Let’s face it, not many people have the luxury of spending more than 15 minutes when it comes to skincare. If you’re time-strapped like many of us, perhaps we could all consider grooming products that can do double duty. Here, we round up our favourite luxury grooming products worth investing in.
1. Augustinus Bader, The Cream
This celebrity-approved skincare product by biomedical scientist Augustinus Bader is packed with high-performing ingredients in varying textures to deliver exactly what your skin needs on a daily basis. ‘The Cream’ is its version of an all-in-one moisturiser that hydrates, and reduces the appearance of lines, scars and pigmentation over time with everyday use. Made with antioxidant-rich aloe vera and vitamins A, B, C and E, it also protects against environmental damage.
‘The Cream’ is also enriched with the brand’s Trigger Factor Complex which works to combine the skin’s natural amino acids, vitamins and molecules for an overall flawless-looking complexion. For those with dry skin, consider ‘The Rich Cream’, which is a lot more emollient and nourishing—great for keeping skin moisturised and supple.
‘The Cream’ is already formulated to be quick-absorbing, but if you want it to absorb even better into the skin, use it right after your face mist or toner. Skincare generally absorbs better into the skin when it’s damp.
Related article: EIC Kenneth Goh’s Best Anti-Ageing Skincare Tips For Maintaining Healthy, Youthful Skin
2. Biossance, Squalane + Phyto-Retinol Serum
Retinol is one of the only skincare ingredients backed up by science to prevent photo-ageing through long term use, but it also holds a bad reputation. For the longest time, a retinol cream was something reserved exclusively for someone experiencing acne. The truth is, we can all benefit from using it. Sure, it deals with reducing acne flare ups, but it also works on reducing fine lines and wrinkles and pigmentation. It’s a fountain of youth by any other name.
Although you can get a prescription for retinol creams, there are some great over-the-counter options like this one from Biossance. It’s a gentler, plant-derived retinol alternative concocted with squalane. Bakuchiol, the botanical retinol will help even out skin tone, refine skin texture and prevent future breakouts with regular use. And squalane, which is essentially a humectant, will hydrate the skin and keep it nourished and supple.
What this means is you’ll reap the benefits of retinol without the peeling, flaking and increased sensitivity that prescription-strength retinol has become notorious for.
Those with oily skin might not feel a need to follow up with a moisturiser, but we recommend that you do. Their Squalane + Probiotic Gel Moisturiser will keep your skin nice and hydrated, without being greasy. And of course, for those with dryer skin types, their 100% Squalane Oil would do just the trick. Also, whenever using any retinol products, it’s always a good idea to follow up with sunscreen—otherwise all the work you’ve put into reducing photo-ageing would’ve been for naught.
3. Lab Series, Max LS Matte Renewal Lotion
It’s hard enough to find a moisturiser that works well. It’s even harder to find one that also actively works to target your skin concerns. Fortunately, Lab Series has got just the product. The Max LS Matte Renewal Lotion is fantastic, not only because it’s a moisturiser that delivers great hydration, but because it’s oil absorbent too—great for Singapore’s humidity.
This is essentially an anti-ageing cream with a lotion-like viscosity that controls shine, hydrates and invigorates the skin for a brighter complexion, Achieved through the brand’s proprietary cosmetic technology Molecular Age-Less Complex™ to reduce fine lines and wrinkles, its iLLUMATTE™ technology also helps keep your complexion matt. Both ingredients work in synergy to give you smoother and brighter looking skin all day long.
Those with dry skin types might not appreciate a matte skincare product, so we’d recommend using this on your T-zone (forehead, nose, cheeks and chin area) to reduce environment-induced shine.
Related article: The Best Skincare Tips For Preventing Maskne
4. Sisley, Sisleÿum for Men
Formulated specifically for men, Sisleÿum by Sisley is designed to reinforce the skin’s resistance against daily environmental damage—which can be anything from shaving to pollution and stress. Through long term daily use, it minimises the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines, visibly firms skin and hydrates the skin.
White Horehound and Wild Pansy extracts softens, hydrates and soothes the skin, while extracts of Alkekengi calyx, Padina pavonica, and White Willow firms and visibly reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It’s the ultimate luxurious all-in-one skincare product for the man of the world—the only additional product you’d need is sunscreen.
Fortunately, Sisleÿum comes in two formulas: A gel-like texture that’s great for normal to oily combination skin; and for dry skin, which has a creamier and richer texture.
Related article: Give Your Skin The Ultimate Treat With Chanel’s Sublimage Range
5. Allies of Skin, Mandelic Pigmentation Corrector Night Serum
If you struggle with uneven skin texture, clogged pores and pigmentation but don’t feel quite ready for the potency of retinol, opt for acids instead. Although the word “acids” might seem scary, the ones like lactic, salicylic and mandelic are actually quite gentle and work well on the skin.
Allies of Skin’s Mandelic Pigmentation Corrector Night Serum, as its name suggests, works best overnight to reveal smoother, more even-looking complexion the next day. That said, it can be used in the day and night after cleansing, before moisturiser. Also, because of its chemical exfoliant properties, it’s important to always use sunscreen to protect your skin.
This product works via a potent concoction of 11 percent AHA + BHA (alpha- and beta- hydroxy acids) that’s supercharged with antioxidants and eight skin-brighteners. It’s mainly used to combat hyperpigmentation, large pores, persistent breakouts (caused by clogged pores), uneven texture and blackheads. The antioxidants protects the skin against environmental stressors; the peptides boost collagen production, while the hyaluronic acid helps the skin retain moisture and plump up the skin.
