If you are a fan of K-beauty, you are most likely familiar with Nature Republic. As its name implies, Nature Republic strongly advocates for using ingredients taken from nature and providing its best benefits to customers, which would explain why it is very famous in Korea. Most skincare junkies would have heard of and tried its best-selling Aloe Vera Soothing Gel, which has spawned many copycats since it was first introduced.
Fans of the brand would fondly recall that Nature Republic once had retail stores in Singapore – unfortunately, the brand pulled out of our shores a few years ago. Since then, you would have to either order online or travel to Korea in order to get your hands on Nature Republic products.
Here’s the good news: you don’t have to book a holiday to Seoul in order to buy Nature Republic products because they are actually available at myCK stores! The Daily Vanity team was so excited to know that we can get our hands on this well-loved Korean skincare brand again that we decided to see which products are worth a shot, other than the famed Aloe Vera Soothing Gel.
Read on to see what the beauty junkies in our team thought of these skincare and hair care products from Nature Republic!
If you’re into Japanese drugstore brands instead, here’s what we’ll recommend: Japanese drugstore beauty products: Where to find in Singapore?
1. Nature Republic Cleansing Gel Aloe Vera
Reviewer: Kelly, 22 | Skin type: combination-oily | Skin concerns: sensitive skin
About this product: This is a fresh gel-type cleansing gel cream that is said to effectively remove makeup residue and impurities from skin with its rich aloe vera extract.
Kelly’s review: I have sensitive, combination-oily skin, hence I am very particular about using non-comedogenic products that won’t clog my pores.
I used this both as a cleanser and a makeup remover, so I washed my face with this cleansing gel twice a day. The lightweight texture felt great on my skin – it spreads easily and smoothly without feeling oily at all. In comparison to oil-based makeup removers, I feel that gel-based ones, like this one from Nature Republic, is much better for people like me with acne-prone skin, as it does not clog my pores and feels less greasy.
Don’t be too surprised if you don’t see much foam – this cleansing gel does not foam up. It gently removes base makeup, but I feel that it is not able to remove waterproof makeup such as my eyeliner. However, I do have to say that this cleansing gel smells better than other makeup removers I have used.
My skin immediately feels fresh and smooth after cleansing, which could also be due to the fact that the cleansing gel is formulated with aloe vera. After using this for a week, I see that my skin suffers from less irritation, which is great!
I would recommend to people with sensitive skin, as well as those who wear light makeup.
Nature Republic Cleansing Gel Aloe Vera retails at SGD4.50* (U.P. SGD4.95) in selected myCK stores.
2. Nature Republic Bee Venom Cleansing Foam (Anti-Acne)
Reviewer: Vivian, 23 | Skin type: combination-oily | Skin concerns: acne, sensitive skin, dull skin tone, large pores
About this product: A deep cleansing cleanser that is formulated with Bee Venom Complex to remove impurities and dead skin cells.
Vivian’s review: I suffer from a plethora of skin problems, including acne, dull skin tone, and huge pores. What makes things worse is that I have sensitive, combination-oily skin, so many skincare products have not worked well for me. This made me even more apprehensive about using beauty products formulated with bee venom. I had heard about its properties before, especially about how it stimulates collagen production and plumps up the skin, but it still felt a little frightening to use something that could possibly be a toxin on sensitive skin!
I initially used this twice a day, but eventually cut down to just the evening because I felt that it was a little too strong for my sensitive skin. A little goes a long way with this, so you don’t have to squeeze out too much – just add a little water and you’ll get a good amount of foam. There was a herbal smell, but it wasn’t very strong or unpleasant. Sometimes I have a little bit of makeup left on my face even after I have used makeup remover, but this cleansing foam can remove all the remaining traces of makeup, so that my skin looks and feels clean.
Some anti-acne cleansers that I have used previously left my skin feeling very tight and dry – this is because most of them are formulated to remove excess sebum. However, such cleansers are not ideal for people with combination skin, such as myself. I was quite relieved when I found that my skin didn’t feel too taut immediately after cleansing, which was a sign that it wasn’t drying my skin out.
