Denise Laurel learned an important lesson during the pandemic: Skin care isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach.
In an exclusive interview with PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) during the grand opening of Avignon Clinic's newest branch at Shangri-La Plaza in Mandaluyong City on July 9, 2026, Denise opened up about having dehydrated and sensitive skin, revealing why she steers clear of many popular skin care actives.
According to Denise, her skin reacts negatively to ingredients that are often praised online for their anti-aging and skin-renewing benefits.
"For me, I have dehydrated sensitive skin, so there's a lot of things I can't do. I can't use retinol. I can't use tretinoin, AHA, BHA, PHA, any actives. Sometimes even Vitamin C.
"I focus on hydration and regeneration, rejuvenation. So that's what I stick to.
"I really just want to glow old gracefully, and by doing that I'm not changing my face. I am just taking care of like biohacking, if you will, what I already have."
Denise Laurel's skin-care mishap
Denise shared the period when she became very interested in skin care and started experimenting with products that were trending on social media.
Unfortunately, one of those experiments ended badly.
"During the pandemic was when I really took a deep dive into taking care of myself. I was going through quite a bit at that time. Weren't we all?
"But, yeah, I did, I tried retinol, and I ruined my skin barrier. I had wounds all over my face—cracked skin, redness, irritation, you name it. It was very painful.
"And yeah, I really just had to learn how to nourish my skin from within, from outside, and, just an overall holistic approach to, you know, good health."
The experience taught Denise to be more careful about trying products simply because they are popular online.
Since then, she has focused on a simpler skin-care routines centered on hydration and skin health, while turning to science-based treatments recommended by experts.
Denise LAUREL's favorite treatments
Apart from maintaining a consistent skin care routine, Denise credits regular visits to aesthetic clinics for helping her maintain her youthful glow.
One of her latest favorites is NCTF (New Cellular Treatment Factor), a poly-revitalizing mesotherapy skin booster developed by Fillmed Laboratories in France.
The treatment contains more than 50 active ingredients, including non-cross-linked hyaluronic acid, vitamins, amino acids, coenzymes, and antioxidants designed to hydrate the skin and stimulate cellular regeneration.
Sharing her experience, Denise said: "I recently tried NCTF (New Cellular Treatment Factor) and I am in love. It gives you that glow instantly, and yeah, so far yun palang, favorite ko."
Another treatment that tops her list is XERF, a non-invasive skin tightening and rejuvenation procedure that uses dual-frequency monopolar radio frequency technology.
"XERF has to be my number one," Denise said.
"What I love about XERF is it's not as painful as the other machines having tried a bunch of the anti-aging machines.
"And what I love, it's like three technologies in one. So isang, as they would say, isang sakit na lang. Isang aray na lang."
For those interested, NCTF skin booster treatment at Avignon Clinic is priced at PHP15,999 per session, while XERF AI for Face and Neck costs PHP88,000.
Despite her openness to aesthetic procedures, Denise said she still draws the line when it comes to invasive treatments.
Instead, she prefers non-invasive technologies that support skin tightening, collagen stimulation, and overall skin health.
"I don't do anything too invasive, so I stick to machines like XERF, SoftWave. I stick to EXION.
"I do Rejuran and NCTF (New Cellular Treatment Factor), but I don't do anything invasive.
"Like I don't do facelifts. I don't do anything that has, anything invasive, anything drastic, because maybe when I'm older, that's when I will be doing all of that stuff.
"And I'll let you guys know when I do here at Avignon."
For now, Denise is embracing a less-is-more approach to skin care, one rooted in professional guidance, hydration, and maintaining healthy skin rather than chasing every beauty trend that comes along.
READ MORE: