They used to be function-focused, helping skin renew itself and stay moisturised for radiance and smoothness. These new ones go further – their luxurious textures and soothing scents invite you to pamper yourself with daily DIY face massages. Because relaxing combats stress, a major contributor to signs of ageing.
PHOTOGRAPHY TAN WEI TE STYLING SHERLI CHONG
ANTI-AGEING TONER/LOTION (DEPARTMENT/ SPECIALITY STORE)
Editors’ Choice
Albion Embeage Excia Lotion, $260
This lightweight product hydrates and brightens skin after a week’s use. It’s formulated to help regulate oestrogen and growth hormones to revitalise skin cells too.
Readers’ Choice
Estee Lauder Re-nutriv Ultimate Lift Floralixir Dew Regenerating Water, $180
Floral-scented and with a watery texture, this plumps up fine lines, and smooths and softens skin immediately.
ANTI-AGEING MILKY TONER/LOTION (DEPARTMENT/ SPECIALITY STORE)
Editors’ Choice & Readers’ Choice
Shiseido Future Solution LX Concentrated Balancing Softener E, $150
Serum-like and hydrating, this glides on to even and brighten your skin tone. Its scent of cherry blossom, plum blossom and Japanese rose is soothing and relaxing.
ANTI-AGEING SERUM FOR YOUNG SKIN (DEPARTMENT/ SPECIALITY STORE)
Editors’ Choice & Readers’ Choice
La Mer The Revitalizing Hydrating Serum, $340
Lightweight and easily absorbed, this keeps skin hydrated without greasiness. It’s suitable for all skin types and doesn’t cause breakouts on oily or acne-prone skin. A blend of fermented marine peptides and algae helps fight dull and tired-looking skin. After one week, skin feels more supple and looks more radiant.
ALL-IN-ONE ANTI-AGEING SERUM (DEPARTMENT/ SPECIALITY STORE)
Editors’ Choice & Readers’ Choice
Kose Infinity Advanced Moisture Concentrate Serum, $108
It’s rich and smooth, so you’ll want to massage it in. It takes a while to sink in, but once it does, there’s no sticky feel. Two pearl-sized drops are enough for the whole face. After a week, skin feels less prone to dryness, and signs of ageing like dullness, lines and sagging are less obvious.
ALL-IN-ONE ANTI-AGEING SERUM FOR DRY SKIN (DEPARTMENT/SPECIALITY STORE)
Editors’ Choice
Fresh Creme Ancienne Supreme Face Serum, $370
Skin feels softer and smoother immediately after you apply this. It feels thicker than most serums, but is still readily lapped up by skin. Sagging skin feels tighter, and fine lines look less prominent. If you have oily skin, you can even skip moisturiser or use a very lightweight one after.
Readers’ Choice
Elizabeth Arden Advanced Ceramide Capsules Daily Youth Restoring Serum, $75 for 30 capsules
The serum equivalent of a massage oil. Even if you don’t work it in, it’s absorbed in five minutes, leaving a glossy sheen. Good for night use and on dry, fragile skin, because it has fatty acids, ceramides and cholesterol to help repair the skin barrier.
ALL-IN-ONE ANTI-AGEING MOISTURISER (DEPARTMENT/SPECIALITY STORE)
Editors’ Choice & Readers’ Choice
Estee Lauder Revitalizing Supreme+ Global Anti-aging Power Soft Creme, $178
Skin appears smoother and fine lines look filled out immediately. The cream glides across skin, doesn’t feel too rich, and has a very soothing cooling effect.
LUXURIOUS ALL-IN-ONE ANTI-AGEING MOISTURISER (DEPARTMENT/ SPECIALITY STORE)
Editors’ Choice & Readers’ Choice
Sulwhasoo Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Cream EX, $298
This thick-textured multitasker plumps-up and softens skin, so expression lines look less obvious after a week. Ingredients derived from ginseng roots and flowers keep skin hydrated and looking radiant.
ANTI-AGEING NIGHT CREAM (DEPARTMENT/ SPECIALITY STORE)
Editors’ Choice & Readers’ Choice
Shiseido Future Solution LX Total Regenerating Cream E, $390
Wake up to softer, more supple skin and a refreshed look the next AM. The rich moisturiser spreads easily and is absorbed without leaving a sticky film. After one week, skin looks smoother and more even-toned.
