Looking for the best toner, essence, or face mist in Singapore? Whether you want brighter skin, deeper hydration, or something soothing for sensitive skin, the Daily Vanity Beauty Awards 2026 winners were selected based on real performance – tested by editors, evaluated by experts, and voted by 695 readers.
From exfoliating brightening toners to barrier-strengthening essences and calming thermal mists, these are the formulas that truly stood out this year.
- How the Winners Were Chosen
- Which Are the Best Hydrating Toners in Singapore?
- Which Are the Best Anti-Ageing Essences in Singapore?
- Which Are the Best Brightening Toners in Singapore?
- Which Are the Best Hydrating Essences in Singapore?
- Which Are the Best Face Mists in Singapore?
- What We Noticed Across This Year’s Winners
- How to Choose the Right Toner or Essence
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Toners, Essences & Face Mists
How the Winners Were Chosen
Every winner in the Daily Vanity Beauty Awards 2026 earned its badge through a rigorous selection process – not popularity alone.
Editor’s Choice winners were personally evaluated and selected by our Editorial Director, Kristen Juliet Soh, and Regional Editor, Jade Yeo, based on performance, formulation, innovation, and value.
Top row (L-R): Dr Xu Rong Rong, Dr Sy Li Lin, Dr Ray Loh, Dr Ivan Puah | Bottom row (L-R): Serene Seah-Ma, Teo Shiyun, Ginger Lynette Leong, Benedict Choo
Experts’ Choice winners were handpicked by our trusted panel of professionals:
- Dr Xu Rong Rong from The Urban Clinic
- Dr Sy Li Lin and Dr Ray Loh from Fundamental Aesthetic Medical Clinic
- Dr Ivan Puah, Medical Director of Amaris B. Clinic
- Serene Seah-Ma, Founder and Director of Freia Aesthetics
- Teo Shiyun, Co-founder of Picasso Hair Studio
- Makeup artist Ginger Lynette Leong
- Makeup artist Benedict Choo
Readers’ Choice winners were voted by 695 DV readers, based on their genuine personal experiences.
Finally, our Highly Commended picks are dependable favourites strongly endorsed by both our experts and community.
Which Are the Best Hydrating Toners in Singapore?
Hydrating toners focus on restoring moisture and strengthening the skin barrier. Look for ingredients like ceramides, hyaluronic acid, or cream-based textures if your skin feels tight, dry, or easily irritated.
BEYUL Hydrating Toning Lotion Highly commended!
What it is:
BEYUL Hydrating Toning Lotion is a lightweight, refreshing formula that delivers deep hydration with γ-PGA and postbiotics. Enriched with eight types of hyaluronic acid and birch sap, it plumps, soothes, strengthens the skin barrier, and preps skin for better absorption.
My skin feels more moisturised and noticeably firmer. – Michelle Chua
Where to purchase:
BE International (S$101)
Discover more about BEYULl Hydrating Toning Lotion here.
Follow BEYUL on Instagram for the latest updates
LANEIGE Cream Skin Cerapeptide™ Refiner Readers’ Choice! Editor’s Choice!
What it is:
A cult-favourite cream-to-toner formula that delivers intense hydration in one lightweight step. Infused with cerapeptides, it strengthens the moisture barrier, soothes dryness, and leaves skin visibly plump, smooth, and comfortably nourished.
Where to purchase:
Shopee (S$49, 170ml)
Essano Hydration+ Toning Mist Experts’ Choice!
What it is:
A refreshing mist that instantly hydrates and energises tired skin. Powered by multi-weight hyaluronic acid and rosehip oil, it replenishes moisture at multiple levels while prepping skin for the rest of your routine.
Where to purchase:
Shopee (S$23.35, 120ml)
Which Are the Best Anti-Ageing Essences in Singapore?
Anti-ageing essences are designed to support firmness, elasticity, and smoother texture. These formulas often contain peptides, beta-glucan, or repair-focused ingredients that prep skin before serum application.
Kin Teck Tong Cordyceps Intensive Repair Essence Editor’s Choice!
What it is:
Loved by our editor, this essence harnesses cordyceps and herbal extracts to balance oil levels while delivering deep hydration. Its skin-repairing formula helps support natural regeneration, leaving skin smoother, healthier-looking, and more resilient with continued use.
Lightweight and hydrating, this formula draws on Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) herbs to deliver anti-ageing benefits. – Kristen Juliet Soh, Editorial Director of DailyVanity
Where to purchase:
(S$68.90, 120ml)
Website, use promo code “DailyVanity” to receive a complimentary Mushroom Gua Sha tool worth S$38. Applicable on the website only!
Shopee
Lazada
Lancôme Génifique Ultimate Lotion Readers’ Choice! Experts’ Choice!
What it is:
A serum-in-essence powered by beta-glucan technology to support skin repair and refine texture. Lightweight yet potent, it hydrates, soothes sensitivity, and enhances radiance, helping skin look smoother, stronger, and visibly revitalised.
Where to purchase:
Sephora (S$109, 150ml)
Alluora Elixir Essence Highly commended!
What it is:
A revitalising essence formulated to boost skin energy and improve firmness. With peptides, botanical extracts, and caffeine, it helps reduce fine lines, fade pigmentation, and strengthen the barrier for a smoother, more radiant complexion.
Where to purchase:
Shopee (S$78, 30ml)
Which Are the Best Brightening Toners in Singapore?
