You have been sweating buckets this past month, as have most of us on this part of the world. But all that sweat dripping off your face, back and pretty much everywhere else isn’t an indication that your skin is well moisturised.
Yes, sweating has moisturising benefits, in addition to killing off harmful bacteria on the surface of the skin. It’s when those sweat glands get clogged that the adverse effects outweigh the benefits. You’re losing water, oil and dead skin through your pores, so keeping that balance right after a heavy bout of sweating from gym time or walking out for lunch is necessary.
Cleansing, moisturising and sun-protecting—the holy trinity of a good skincare routine—have become increasingly essential with global warming. While cleansing and adding sun protection are pretty straightforward, finding the right moisturiser can be a doozy. They can sometimes be too thick or rich for a tropical climate, or comedogenic (pore-blocking) for blemish-prone skin.
Like your favourite scent, the right moisturiser is also personal depending on your skin type and needs. The five that we have curated aren’t flawless guarantees to well-moisturised skin, but they are easy-to-adopt selections that promise to retain that moisture, all day (and night) long.
WATER BANK BLUE HYALURONIC GEL CREAM, LANEIGE
LANEIGE’s Water Bank line has been sought after for its moisturising capabilities since its launch in 2002. An impressive 17 million units have been sold to date, and the line has gone through multiple reformulations to cater to the changing skincare needs owing to evolving environmental stressors. Its latest is fortified with Blue Hyaluronic Acid.
Water Bank is already known for its quick absorption. Blue Hyaluronic Acid amplifies it further for deep, long-lasting hydration. Regular hyaluronic acid goes through a double fermentation process with fucoidan—a moisturising agent extracted from brown algae. It then undergoes a 10-step microfiltration refining process resulting in Blue Hyaluronic Acid.
Designed for combination and oily skin, the Water Bank Blue Hyaluronic Gel Cream is the most lightweight formulation out of the trio in the new series. The gel formulation helps with the oil-moisture balance of the skin (thanks to mint leaf extract) while introducing a refreshing hydration feel. The hydration effect is instant with embedded skin-cooling capsules that cool the skin by around 16 per cent, making this perfect for those with sensitive miens.
PROTINI POLYPEPTIDE CREAM, DRUNK ELEPHANT
We are not saying that the Protini Polypeptide Cream by Drunk Elephant will shave years off of your face. However, the potent combination of ingredients promises to revitalise the state of your skin, at the very least. It’s a protein moisturiser consisting of signal peptides, growth factors, supportive amino acids as well as pygmy waterlily stem cell extract (a source of antioxidants and nutrients to replenish the skin to its youthful state). This proprietary formula works almost instantly. Lines, wrinkles and signs of sun damage will appear reduced, and most importantly, the skin will feel strengthened and moisturised.
The Protini Polypeptide Cream is also completely vegan (not all of Drunk Elephant’s products are) and contains no essential oil, silicone or fragrance, making this a good option for anyone prone to skin sensitivity. The brand recommends that the cream be used day and night for optimum effects. As with most moisturisers, concentrate on the nighttime portion if your mornings are typically rather rushed.
BIO-GOLD 24K GOLD SKIN ELIXIR, BIO-ESSENCE
Bio-essence’s Bio-Energy Complex is an energy booster for skin cells, designed specifically to change their state from inactive to energised so that they are better able to take in vital bio-ingredients. This complex powers every single product in the brand’s arsenal, including its latest Bio-Gold 24K Gold Skin Elixir.
The name might be a mouthful but the product does live up to its promises. Infused with Moroccan argan oil, the formula maintains the balance of the skin’s moisture for up to 24 hours. It’s also clinically proven to instantly increase skin moisture by 140 per cent just from one application. There is a strengthening aspect to the elixir too, with strong antioxidant protection against the harmful effects of UV rays. And if you’re intent on getting rid of stubborn spots, the elixir also minimises pigmentation.
BONG2 BOUNCE CREAM, THEN I MET YOU
Don’t discount the product because of its cute moniker. The Bong2 Bounce Cream by Then I Met You is a new lightweight moisturiser that’s suited for all skin types. If you didn’t know, the brand was founded by Charlotte Cho who has been credited for introducing Korean skincare into the US.
The Bong2 Bounce Cream’s hero ingredient is the vitamin C-rich Hallabong tangerines that are grown only on Jeju Island. Hallabong extract used in the cream works to hydrate the skin and can help to improve its elasticity and firmness. The formulation is fortified with plant-based squalane, and ceramides—both aiding in maintaining and retaining moisture as well as strengthening the skin’s lipid barrier.
