After putting over 150 products to the test, here are CLEO's top picks for every skin type.
After putting over 150 products to the test, here are CLEO's top picks for every skin type.
ACNE-PRONE SKIN
Prone to breakouts? While exfoliation may seem like the best solution, overdoing it may cause more problems. Use a cleanser specially formulated for this skin type to help banish spots, and avoid super-drying products as they may trigger extra oil production. To keep your game face on, carry a spot corrector around and indulge in a gentle treatment or two.
Best Cover-and-calm BB Cream 1. Cover FX BB Gel Mattifying Anti-Blemish Treatment, $62.
Best Cleanser 2. INNI Purifying Gel Cleanser, $40.66.
Best Moisturiser 3. Rexults Moisture Lock, $138.
Best Micellar Water 4. Uriage Thermal Micellar Water (Combination To Oily Skin), $26.90.
Best Compact Foundation 5. FANCL Oil Control Powder, $42.
Best Purifying Mask 6. DHC Mineral Mask, $44.90.
Best Watch-your-back Body Acne Treatment 7. Proactiv+ Deep Cleansing Wash, $45.90.
Best Bye-bye-imperfections Concealer 8. Kat Von D Lock-It Concealer, $37.
Best Emergency Spot Treatment 9. Benzac Spots Treatment 5% Gel, $17.50.
Best Cleansing Wipes 10. THEFACESHOP Chia Seed Fresh Cleansing Wipes, $16.90.
SENSITIVE SKIN
If you find your skin is easily irritated and frequently reddens or itches, it needs some TLC in the form of gentle formulations that soothe and protect. Applying too many products at once can also agitate the skin, so be sure to stick to no more than three at a go. Flare-ups are bound to happen, but with these sensitive skin rescuers, you’ll be well on your way to recovery.
Most Soothing Mask 1. Biotherm Life Plankton Mask, $72.
Gentlest Peel 2. Kiehl’s Dermatologist Solutions Nightly Refining Micro-Peel Concentrate, $99.
Best CC Cream 3. Eucerin Hyaluron-Filler CC Cream, $63.90.
Best Micellar Water 4. Bioré Oil-Control Micellar Cleansing Water, $18.90.
Best Moisturiser 5. Curél Moisture Gel-Lotion, $24.80.
Best Calming Cleanser 6. Bioderma Sensibio Gel Moussant Mild Cleansing Foaming Gel, $33.90.
Best BB Cream 7. SILKYGIRL Magic BB All-in-One Powder Foundation, $14.90.
Best Anti-inflammatory Treatment 8. Physiogel Calming Relief A.I. Body Lotion, $30.90.
OILY SKIN
A result of overactive oil glands, oily skin is prone to breakouts and excess shine. The upside, though, is that you develop fewer wrinkles than those with normal or dry skin. Dermatologists agree that the most effective way to manage this skin type is by cleansing twice daily, so rinse thoroughly, blot regularly and undergo a weekly treatment to keep skin clean and clear.
Best Oil-banishing Mask 1. Basic Theory The Basic Facial Polish: Clarifying, $39.80.
Best Blemish Prevention Treatment 2. Proactiv+ 3-Step Acne System, $79.90 per kit.
Best Purifying Mask 3. The Body Shop Himalayan Charcoal Purifying Glow Mask, $32.90.
Best Melt-away Blackhead Treatment 4. Derma-Rx Comedone Formula, $96.
Best Cleanser 5. Dr. Bronner’s Tea Tree Pure Castile Liquid Soap, $18.90.
Most Mattifying Compact Foundation 6. LANEIGE BB Cushion_Pore Control, $59 and 7. THEFACESHOP Oil Control Water Cushion SPF 50+/PA+++ , $32.
Best Makeup Remover 8. Browhaus Erase Make-Up Remover, $18.90 and 9. KOSÉ SEKKISEI Treatment Cleansing Oil, $44.
Best Moisturiser 10. CNP Laboratory A-Clean Anti-Blemish Calming Cream, $68.
Best Stay-all-day Concealer 11. Revlon ColorStay Concealer, $20.