After a week of using this cleansing foam, I found that my skin definitely looked smoother, more hydrated and plumped. I also observed that my skin was less irritated and I had fewer breakouts occurring. This has worked much better to prevent acne breakouts as compared to other anti-acne cleansing foams. It is also more hydrating, so it doesn’t strip necessary oil and moisture from the skin. However, this is also slightly harsh due to the fact that it is formulated with bee venom and salicylic acid – the former increases blood circulation by tricking the skin into believing that you have been stung, while the latter can also cause mild irritation when used excessively.
I would definitely recommend this to someone who is struggling with acne breakouts, as well as those who want lifted skin. I was pleasantly surprised when I found out that this has been effective in preventing the usual breakouts I get right before my period, and that my face actually looked slightly lifted after repeated usage. That being said, I think this would work best for people with oilier skin, including those with combination-oily skin. If you have sensitive skin, it is also advisable that you try this once a day first before moving on to using it twice a day.
Nature Republic Bee Venom Cleansing Foam (Anti-Acne) retails at SGD11.50* (U.P. SGD13.90) in selected myCK stores.
3. Nature Republic Toner 90% Aloe Vera
Reviewer: Karin, 32 | Skin type: combination-dry | Skin concerns: dull skin tone, large pores
About this product: A mild and soothing toner that can be used to remove pore-clogging debris while pampering skin with certified organic aloe.
Karin’s review: My first impressions of this toner were good! It has a lightweight texture that is absorbed easily by my skin. Although the aloe vera scent of this toner is stronger than other toners that I have used before, I find that it is quite refreshing and not too overpowering.
I would use this twice a day after cleansing my face, and I noticed that my combination-dry skin immediately felt more hydrated upon application. The toner also helped to cleanse my face more thoroughly as well, as it got rid of the remaining makeup residue.
Before using the Nature Republic Toner, one skin problem I struggled with was a dull complexion. However, after using it for one week, my skin not only looked more hydrated but also brighter than before.
I like that this toner doesn’t feel too heavy on my skin, and had been effective in making my skin hydrated and radiant. Hence, I will recommend this to my friends, especially those who like to use toners that come with a refreshing scent.
Nature Republic Toner 90% Aloe Vera retails at SGD7.50* (U.P. SGD8.90) in selected myCK stores.
4. Nature Republic Soothing & Moisture Ice Soothing Spray
Reviewer: Wan Kee, 26 | Skin type: combination-oily | Skin concerns: dull skin tone, large pores
About this product: This spray relieves skin from irritations and burns while cooling your skin at the same with an easy-to-spray bottle.
Wan Kee’s review: After cleansing and toning, I would spray this product on a cotton pad and apply it on my face. The cooling effect helps to reduce redness and soothe my skin. As I’m in air-conditioned places most of the time, my skin can be quite dry. I also used it as a refreshing body mist, so I would spray it on my legs and spread it evenly like a body lotion.
The spray is easily absorbed and effective in hydrating dry skin. After I sprayed it on my skin, I could feel that it became instantly hydrated and soothed. It also smells very good, which makes for a very good perk-me-up whenever you are feeling tired from a long day out in the sun.
The interesting thing about this spray is that it takes the form of a gel, instead of a mist, which definitely makes it more moisturising than your typical sprays. In addition, the spray effect is also much stronger.
I enjoyed the convenience that this spray brought as I could simply spray and apply it on my face and body whenever I needed hydration and cooling-down. I saw that the skin on my face looked more hydrated and less irritated after one week of daily usage.
People with dry skin or prone to redness, and those who are always under the sun, will definitely love using this Ice Soothing Spray from Nature Republic. Every time I get sunburned or have been exposed to the sun for long hours, I will always turn to aloe gel. This product is definitely suited for application on sunburned areas as it has an instant soothing effect, thanks to the aloe vera that it is formulated with.
