With 40 years of beauty experience and the latest innovation in science and technology under their belt, ést.lab creates products that help achieve the highest rate of efficacy for all skin types. They’re the first brand to partner with A*STAR, Singapore’s leading R&D agency, and they even developed a framework that helped formulate the most relevant and effective products in the beauty industry. Aside from its research and innovation capabilities, they’ve also committed themselves to build a more sustainable business through sourcing, ingredients, and even packaging.

Try: ést.lab PurClear Detoxifying Mask, $98 (50 ml), and PurClear Anti-Acne Serum, $152 (30 ml)

The perfect duo to help with large pores and acne, two problems that are constant concerns for many. Created specifically for those individuals in mind, this duo is suitable for sensitive and reactive skin with its gentle and non-dehydrating formulation. Using ingredients sourced from EcoCert, COSMOS, and Fair Trade-approved suppliers and producers, these products are clinically-proven effective and sustainable.

The PurClear Detoxifying Mask is a three in one: deep cleanser, skin exfoliator, and skin protector. With its mineral-rich French green clay, tea tree oil, and marine spring water and pumpkin seed extract, this mask helps to fight acne breakouts, accelerate the skin’s cellular growth, and lighten post-acne pigmentation marks. This 100 per cent environment-friendly and sustainably sourced mask can be used twice a week on cleansed skin, just wash it off with lukewarm water after 20 minutes and follow with your serum and moisturiser as per usual.

The Anti-Acne Serum uses tea tree leaf oil, alpine willowherb extract, and advance salicylic acid to combat pore and sebum issues with its anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties. Just apply a thin layer of the serum on acne-prone areas on cleansed skin twice daily before you move on to your moisturiser.

Sigi Skin’s skincare essentials speak to city-dwellers everywhere as they’re formulated specially to tackle skin problems caused by urban pollution and lifestyles. Sigi Skin aims to deconstruct existing skincare routines, by focusing on products that are powered by potent superfood ingredients that are effective in their own right. Developed after meticulous research into the most advanced Korean technology and superfood ingredients for efficacious formulations, Sigi Skin’s ethos is that healthy skin is happy skin.

Try: The Sigi Skin Minis, $55 (set of three products)

For those who may be new to the brand, Sigi Skin has created the Sigi Skin Minis, a set of their essentials that are perfect for your daily routine. This set includes a mini size of their Kaleanser Face Wash, Morning Glow Physical Sunscreen, and Dream Capsule – all in new biodegradable packaging.

The Kaleanser Face Wash is a vegan cleanser that helps rid the skin of grime, toxins, and sebums. It’s gentle enough on the skin so that it doesn’t strip away its natural moisture barrier.

The Morning Glow Physical Sunscreen is lightweight and formulated with Singapore’s sticky climate in mind, it doubles up as a moisturiser and helps to prevent premature ageing by protecting the skin against harmful UV rays and environmental aggressors.

The Dream Capsule comes in a new biodegradable packaging and this overnight mask helps to restore radiance and vitality to stressed and fatigued skin with its power-packed ingredients. Using Bakuchiol, a 100 per cent plant-derived alternative to retinol, this overnight mask helps hydrate and boost collagen production overnight to reduce the appearance of fine lines.

RE:ERTH, an abbreviation for re-encountering Earth, is a skincare label that advocates mindfulness, minimalism, and the powers of nature. Mindful beauty is the core of their ethos and their products boast highly curated, mindful formulations that are enhanced with nature-derived actives. At the heart of their formulations is the Japanese white turmeric, a plant that slows the breakdown of hyaluronic acid within the skin and stimulates collagen production for a supple appearance.

Try: RE:ERTH Illuminating Concentrate, $128 

Created for hyperpigmentation, this Illuminating Concentrate helps to target the root of stubborn discolouration to unveil brighter skin in as short as our weeks. This air-tight cylindrical pump gives you the perfect amount of serum to help fade dark spots and uses brightening ingredients like monkey jack heartwood extract and oxyresveratrol to help brighten and even out the skin tone. Enhanced with Japanese spring turmeric leaf extract that’s iconically in RE:ERTH skincare, this ingredient helps to inhibit melanin activity by 88 per cent so that dark spots do not get worse over time. Aside from its brightening benefits, it also uses cherry blossom flower extract to promote collagen formation and help improve the overall skin texture and complexion.

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A homegrown brand with a natural and sweet take on skincare, BSKIN is the first skincare label in the market to harness the reparative powers of honey. Using a balance of science, knowledge, innovation, and nature, BSKIN combines bee-based actives and cutting edge science to create effective skincare products that are specially tailored for Asian skin. The antimicrobial and antioxidant-rich benefits of honey have long been loved since ancient times, and BSKIN takes this foundation and their team of renowned Korean scientists combine it with innovative science to create clean formulas that leave the skin balanced and healthy.

