When I first heard about the "new" trend in Korean skin care, dubbed "cloudless skin," I almost rolled my eyes. Another one? ... How could this be any different?, I asked myself. Nevertheless, I reached out to a few Korean skin-care experts to learn more about "cloudless skin," and more importantly, how it compares to ... [other Korean skin care] trends. Little did I know, I was in for a bit of a surprise.

... Put simply, cloudless skin refers to a completely clear, flawless complexion. See where the "cloudless" descriptor came into play? But, the difference between it and the former fads, if you will, is that it's much more connected to the "healthy aura" that one exudes from the inside out, as well as someone's emotional state.

Alicia Yoon, the founder and curator of Peach & Lily ..., explaining to me ... that "cloudless skin" refers to an inner, healthy radiance. "Think of a young child who has yet to see skin damaged by the elements — skin is so full of life, vibrancy, and seems almost transparent," she says.

On the flip side, according to Yoon, as we get older and go through the daily wear and tear that's inevitable (especially if you live in a big city), you'll see the underlying damage and dark spots that have sprouted over time, below the surface of the skin. "[It's] the constant exposure to pollution, UV rays, and stress," ... the latter, we know has the potential to greatly impact the overall health and vitality of our skin.

So, how can one actually attain the Korean skin-care ideal that's been around for decades? Through a mix of healthy living habits as well as top-notch skin-care products. Nutritionist Keri Gans recommends getting your daily dose of dark, leafy greens (which are chock-full of skin-loving vitamin C) and 100 percent whole grains, rather than relying on overly processed meals with added sugars. Similarly, Yoo advises sticking to a diet with low-glycemic foods like vegetables, sweet potatoes, and oatmeal, rather than high-glycemic foods, like white rice and bread, which spike up insulin and eventually break down the collagen and trigger hormonal fluctuation and inflammation, both of which encourage the formation of acne.

Yoo also puts a huge emphasis on sleep and stress, both of which can impact optimal skin health. New York City-based dermatologist and founder of Smarter Skin Dermatology Sejal Shah explains that cell turnover and DNA repair are highest at night, whereas during the day the skin is in more of a "protective mode."

"Interestingly, blood flow to the skin and the skin's permeability are higher at night," says Shah, "so sleep is a time for repairing and renewing your skin." What's more: Sleep and stress tend to go hand in hand, as too much of the latter can make it harder to get a good night's rest, and lack of proper shut-eye can lead to even more anxiety. Shah advises ... seven to nine hours per night, especially for those with existing skin conditions, as she says not enough sleep increases inflammation and can potentially exacerbate the issue.

"We all know stressed-out skin looks like a cloud, but more than that, the stress hormone cortisol [makes] skin reactive and makes the skin barrier ... vulnerable," she explains. "Managing stress is the most crucial tip that's needed in modern life, and a good night's sleep helps your skin to rejuvenate in optimal condition."

... "The cornerstone of any ...[skin care] regimen is good sun protection," says Shah.

... What else can you do? It really, truly, all comes back to the basic pillars of skin care: proper cleansing and exfoliation, protecting skin with SPF (and remembering to re-apply), as well as using deeply hydrating products that help seal in moisture, which leaves less room for the skin to react to daily stressors.

Finally, I'm certain we've all heard this a million times. It is integral to remember that consistency is key. "Changing products too often is making our skin so confused, which leads to sensitized and inflamed skin," explains Yoo. "Knowing what your skin needs is the first thing, and adopting the products that respect your skin is the second, but what really makes you the winner is consistency, as you really need to give more time for your skin to transform and get back to its healthy state."

The reward? Cloudless skin, which we're referring to as a lifestyle — with clear, radiant skin as the ultimate goal.

From: https://www.allure.com/story/what-is-cloudless-skin-is-perfect

Discussion Question:

• 1. What is something new or interesting you learned from this article?

  2. Describe your skin care regime.

  3. What is something you learned from this article that you will apply to your own skin care practice?