Throughout history, native healers have recognised that wounds heal faster if a patient is transported from thin mountain air to the richer atmosphere of a low-lying valley,” says Toby Hui, a medical doctor at Freia Medical. Fast forward to today and breathwork workshops for holistic wellness abound, hyperbaric oxygen therapy is commonly used in medical treatments, and cosmetic surgeons recommend the same to optimise post-procedure healing, especially for patients with suppressed immunity and health conditions. “Oxygen also works wonders to revive the lacklustre complexions of smokers and urban dwellers dealing with environmental pollutants,” adds Hui, “and suffusing skin with vital O2 leaves skin with a gorgeous, supermodel glow—it’s like a breath of fresh air for your face, literally.” Emanating this distinct ray of radiance are celebrities like Madonna, Jennifer Lopez, Kim Kardashian and Miranda Kerr—all of whom have expressed love for facials that revitalise complexions with bursts of high-pressure oxygen, swirled with a custom cocktail of skin-loving ingredients like antioxidants, vitamins, amino peptides and the moisture magnet, hyaluronic acid. Try these oxygen facial treatments and products designed to improve overall skin—and scalp—health and bestow that coveted glow.
Freia Aesthetics’ Red Carpet Oxygen Facial
“As far as possible, we’ll want to inhale clean air to minimise the chances of bodily damages. It’s tough, especially when we’re living in cities where pollution is common. When the level of oxygen in the air gets compromised, it can have an immediate effect on our skin,” says Freia Medical’s Hui. Aptly called Red Carpet Oxygen Facial, $350, this award-winning treatment is powered by Intraceuticals technology—which is favoured by celebrities such as the queen of pop, Madonna—that utilises hyperbaric pressure for in-depth oxygen infusion. This not only intensely hydrates, firms and replenishes skin, but also increases the penetration of topical ingredients deep into the dermis, refuelling the natural processes of rejuvenation from the inside out.
This 90-minute session starts with one of the best cleansing facials in town—Freia Aesthetics’ manual but gentle extractions are top-notch—followed by a refreshing oxygen jet that is packed with a blend of vitamins, antioxidants, hyaluronic acid and SkinCeuticals serums that are sprayed systematically and evenly across the face. Instantly, the pressurised oxygen plumps the skin as it drinks up all the skincare nutrients, firming, smoothening, brightening and restoring the suppleness of complexions—like a mini facelift. Clients of Freia Aesthetics can also choose from a range of bespoke booster serums to amplify this red carpet experience, from an elixir of collagen messenger peptides to promote cellular regeneration and skin texture, tone and tautness; to a trio of vitamin Cs to fight free radical damage and reduce signs of ageing, dullness and hyperpigmentation.
Skin Inc’s Pure Serum-Infused O2 Cleanser
Honing in on the beauty world’s less-is-more ‘skinimalism’ trend, Skin Inc’s Pure Serum-Infused O2 Cleanser, $48 boasts the world’s first one-step double-cleansing system with a unique three-in-one texture. What starts off as a comforting gel bubbles up into a silky foam, gently detoxifying skin of impurities and sebum or product build-up from deep within pores, before emulsifying into a cream that washes off without any residue. In addition, this sulfate-free formula rebalances skin’s pH levels with ceramides, soothes and strengthens the skin barrier with ingredients such as calming centella asiatica and hydrating reishi, while oxygen helps reveal a radiant, renewed complexion.
Cambridge Therapeutics’ Pure Oxygen Scalp Treatment
Just like skin, your crowning glory can benefit tremendously from a hit of O2. Used across salons to promote circulation and product penetration, oxygenation can help to rehydrate and restore vitality and shine to dry, brittle hair that’s been damaged by chemical treatments and ultraviolet rays. For the scalp, oxygen therapies swiftly nourish and stimulate cellular metabolism, which in turn boost scalp health and regeneration to remedy issues like dryness, oiliness, sensitivities and over time, hair loss or thinning. Formulated in partnership with celebrity Korean dermatologist Kwon Han Jin, Cambridge Therapeutics’ Pure Oxygen Scalp Treatment, $260, takes a scientific approach to tackle all these hair concerns with a rejuvenating six-step process. What starts with an in-depth analysis to determine main problems—such as excess sebum production or hair fall—is followed by the Venus Glow Scalp Cleansing and Detox, where water jets thoroughly sweep away all impurities, dead skin cells and product build-up that could be lodged within hair follicles, offering a nice, blood flow-boosting massage at the same time.
