26 Singapore Beauty Brands We Are Super Proud to Have
by Ho Guo Xiong
LIFESTYLE |
August 08, 2020
With brands like these, there’s more than enough reason to support local
Singapore might be small and limited in natural resources, but our people are talented and crazy innovative. Case in point: our homegrown beauty labels that harness the latest in technology, wave the sustainability flag and create quality products that can stand their own in the global beauty industry. In light of National Day, we’re celebrating our independence and ingenuity by shining the spotlight on these beauty labels that make us proud.
(Also read: 20 Best Skincare Products to Unclog and Minimise Pores)
This article first appeared on Harper’s Bazaar Singapore.
Re:erth
Re:erth harnesses the brightening, firming and pore reducing powers of Japanese white turmeric grown in Kyushu, Japan. The science and efficacy behind Re:erth’s skincare range, including their star product Multi-Targeted Elixir, has been backed by top research universities including Oxford, Cambridge and Kindai. As a result, Re:erth takes a targeted, streamlined approach to help you achieve healthy, bouncy mochi skin. And, not only are their products pretty and sleek, but they can also be recycled through the brand to reduce our environmental impact.
Sigi Skin
Sigi Skin is the skincare label for any time-strapped urbanite. Developed and formulated by 24-year-old local Xenia Wong, the range comprises five multitasking essential products—the cleanser, sunscreen, mist, eye cream and sleeping mask. For instance, the Kaleanser doubles as makeup remover and cleanser, while the Morning Glow sunscreen doubles as a moisturiser. Each product is made from nutrient-rich superfoods paired with scientifically-backed ingredients, such as avocado and acai extracts with niacinamide to moisturise, brighten and strengthen. Coming in lightweight textures with no nasties and completely cruelty-free, Sigi Skin is truly one to watch in the local beauty scene.
Skinlycious
Singapore might just be a tiny red dot on the map but our talents are known worldwide. Jasmine Kang founded Skinlycious in 2013. Kang who suffered from acne for over 14 years created these formulations to help people who are currently battling acne. The products are scientifically-backed and are made with the right active ingredients and pH levels to effectively tackle the skin problem. Her brand Skinlycious was also the only Singaporean brand chosen to be part of the global Sephora Accelerate 2020 programme that supports female entrepreneurs and their small businesses.
ALCHE{ME}
This beauty start-up is ushering a new era of personalised, technology-driven skincare into Singapore. Started by two locals, Tuyen Lamy and Constance Mandefield, who have years of experience at Clarins under their belt, all of Alche{me}’s products are manufactured locally and designed to target the skin concerns of Asian women. The brand utilises skin analysis technology to create customised serums and emulsions using 24 earth-friendly ingredients with science backed track records, from suppliers who can ensure quality and traceability. Plus, all products are fresh, on-demand, and come in recyclable packaging, significantly cutting wastage. The brand recently launched the world’s first personalised eye serum, and you can witness how they use a machine to put your specific blend together, from start to finish.
BSKIN
Founded by Su-Mae Chia, BSKIN harnesses the goodness of honey with their proprietary B20 complex, which was formulated by Korean scientists. It comprises extracts from honey, royal jelly, propolis and pollen with Jeju spring water. To further bolster the antioxidant properties, BSKIN products also feature five other plant-derived actives to form the 6 Core Anti-oxidant System to effectively target acne and other skin concerns that Asians face. Each product is also free of potentially harmful ingredients such as parabens and phenoxyethanol to ensure optimal efficacy and benefit.
Jung Beauty
After years of curating the best Korean beauty, fashion and lifestyle products for savvy Singaporean consumers, Ksisters founder Lee Jungmin finally took the plunge to launch her own label, Jung Beauty. Made with the same uncompromising eye for quality, Jung Beauty released their first product, the 2 Step Steaming Hair Spa. The self-steaming leave-in keratin treatment is enriched with gold, silk amino acids and coconut oil and leaves you with silky salon-quality hair right at the comfort of your home.
