Best Beauty Buys is The Singapore Women’s Weekly’s annual round up of the best and most effective products currently on the shelves. This year, we spotlight the skincare and makeup needs of busy mums who juggle children and demanding jobs who want to look and feel good doing it. The products were road-tested by a group of such multi-tasking women, and these are their picks.
In case you didn’t know, ultraviolet radiation from the sun is one of the biggest drivers of skin damage and inflammation leading to signs of ageing from fine lines and wrinkles to hyperpigmentation. The best defence we have? Sunscreen. So if you haven’t been using sunscreens, it is time to start. From lightweight and hydrating formulas to ones that double as makeup primers, here are our favourite sunscreens.
Made by local label Two L(i)ps, the water-based sunscreen contains a prebiotic formula that nourishes the skin barrier while hyaluronic acid hydrates and niacinamide minimises the appearance of pores.
Sigi Skin is another Singaporean label and its sunscreen uses zinc oxide as its filter instead. However, it touts not to leave a white cast while having niacinamide, adenosine, ceramide NP and avocado and acai extracts to nourish the skin.
Japanese label Bioré is well-known for its lightweight sunscreens. The lotion formula has a liquid, non-sticky texture and contains hyaluronic acid, royal jelly extract and glycerin to hydrate. It is water-resistant and leaves no white cast too.
With a rating of SPF50+ PA++++, the Shiseido sunscreen harnesses technology from spirulina’s photosynthesis system to convert sunlight into a factor that combats sun damage and signs of ageing. The oil-free formula offers a tone-up effect that can double as a brightening makeup primer.
Ultra Violette added kakadu plum to impart brightening qualities and plant extract Pentavitin for hydration. The oil-free formula is lightweight yet nourishing enough to be a moisturiser, primer and sunscreen in one.
Orbis’ sunscreen offers SPF 50+ PA++++ UV protection while working to combat wrinkles, pigmentation and loss of moisture. With a cream essence-like texture, the sunscreen is also free of alcohol, fragrance and artificial colourings.
Elixir’s sunscreen employs Daytime Aqua Mask EX and Inositol CP to work together to flood the skin with hydration and boost collagen production. Consequently, it can replace your moisturiser and primer steps too.
While Pestlo’s combination of physical and chemical filters protects from sun damage, a cocktail of centella asiatica extract, ceramide, panthenol and maritime pine bark extract hydrate and soothe the skin.
Affording SPF 32 PA++ coverage, Su:m37’s cushion sunscreen is infused with 25 skin-nourishing ingredients and three soothing and barrier-strengthening organic herbs.
Featuring a twist-up mechanism that makes it easy to reapply on the go, the purse-friendly Supergoop! sunscreen imparts a glowy finish while shielding you from the sun’s ultraviolet rays.