If you’re on the lookout for different ways to stretch your dollar and get the most bang for your buck, one avenue you can do so is through your skincare products. While we have been conditioned to use an item for each step in our routine — cleanser, toner, essence, moisturiser — there are actually many ingenious and efficacious formulations that do more.
Using these multi-tasking skincare products saves you time when you’re feeling crunched. But it will also help you save money over time as you have fewer replenishments to make. Consequently, your vanity gets less cluttered too — a triple win in our books.
This three-in-one product helps to cleanse, soothe, and remove makeup from the skin. Made up of surfactant molecules, this micellar water is a non-rinse water-based cleanser that attracts dirt, oil, makeup, and other pollutants. It also helps to decongest, calm and hydrate the skin while strengthening the skin’s natural barrier.
To use it as a cleanser on its own or a part of your double cleansing routine, simply soak a cotton pad with the micellar water, then wipe it across the face until the cotton pad is clean. No rinsing needed, you can directly apply your toner and serums right after.
The H2O Micellar Water comes in three different types depending on your needs: for sensitive skin, dehydrated skin, or oily and acne-prone skin. But they’re all formulated to be suitable for sensitive skin.
Made with white tea leaf water, meadowfoam seed oil and glycerin, this facial mist can double up as a hydrating toner after cleansing to add hydration and nourishment.
And you can also use this mist as a quick pick-me-up for parched skin throughout the day, before or after makeup application, or saturate rounds of cotton pads to use as a quick mask.
You might be tempted to skip on sunscreen when you’re working at home. But keep in mind that UV rays can still enter through the windows (and even glass, if you keep your windows closed) and cause damage to the skin. If you’re looking to cut down a step in your morning routine, pick a moisturiser with sun protection.
This lightweight Hada Labo formula is made with their multi-molecular hyaluronic acid technology to provide hydration and it also provides has sun protection. Just make sure you’re using enough to get the benefits of sun protection.
Each pump of the silky air-whipped Sigi Skin Dream Capsule brings together collagen-boosting, brightening, anti-inflammatory, barrier-strengthening and moisturising benefits for the skin. A moisturiser and an overnight mask, you can use it on its own or as the last step of your nighttime routine.
Key ingredients include bakuchiol, a plant-derived alternative to retinol, and purslane, which helps to stimulate cell repair and reduce the appearance of marks and fine lines.
Use this lightweight cream in the day or night, all over your face — yes, even around the eyes — neck, lips and décolleté. It’s your one-stop for a burst of hydration that helps quench thirsty skin to keep it comfortable and plump all day.
It also has shea butter, soybean and safflower oil that leaves your skin feeling dewy, never greasy.
This product has the brand’s proprietary Barriercare technology that is said to protect the integrity of the skin barrier. It doubles as both a daily face wash and a clay mask.
Kaolin and bentonite help extract excess oil and dirt, while glycolic and salicylic acid help to exfoliate the skin and keep breakouts at bay.
Shu Uemura’s famous cleansing oil has been created such that you can skip using facial washes in your usual double-cleanse routine. The lightweight texture glides easily over the face while the oils work to pull out makeup (even waterproof) and excess sebum and dirt without leaving a greasy film after rinsing it off.
If you’re not in the habit of double cleansing, just make sure you cleanse thoroughly and work the oil in (for at least a minute) before rinsing it off.
The Foreo Luna 3 is for those who love using beauty tools to give their skincare routine that spa-like experience. The side with silicone bristle is used to achieve a deeper cleanse with T-Sonic pulsations, while the flip side works as a massaging tool.
Connect the device to your phone via the Foreo app and employ different massage treatments to sculpt and contour the face.
This 5-in-1 gel cream replaces the need for moisturising lotion, emulsion, treatment essence, brightening essence and makeup base as it contains multiple types of hyaluronic acids, peptides, ceramides and collagen. A thick layer can also be applied as a hydration mask.
This primer contains pearl powder and soy protein to smooth and even out fine lines and texture while having SPF 30 protection against UV damage. It also contains peptides to support skin elasticity and firmness.
Text: Ho Guo Xiong/CLEO, Additional Reporting: Arissa Ha & Farisia Thang