(Also read: The Best Hair Masks For Dry and Damaged Hair)
Nodspark (@nodspark)
A good set of nails can uplift your spirits in no time. But if you don’t want to spend time at the salon or risk damaging your nails, nail wraps are convenient and stylish alternatives. Nodspark was founded by Eugenia Yeo and aims to create a wardrobe for nails where we can switch up our manicure and pedicure designs to suit our mood and occasion—akin to changing our outfits. From simple and minimalistic to designs inspired by Singaporean culture (such as the Merlion), Nodspark has a wide range of choices to satisfy even the most finicky.
13rushes
Tay Yu Hui was horrified when she watched a PETA video on how animals were cruelly farmed for their fur, which was used to create the makeup brushes she had seen being used. When she turned 21, she researched ways to start a cruelty-free beauty label and founded 13rushes a year later. The brand focused on creating well-made, handcrafted and effective makeup brushes with proprietary synthetic bristles that won’t break the bank. Her brushes have since caught favour with makeup users and professional makeup artists alike. 13rushes isn’t stopping there. It had recently launched the Conscious Collection using lacquer- and paint-free wooden handles that are biodegradable.
Oo La Lab
Scents evoke memories. And it is this experiential quality that first attracted Dan Terry to fragrances and the AllSense scent consultancy founder went on to set up Oo La Lab in 2016. Oo La Lab prides itself on allowing the consumer to cocktail and create their own scent rather than be dictated by what the market offers. The Frangrance Mixology Kit, for example, comes with 12 fragrance notes selected by you and an instruction manual to equip you with the knowledge to custom create over a thousand different scent permutations. The rest is up to your creativity. In addition, Oo La Lab products are made by hand with sustainable materials and promise to be cruelty-free so here’s to looking good and smelling good.
Jomingo
After conventional deodorant she had gotten on holiday in Cuba triggered a negative reaction on her underarms, Jun decided to ditch regular deodorants and formulate her own line of aluminium-free natural deodorants that are clean and non-toxic. That’s the origin story of Jomingo, a Singapore-born sustainable beauty label that uses earth-friendly biodegradable packaging certified by the FSC. You won’t find long, tongue-twisting scientific names in the ingredients list too. Rather, natural ingredients including cocoa butter and cold-pressed virgin coconut oil are combined with fragrant essential oils of grapefruit and litsea cubeba, all of which are sourced from Asia to reduce carbon footprint and support regional farmers. Not a one-trick pony, Jomingo has a line of natural and vegan lip balms and hand balms that are also free of nasties like alcohols, sulfates and parabens.
Ceradan
Eczema sufferers and people with sensitive skin have one thing in common: a compromised skin barrier that results in itching, scaliness, dryness and irritation. Developed by Hyphens Pharma, Ceradan was born to address these skin issues with their golden ratio of ceramides, cholesterol and free fatty acids and has been scientifically proven to be efficacious. The ceramide-dominant lipid-based formulation is similar to the composition of the skin barrier. This allows the actives to quickly penetrate and get absorbed into the skin barrier, thereby repairing and restoring skin integrity. Ceradan’s line of moisturisers and gentle cleansers are safe for all ages and skin types, containing skin-loving ingredients such as glycerin, jojoba seed oil, squalane and beeswax.
ANIA
ANIA founders Mehdi and Fern worked for several years on some of the largest skincare brands. Over time it became increasingly clear to them that the skincare industry is in the midst of a deep moral and ethical crisis, as animal testing, synthetic ingredients and confusing proprietary formulas increasingly faced considerable negative publicity and have since solidified consumers’ negative perceptions of chemicals. A skincare company that is inspired by Africa’s ancient wisdom they provide luxurious skincare products using a bespoke blend of science and Africa’s most powerful and unique natural ingredients.
Allies of Skin
Founded by Nicolas Travis, Allies of Skin changed the beauty game with its new generation of clean, multi-functional skincare. It has successfully targeted the increasingly discerning consumer who expects to know what goes into these formulations—down to precise ingredient percentages. With a streamlined but supercharged approach to beauty, it has come up with cult products like 1A All-Day Pollution Repair Mask of Skin and the world’s first waterless 35 per cent vitamin C serum. What the Singapore-born brand has been relatively quiet about, however, is its plan for global domination. Besides being stocked in stores like Sephora, Barneys New York, Net-a-Porter and Lane Crawford across the world, you can also find its products included in the American Airlines International Flagship First and Business Class Kits.