These toners target dullness, pigmentation, and uneven tone. If you’re looking to boost radiance or fade dark spots, start here.
Caudalie Vinoperfect Concentrated Brightening Glycolic Essence Readers’ Choice!
What it is:
A gentle glycolic essence that exfoliates dull surface cells while hydrating with grape water. Its lightweight, fast-absorbing texture boosts radiance and helps visibly reduce dark spots, leaving skin smoother, brighter, and perfectly prepped for the next step.
Where to purchase:
Sephora (S$49, 100ml | S$56, 150ml)
Pixi Glow Tonic Experts’ Choice! Editor’s Choice!
What it is:
Formulated with 5% glycolic acid, this cult-favourite toner gently exfoliates to brighten and smooth skin. Aloe vera and botanical extracts soothe and hydrate, delivering an instant glow without alcohol – suitable for all skin types.
Where to purchase:
Sephora (S$9, 40ml | S$25, 100ml | S$49, 250ml)
Bio-essence Bio-Gold 24K Gold Black Gold Water Highly commended!
What it is:
Infused with 24K gold, black caviar, and nano gold peptides, this essence water nourishes while boosting luminosity. It helps smooth the appearance of wrinkles and uneven tone, leaving skin firmer, radiant, and visibly rejuvenated.
Where to purchase:
Shopee (S$47.35, 100ml)
Which Are the Best Hydrating Essences in Singapore?
Hydrating essences deliver lightweight but concentrated moisture to help skin look plump and balanced. They’re especially useful for layering in Singapore’s climate without feeling heavy.
Innisfree Green Tea Ceramide Milk Essence Readers’ Choice!
What it is:
A lightweight, milky essence that deeply hydrates and strengthens the skin barrier. Powered by green tea, ceramides, and hyaluronic acid, it delivers fast-absorbing moisture for plump, bouncy skin without heaviness or stickiness.
Where to purchase:
Shopee (S$25, 160ml)
Benefit Cosmetics The POREfessional Hydro Pop Hydrating & Smoothing Pore Essence Experts’ Choice! Editor’s Choice!
What it is:
This lightweight gel essence boosts hydration while visibly reducing pores. With balancing and nourishing ingredients suspended in microbubbles, it smooths texture and preps skin for the rest of your routine.
Where to purchase:
Sephora (S$129, 100ml)
Kansosan Medical Moisture Essence Cream Highly commended!
What it is:
A 3-in-1 moisturising essence cream that hydrates, smooths, and supports ageing skin. Formulated with niacinamide and soothing ingredients, it delivers lasting moisture while remaining gentle and free from common irritants.
Where to purchase:
Shopee (S$24.90, 50g)
Which Are the Best Face Mists in Singapore?
Face mists provide instant refreshment and soothing relief throughout the day. Some focus purely on calming sensitive skin, while others include active ingredients that hydrate and refine pores over time.
Avene Thermal Spring Water Readers’ Choice!
What it is:
A cult-favourite soothing mist enriched with mineral-rich thermal water. It instantly calms redness and irritation while hydrating without heaviness – ideal for sensitive skin and perfect for refreshing or setting makeup.
Where to purchase:
Shopee (S$54, 2 x 300ml)
Allies of Skin Molecular Saviour Probiotics Treatment Mist Experts’ Choice!
What it is:
A multi-active mist powered by niacinamide and probiotics to soothe, hydrate, and support the skin microbiome. It refreshes instantly while helping refine pores and brighten the complexion over time.
Where to purchase:
Sephora (S$95, 50ml)
Uriage Thermal Water Editor’s Choice!
What it is:
An isotonic thermal water mist that hydrates and soothes sensitive skin. It helps calm irritation, reinforce the skin barrier, and refresh makeup, making it a versatile daily essential for all ages.
Where to purchase:
Shopee (S$30.50, 300ml)
A For Apothecary Organic Wild Lavender Hydrosol Highly commended!
What it is:
A certified organic lavender hydrosol that gently soothes and refreshes sensitive skin. Suitable for babies and adults alike, it hydrates, calms irritation, and provides a light, relaxing aroma with every mist.
Where to purchase:
Shopee (S$19, 50ml | S$36, 100ml)
What We Noticed Across This Year’s Winners
- Hydrating formulas dominated, reflecting Singapore’s humidity and barrier concerns.
- Ceramides and peptides were common in anti-ageing categories.
- Thermal waters remain top choices for sensitive skin.
- Hybrid toner-essence formats are gaining popularity.
How to Choose the Right Toner or Essence
- For dry skin → Cream-based or ceramide toners
- For oily skin → Lightweight exfoliating toners
- For sensitive skin → Alcohol-free, thermal water mists
- For anti-ageing → Peptides or barrier-supporting actives
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Toners, Essences & Face Mists
What is the difference between a toner, essence, and face mist?
Toners refine and prep skin after cleansing. Essences deliver concentrated hydration or treatment benefits. Face mists refresh and soothe throughout the day, even over makeup.
Do you need both toner and essence?
Not always, but layering both can improve hydration and enhance serum absorption.
Which toner is best for dry skin?
Cream-based or ceramide-rich hydrating toners work best for dry or compromised skin.
Are face mists just water?
No. Many contain soothing minerals, niacinamide, probiotics, or humectants to calm and hydrate skin.
