Radiant Skin: Soyoki Abo Of ABOSOYOKI On 5 Things Anyone Can Do to Have Healthy, Radiant, Flawless Skin

An Interview With Athalia Monae

Regular exercise. Post workout glow is real. Exercising increases blood flow and blood delivers oxygen and nutrients to your muscles and organs including your skin! It also leads to increased collagen and new cell production that gives you glowing skin. Your skin looks brighter, healthier and feels more supple. I exercise twice daily — in the morning and afternoon — and I get compliments that my skin looks good every time after I work out.

Each day, millions strive to unlock the secrets of blemish-free, luminous skin, yet many find this goal frustratingly out of reach. In a market saturated with quick fixes and fad trends, it’s vital to cut through the noise and understand what truly works. Our skin is our largest organ and the shield between our bodies and the outside world; it deserves more than just a superficial approach. As part of this series, we had the pleasure of interviewing Soyoki Abo.

Soyoki Abo, founder of ABOSOYOKI, was born and raised in Japan on Shikoku, a small peaceful island located in the south. Growing up, her grandmother paved the way for her career in the beauty industry, teaching her, among other things, how different types of fruits and vegetables can be used for skincare. Since then, beauty continued to be her passion, which eventually led her to New York, where she became a licensed aesthetician and certified beautician. ABOSOYOKI aesthetics was founded on the ideals of empowerment and inspiration. Soyoki helps clients look and feel their best, and dedicates herself to bringing out the inner beauty in all of her clients. She believes in and operates her Manhattan-based business on those ideals — that every person should feel confident, beautiful, and empowered. She is passionate about transforming lives through the art of beauty.

Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series. Before we dive into our discussion about networking, our readers would love to “get to know you” a bit better. Can you share with us the backstory about what brought you to your specific career path?

My name is Soyoki, which means courage, bravery and hope in Japanese. I was born and raised in Shikoku, Japan — a tiny island located in the south, which is full of nature. My grandparents were veterinarians and teachers, so they used to take me to farms where I spent a lot of time with nature and animals. They also taught me about different types of fruits and vegetables that can be used for the skin.

My mother and sister also paved the way for my career in the beauty industry. As the youngest in the family, I watched and copied their makeup techniques, skincare and fashion. My mother subscribed to fashion magazines and I loved reading and watching the models’ makeup, hairstyles and fashion. One day my teacher gave me a map of Fifth Avenue in NYC and from that moment on, I dreamed of living in NYC. I have been living in New York on my own for almost half of my life at this point, so I think my name’s meaning has proven true.

You are a successful business leader. Which three character traits do you think were most instrumental to your success? Can you please share a story or example for each?

I’m very considerate of my clients requests and needs, which has been key to securing loyal clients. Everyone who comes to me for a facial has a reason. Whether it’s a special occasion, skin issue, or simply for a bit of relaxation, everyone wants to be “heard.” As I don’t know what others are going through in their personal lives, I make a huge effort to give each client the “me time” they are looking for.

I’m also flexible. It’s very common for clients to arrive late or want to reschedule at the last minute. Things happen in life, and I’m mindful of that and try my best to accommodate them. Also, I’ve learned that what clients ‘want’ and what their skin ‘needs’ are often different, so I need to be flexible to ensure my clients are happy — and that their skin is also healthy and glowing.

Another trait is my resourcefulness. I always ask my clients if they have any questions or if there’s anything further that I can help them with. I make sure to answer any questions they have and help them understand the best way to achieve their skincare goals. To ensure I have the right answers, I continue to educate myself as knowledge is power.

Ok, thank you for that. Let’s now jump to the primary focus of our interview. What are your “ 5 Things Anyone Can Do to Have Healthy, Radiant, Flawless Skin”?

While many people think beautiful skin is all about the products they use, that’s only a small part of maintaining or achieving healthy beautiful skin. It’s a lifestyle that includes:

1. Regular exercise. Post workout glow is real. Exercising increases blood flow and blood delivers oxygen and nutrients to your muscles and organs including your skin! It also leads to increased collagen and new cell production that gives you glowing skin. Your skin looks brighter, healthier and feels more supple. I exercise twice daily — in the morning and afternoon — and I get compliments that my skin looks good every time after I work out.
2. Golden hour sleep. When you sleep your body produces growth hormones. Your skin starts cell regeneration, to repair and reform skin texture. The golden hour for cell production is 10pm to 12am. That is the peak to regenerate your skin. Golden hour sleep boosts collagen production to make skin tighter and youthful. Also it prevents infections, acne problems and skin deterioration. 7 to 9 hours of sleep can improve your physical appearance as well.
3. A healthy diet. During my preparation for my bikini competition, I ate very clean food with no condiments or seasoning for months. I had no sweets, no heavy carbs, and no dairy, only organic minimal food, proteins and LOTS of water. Before that, I sometimes got hormonal breakouts and occasional redness, but when my diet was clean, I did not have one breakout on my face. After the competition, I ate anything and everything that I couldn’t eat during the prep period and the next day my skin was irritated and I got a few breakouts on my face! Skin is very honest.
4. A good skincare regimen with products that your skin needs. A skincare regimen including monthly facials is crucial. I always tell my clients that it’s the same as going to the gym. Consistency is key. If you go to the gym one time, it might make you feel good, but if you don’t get into a routine, you won’t see results. And it’s very important to know what your skin needs. Your esthetician should analyze your skin and determine what your skin needs. For example, if you have dry skin, but are using products for oily skin, they will not solve the problem. It’s important to listen to a professional’s advice since they are the experts.
5. Being stress free. Unfortunately stress isn’t your best friend — not only for your skin — but for your health overall. While this is nearly impossible to attain, It’s important to take time for yourself and take a break from your responsibilities. Stress can cause free radicals, which can age your skin. Stress also causes fine lines, dark circles, hyperpigmentation, and dullness. Even if you have a high-stakes job, family responsibilities, and children to look after, try to always reserve a time of the day where you can organize your thoughts, have some quiet time and pamper yourself. Skin is emotional so stress shows up on your skin.

