Let’s be clear—there’s absolutely no shortcut to clear skin. Any beauty insider will tell you that you have to be meticulous about cleansing and establish a proper skincare routine that works for you. Sounds daunting? We’re here to help.
Let’s be clear—there’s absolutely no shortcut to clear skin. Any beauty insider will tell you that you have to be meticulous about cleansing and establish a proper skincare routine that works for you. Sounds daunting? We’re here to help.
From gentle cleansers and makeup removers that take off every stitch of makeup, to hydrating potions and spot treatments that tackle the most stubborn breakouts, these are the skincare heroes you need—conveniently grouped into skin types so you know exactly just where to look.
Cult Favourites
These crowd-pleasers have earned their place in many a skincare routine thanks to their ability to deliver every single time.
Best Foundation for Glowing Skin
Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Gel Touch Foundation SPF 25 / PA++, $90
Best Cleanser
Dr. Hauschka Cleansing Cream, $50
Best Toner
Mamonde Rose Water Toner, $25
Best Long-wear Foundation
ETUDE HOUSE Double Lasting Foundation, $33.90
Best Sheet Mask
Saturday Skin Spotlight Brightening Mask, $43 for 5 sheets
Best Cleansing Oil
Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil, $65
Best Moisturiser
Weleda Skin Food, $25.50
Normal Skin
You’re already winning with this low-maintenance skin type. But that’s no reason to slack off when it comes to a solid skincare routine. Keep skin healthy with a robust cleansing routine and regularly replenish moisture with masks. Don’t forget sunscreen, because sun damage is the top reason for premature skin ageing.
Best Cleanser
LANEIGE Moist Cream Cleanser, $32
TIE
EVERSOFT Organic Foam Pump Cleanser – Avocado & Yogurt, $12.90
Best Micellar Water
NIVEA Rose Micellar Water with Oil, $19.90
Best Moisturiser
Clinique Moisture Surge™ 72-Hour Auto-Replenishing Hydrator, $75
Best Do-it-all Serum
RE:ERTH Multi-Targeted Elixir, $108
TIE
Pixi Beauty Hydrating Milky Serum, $36
Best Sunscreen
Eau Thermale Avène Very High Protection Fluid Fragrance-free SPF50+, $49.90
TIE
Lierac Sunissime Face Protective Energizing Fluid SPF50, $58
Best Dark Spot Treatment
For Beloved One Flawless Brightening Ethyl Ascorbic Acid Essence, $78
Best Scrub
Laura Mercier Flawless Skin Face Polish, $55
Best Peel
ASTY Gabaiyoka Horse Oil Charcoal Removing Pack, $24.90
Best Fluid Foundation
Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra Wear Foundation SPF 15, $68
Best Body Product
Crème Simon Crème Universelle L’Originale, $68
Best Dewy Skin Moisture Mask
SkinLab HydrO2 Ultra Hydration Mask, $63
Best Cleansing Device
FOREO LUNA 2 For Normal Skin, $319
City Skin
Whether it’s redness, dry patches or dullness, skin exposed to city pollution —think car exhaust and dusty streets—on the daily is prone to sensitivity. Boost its healing abilities and strengthen natural defences with these repairing and fortifying products.
Best Cleanser
The Blessed Soaps® (Tea Tree Kindness) by Nature’s Glory, $15
Best Micellar Water
Crème Simon Micellar Water Makeup Remover For Eyes And Face, $49
Best Cleansing Wipes
Patchology Clean AF Cleansing Wipe, $8 per pack
Best Reparative Moisturiser
Porcelain Pure Botanical Soothing Gel, $69.50
Best Antioxidant Serum
Mamonde First Energy Serum, $42
Best Sunscreen
HERA Sun Mate Excellence in Rosy Glow, $58
Best Detox Mask
Arosha Purifying & Regenerating Mask, $40
Best Chemical Exfoliator
Sunday Riley Good Genes All-In-One Lactic Acid Treatment, $148
Best Facial Mist
Pixi Beauty Rose Glow Mist, $22
TIE
CNP Laboratory Quick Fresh Vita Ampule Mist, $23.80
Best Beautifying Device
FOREO UFO, $408
Best Detoxing Facial
Estetica BioPure Facial, $250
Dry Skin
The tell-tale signs of dryness are rough, flaking and tight skin. Tackle flaky skin with a gentle exfoliator, then keep skin supple and smooth with a moisture-replenishing facial and these winning products.
