If your FYP is anything like mine, you would have come across some, or a lot, of content about both Korean skincare and skin boosters lately. These are undoubtedly the latest obsession in the skincare world, and with them come lofty claims of ‘glass skin’, ‘injectable moisturiser’, and ‘woke up like this’ skin. Basically, long story short, skin boosters have been monopolising the aesthetic scene as of late, and if you find yourself intrigued, but also a little bit confused about what they actually are, you have come to the right place.
It is important to remember that when it comes to treatments like this, they are not necessarily ‘new’, just new to the mainstream. Turns out that celebrity-endorsed night cream was not what gave celebrities their enviable glow; it was these largely undetectable treatments that were once reserved for the confines of the plastic surgeon’s office and celebrity injectors that have now come to the market for normal people (like you and me!).
And that is really good news for us normal folk because skin boosters are, for want of a better phrase, really, really great. So great, in fact, that they have become one of the most in-demand cosmetic injectable treatments in the world, particularly around treatment-forward locations like Korea and Europe. Think less contour and volume, and more glow and hydration. This is why it makes a lot of sense that Korea and K-Beauty have been world leaders in these treatments, because they have always been based on chasing healthy, hydrated skin over aggressive transformations.
So, what exactly are skin boosters, how do they work, and why is everyone suddenly so obsessed with them? Let’s dive in, shall we?
What exactly are skin boosters?
Probably the easiest way to explain skin boosters is this: imagine your favourite hydrating serum, but injected directly into the skin where it can actually create structural change rather than sitting politely on top of your face hoping for the best.
On a more scientific level, skin boosters are injectable treatments made with hyaluronic acid, amino acids, or biostimulating ingredients that are placed superficially into the skin to improve hydration, elasticity, texture and radiance. Unlike traditional dermal fillers, which are designed to create volume and contour, skin boosters work a little differently, spreading through the skin diffusely to improve overall skin quality.
And while we absolutely love dermal fillers, the distinction is important because each treatment is likely to be better suited to a certain type of skincare goal. If you are looking to restore structure and shape, then you may want to either look at dermal filler, or a combination of both dermal filler and skin boosters, which works incredibly well for mature skin. If you are looking to make the actual skin appear healthier and glowier, but are happy with the overall shape and structure of the face, then skin boosters are probably for you.
One of the reasons skin boosters have become so popular is that they sit beautifully within the current aesthetic landscape. So if you are looking for a more subtle approach to enhancements, they are a pretty unmatched choice because they sit somewhere in between the results you can get from traditional injectables like Botox and fillers and the results you would get from regular skin conditioning treatments. You will just start to look like a very suspiciously well-rested version of yourself. And the best part is that they all play very well together, so if you want to do a combination of all of them, you can achieve incredible results.
The Korean beauty philosophy
Korean beauty trends have always prioritised skin health over camouflage. While Western beauty can traditionally lean into coverage and correction, K-Beauty focuses on prevention, hydration, and maintaining skin integrity before problems become severe.
But now it seems the rest of the world is following suit, with these treatments exploding globally. It was never just about shiny skin, it is about the skin functioning so optimally that it reflects light like a real life disco ball. Skin boosters align perfectly with this philosophy because they target the things that make skin appear youthful and healthy at a foundational level. Hydration, elasticity, collagen production, skin density and bounce are all keystone features of the philosophy.
As we age, our natural hyaluronic acid, collagen and elastin levels begin to decline. And while this is an entirely natural process, it means the skin gradually becomes thinner, duller, and overall less resilient than it was in the good old days. Fine lines become more visible not only because of movement, but because dehydrated skin simply does not reflect light in the same way anymore. This is why skin can suddenly start looking tired even if you are technically taking great care of it, or in the same way you always have.
If you have found yourself feeling this way recently, then skin boosters absolutely may be the treatment you have been looking for. They work by addressing these changes beneath the surface of the skin, rather than simply sitting on top like skincare products do. This means they are able to stimulate hydration and regeneration within the skin itself, making the results not only more noticeable, but also much longer lasting.
The long and short of it is that skin boosters are less about covering up ageing, and more about helping your skin function better again. Magic, right?
Profhilo, the injectable treatment on everybody's lips
If skin boosters had a celebrity spokesperson, it would probably be Profhilo. Profhilo has exploded into mainstream culture and become one of the most talked-about injectable treatments globally. And rightfully so, because it delivers something that people are increasingly craving from cosmetic treatments: natural-looking skin that glows, but without the dramatic ‘you’ve had something done’ change. No frozen expressions, just deeply hydrated, firmer, healthier skin.
At Caci, Profhilo is used as a skin quality treatment rather than a volumising filler. And what makes it so effective, you ask? Well, it contains one of the highest concentrations of hyaluronic acid on the market and works by dispersing beneath the skin. Once it is there, it works its magic by stimulating collagen and elastin production, all while delivering intense hydration. There is a reason all the celebs love this treatment.
What makes Profhilo interesting is that it behaves very differently to traditional filler, which also uses hyaluronic acid, because rather than staying where it is injected to create shape, it spreads through the superficial layers of the skin to improve the actual quality of your skin. So you can expect hydrated, plump, bouncy skin with improved texture to boot. It sounds too good to be true, but trust us, it really is that great.
For best results, Profhilo is usually performed as an initial course of two treatments spaced around four weeks apart, with most people then opting for maintenance treatments every six to nine months to keep the results peaking.