Then comes the Oxynova Life Hair Growth Factor and Anti-inflammation Oxygen Spray, which dispenses a generous amount of serum that’s full of vitamins, minerals, proteins and anti-inflammatory properties, before highly concentrated oxygen is employed to increase absorption and flow of nutrients to the dermal papilla (the skin layer of the scalp), in order to accelerate the recovery process. Pulsed radio frequency energy then ensues to provide deeper biostimulation, while the Smartlux Hair Laser Treatment helps to activate growth factors that are already present in hair follicles to nurture thicker, stronger and more luscious locks.
Oxygenceuticals’ Ceutisome Fusion Shot
Ceutisome is a patented cosmetic ingredient that contains oxygen and is unique to the OxygenCeuticals line of skincare. “Its key function is to bring oxygen to the skin, which also helps to remove waste products of cellular respiration such as carbon dioxide,” says Tiffany Tan, chief trainer at Cheongdam Korean Skin Management, which distributes the brand in Singapore. OxygenCeuticals’ standout offering is a customised skincare solution called Ceutisome Fusion Shot, $169. This three-in-one set combines an ampoule and booster that targets specific skin needs—be it brightening, intensive hydration, calming or anti-wrinkles—with a stem formula containing ceutisome microspheres that deliver concentrated oxygen into the skin to further revitalise and purify. oxygen facial
Cheongdam Korean Skin Management’s Astrodome O2 8 Steps Facial
Home to some of South Korea’s most sought-after beauty treatments, medispa Cheongdam Korean Skin Management takes pride in its signature Medical Active Oxygen Program to get you fresh, firm and glowing skin—just like your favourite K-drama star. “Our oxygen facial is the leading therapy because we not only use oxygen-enriched skincare products by OxygenCeuticals, we also use Oxycryo, a medical-grade machine, to infuse 99.5 percent pure oxygen directly from a tank. This process helps to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, improves blood circulation, and promotes collagen synthesis for youthful skin,” Tan explains. Most of its treatment machines and products are designed to also assist in post-procedure recovery, harnessing the naturally healing and reparative properties of oxygen. oxygen facial
The must-try treatment? The Astrodome O2 8 Steps Facial, $380, which begins with a thorough cleanse; a pore mask that bubbles up to dissolve skin-clogging dirt and the accumulation of dead skin cells; and an oxygen scaling experience that further purifies, soothes and replenishes skin with jets of oxygen that are infused with a special brew of active ingredients. A cooling mask and toning gel then preps your face to enter the Astrodome Mask. Housed in an astronaut-like dome, this world-first system combines an oxygenated solution in the form of a mist with near-infrared low-frequency radiation, anions (also known as negative ions) and light pulsed energy therapy in different wavelengths to achieve various results. Think red light for skin rejuvenation and collagen activation; blue light for acne and sebum control; and violet light to aid in wound healing and relieve sensitivities. The final step sees yet another oxygen clarifying mask or cryogel velvet mask envelope the entire face, including the eyes, almost like a cocoon sealing in all the goodness before unveiling a visibly refreshed and more youthful mien.
Omorovicza’s Oxygen Booster
Designed to supercharge your skincare ritual, Omorovicza’s Oxygen Booster, US$98, infuses O2 molecules directly into skin, allowing lacklustre complexions to be instantly re-energised and rehydrated. This watergel elixir features the brand’s patented Hydro Mineral Transference delivery system, which ensures that each shot of liquid oxygen is penetrated deeply along with a cocktail of nasturtium-derived polysaccharides that accelerate oxygenation to improve skin texture, regenerating swertia chirata extract, and plumping hyaluronic acid that work in tandem to jump-start repair and renewal.