What are the most common misconceptions about daily skincare routines that prevent people from achieving radiant skin?

“You don’t need to moisturize if you have oily skin.” No matter what your skin type is, we still need to keep our skin protected, balanced, and nourished with moisturizer. Moisturizer helps to regulate oil production and seal the moisture within the skin.

“You only need to wear sunscreen on sunny days.” Please wear sunscreen all the time. Even on overcast days, UV rays can still penetrate cloud cover and reach your skin. More than 80% of skin damage is caused by the sun. Even when you’re inside, if there are windows, the UV light can still reach you. And please also make sure to reapply the sunscreen every 2 hours.

Could you share your insights on how diet and nutrition directly affect skin health, and perhaps suggest some superfoods for skin radiance?

I’m sure you’ve heard of the phrase, “you are what you eat.” There is an undeniable connection between food and our bodies. Skin is our body’s largest organ. It’s important to consume food that can help nourish the skin. Lack of nutrients can trigger skin problems such as inflammation, redness, puffiness, acne breakouts, eczema, psoriasis, aging, etc. I encourage clients to fuel their skin with nutrient rich food from the inside and with good skincare products on the outside.

My two main superfoods for skin radiance are Omega-3 rich salmon and powerful antioxidant green tea. I always have a variety of tea available for my clients at my studio because it can help reduce inflammation, redness, and promote youthful firmness and brightness in skin. I also love Japanese superfoods, such as Wakame and Miso. Wakame is a type of seaweed that is rich in vitamins and minerals and low in calories. Miso is fermented soybeans, and is rich in probiotics and antioxidants, which can help improve sun damage and signs of aging. It also boosts collagen and elastin productions to plump the skin.

How do you recommend individuals tailor their skincare routine to address the unique needs of their skin type and environment?

It’s very important to seek professional advice and speak with an esthetician, as we are trained and more familiar with skin concerns, and we know the best options for specific skin conditions and attainable outcomes. There are so many skincare products and treatments on the market. We can help our clients identify and understand what will be truly effective for their unique needs.

What advances in skincare science or new ingredients are you most excited about that promise to enhance skin health and radiance?

Personally, I’m excited to see more anti-pollution skincare. The environment and our daily lifestyles have changed so much, and still continue to change. Pollution is definitely a growing problem. Just like sunscreen helps protect your skin from UV rays, anti-pollution skincare acts as a barrier against pollutants and fights free radicals. It’s important to know that airborne pollutants are associated with common signs of aging such as hyperpigmentation, wrinkles, sagging, lines and dark spots. Also, pollution can cause dryness, as well as increase unnecessary oil production on skin, which causes breakouts. An anti-pollution skincare routine is another important skincare regimen you can add to protect and maintain your skin health.

Can you describe a holistic approach to skincare that encompasses not just topical treatments but also lifestyle and wellness practices?

Clients tend to think that their skin problems can be solved by skincare products or treatments. However, skin is very emotional and there are always so many reasons behind why your skin looks and feels the way it does. Physical and emotional factors can impact our skin easily, such as water intake, diet, sleep, stress levels, hormonal imbalances, smoking, drinking, medications, and more.

As I mentioned previously, your skincare routine should cover both the inside and outside of the body. Skincare is self-care. Daily nutrition and exercise are essential for skin. Once you address the skin problem, you can resolve the cause. It’s important to start investigating to find the root before picking products and treatments. After finding the issue, you can focus on preventing skin conditions. Then, you can find a way to maintain it. This isn’t just improving your skin health, but also your overall well being.

You are a person of great influence. If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. :-)

I’d like to start a movement to encourage people to step out of their comfort zone and try something they have never done! The New Year is a great time to set a goal to achieve something new. Setting goals and trying new things can help you feel like a better version of yourself. So why not try something you’ve never done? You are never too old to set another goal, or to dream a new dream.

This past year, my goal for 2023 was to be in a bikini competition. It was something I’d been curious about for a long time, so, although a bit random, it was something I had wanted to do for a long time. Even though I was taking care of myself by exercising and eating healthy, I knew my body wasn’t in great shape. I didn’t have confidence in myself, especially in my body, so I made it a resolution to get in shape and train to compete. When I set my intention, I began to meet many amazing people at the gym who motivated me and helped me learn new forms and how to use the machines. They also taught me more about nutrition and healthy eating habits. I decided to follow the process and do something I’ve never done — and was able to achieve something I never thought possible.

I like the idea of this type of movement because it creates really positive energy. When someone sees that they can accomplish something they never thought they could, they feel confident and positive. And that energy inspires other people. It’s a positive cycle!

How can our readers further follow you online?

My instagram is @abosoyoki. You can also check my website for more information and the services that I offer at www.abosoyoki.com.

Thank you for the time you spent sharing these fantastic insights. We wish you only continued success in your great work!

About the Interviewer: Athalia Monae is a product creator, published author, entrepreneur, advocate for Feed Our Starving Children, contributing writer for Entrepreneur Media, and founder of Pouches By Alahta.