As a beauty insider, I get to try a lot of skincare products, some are great and some are not so good. But how do you know when you truly like a product? You reach for it over and over and over again. And these are some of the products I’ve been using more often than others.
Forest Rhapsody Milk Ferment Rice + Probiotic Milk Cleanser
Over the years, I have found that my dry skin looks best when it is treated to gentle but regular exfoliation. This helps slough off dead skin so my complexion looks brighter and more even toned, it boots skin cell turnover and my skincare is better absorbed with the dead skin out of the way. The Forest Rhapsody Milk Ferment Rice + Probiotic Milk Cleanser features probiotics and lactic acid that balance the skin’s mircobiome and boost skin renewal keeping it healthy and bright. It also has rice bran and colloidal oatmeal that soothe, moisturise and nourish skin. I use it as my second cleanse and massage it into my skin using circular motions, spending a little extra time on areas that feel congested. On days when I feel like my skin looks a bit dull, I leave it on for a few minutes and rinse off. Since using this regularly, I’ve noticed my makeup goes on smoother too—no dry patches to cling to or flakes to accentuate.
The perennial problem that I and most people in Singapore face is finding a moisturiser that can keep skin hydrated and comfortable in the air conditioning (which is everywhere), while also being light and non-sticky when we step out into the heat and humidity. I think I have found the one that works for me and it’s the CELLOOM Build Your Own Cream. It’s a rich moisturiser that helps prevent moisture loss without feeling heavy or looking greasy. It is packed with antioxidant rich Aronia Extracts that help neutralise damage from free radicals, nourishing marula seed oil that conditions skin, and beta glucan that keeps skin soft and plump. It works well over serums and under makeup providing a conditioning base for makeup to glide over. I also like that it comes in an air-tight pump packaging that keeps the formula from degrading over time.
Coconut Matter Bliss Natural Deodorant
The struggle with body odour is real when the weather is always hot and humid. Which is why I’ve always been wary of natural deodorants. Will they deliver or will I be a stinking mess in a few hours? I’m glad to say that this one holds up, is super easy to apply and is gentle on my skin. I wore this to a workout, and didn’t notice any BO. The stick is quite creamy thanks to wild virgin coconut oil so you only need two to four light swipes which should be massaged in so that it’s better absorbed. The citrus scent of lemongrass and lime with grounding frankincense keep me fresh without being obtrusive. And I love that I can use it on freshly shaved underarms and
it won’t sting like an aerosol deodorant. Plus, it’s travel friendly whether you’re taking a flight or a taxi to your next appointment.
Sigi Skin Dream Capsule Daily Overnight Sleeping Mask
Sleeping in air conditioning means my dry skin often needs some extra TLC and this overnight mask has sealed it’s place in my night time routine thanks to its ability to make my skin feel comfortable and plump and look dewy the next morning. Not only does it have antioxidant benefits, it also has purslane, squalane and omega-3 fatty acids that together help to reduce inflammation, strengthen skin’s repair functions, fortify the skin barrier and increase hydration. But it is the addition of bakuchiol that really makes this a do-it-all mask. The plant-derived ingredient helps soften the look of fine lines, firm skin, even out skin tone, refine texture and soothe skin adding well ageing benefits to the mask. Some nights I use it over multiple serums but it works equally well when I am feeling lazy and use it on its own.
Beigic Luminous Hydrating Sheet Mask
Just like leave on masks, sheet masks have a special place in my skincare routine. I try to use one more often than not depending on my schedule and how much time I have to sit still with the mask on and just be. This natural cotton cellulose mask may not have the best fit for me but I appreciate the hydrating benefits of the watery gel-like essence that comes with it. The essence is packed with skin nourishing ingredients like green coffee bean oil, 7 Peptide complex, vitamin C and sea buckthorn, marigold flower and yuzu extracts that leave my skin feeling hydrated and nourished after just 15 minutes of having the mask on. I like to use it over all my lightweight serums as it acts as an occlusive layer for those 15 minutes and helps seal in all the goodness. Once I remove it, I layer on a rich moisturiser. When I wake up the next morning, my skin is soft and plump.
About Smita DeSouza is a beauty industry insider with over 10 years of experience in beauty journalism. In her late 30s, she welcomes the wisdom, confidence and resilience that age brings, but not the pigmentation and loss of collagen. Follow her skincare rituals here.