ANTI-AGEING MASK (DEPARTMENT/SPECIALITY STORE)
Editors’ Choice & Readers’ Choice
Laneige Time Freeze Firming Sleeping Mask, $53
Intense overnight hydration is what this gives you. Skin feels softer, plumper and firmer. Fine lines look less obvious, and you look less tired the next morning. Smooth and gel-like, it glides on easily but leaves a thin film that takes a while to dry.
ANTI-AGEING EYE SERUM (DEPARTMENT/SPECIALITY STORE)
Editors’ Choice & Readers’ Choice
Sulwhasoo Timetreasure Renovating Eye Serum, $348
Dry skin around the eyes feels smoother, and dark circles look reduced, after three weeks. The accompanying 24K gold-plated massage applicator feels cool and soothing, and makes the experience of using it even more luxurious.
ANTI-AGEING EYE CREAM (DEPARTMENT/SPECIALITY STORE)
Editors’ Choice
It Cosmetics Bye Bye Under Eye Eye Cream, $72
Eyes that look less tired – that’s what you’ll get after three weeks of using this easily-absorbed, non-greasy cream. Fine lines and spots look less obvious, and skin feels more hydrated and supple. Works well as an under-eye base for concealer, too.
Readers’ Choice
The Body Shop Oils of Life Intensely Revitalising Eye Cream-gel, $52.90
Super-fine, lightreflecting particles in this lightweight gel instantly brighten up the eye area. It’s absorbed readily and makes fine lines less obvious. Skin feels cool and refreshed too.
ANTI-AGEING EYE CREAM (DRUGSTORE)
Editors’ Choice
Avene Eau Thermale Physiolift Eyes, $69.90
The rich cream-gel smooths dry, rough skin around the eyes immediately. It sinks in quickly, de-puffs, and reduces the look of dark circles.
Readers’ Choice
Hada Labo Antiwrinkle Care Cream, $41.90
This light lotion sinks right into skin, so if yours is dry, you may need to reapply it during the day. You can use it on fine lines and laugh lines too.
LUXURIOUS ANTI-AGEING EYE CREAM (DEPARTMENT/ SPECIALITY STORE)
Editors’ Choice
Shiseido Future Solution LX Eye and Lip Contour Regenerating Cream E, $192
This softens and moisturises the skin around the eyes and lips, plumping up expression lines so they look less obvious after a week.
Readers’ Choice
Estee Lauder Re-nutriv Ultimate Lift Regenerating Youth Eye Creme, $200
It has a thick, rich texture, but is easily smoothed over skin to plump it up. And it immediately makes dark circles and fine lines look less prominent.
ALL-IN-ONE EYE CARE (DEPARTMENT/SPECIALITY STORE)
Editors’ Choice
Lancome Advanced Genifique Yeux Light-pearl Eyeilluminator, $120
The teardrop-shaped applicator feels cool on skin and makes massaging a breeze. After one week, the eye area looks brighter, and fine lines are less obvious.
Readers’ Choice
Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye Concentrate Matrix, $113
This is a good base for makeup as it smooths the skin. After one week, eyes look less tired and puffy.
SUNSCREEN (DEPARTMENT/ SPECIALITY STORE)
Editors’ Choice
Astalift White Perfect UV Clear Solution SPF50+/ PA++++, $72
Lotion-like, it glides onto skin easily and doesn’t leave a whitish cast. And it doubles as a makeup base – its pearly finish lends your skin extra radiance.
Readers’ Choice
Murad City Skin Age Defense Broad Spectrum SPF50/PA++++, $112
Specially targeting blue light emitted by mobile devices with lutein as one of its ingredients, this mineral sunscreen has a fluid texture and dewy finish. It’s more suitable for drier skin as it can feel a little slick on oily or combination skin.
SUNSCREEN MIST (DRUGSTORE)
Editors’ Choice
Sunplay Skin Aqua Sarafit SPF50+/PA++++, $9.90
This instantly mattifies skin without messing up your makeup or leaving a whitish residue, so it’s a great midday touch-up sunscreen. You can use it as a smoothing primer too. The subtle floral scent has a soothing effect, though it fades away quickly.
Readers’ Choice
Biore UV Spray SPF50+/PA++++, $10.90
Its skin-cooling effect is immediate, but the strong alcohol scent may not be to everyone’s liking. The mist emerges in a fine spray which dries quickly, and can also be used on the body and hair.
