From all-naturals using only ethically sourced botanical oils to supercharged formulas backed by experienced doctors, here are the top lesser known beauty lines you need to know about in 2019.
● VANDEROHE
It took founder Olivia Thorpe over a year to sample botanical oils from suppliers all over the world before she arrived at a trusted list of sources that could guarantee the finest quality of oils using sustainable farming methods.
So, you can be sure your skin is getting the very best from all four products in her tightly edited line. Beyond top-grade botanical oils rich in fatty acids and vitamins to restore skin to its optimum state, all products (except Exfoliating Powder) also have essential oils for a therapeutic effect on your mind.
Get your hands on Nourishing Face Serum ($170; 30ml), which packs apricot kernel, grapeseed and rosehip oils, as well as vitamin E to hydrate, strengthen and protect skin. Or try the new Purifying Cleansing Oil ($132; 100ml), which melts away makeup, conditions with safflower and sweet almond oils, as well as uplifts your mind with its carefully blended scent.
● ESKER BEAUTY
Specially formulated to be gentle enough for both the face and body, Esker Beauty products are vegan and suitable for all skin types. Those dealing with dry, scaly patches will love the lavish Restorative Oil ($96; 120ml). A nourishing and antioxidant-rich blend of squalane, primrose and jojoba oils, it hydrates, softens and protects against free radicals and loss of moisture. Plus, it smells divine, thanks to a combination of rosemary, ylang ylang, bergamot and frankincense essential oils.
● L:A BRUKET
Developed in Sweden to withstand the country’s harsh conditions, totally non-toxic L:A Bruket harnesses the restorative properties of natural ingredients to keep skin healthy. Try 063 Seasalt Scrub Sage/Rosemary/ Lavender ($66; 420g), which gently sloughs off dead skin cells with its fine salt granules while a combination of almond, rapeseed and safflower seed extracts replenishes parched skin with essential nutrients for soft and supple skin. Naturally scented with rosemary, lavender and sage essential oils, it is perfect for a home-spa session.
● OSEA MALIBU
Founded by archaeologist-turnedholistic healer, Jenefer Palmer, this brand combines mineral-rich seaweed with organic essential oils to rejuvenate and rebalance all skin types.
Responsibly sourced from the pristine waters of the Sea of Patagonia, Osea Malibu’s seaweed extract is bioavailable, which means that it is readily absorbed into the skin for optimum results. Plus, the brand has also been an active advocate for plant-based, vegan skincare for more than 20 years.
Fan favourites include Ocean Cleansing Milk ($75; 150ml), which gently removes makeup and dirt, calms redness, and softens the appearance of fine lines, and Ocean Lotion ($58; 180ml), which nourishes dry, flaky patches and improves elasticity. Or try the latest Vitamin C Probiotic Face Polish ($175; 56.7g) with fermented pomegranate enzymes as well as bamboo and rice powders to buff away dead skin cells while vitamin C and probiotics reduce the appearance of pigmentation for clearer, brighter skin.
● SIGI SKIN
As one of the latest local brands to hit the scene, all eyes are on Sigi Skin’s pared-down approach to skincare. Placing an emphasis on giving your skin exactly what it needs (nothing more, nothing less), all products are vegan, cruelty-free and made in Korea to feature cutting-edge technology with highperformance ingredients.
Our top pick is Pink Nectar ($62; 30ml). Made with five molecular sizes of hyaluronic acid, peach extract, propolis, vitamin E and niacinamide, it has a lightweight texture that melts into skin upon application to smooth, firm, brighten and depuff the under-eye area. Morning Glow Physical Sunscreen ($58; 50ml) is another must-try. The lightweight formula glides on smoothly without any white tint and smells heavenly.
● LANCER SKINCARE
This is founded by Beverly Hills-based dermatologist to the stars, Dr Harold Lancer, creator of The Lancer Method, a threestep routine of exfoliating, cleansing and nourishing to maintain skin’s healthy glow.
If trying the entire routine is too much of a commitment for you, at least experience its first step, The Method: Polish ($120; 125ml). Guaranteed to make you rethink exfoliation, this face scrub uses finely ground, pure quartz crystals to lift dead skin cells and salicylic acid to dissolve stubborn oil plugs while zeolite, a volcanic mineral, provides a pleasant warming sensation. At the same time, algae and fruit extracts infuse skin with vitamins and minerals to enhance oxygenation of skin cells for improved vitality.
● ANTIPODES
Combining nutrient-rich, pure ingredients with scientifically proven youth-enhancing results, this New Zealand-based brand proves you don’t have to choose between nature and science. Opting for organic raw materials wherever possible, Antipodes believes skincare made from pure sources not only benefits the skin but the earth as well since it minimises chemical pollution.
Try Divine Face Oil ($38.65; 30ml) with avocado, rosehip and macadamia nut oils to hydrate, rebuild the skin barrier, stimulate collagen and accelerate cellular regeneration for improved elasticity and resilience.
● HUXLEY
As the latest K-beauty brand to arrive on our shores, Huxley’s reputation precedes it. It is known for its use of prickly pear seed oil that contains exceptionally high levels of vitamin E, which replenishes moisture, keeps bacteria at bay and protects against free radical damage.
Try Oil & Extract Mask ($35; a box of three). Drenched with a synergistic combination of prickly pear seed oil and cactus extract containing powerful antioxidant and skin-plumping benefits, each sheet mask is made of ultra-soft microfibre, so it closely adheres for optimal absorption. Dull and dry skin gives way to a plump and radiant complexion in just one use.
● 111SKIN
This brand is the culmination of 20 years of surgical knowledge, high-tech ingredients, and cutting-edge innovation. It started with Dr Yannis Alexandrides, a Harley Street cosmetic surgeon and its founder, handing out tiny samples of a regenerating serum he developed to help patients heal post-procedure. It was so effective, he was urged to create a skincare line for Harrods, which he named 111Skin.
Featuring the proprietary compound, NAC Y2, developed in collaboration with NASA, its products work by triggering glutathione, a powerful antioxidant naturally found in skin cells, to neutralise free radical damage for healthier, younger-looking skin. Since its arrival in Singapore earlier this year, the brand has gained more than a few discerning fans.
Get your hands on its latest innovation, Black Diamond Lifting and Firming Mask ($280; a box of four). Each part of the threepiece mask contains a unique formula to specifically target different signs of ageing. For example, the upper mask contains glycopeptides to relax frown lines and wrinkles, and the lower portion stimulates collagen production to help tighten sagging skin while the neck section uses progeline, a biomimetic peptide to firm and smooth the decolletage.
● DR DENNIS GROSS SKINCARE
The brainchild of Manhattan-based dermatologist, Dr Dennis Gross, this eponymous line features medical-grade formulations with advanced combinations of potent ingredients. Products are designed to help women improve their skin conditions without visiting the doctor’s office every day.
As one of the pioneers of at-home face peels, one of the brand’s must-haves is definitely Alpha Beta Universal Daily Peel ($120; 30 treatments), which renews skin and refines pores gradually and gently. Or try the Net-A-Porter exclusive BioC Brightening Treatment Mask ($165; a box of eight), which delivers a potent dose of vitamin C to instantly brighten the complexion.
