By Aimee L
If you are new to the brand, Forest MD skincare uses the power of nature to restore and transform your skin. Created by skincare specialists from Singapore and Korea, the products have been certified 100% cruelty-free by PETA. The selection of products at Forest MD are suitable for all skin types and packed with medical-grade plant actives at a high enough dose to make a difference while also being free of harsh and allergenic ingredients and synthetic chemicals.
Scrubs, alpha hydroxy acids, and retinoic acid are common ingredients in cosmeceutical and anti-ageing cosmetics, which while effective, can be harsh on more fragile skins. Because of this, Dr. Isabelle Yeoh, the brand’s founder, started collaborating with chemists in Singapore and Korea to develop a superior, but gentle substitute.
In line with Dr Yeoh’s belief in healthy living and clean beauty, Forest MD products were formulated to contain all of the good, and none of the bad. With active ingredients from nature, used at clinically-effective concentrations. The star ingredients that can be found in their products include Swiss Apple Stem Cell and Tremella Mushroom.
Swiss Apple Stem Cell Extracts from the Uttwiler Spätlauber apple from Switzerland is known for its unusual ability to stay fresh without shrivelling. These rare and almost extinct apple variety do not oxidise or brown when sliced and exposed to air. Instead, they have a unique ability to heal themselves and last longer than ordinary apples.
Scientists have found the key to this lies in the apple’s stem cells, which are responsible for regenerating damaged and aged cells within the fruit, and after much research, a plant cell culture technology to reproduce these apple stem cells was created, to help slow down the effects of ageing.
These plant-based stem cells are rich in epigenetic factors and metabolites, which promote the longevity of skin cells, and have been clinically proven to revitalise and renew the skin, considerably reducing the appearance of wrinkles and delaying the effects of ageing.
Tremella Mushroom Extract is rumoured to be the secret behind legendary Tang Dynasty beauty Yang Guifei’s luminous skin. The tremella mushroom (tremella fuciformis) or bai mu er, is one of the most potent mushrooms used in traditional Chinese medicine.
Widely consumed in Asia in the form of a tonic, tremella mushrooms are well-known for their many moisturising, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-ageing benefits. Containing polysaccharides, they are able to draw moisture into the skin, keeping it plump and smooth.
Its anti-inflammatory properties help soothe and heal skin ailments like eczema, rosacea, and acne. Fatty acids increase hydration and skin resilience, while kojic acid brightens skin and lightens pigmentation. On top of this, tremella mushrooms have been shown to defend against free-radical damage and protect against skin ageing. High in vitamins A, C, and D, it can help boost collagen and elastin production, smoothing out wrinkles and fine lines for a more beautiful, youthful complexion.
Here are two of the brand’s top selling products that I tried out:
Stem Cell Repair Essence, $108 (50ml) / $48 (15ml) – I absolutely love this product, and use it twice a day, every single day. This is a powerful anti-ageing toner and refreshing mist, that helps boost cell repair and increase your skin’s resilience against pollution, climate changes, ageing, stress and lack of sleep.
It also hydrates, adds luminosity to dull complexions and helps prevent wrinkles. Your skin will be fed with exceptional nutrients, leaving it feeling soft and smooth, with a glow from within.
Stem Cell Sleeping Mask, $135 (50ml) / $55 (15ml) – this multi-tasking sleeping mask will help supercharge your skin, allowing you to wake up with healthier and more refreshed looking skin. The sleeping mask uses transdermal liposomal technology for maximum bioavailability, with a high dose of Swiss apple stem cells being delivered into the skin, revitalising it and reversing visible signs of ageing, all while you sleep.
An all-in-one product that works as an anti-ageing serum, soothing mask, hydrating overnight treatment and eye gel, it has been proven to significantly reduce wrinkles and fine lines, while leaving skin firmer, more hydrated and elastic. It also helps make skin more resilient against climate, pollution and stress.
These gentle, medical-grade products harness the power of nature to renew and transform your skin. The two products I tried were lightweight and felt great on my skin, and did not result in any irritation or breakouts. To find out more, or to order your own, go here.
THE LIFESTYLE COLLECTIVE 