Try: BSKIN Anti-Acne 3C Spot Treatment Launch, $38 (15 g)

Contrary to traditional acne treatments, this spot treatment takes a three-pronged approach that clears blemish-causing bacteria and removes excess sebum and impurities, calms irritated and inflamed skin, and cares for the affected areas by preventing scarring and pigmentation. It claims to reduce 86 per cent of inflammatory acne within 14 days, and 50 per cent reduction of blackheads. Enriched with honey, royal jelly, propolis, and pollen, this antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory formula helps heal and soothe the skin.

Deeply rooted in dermatology heritage, DrGL combines ingredients and formulations based on their medical and scientific knowledge along with clinical experience to create effective formulations. Their knowledge comes from real skin experts: pharmacists, professional beauticians, aesthetics doctors, and advanced aesthetics professionals with more than two million contact hours with clients.

Try: DrGL Oil Control Toner, $68 (100 ml)

Ideal for those who are concerned with oiliness, uneven skin texture, or even dryness in their skin, this oil control toner helps to balance oil production and remove the sheen from the face to keep it vibrant. It helps keep the sebums in check while protecting the skin’s natural moisture barrier to leave it comfortable. Enhanced with multivitamins, this oil control toner also helps to fight free radicals that lead to cell damage and premature ageing.

IDS Skincare is a line that was created to deliver results that are highly visible and can surpass the effects of prescription products, save from the side effects. With over 20 years of experience in the aesthetics industry, IDS collaborates with international experts to create products that address the most prevalent problems: from acne and blemishes to wrinkles, and pigmentation disorders. Using a patented ‘ENHANCE’ delivery system, it helps active ingredients penetrate deeply into the skin and affect target areas in concentrated amounts.

Try: IDS Blemish Clear, $73.83 (30 ml)

For those with oily skin and struggle with active breakouts and blemishes, this treatment uses bakuchiol, a plant-derived retinoid, niacinamide, and other potent acne-combating ingredients that help treat, control, and prevent acne in the long run. As it treats blemishes and whiteheads, it also lightens blemish marks and helps to regulate sebum production.

From start to finish, this personalised skincare brand prioritises consciousness and sustainability in their products. alche{me} uses plant-derived ingredients with traceable origins, and they work to reduce their carbon footprint at every step of their production. The combination of mindfulness along with innovative technology helps them create precise skincare solutions that are custom formulated depending on your needs. Every product is made to order and uses the most potent blends of botanical extracts and vitamins.

Try: alche{me} Personalised Eye Serum, $65 (15 ml)

This eye serum comes with a light texture that helps deliver active ingredients at the deepest level. As it offers customisable ingredients, you can specify it to meet your exact needs: whether it is dark circles, lifestyle-related puffiness, or crow feet lines. It’s also fragrance-free to protect the sensitive skin around the eye area. The ingredients include vitamin B3, vitamin A, ginseng root extract, and a high concentration of vitamin C.

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This small-batch luxury skincare brand uses 100 per cent organic certified ingredients that have been certified by ACO, one of the golden standard of certifications for organic products. Formulated by organic beauty fanatics, FrankSkincare focuses on healthy skin for everyone and every ingredient is top-grade, sourced from different part of the world, and contain no harmful chemicals. The ingredients used are 100 per cent natural, non-GMO, paraben-free, and not animal-tested either.

Try: FrankSkincare Fruity Night Eye Serum, $44

Packed with multiple vitamins and fatty acids that work to reduce the fine lines around the eyes, this serum comes in a glass roller bottle for easy application. Just swipe around the eyes for even coverage to nourish the eyes before bed.

Rough Beauty handcrafts botanical bath and body products that are sourced from quality natural ingredients. Using only plant essential oils, herbs, and spices for scents and colours, this bath and body brand believes in the significance of simplicity. With a practice of reduce, reuse, and recycle, their sustainability efforts go from studio, production, to packaging. With a small batch production philosophy, Rough Beauty also uses sustainable palm oil in their bar soaps and keeps waste to a minimum. There is even a package-free option with fewer materials for customers who would prefer so.

Try: Rough Beauty Orange Bar, $9.50 (110 g)

This uplifting and refreshing bar of soap deeply exfoliates the skin for a deep cleanse. Enhanced with relaxing essential oils like eucalyptus, geranium, and patchouli, this soap is ideal for your daily cleanse. To care for it, make sure you keep the soaps drained between uses.