Crystal Tomato
Singapore based skincare brand Crystal Tomato first started producing supplements from a unique breed of non-genetically modified white tomatoes—the Crystal Tomato® Carotenoids—with proven benefits such as improvements in skin tone and skin texture, increased suppleness and lightened pigmentation. It has gone on to offer a Skin Clarity cream for the treatment and management of skin spots, pigmentation patches and imperfections; as well as a Beyond Sun Protection cream to protect our skin against the harsh climate and environmental conditions. The products which underwent clinical studies with the National Skin Centre, were rigorously tested and are backed by medical science, so you can be sure that they are free from any adverse effect.
Frank Skincare
Established in Singapore in 2015, this 100 per cent certified organic skincare line specialises in luxury facial oils, sponge treatment masks, and rose quartz Gua Sha tools to massage, boost circulation, and reduce bloating from water retention in your face and neck. Small-batch preparation of cruelty-free and non-GMO ingredients ensures every item on their shelves are of the highest quality. With their ode to organic and ethos steeped in believing that healthy, radiant skin is a luxury—Frank Skincare is the luxury skincare line for everyone.
(Also read: These Products Will Help Remove Blackheads Without The Need For Extraction)
Handmade Heroes
Embracing the concept of #CleanBeauty, with a twist of modern boldness and cheeky fun, homegrown skincare label, Handmade Heroes, is an all-natural, vegan skin and body care range made with botanical oils and extracts. The brand believes in making skincare away from a chemical lab and using the simplicity of the finest natural ingredients to create products that are nourishing and gentle on the skin. Helmed by beauty entrepreneur Lynsey Lim, who started out in her own kitchen, the brand is now stocked in prominent department stores and is a bestseller on Amazon. Lim’s knowledge of organic skincare comes from extensive reading and the experience of making her own mineral makeup and natural skincare when she was just a teen. One of their top sellers, the Cocolicious Lip Scrub, is designed to gently exfoliate and rehydrate with virgin coconut oil and has won numerous awards.
IRÉN
Founded in 2017, IRÉN is the brainchild of Mr Eric Tan, the CEO of Ikeda Group. A homegrown vegan skincare brand, these serums were specially formulated to ensure that only the cleanest and safest ingredients are used. Formulated in Singapore and made in Japan, IRÉN prides itself on the strict standards in both formulation and production process. Spending over 10,000 hours in the lab, the scientists developed seven serums, each type tackling a certain skin concern. Each bottle contains the maximum dosage of active ingredients and super fruits, beneficial for skin.
Kew Organics
Local beauty brand Kew Organics is the brainchild of beautician Lily Kew, who takes inspiration from nature to deliver only organic and natural ingredients for smooth, glowing skin. As Singapore’s first water-based organic skincare label, her products cater to locals, targeting specific Singaporean skin woes such as clogged pores, pigmentation and dehydration. Free from chemicals, parabens, and preservatives, the brand’s dedication to quality is apparent, especially in its packaging—all solutions are encased in European Miron violet glass to only allow the desired spectral colours of light to pass through so that ingredients stay activated.
Liht Organics
Organic cosmetics brand Liht (the abbreviation for ‘Living In Her Time’ and pronounced as light) Organics was born out of Nerissa Low’s personal need for quality makeup suitable for acne-prone skin. Liht products are formulated with up to 90 per cent organic ingredients and 100 per cent natural content, and do not contain synthetics, parabens, or nano-particles. Made from flower petals and mineral rocks, its range of products are available in a wide variety of shades that are pigmented and long-lasting. Vegan and cruelty-free, Liht Organics is not only great for your skin; it is also committed to sustainability with refillable options.
Mmerci Encore
Mmerci Encore prides itself on fresh, luxuriant and globally-sourced ingredients that promise to benefit skin and psyche. Handcrafted in its studio in Singapore, the brand’s artisanal aromatherapy goods are an indispensable part of any sensorial self-care regimen. Each small-batch preparation is infused with 100 per cent pure, therapeutic grade essential oils of the best quality—little luxuries that offer weary souls that much-needed spark of zen and happiness.