Best Oil Cleanser
FANCL MCO Mild Cleansing Oil, $30
Best Micellar Water
BIODERMA Hydrabio H2O Micellar Solution, $41.90
Best Hydrating Moisturiser
Alpha-H Essential Hydration Cream, $58
TIE
Esthe Twin STCell Moist Gel R, $93
Best Moisture-replenishing Serum
HERA Aquabolic Hydro-Pearl Serum, $80
Best Sunscreen
Alpha-H Protection Plus Daily SPF 50+, $69
Best Facial Mist
BIODERMA Hydrabio Eau de Soin SPF 30, $19.90
Best Chemical Exfoliator
Aprilskin Real Calendula Peeling Pad, $29.90
Best “Thirsty No More” Moisture Mask
Lululun Precious Daily Facial Mask Age-Defying Moisture Red, $29.90
Best Fluid Foundation
Excel Milky Fit Fluid Foundation, $33.90
Best Body Product
Bare For Bare Rosemary Body Lotion, $19.90
TIE
Kopari Coconut Melt, $31
Best Supplement for Healthy Skin
Renovatio An Apple a Day, $42
TIE
FANCL Tense Up, $58
Best Moisture-replenishing Facial
Bellezza Aesthetics Aqua Dew Booster, $380
Sensitive Skin
Easily agitated and often itchy and red, this skin type best responds to a minimalist approach. Boost skin barrier health with antioxidant-rich potions, soothe inflammation with gentle treatments and conceal any flare-ups with moisturising beauty balms.
Best Gentle Cleanser
Alpha-H Balancing Cleanser with Aloe Vera, $49
Best Moisturiser
Renovatio APSKIN Face Cream, $49
Best De-stressing Serum
Alcheme Personalised Serum, $60
Best Sunscreen
Cremorlab Ideal Base Shield, $46
Most Soothing Mask
LANEIGE Fresh Calming Quick Morning Mask, $38
TIE
Quality 1st All In One Sheet Mask, $9.90
Gentlest Peel
Unpa Bubi Bubi Face, Face Bubble Peeling Gel, $33.90
TIE
Aprilskin Real Calendula Peel Off Pack, $23
Best Anti-inflammatory Treatment
Sunday Riley Luna Sleeping Night Oil, $78
Best BB Cream
Medica SRS Skin Perfect Balm, $76
Best Body Product
KORA Organics Noni Glow Body Oil, $85
Best Cleansing Device
FOREO LUNA 2 for Sensitive Skin, $319
Best Beautifying Device
Oasis:skin Rose Quartz Facial Roller, $40
Best Barrier-boosting Facial
EPION Clinic Pro Radiance Facial, $300
Oily Skin
Easy does it when it comes to skin that has a lot of shine. A gentle approach will yield far better results than an aggressive routine. Opt for cleansers that don’t strip natural oils, moisturisers that control shine while keeping skin hydrated, and masks that keep pores clear.
Best Cleanser
Neutrogena Deep Clean Energizing Foaming Cleanser, $11.50
Best Micellar Water
BIODERMA Sebium H2O Micellar Solution, $41.90
Best Moisturiser
BIODERMA Sébium Mat Control, $36.90
Best Blemish Prevention Treatment
Allies of Skin Promise Keeper Blemish Facial, $159
Best Sunscreen
Eau Thermale Avène Very High Protection Cleanance SPF 50+, $49.90
Most Pore-refining Mask
Kiehl’s Rare Earth Deep Pore Cleansing Masque, $47
Best Melt-away Blackhead Treatment
ASTY Gabaiyoka Horse Oil Charcoal Removing Pack, $24.90
Best Stay-all-day Concealer
Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra Wear Camouflage Concealer, $56
Most Mattifying Compact Foundation
HERA Black Cushion SPF35/ PA++, $75
Best Cleansing Device
FOREO LUNA 2 for Oily Skin, $319
Best Skin-brightening Supplement
LANEIGE Youth Collagen Drink, $150
Best Deep Cleansing Facial Treatment
EPION Clinic Power Hour, $227
Acne-prone Skin
The number-one rule is to resist the urge to pick. Instead, tackle blemishes with potent spot treatments and rebalance skin with purifying toners. Add mild exfoliators to help prevent further breakouts.
Best Cleanser
Rosette Acne Clear Face Cleanser, $9.90
Best Micellar Water
Dr. Hauschka Clarifying Toner, $71
Best Moisturiser
EVERSOFT Skinz Clear Care Calming Lotion, $27.90
Best Keep-skin-clear Serum
Medicube Red Serum, $52
Best Sunscreen
NOVU Active Lifting Sunscreen Mist, $24.90
Best Purifying Mask
BelleWave ClearWave Ultra- Fresh Purifying Masque, $98
Best Exfoliator (Chemical or Physical)
Suisai Beauty Clear Powder, $27
TIE
Nakeup Face 10% AHA Scaling Cream, $33.90
Best Emergency Spot Treatment
Aromatica Tea Tree 53 Blemish Spot, $27
TIE
ProSkin Acne Clear, $40
Best Non-pore-clogging Foundation
Hourglass Immaculate Liquid Powder Foundation Mattifying Oil Free, $92
Best “Bye bye Imperfections” Concealer
Excel Silent Cover Concealer, $26.90
Best “Watch Your Back” Body Acne Treatment
Medicube Red Body Bar, $24
Best Facial
EstheClinic Intensive Acne Treatment, $380 for face/ $450 for face and neck
TIE
SkinLab Customised Medical Peel with Skin Analysis, $268
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EDITORIAL ASSISTANT AMINAH AHMAD.