Nature Republic Soothing & Moisture Ice Soothing Spray retails at SGD11.90* (U.P. SGD13.90) in selected myCK stores.
5. Nature Republic Mask Real Comforting
Reviewer: Kristen Juliet, 34 | Skin type: combination-dry | Skin concerns: dull skin tone
About this product: This mask is formulated to be used daily for healthier skin. This variation (Allantoin) helps to soften the skin, relieve the exfoliating keratin, and calm sensitive skin.
Juliet’s review: Prior to using this mask, I knew that Allantoin is known for its moisturising properties and how gentle it is on skin but I hadn’t tried any product that has Allantoin in it, so I was quite curious to see how the Nature Republic mask will work for me.
It doesn’t have any scent at all, which is probably a good thing for sensitive skin, which may react adversely to artificial fragrances. It is soaked in a generous amount of serum – so much that it dripped when I took it out from the packet and there was still a lot of serum left behind (which I used to apply on other dry areas on my body later). I find that it doesn’t dry up as quickly as other masks too. After leaving it on for more than 15 minutes, the mask still felt very moist – so did my skin.
The mask left a cooling sensation on my skin even though the mask was at room temperature when I used it. My skin felt hydrated, bouncy, and looked well-rested immediately after using the mask. The next morning, I found that my skin actually became tauter so my makeup could glide on more easily!
I’ve tried my fair share of masks, and I have to say that this is one of the most hydrating masks that I have tried. I liked that the mask was very hydrating and soothing, as well as the fact that the effects lasted till the next day. You should certainly give this mask a shot if you have dry skin that is also sensitive.
Nature Republic Mask Real Comforting retails at SGD1.50* (U.P. SGD1.80) in selected myCK stores. Other variations of the mask sold at myCK are Tea Tree and Vitamin E.
6. Nature Republic Anti-Hair Loss Black Bean Shampoo & Treatment
Reviewer: Keith, 34 | Hair type: dry hair and scalp | Hair concerns: dandruff, hair loss, damaged hair
About these products: These hair care products contain black bean extract and black bean complex to nourish the scalp and hair, as well as peat water to absorb excess sebum for a fresher mane.
Keith’s review: I have dry scalp and hair, hence I suffer from hair problems such as dandruff, hair loss, as well as damaged hair.
I thought that the ingredient is interesting as Chinese culture believes that black bean is able to help with grey hair, but these products are formulated to solve hair loss problems instead. I wanted to find out if it would be effective, as well as whether there was actually a chance of making my hair dark again after using these, although it was not stated as a product benefit. The hair products are also formulated with peat water which absorbs excess oil, so I expected that my scalp and hair should feel very fresh after washing.
Personally, I find that both the shampoo and hair treatment smell very good and do not have any black bean scent. In fact, the products smell rather minty! The shampoo foams easily as well, and that makes washing the scalp an ease because you just need one pump.
There was a layer of protection/moisture covering the hair after washing the shampoo and treatment off. The addition of menthol also gave my scalp a refreshing and clean finish that I enjoyed. After washing my hair consistently with the two hair products from Nature Republic for one week, I noticed very positive results, including reduced hair loss, better-smelling scalp and hair, as well as less dandruff.
Considering that the Nature Republic Anti-Hair Loss Black Bean Shampoo & Treatment provided a good washing experience and proven efficacy, I would say that these are definitely my top few preferred anti-hair loss products. If you are looking for fantastic hair loss products, these are the ones you have to try.
Nature Republic Anti-Hair Loss Black Bean Shampoo & Treatment retail at SGD15.50* (U.P. SGD17.80) and SGD14.50* (U.P. SGD16.90) respectively at selected myCK stores.
*Promotional prices are only valid until 15 Sep 2019.
Can’t wait to try out these Nature Republic products after seeing how the team has raved about them, or want to get those products you missed using for the past few years?
All you have to do is find the nearest myCK outlet to you here and head down!
