Dermatologist Warns Against Chasing a Glow for Its Own Sake, Here's Why

Glowing skin remains the dream for many people. However, doctors warn that healthy skin is not an instant result, but a long journey that must be adjusted to each person’s age, skin condition, and lifestyle.

Director of Eva Mulia Clinic, Dr Eddy Widjaja, said that the concept of healthy skin should not merely be about looking bright or excessively glowing, especially if it does not align with age.

‘We want it to be natural, glowing in line with age. It’s okay to age, but to age gracefully,’ he said during a mini talk show at the opening of Eva Mulia Clinic Prority in Tebet, Jakarta, on Friday (22 May 2026).

He emphasised that overly aggressive skincare from a young age is not always beneficial. He gave the example of a patient aged 14 to 15 who wanted their skin to look very glowing, which may not be appropriate for their age.

‘If from an early age you’re subjected to over-treatment or over-use of products, you may face issues in the future,’ he said.

Dr Eddy stressed that skin health cannot be forced instantly. Quick results may be sought by many, but the skin still has natural processes that must be respected.

‘Anything instant is usually not good, because you’re forcing something on skin that may not be ready,’ he said.

The same sentiment was shared by Eva Mulia Clinic doctor Dr Lie Man. She said the skin has a natural regeneration cycle, or skin cycle, that lasts about a month. Therefore, healthy treatment results generally take time.

‘If you want good results, take them naturally. At the end of the day, what we hope for is healthy skin,’ Dr Lie said.

She views the timeless glow concept as a long-term investment. Skin that is clean, healthy, and cared for emerges from a series of treatments that meet needs, not merely follow trends.

Basic Skincare Enough?

In daily skincare, basics such as facial cleanser, moisturiser, and sunscreen remain the main foundation. Yet Dr Eddy notes that every person’s needs differ.

‘Some people naturally have good skin, so moisturising skincare and sunscreen suffice. But others are frequently exposed to the sun, under heavy stress, or have skin problems, and may require more complete skincare,’ he explained.

He also reminded that acne must be addressed first before chasing a glow.

‘Patients come with acne; we clear that first. You can’t glow if the acne hasn’t healed,’ he said.

After the main issue improves, patients can then enter other treatments such as skin boosters, dermapen, or skin rejuvenation treatments as needed.

Besides inadequate skincare, using too many products can also be a problem. Dr Eddy said that nowadays many patients, including men, are already very knowledgeable about skincare ingredients. However, layering products over and over is not always suitable for all skin types.

‘Sometimes over-product use isn’t good,’ he said.

Other factors affecting skin health include sun exposure, makeup load, how you cleanse your face, lack of sleep, stress, diet, and little exercise.

‘If we are unhealthy and unfit, it will show on the skin. The skin is the largest organ in the body,’ Dr Eddy said.

Dr Lie added that a healthy lifestyle directly influences skin condition. External care needs to be supported by nutrition, sufficient sleep, and good overall body condition.

‘We are not just talking about the skin, but the foundation beneath it. If collagen is maintained, elasticity is also good,’ she said.

Aesthetic Treatments Have Become a Necessity

Against the backdrop of rising public awareness of appearance, aesthetic treatments are no longer seen as something luxurious by some people. Dr Eddy said aesthetic care has two functions: curative and ongoing maintenance.

‘If there is an issue, like acne, we treat it first. But in addition to curative care, we also provide care, so the skin becomes smoother and of higher quality,’ he said.

Nevertheless, Eva Mulia Clinic emphasises personalised care. Each patient is first analysed via face reading to understand skin conditions, from dry, oily, acne-prone skin to other problems.

‘Patients cannot be generalised. We assess their needs and then create a more individual treatment plan,’ Dr Eddy said.

In the same event, Eva Mulia Clinic also introduced EM Priority as part of the clinic’s service development. This service is designed to provide a more comfortable and personalised care experience for customers.

Dr Eddy said they want to continue to offer treatments that are effective and accessible to more people.

‘The tagline is, effective treatment for everyone. So it doesn’t have to be expensive; it should match the patient’s needs,’ he said.

He also said Eva Mulia Clinic plans to expand services to several areas, including Cibubur in 2026, Serpong in 2027, relocating Ciledug, and Bogor in 2028.

‘We hope to get closer to patients, so they don’t have to travel far,’ he said.