As we all know by now, the circuit breaker is poised for the first phase of re-opening come 2 June. But while we can finally give our mane some much-needed TLC and get our grey hair covered, we can’t say the same for our facial as salons, spas and aesthetic clinics still remain closed for the next few months. And if you’re like us, you’ll probably feel our pain when we say it’s taking every fibre of our being to not squeeze out that pesky pimple.
However, that doesn’t mean you can’t achieve that post-facial skin radiance and clarity in the comfort of your own home. Here’s our round-up of spa-grade skincare products – many of them formulated by spas and salons or used by estheticians – that you can use to achieve the facial results you want before your next salon appointment.
OxygenCeuticals Bio Matrix Collagen Kit
First, let us give you a little background on the brand itself. Developed 15 years ago based on the research idea that oxygen is the best therapy for problematic and post-procedure skin conditions, OxygenCeuticals offers powerful skin rejuvenating benefits with a combination of pure, stabilized oxygen and pharmaceutical grade actives.
Together with the advanced Ceutisome™ delivery technology, plant-based stem cells, peptides, epidermal growth factors and botanical extracts are delivered deep into skin layers for maximum absorption.
Thanks to its proven efficacy, OxygenCeuticals is now a widely trusted medical aesthetic skincare brand, with its line of products used and prescribed confidently by dermatologists, plastic surgeons, and medical aesthetic professionals in more than 600 popular aesthetic institutions in South Korea to complement before and after in-office procedures.
Powered by pharmaceutical grade ingredients, the OxygenCeuticals Bio Matrix Collagen Kit comes highly recommended as it is used in over 80% of skin specialist clinics in Korea to treat a number of skin issues.
The anti-ageing kit, which contains a set of pure marine collagen velvet melting balls and one hyaluronic acid booster ampoule, is loaded with 90% marine collagen extracts to deliver antioxidant and regenerating benefits to promote plumper, brighter, and firmer-looking skin.
You may be wondering, why pure collagen of marine origins instead of other collagen sources? Well, that’s because pure collagen derived from sea has significantly smaller particles and thus can be absorbed deep into the skin compared to other collagen types.
Suitable for anyone age 25 and above with ageing skin concerns such as loss of firmness and elasticity, skin dullness and uneven texture, the youth-restoring kit can be used two to three times a week on the entire face as a home facial spa treatment. Simply mix the collagen ball with the booster ampoule until it’s completely dissolved before applying the mixture onto the face.
The Bio Matrix Collagen Kit retails for S$115 at OxygenCeuticals’ e-store.
Skineed Vitamin B5++ Concentrate
In case you haven’t heard of the brand before, here’s a quick low-down: Skineed is an actives-packed skincare line launched by beauty salon Erabelle in 2015.
Fortified with vitamin B5, hyaluronic acid and aloe vera, this skin healing elixir is great for dry, sensitive and sun-damaged skin as it encourages epidermal tissue repair, provides intense hydration and improves skin roughness. The formula’s healing benefits also make it a great after-care following a chemical peel or laser treatment.
The Skineed Vitamin B5++ Concentrate (10ml) retails for S$260.55 exclusively at Erabelle.
Caring Skin Acne Spot Rescue
This oil-free acne spot clear gel comes highly recommended by active acne sufferers and with good reason.
Formulated with a proprietary blend of glycolic acid and lactic acid, it helps to accelerate the exfoliation of dead skin cells to reduce the appearance of acne and clogged pores. The formula doesn’t dry out skin though, as it also contains niacinamide and aloe vera to soothe the reddish acne bumps and promote recovery.
Get the Acne Spot Rescue (15ml) for S$68 at Caring Skin.
By the way, if you’ve been looking around for a facial treatment that helps speed up skin recovery after a laser or chemical peel procedure, you might want to check out Caring Skin’s Astronaut Treatment.
This unique facial, which won Best Oxygenating Facial (Editor’s Choice) in the Daily Vanity Spa & Hair Awards 2020, places you under a large clear dome where 99% oxygen and LED light therapy are used to stimulate collagen production and enhance skin’s resilience, making it a great monthly maintenance treatment for dry, dull skin too.
BMF Proteo Hyaluronic Acid
Win the battle against skin fatigue and cellular degeneration with this new hydrating and anti-ageing ampoule. A high concentration of active ingredients such as hyaluronic acid and alpha bisabolol helps to deeply moisturise and protect skin from environmental assaults while phytoproteoglycanos offers sun protection.
Grab the Proteo Hyaluronic Acid ampoules (20 x 2ml/box) for S$500 at BMF’s e-store.
Est.Lab Optimalift A+ Intelligent Eye Revitaliser Tri-Action Massager
Combining therapeutic hot compress of nine different heat settings with sonic vibration and LED red light therapy, this award-winning, tri-action device promises bright, youthful, rested-looking eyes with just a one-minute usage per day.