NORMAL SKIN
A good balance of moisture, small pores and an even tone is a sign of normal skin. While it's a blessing, it still needs maintenance to keep it that way for as long as possible. Cumulative sun damage and other environmental factors can take its toll, so it’s important to cleanse, tone and hydrate regularly to keep skin problems at bay.
Best Dark Spot Treatment 1. LANEIGE White Plus Renew Original Essence_Ex, $88.
Best Oil Cleanser 2. Senka Perfect Watery Oil, $18.20 and 3. Neutrogena Deep Clean Cleansing Oil To Foam, $30.90.
Best Micellar Water 4. Za Makeup Cleansing Water, $16.90.
Best Pore-refining Mask 5. ORBIS Deep Clay Spa, $28.
Best Fluid Foundation 6. YSL Touche Eclat Le Teint, $98.
Best Scrub 7. Estelle & Thild BioCleanse Radiance Micro Polish, $47.
Best Moisturiser 8. Innisfree Jeju Lava Seawater Lotion, $35.
Best BB Cream 9. Clarins BB Beauty Perfector SPF30/PA+++, $74.
Best Dewy Skin Moisture Mask 10. Crème Simon Restorative Sleeping Mask, $68 and 11. Vichy Ideal White Meta Whitening Sleeping Mask, $59.
DRY SKIN
Small, fine flakes and parched patches are a pain to deal with. Dry skin occurs when the body doesn’t retain sufficient moisture, so it's essential to drink lots of water and consistently hydrate the skin. Apply products immediately after showering to seal hydration, and use moisture-locking makeup for a radiant complexion.
Best Thirsty-no-more Moisture Mask 1. Crystal Moist HYDRA ION+ Moisturising Facial Mask (7pcs), $19.90.
Most Skin-brightening Moisturiser 2. POND'S Flawless White Dewy Rose Gel Whitening Soft Gel, $24.90 and 3. Bottega Verde Olive Face Cream.
Best CC Cream 4. Crystal Moist Bright Ion+ Brightening CC Cream SPF36 PA+++, $15.90 and 5. THEFACESHOP CC Cushion Ultra Moist SPF50+ PA+++, $29.90.
Best Oil Cleanser 6. FANCL Mild Cleansing Oil, $30.
Best BB Cream 7. Dr.Ci:Labo BB Perfect Cream, $62.
Most Hydrating Moisturiser 8. Cetaphil Restoraderm Skin Restoring Body Moisturizer, $49.90 and 9. Hada Labo Super Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Cream. $35.90.
Best Cleanser 10. NIVEA Hydration Make Up Clear 3 in 1 Foam Cleanser $8.90 and 11. FANCL Washing Powder, $26.
Best Facial Mist 12. LANEIGE Water Bank Creamist, $27.
Best Fluid Foundation 13. Hourglass Illusion Hyaluronic Skin Tint, $87.
FACIALS AND SUPPLEMENTS
Beauty comes from within – especially in the form of powerful supplements that balance your skin from the inside out. And no matter how many products you layer on, your skin can always do with some special pampering. What’s a little splurge compared to the luxury of having an enviable complexion for weeks?
Best Deep-cleansing Facial Treatment 1. SK-II Aqua Pure Facial, $260 for 90 minutes, 2. IDS Hydro Therapeutics Treatment, $198 for 60 minutes and 3. DRx Medispa Essential Facial Plus, $268 for 90 minutes.
Best Skin-brightening Supplement 4. IDS Lyco-White Oral Skin Supplement, $168 and 5. ASTALIFT White Shield Drink, $60.
Best Facial for Radiance 6. Chanel Le Blanc Absolute Whitening & Radiance Treatment, $180 for 75 minutes and 7. Browhaus & Spa Esprit Star White Star Bright Facial, $267.50 for 75 minutes.
Best Supplement for Healthy Skin 8. FANCL Tense Up Collagen Drink, $58 and 9. TruLife Collagen Manuka Max, $58.80.
Best Facial for Acne 10. INNI Dynamic Facial $188 for 60 minutes and 11. Mary Chia GO60 Sonicare Facial, $90 for 60 minutes.
Best Supplement for Detox 12. Borsch Med Bind&Block Fat, $15.80/$49 Best Skin Peel 13. Rexults Luminous, $139.10 for 30 minutes.
Still-life Photography Nyen / Art Direction Sheryl Seah.
