares: “If I ever had a daughter, I would teach her to start caring for her complexion from a very early age. I believe in starting young. This will help you keep your youthfulness longer.”

Michele should know. The 42-year-old beauty, also a Shiseido spokesperson, started using anti-ageing products in her late 20s. Yuki Kawai, from Shiseido’s international marketing department skincare product planning group, agrees. She says that your 20s is the ideal time to start preventive care if you want to avoid problems like fine lines and sagging in the future.

But as she gets older, Michele admits that it’s tougher to keep her face looking flawless. “With ageing and my demanding schedule, I do need more advanced products to take care of my complexion. When you reach a certain age, your skin is not as bouncy as before,” she says.

These days, her secret to maintaining her radiant and spotless complexion is the new Shiseido Revital Vital-Perfection Science Cream AAA. “It helps combat tiredness and it gives (my skin) suppleness, and my complexion looks plump and moisturised. It also has a tightening and lifting effect,” she says.

With a recommendation like that, how could I not try the new cream which promises to target a variety of problems like dullness, rough texture, fine lines, uneven skin tone, sagging and dryness?

Master of multitasking

It has extracts of the Chinese herb, chai hu, to promote collagen production, as well as the antioxidant rose apple leaf. There’s also olive leaf extract, which prevents wrinkles and a loss in skin suppleness. To improve skin clarity and lighten dark spots, a whitening ingredient, 4MSK, inhibits the production of melanin.

But what sets this cream apart from other anti-ageing moisturisers is its ability to target fats. As we get older, our metabolism tends to decrease, causing the fat cells in our faces to become enlarged. Shiseido has discovered that the enlarged fat cells found just beneath the skin create a “pulling down” effect that results in sagging and laugh lines around the mouth. What’s more, enlarged fat cells also release an enzyme that damages fibroblasts (cells that produce collagen), which can compromise skin’s resilience.

To combat the effects of enlarged fat cells, the Shiseido Revital Vital-Perfection Science Cream AAA uses rubus leaf extract. It has been found to increase cell turnover, thus helping to get rid of enlarged fat cells faster.

Feels and smells oh-so-good

Surprisingly, even with this much goodness packed into it, the cream didn’t feel sticky on my oily-combination complexion. Instead, the soft buttery texture melts quickly upon application. The reason? The moisturiser is made with a water-and-oil formula. While the oil leaves a light veil on skin to prevent moisture loss, the nutrient-rich water dissolves quickly to nourish and hydrate. I also loved the light floral scent that reminded me of honey jasmine tea.

After using the cream for a day, my skin felt more supple and hydrated. But it was after 14 days that I saw a more visible difference. My complexion felt softer and smoother, and looked brighter. As I’m in my late 20s, I do not have much sagging or wrinkling yet. But if Michele Reis began her anti-ageing routine at this age and still looks radiant now, I’m all for starting early.

Michele's beauty secrets

“My skincare routine: Cleansing, softening and moisturising. I also use masks about once or twice a week.”

“To give my complexion an extra boost, I drink Chinese soups that are rich in collagen and take herbal medicine like cordyceps.”

“I never go without sunscreen.”

“When I travel a lot, I use sheet masks on the plane.”

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