Then I Met You considers this lightweight moisturiser—it’s a cream with a gel-like consistency—as the antithesis of thick creams while offering the same (if not better) level of protection and moisture-retaining capabilities. It’s also free of artificial colouring and synthetic fragrance so there is little need to worry about irritating dry skin.
THE MOISTURIZING FRESH CREAM, LA MER
For oily skin, La Mer’s latest The Moisturizing Fresh Cream is your best bet at keeping skin plump and moisturised. Its signature Miracle Broth ferment is enriched with a new 3D technology that transforms the gel consistency into a cream upon application. This creates a moisture cushion that boosts the radiance of the skin and infuses it with healing moisture. The result is a visible reduction in the appearance of lines and wrinkles, while keeping skin moisturised and hydrated throughout the day.
How impressive is The Moisturizing Fresh Cream? Clinical testing (on 132 Asian women who used the product twice daily for four weeks) resulted in all subjects displaying visible volume improvement in their skin in just two weeks. Aside from its hydrating properties, the cream also calms the look of redness for a more even skin tone.
Ask any celebrity or beauty devotee to nominate their favourite skincare brand and chances are Augustinus Bader will be the first name that comes to mind. In just five years, the brand – created by globally renowned biomedical scientist and physician, Professor Bader – has won 105 coveted beauty awards for its smart skincare solutions that are backed by groundbreaking research, innovation, and science. In particular, the brand’s game-changing cream named The Body Cream is busy racking up awards for its clinically-proven results in combating the appearance of cellulite and stretch marks while providing deep hydration and nourishment to visibly improve the skin’s texture, tone, and elasticity.
Handcrafted in Professor Bader’s own laboratory, The Body Cream has found A-list fans including Kim Kardashian, Kate Hudson, Margot Robbie, Gigi Hadid, Victoria Beckham, and Jennifer Aniston who swear by it. The Body Cream has a luxurious rich, buttery texture and comes turbocharged with sustainably-sourced, high-potency botanicals, bio-engineered clean actives, and a multitasking moisture complex.
However, it’s Bader’s revolutionary patented TFC8® technology that sets The Body Cream apart from any other product on the market. Inspired by 30 years of cutting-edge science and research on skin healing and tissue repair, TFC8 is composed of natural amino acids, high-grade vitamins, and synthesised molecules that occur naturally in the body and work to guide key nutrients and natural ingredients directly into the skin’s cells to create an optimal environment for cellular renewal. Developed to train the skin by boosting its innate ability to renew itself over the long term, the next-level tech takes a personalised targeted approach to address specific concerns like the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, cellulite, stretchmarks, redness, hyperpigmentation and damage caused by external stressors.
The breakthrough technology is combined with ultra-nourishing shea butter and bisabolol, a naturally-occurring compound revered for its soothing, calming properties and ability to rejuvenate and strengthen the skin’s barrier function. As a result of this powerhouse cocktail of ingredients, The Body Cream delivers superior hydration and nourishment while transforming the health and appearance of skin.
In a four-week trial, users were blown away by the results of the A-list-favoured miracle worker – 92 percent agreed The Body Cream reduced the appearance of cellulite, 90 percent reported a reduction in the appearance of stretch marks, 100 percent said it left their skin intensely moisturised and hydrated and 98 percent agreed their skin felt firmer and plumper.
Says one fan of The Body Cream: “I have been using The Body Cream on my legs for about a week and my skin has transformed. It’s softer, smoother, even-toned and my cellulite is not as evident as before. My legs haven’t looked this great in years.” Another also raved about its lightning-fast results. “The Body Cream is just so luxurious. l can tell after a few uses, the dry skin on my knees has improved and the texture of my skin has certainly improved, even after all the sun it’s been getting. Love it!”
To experience the incredible skin-perfecting results of the multi-award-winning The Body Cream (SG$180), shop it directly from Augustinus Bader here. To ensure you never run out, follow the lead of its legions of fans and choose ‘Auto-replenish’ at check out to subscribe to regular, customisable, delivery cycles and save 20 percent – plus earn loyalty points on every order. You’ll also be doing right by your body and our planet thanks to Augustinus Bader’s ‘You Shop, We Donate’ initiative that allows you to donate per cent of your order value to a charity that matters to you.
Sign us up.