And unlike some treatments that are suited to mature skin only, Profhilo actually works beautifully across a wide age range. Younger clients love it for preventative hydration and glow, while mature clients appreciate its ability to improve laxity and crepey texture without looking overdone.
Sunekos, your under-eye hero
If Profhilo is the all-over glow treatment we have been dreaming of, then Sunekos is the quietly brilliant specialist. Sunekos combines, yes, you guessed it, hyaluronic acid with amino acids that work in a very similar way to stimulate collagen and elastin production while deeply hydrating the skin. Love. But what makes it different is that Sunekos is designed to target delicate areas like the under eyes, where traditional filler is usually too heavy and unsuitable, and not something we recommend or offer, at Caci.
The under eyes are notoriously difficult to treat because the skin is much thinner, more fragile and prone to looking puffy or unnatural if the wrong product is used. Well, there is now an effective and safe alternative because Sunekos approaches the area differently by improving the skin quality itself rather than simply filling hollowing. If you are suffering from dark circles, crepey texture, or just an overall loss of elasticity around the eyes, then this is the treatment for you. It works by stimulating fibroblasts, the skin’s repair cells. The result is brighter, smoother, healthier-looking under eyes that still look completely natural.
And honestly, in a world where everyone is always a bit exhausted, overstimulated and staring at screens for twelve hours a day, this treatment is suited to pretty much everyone who wants to get their peepers looking fresh and full again.
Illuma Luna, the new kid on the block
Just when you thought the undereye category could not get any more advanced, along comes Illuma Luna. One of the newest injectable skin boosters available at Caci, Illuma Luna is specifically designed for the delicate undereye area and focuses on improving all the things that tend to make us look more exhausted than we actually are. Think dark circles, crepey texture, dehydration, dullness and that slightly hollow, tired look that suddenly appears one day and refuses to leave. Cute.
What makes Illuma Luna particularly exciting is that, like Sunekos, it takes a regenerative approach to the under-eye area rather than simply trying to ‘fill’ it. The treatment combines hyaluronic acid, polynucleotides, peptides and amino acids, which work together to improve hydration, elasticity, skin quality and overall brightness within the skin itself. Basically, it is less about masking tired eyes and more about convincing your under-eyes to start behaving like they did five years ago.
So why is everyone so obsessed with skin boosters?
In a world obsessed with looking effortlessly healthy rather than obviously ‘done’, skin boosters have become the ultimate beauty insider treatment. Think less frozen forehead, more hydrated, bouncy skin, and looking like you get eight hours of uninterrupted sleep every night (even if this couldn’t be further from the truth). Whether you are looking for an all-over glow or just wanting to brighten up tired under eyes, these treatments are proof that the future of injectables is all about skin health rather than changing the face.
Korean beauty has been telling us for years that hydration needs to be the main focus when it comes to great skin, and honestly, they are onto something. We can see the future, and it’s bright!
All before and after photos are of treatments performed by Caci Registered Nurses. Results may vary from person to person and are not guaranteed.
Botox®, Prescription Medicine for the treatment of frown lines and crow's feet around the eyes. Botox® has risks and benefits. Ask your doctor if Botox® is right for you. Botulinum toxin type A 50, 100, 200 Units. For product information check with your doctor or Consumer Medicine Information on www.medsafe.govt.nz. Allergan, Auckland.
Profhilo® Medical Device Class III. For the redefinition and laxity remodelling where skin laxity is a problem. Profhilo has risks and benefits. Contains low & high molecular weight hyaluronic acid (64mg/2ml). Ask your doctor if Profhilo is right for you. For product information check with your doctor or from product details with the Distributor Healthcare Logistics, Auckland.
Sunekos containing hyaluronic acid and amino acids is a class III medical device that modifies the structure of mature skin, restoring volume, filling wrinkles and folds in the skin and in scar sites. Sunekos has risks and benefits. Sunekos should not be used on patients: with known hypersensitivity to any of its components; presenting with a general infection, inflammation or irritation in the area to be treated; or in patients predisposed to coagulation disorders. A local reaction may rarely occur, caused by hypersensitisation phenomena, with symptoms that include oedema and sensation of burning and/or itching. These reactions normally resolve within two days. Consult your healthcare professional to see if Sunekos is right for you. For more information refer to the instructions for use. New Zealand Sponsor: AA-Med Pty Ltd. Distributed by: Xytide Biotech NZ Pty LTD.
Illuma Luna is a Class III medical device indicated for intradermal injection to improve skin hydration, elasticity andtexture, and to support brightening and regeneration of delicate under-eye skin. It is a dermal tissue reconstructivematerial combining polynucleotides, hyaluronic acid and peptides. Illuma Luna is a sterile, injectable, non-pyrogenic,biocompatible and resorbable product intended to support skin revitalisation.Illuma Luna should not be used in patients with known hypersensitivity to any of its components; in the presence ofactive infection, inflammation or skin disease at the treatment site; in patients with a history of severe allergies oranaphylaxis; patients with seafood sensitivity or allergy; in patients prone to hypertrophic scarring or keloidformation; in pregnancy or breastfeeding; or in patients under 18 years of age.Always read the label and follow the instructions for use. This medical device must be administered by a qualifiedhealthcare professional. Refer to the Instructions for Use for full safety information. New Zealand Sponsor: Fab NZLtd, 6/49 Sainsbury Road, St Lukes, Auckland, New Zealand.
