If you’ve ever reached for Suu Balm to relieve dry, itchy skin, you’ll want to keep reading. The team behind the cult-favourite brand has launched something new, and while this one doesn’t focus on itch relief, it’s already making waves for being just as skin-friendly and effective.
Meet Vytle, a new Singapore-born skincare brand formulated by dermatologists at the National Skin Centre. It’s the brand’s more easygoing sibling – gentle, fuss-free, and made for everyday use by the entire family.
But don’t let its trendier look fool you. Vytle packs serious science into its formulas, just without the clinical branding or heavy textures often found in derma skincare.
How Vytle Came to Be
Vytle founders Dr. John O’Shea (left in left image) and Jason Humphries (right in left image)
“The idea stemmed from us realising that with Suu Balm creams, we didn’t just provide rapid itch relief, but we also had a really super effective moisturiser,” founders Dr. John O’Shea and Jason Humphries shared.
“From conversations with customers, we knew that sometimes they weren’t itchy, or were just looking for a regular moisturiser. So we thought, why not give people a great everyday moisturiser?”
Once that decision was made, the team got to work with Dr. Tey Hong Liang, the dermatologist behind Suu Balm and founder of the Itch Clinic at the National Skin Centre, to create a separate range optimised for Southeast Asian skin and weather.
“So why put this under a new name, Vytle by Suu Balm? We felt that after 10 years, Suu Balm was synonymous with itch relief – so we didn’t want to confuse people by launching a product that’s not meant for itch relief under the Suu Balm brand,” the founders explained.
At the same time, they didn’t want to completely disconnect the new brand from the legacy they’d already established. With Suu Balm’s credibility and track record, Vytle would carry that trust forward, just in a new direction.
Formulated by the “Real Deal” in Dermatology
Dr. Tey Hong Liang
Dr. Tey worked closely with the team to perfect the Vytle range. “Like working with any genius, the answer is ‘great, but challenging!’” the founders said. “Why challenging? Because Dr. Tey is extremely particular about the choice of ingredients and the performance of the product.”
About two years ago, the team thought the cream formulation was final, until Dr. Tey received feedback from one of his testers about a stinging sensation after applying the prototype.
Even though it was just a single case, they decided to reformulate the cream. “Such are the high standards that Dr. Tey works to. But in the end, we are happy – it means that we have really thoroughly thought through and tested products.”
2 Essential Skincare Products You’ll Love
Vytle currently has two products: the Gentle Moisturising Cleanser and the Daily Ceramide Moisturiser. Both are dermatologist-developed, safe for the whole family (even newborns), and designed to feel light and breathable — perfect for our weather.
“Yes, it was [intentional],” the founders shared when asked about the more lifestyle-led approach.
“We want to deliver the best possible moisturiser and cleanser to a wide range of people, not just those who have skin issues such as eczema. So if there is somebody with normal skin who is looking for a great moisturiser, then we want them to see Vytle as suitable for them too.”
Vytle Gentle Moisturising Cleanser
If you’re expecting a foamy, squeaky-clean formula, this isn’t it. The Vytle Gentle Moisturising Cleanser is soap- and sulfate-free, pH-balanced, and made with minimal ingredients to reduce irritation.
“Of course, we have to talk about the origin of the formula – National Skin Centre! Dr. Tey is the one who formulated it, hence if you look at the ingredients list, it is essentially rather simple – exactly what your skin needs for that gentle cleansing, formulated with purposeful ingredients,” the founders explained.
It’s free from common irritants, pH-balanced, and hypoallergenic, designed to cleanse without compromising the skin barrier. The founders added that the ultra-creamy texture is key to its appeal because it doesn’t strip moisture like typical foaming cleansers.
What also sets it apart is the brand’s use of natural-origin ingredients – not to be confused with raw or untreated naturals. These are carefully processed to remove impurities and pesticide residue, which can be a hidden trigger for sensitive skin.
Vytle Daily Ceramide Moisturiser
The Vytle Daily Ceramide Moisturiser is powered by five types of skin-identical ceramides: Ceramide NP, NS, AS, AP, and EOP. Together, these help strengthen the skin barrier, retain moisture, and protect against environmental stressors, making it especially suitable for dry, sensitive, or compromised skin.