To be used with your favourite eye cream, its unique technology targets and repairs the common five woes – dark circles, puffiness, dryness, eye bags as well as fine lines and wrinkles. It is said that 60 seconds of massage with the device is equivalent to 10 minutes of massaging with your hand – perfect for those of us who are strapped for time!
The Optimalift A+ Intelligent Eye Revitaliser Tri-Action Massager retails for S$96 and comes in two colours: classic white and rose gold. Pre-order here.
IRÉN Skin Start Afresh Daily Enzyme Powder Wash
Looking for a non-drying face cleanser that won’t leave your skin tight? This gentle, 100% vegan formula may just be the answer. With a blend of Japanese rice bran, sorbitol and hyaluronic acid, it lathers into a fluffy foam easily to effectively removes dirt, sebum and old keratin whilst retaining skin moisture.
In case you don’t know, IRÉN Skin products are used at Face Shower Bar, a salon that offers express facials, so you can be sure that they can deliver salon-level results to you.
Retails for S$35 on IRÉN Skin.
SkinCeuticals Phloretin CF
Skin hyperpigmentation is arguably one of the toughest skin concerns to treat and serious cases often require professional treatment. But while you’re stuck at home, you can definitely rely on SkinCeuticals – a brand used in many salons and clinics – to deliver salon-quality results at home.
Suitable for even sensitive skin, this daytime antioxidant serum contains a potent blend of 10% L-ascorbic acid, phloretin and ferulic acid to provide advanced environmental protection to defend skin against cell-damaging reactive molecules whilst diminishing the appearance of discolouration.
Its ability to remain effective for a minimum of 72 hours makes this broad-spectrum treatment a great companion to your favourite sunscreen.
The Phloretin CF retails for S$149.53 for 15ml at iShopChangi, and S$268 for 30ml at Lazada and TANGS.
Babor Rose Toning Essence
A lot of us tend to overlook the toning step in our skin care routine, which is a big no-no if you want to maintain good skin health. Using a toner can actually help to tighten pores and cell gaps after cleansing, reducing the penetration of impurities and environmental contaminants into the skin.
This refreshing alcohol-free toner by Babor – a German brand with a huge offering of products used by salons and spas all over the world – is enriched with an anti-pollution complex and apple essence to strengthen skin’s natural barrier and enhance permeability for better absorption.
It’s also lightly scented with Bulgarian black rose extract to soothe the senses.
The Rose Toning Essence (200ml) retails for S$62 at Meroskin and Beauty Emporium. There’s an ongoing ‘Buy 2 Free 1’ promotion for S$149.90 at Lazada.
Dermalogica Biolumin-C Eye Serum
Give your eyes a much-needed boost with this new supercharged formula by Dermalogica. Powered by a blend of vitamin C complex and plant extracts, this lightweight eye serum tackles visible premature skin ageing by re-energising the skin around the eyes, locking in moisture, improving elasticity, reducing the look of fine lines and enhancing skin’s natural luminosity.
The Biolumin-C Eye Serum (15ml) retails for S$123 at Dermalogica and Lazada.
Payot Roselift Collagene Jour Lifting Cream
For those looking for an anti-ageing moisturiser that tightens and lifts, this is the one for you. With a collagen-boosting peptide, a patented active ingredient derived from Damask rose and oat extract in the formula, it also has a shape-memory texture that acts like a mechanical tightener and visibly tones up facial features for a younger-looking visage.
The Roselift Collagene Jour Lifting Cream (50ml) retails for S$159 at TANGS and Lazada.
Sothys Soothing SOS Serum
Packed with Spa Thermal Water harvested from a protected environment in Belgium, this lightweight serum boasts anti-irritant properties to maintain optimal hydration and offer immediate comfort for sensitive skin while increasing the skin’s tolerance threshold.
Its hero ingredient has low mineral content and similar pH level to our skin, which allows the formula to quickly neutralise both permanent and temporary discomfort and eliminate congestion.
The Soothing SOS Serum retails for S$67.95 and S$45.50 for 20ml at Cosmetics Now and Strawberrynet respectively.
IDS Skincare DermaShield Serum
Recent studies have shown that spending too much time in front of your laptop and phone can have adverse effects on your skin.
Scientists found that long-term exposure to blue light can cause skin damage, including colour changes, inflammation, and weakening of the skin’s surface. In other words, blue light fuel stressors in the skin that cause photo-ageing.
This new serum works as an invisible shield to defend your skin from the harmful effects of blue light, infrared light as well as environmental pollutants to delay the onset of skin ageing. Basically, it’s your “screen protector” in a bottle.
The DermaShield Serum (30ml) retails for S$106 at IDS Skincare’s e-store and Metro.