TWO L(I)PS is the world’s first luxury intimate care range specifically made for the vulva. Developed by authorities who have 20 years of industry experience in vulva care, their products care for the vulva: which includes the vaginal lips — labia majora, labia minora, clitoris, urethral opening, and the vaginal opening, as well as the inner thighs and mons pubis. The vagina is self-cleaning, but the vulva needs to be washed regularly because of build-up of oils and dead skin cells in the folds, and this range of products is created with this specificity in mind.

Try: TWO L(I)PS Discovery Set, $280 (set of two products)

Perfect for those who are new to vulva care, this Discovery Set features Bumpps, a sebum-control serum, and Diamond, a gentle vitamin C brightening serum. Formulated for everyday use, these effective products help return radiance and control sebum around the vulva. It’s also made without sulphates, parabens, or petrochemicals. These products aren’t just for the vulva either, you can use Bumpps on the T-zone area for oil control and Diamond can help improve skin elasticity and hydration retention for brighter skin. These products are specially formulated so you can use them immediately after IPL, laser, or waxing treatments.

Liht Organics is a local brand that promises award-winning organic makeup that’s safe for the skin and promises to improve the complexion with regular use. Without compromising on its effects, Liht Organics products are intensely pigmented and ultra-nourishing on the skin. Every product is made with a high percentage of certified organic ingredients and is vegan and cruelty-free.

Try: Liht Organics Dusk To Dawn Liquid Liner, $36 USD (6.5 ml)

This 100 per cent smudge-proof liquid liner guarantees long-lasting wear with an intense definition. Made with 70 per cent USDA-certified organic ingredients, this sleek liquid liner cares for the eyes, and as a bonus, it also removes easily without any residue.

With a commitment to green beauty, Sén Natural uses ingredients that are natural, honest, and cruelty-free. They’ve even created a separate page dedicated to listing their ingredients transparently on their site, and believe in bringing more awareness and education towards these ingredients. Their cosmetics line is handcrafted, cruelty-free, and natural, all for the benefits and care of the individual who wears makeup.

Try: Sén Natural Sénsation Red Light, $35

The perfect red lip, this lipstick makes a bold statement with its beautiful and luxurious crimson shade. Made with 100 per cent sustainable and organic ingredients that keep the lips supple and moisturised, this lipstick promises long-lasting wear along with a smooth and comfortable texture on the lips that are nourished with coconut oil, grape seed oil, and cocoa butter.

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Faux Fayc is a cosmetics brand that caters specifically to the Singaporean or Southeast Asian woman, whether it’s in the perfect skin tone match or mascara that’s suited for the otherwise straight and downwards Asian lashes.

Try: Faux Fayc Fauxless Moisturizer Tinted Primer, $55 (36 ml)

This dual-purpose product is a moisturiser and tinted primer all in one, plus it has broad-spectrum sun protection to defend the skin against sun damage. Formulated to keep the skin hydrated and smooth, this lightweight tinted primer leaves a subtle and natural glow on the skin.

13rushes is Singapore’s leading cosmetic brush brand and its products are all cruelty-free and available at affordable prices. By handcrafting the makeup brushes in small batches, every brush is carefully and meticulously made to bring the best possible application experience. Sustainable and animal-friendly, these brushes are designed, hand-trimmed, and made in Singapore. Their bristles leave a flawless lightweight powder finish that works perfectly even for Singapore’s humid weather.

Try: 13rushes Essential Beginner’s Kit, $59 (set of three products)

This beginner’s set is perfect for those who use liquid foundation, liquid or cream concealers, lip products, highlighters, and blush. It includes three quality brushes that are ideal for this simple routine: a flat top foundation brush, illuminating brush, and conceal and lip dual brush. It also all comes in a pleather pouch that fits up to 12 brushes.

Nail Deck commits themselves to being environmentally sustainable, cruelty-free, vegan-friendly, all without comprimising on the colour and finish of a luxurious nail polish. These formulations have gone through one and a half years of development to ensure the highest quality, and there are even nail colour customisation services available through their mobile app.

Try: Nail Deck Teh Tarik, $18 (8 ml)

This Light Lacquer polish applies easily with no need for a special base or topcoat to keep things fuss-free, but the bonus is that it dries, cures, and shines like gel once you shine them under any UVLED lamp for 45 seconds. This is the perfect nude brown that is suited for everyday wear (even if you’re going to work), but just enough to make a subtle statement. Its special formula also allows for effortless removal without any harsh chemicals to soak the nails in, just peel around the base and along the sides before removing it in one piece from one side to another.

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