“It is the same blend of ceramides that we use in most of our Suu Balm creams, so we already have a lot of experience formulating it, and we have a lot of confidence in its effectiveness,” the founders share.
Despite its high-performance formula, the texture is lightweight, breathable, and non-sticky – ideal for humid climates and daily use, even on the face. It’s also free from silicones and petrolatum, making it a rare find in the sensitive skincare space.
Vytle’s formula is clinically proven to improve the skin’s moisture by 87% on first use, and fully restore the skin barrier within a week. The results are backed by a clinical study conducted on 15 subjects over seven days.
Dr. John O’Shea also recalled a personal moment that confirmed the formula’s effectiveness, and it wasn’t during a lab trial.
“The ‘we have something special’ moment actually came after we made the first batch of product. I was in Hong Kong for the weekend, hiking. We ended up out in the sun for much longer than we expected, and I hadn’t applied enough suncream, so the back of my neck and face got quite sunburned.”
Luckily, he had a tube of Vytle moisturiser on hand. He applied it that same evening and noticed the results almost immediately.
“From the first evening, the pain of the sunburn was gone, and within a few days it was completely resolved. My skin had fully recovered. I thought, ‘This is some kind of magic, this cream!’” he remarked.
Made for Singapore’s Humidity
The founders pointed out that most dermatological skincare on shelves is made for temperate climates. “They are often designed for ‘four-season’ climates (Korea, Japan, the US, Europe), not the year-round humidity we have here,” they observed.
More importantly, “clinical products can be too thick – this is, in theory, great, as it forms a barrier on your skin – but in practice, nobody likes to use such a product, as you sweat under it and it feels uncomfortable.”
That is why both formulas were optimised for local conditions and tested on real users in Southeast Asia. The founders emphasised, “The best moisturiser is the one that gets used most often.”
Who is Vytle For?
While the range is formulated for sensitive skin, its reach is broader than that.
Vytle was designed to suit everyone in the family – from newborns to grandparents – and can be used on both the face and body. Its gentle, non-menthol formulas make it a safe and versatile choice for all ages, whether you’re dealing with dryness, sensitivity, or simply want an everyday cleanser and moisturiser you can rely on.
The Vytle team has received plenty of positive feedback since its launch, especially for the moisturiser’s non-greasy texture. “Customers will share their positive usage experience… We’ve also received organic features from user-generated content (UGC)/creators,” they revealed.
Credits (left to right): @missonglai/TikTok, @aikenchia/Instagram, @lilmeowmeow2505/Lemon8
As the Regional Editor of Daily Vanity, I’ve tried my fair share of skincare products, especially those made for sensitive, eczema-prone skin like mine. I’ve put both of Vytle’s products to the test, and the experience has been nothing short of impressive.
The cleanser is truly gentle and creamy, providing comfort and hydration with every wash. I’ve been using it on my face as well, and I can confidently say it’s the best non-foaming cleanser I’ve tried – and I’ve tried plenty.
As someone who has redness-prone, reactive skin, I appreciate how it soothes my skin as it cleanses, leaving it calm, soft, and never feeling dry or tight.
Of course, my skin adores the Daily Ceramide Moisturiser now too. It’s ultra-lightweight and fast-absorbing, which means I can use it whenever I need it without my skin feeling sticky or stuffy, unlike many sensitive-skin moisturisers I’ve tried in the past.
So, What’s Next?
“There’s always work going on for new products, but we will keep those as a surprise!” the founders teased.
“Because of the way we develop products with Dr. Tey, it does take us longer to get these products to market, but we do only launch when we are super confident, we have a great, safe product.”
Where to Shop Vytle
Vytle Gentle Moisturising Cleanser retails for S$24.90 (450ml), while Vytle Daily Ceramide Moisturiser retails for S$23.90 (100ml) and S$54.90 (450ml).
Now available at Guardian, Watsons, and Unity, and online via Shopee, Lazada, TikTok Shop, and Vytle’s website. For updates and tips, follow them on Instagram @vytleskincare.
This article is brought to you by Vytle.
