Eastern promise

Soft, smooth and blemish-free, flawless skin is something women around the world aspire to. For those in Asia, however, it's almost a rite of passage.

And, as a look at their skincare routines and popular products reveals, a perfect complexion is down to more than just good genes.

'Genetics certainly play a big part,' says Dr Grace Lam, MSc in dermatology, but she adds lifestyle factors make a difference, too.

'Awareness of the need to take care of her skin at an early age, sun avoidance, and a diet of low-fat and little processed food all play a part in [an Asian woman's] good skin,' Lam says.

Asian skin is less prone to premature ageing and because it contains more melanin, it burns less easily than white skin. Nevertheless, sun protection is a tried-and-tested practice among Asian women and a factor in their ability to look years younger than their white counterparts - a constant source of surprise to the latter whose skin often reveals the tell-tale signs of years spent seeking a golden glow.

'Ultraviolet rays from the sun are a major factor causing all kinds of skin conditions such as uneven pigmentation, ageing and wrinkle formation,' Lam says.