(Also read: 25 Things That Will Make You Happy and Forget Your Troubles)
Pera Skincare
From the ingredients to the packaging, Pera pays homage to the Peranakan culture in the most thoughtful and sweetest of ways. Try their award winning Bedak Sejuk Fusion Mask, which draws inspiration from the 600-year-old Peranakan process of using a powder made from rice and pandan leaf to rejuvenate skin. Or, get your hands on their award-winning, anti-ageing Deep Nourishing Multi-Nutrient Serum Oil to soothe and soften your skin. Pera also takes its social responsibility seriously, encouraging younger Peranakan generations to learn about their heritage, donating part of their global revenue to Peranakan Association and other NGOs in the region to support various social and cultural activities.
The LAB Fragrances
Founded in Singapore in September 2017, The LAB Fragrances offers a range of unique scents freshly hand made in small batches with the wearer’s name printed on the label. With a selection of 10 fine fragrances, all available both in eau de parfum and perfume oil forms, the collection covers all the main olfactive families: Fresh (earl grey, ginger, bergam and musk); Woody (agarwood, oud); Floral (tuberose, lavender, rose oud); Spicy (pepper and tobacco) and Fruity (peach and musk). In 2018, the brand also introduced a range of scented candles which create a beautiful ambiance, infusing any room with wonderful uplifting aromas.
W.ANT
Singaporean ethical beauty label W.ANT Skincare is championing the growing movement towards sustainable and socially-conscious skincare. Local founder Winona Tan sources organic, fair-trade ingredients from communities in Bali and Africa to develop a range of handmade products that are all natural, sustainable and cruelty-free. The result is a fuss-free, non-toxic and multi-tasking skincare range, perfectly suited for any jet-setting urbanite. And true to its beauty-with-a-conscience ethos, a portion of sales goes towards Baliwise, a foundation dedicated to empowering marginalised women in Indonesia.
Skin Inc
Both this brand and its founder, Sabrina Tan need no introduction. Having recently marked its 10th anniversary, Skin Inc has married technology and disruptive beauty from the get-go, with its proprietary Skin Identity—an online skin diagnostic quiz—database boasting over a million skin profiles. So when they say data-driven skincare innovations, they mean it. Their game-changing My Daily Dose, concocted with 100 percent pure and active serum, flies off the shelves of their boutiques and counters in over 150 cities, and one can only guess what their online sales area is like, what with their millions-strong, digitally-advanced clientele. Their newest data-driven “skin-novation” is the Serum UV Moisturser that not only protects skin from UVA and UVA B rays, but also blue light and acts as a base for your makeup.
Sén Natural
This homegrown beauty label has found the solution to making highly pigmented, moisturising lipsticks that are both sustainable and inclusive. Sén Natural’s lipsticks are infused with non-toxic, cruelty-free natural ingredients, such as rose oil, shea butter, vitamin E and beeswax, resulting in buttery, moisturising formulations with incredible staying power. Plus, the six lip shades were designed to enhance all types of Asian skin tones, making them the champion of natural beauty in more ways than one.
(Also read: 5 Natural Beauty Brands All Beauty Insiders Love)
The Skin Firm
Homegrown skincare label The Skin Firm is helmed by former fashion and beauty journalist May Yip—she’s also the founder of Bolt Communications, a public-relations and content marketing company. Unlike many before her, Yip was never particularly interested in entering the beauty industry with her own label—working with and managing beauty brands in the past gave her an insight on how competitive the industry is, and it didn’t really appeal to her. So, when the opportunity presented itself to her on a silver platter, Yip decided to do it right. She did so by ticking off beauty consumers’ biggest concerns and created an entire line comprising clean and natural ingredients via sustainable practices and presented in recyclable plastic packaging. Currently, the label only offers five products: a micellar water cleanser, a gel cleanser, an essence, a serum and a physical sunscreen—quintessential products for every skincare routine. The entire range is formulated for combination to oily skin types. If your skin is on the drier side, you might want to steer clear of the gel cleanser. And the best part? Nothing is above $35.
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