If your body is your temple, then your face is its façade. Given our hectic schedules, it’s too easy to neglect our skin or be complacent, especially when the telltale signs take a while to manifest. Still, no matter your age, gender, or skin type, it’s imperative that we all invest in a skincare routine to keep our skin supple and healthy even while we juggle a myriad of other commitments. If you are tired of the usual beauty brands, we have identified 5 that you may (or may not) have heard of, that can do wonders for your skin.

DrGL Skincare

Source: DrGL Skincare

Even if you’re familiar with Dr Georgia Lee, the celebrity aesthetic doctor entrusted with the care of some of the most famous faces in town, you might not know about her skincare brand. Co-founder of the homegrown A DrBrand line of products, which also includes the DrHair and DrSpa brands, Dr Lee became interested in skincare after realising that the existing products in the market weren’t suitable for her skin. The DrGL line is a marriage of her experience—both as a doctor and dissatisfied customer—resulting in the creation of formulas that cater to a range of different skin types. Emphasising “maximum efficacy, minimum fuss,” the brand believes in stripping away unnecessary frills in favour of simple skincare solutions to get the job done.

The Ordinary

What sets this Canadian brand apart from its peers is its dedication to integrity. The team behind The Ordinary takes pride in their effective use of clinical technology and creating products that are free of parabens, sulphates, mineral oil, methylchloroisothiazolinone, methylisothiazolinone, animal oils, coal tar dyes, formaldehyde, mercury and oxybenzone. Affordably priced, The Ordinary doesn’t test on animals so you can buy their products with a clear conscience. Perhaps their most promising product is the Granactive Retinoid 2% in Squalane, a water-free solution made with next-generation retinoid active technologies that offer better results against aging compared to retinol. You don’t have to worry about any irritation or drawbacks too. If you find the jargon intimidating, just remember this: cruelty-free, non-irritating, award-winning, and anti-aging.

Handmade Heroes

Handmade Heroes combines elements of the two previous brands: cruelty-free, vegan, and locally-made. Although the packaging is simple, with the product name spotlighted and infused with a touch of colour, it is the contents that really steal the show: French Green Clay Face Masks, Butt Kickin’ Deep Detoxing Coffee Scrub, Cocolicious Luscious Lip Scrubs are all winners of awards in Women’s Weekly and Harper’s Bazaar. The question, then, is how this brand manages to stay such a well-hidden secret for so long. Either way, you’ll want to get your hands on them before they start flying off the shelves.

French Girl Organics

Source: French Girl Organics

Books have been written about the French approach to beauty, because somehow French women have mastered the art of looking flawless even though they just rolled out of bed. So, what’s their secret? Having clear skin. Think of your bare face as your canvas—you can’t look good without a clean base. French Girl Founder Kristeen Griffin-Grimes draws upon her carefree childhood memories of play and imagination, and being at one with nature, to inject a je ne sais quoi spirit into her line. French Girl makes organic products with wild-crafted ingredients, and demonstrates their commitment to the earth by using sustainably sourced raw materials. Their skincare products are tailored to help you purify, polish, and nourish your face.

Saturday Skin

Everybody’s favourite day of the week is now bottled in pastel pink. Ever since the K-Wave has taken the world by storm, South Korean skincare and makeup brands have been widely sought-after—with both men and women clamouring to achieve that dewy, supple and fresh-faced look seen on many South Korean celebrities. Saturday Skin differentiates itself with their Cha-7 es Complex, an exclusive peptide formula that promotes the skin’s natural regeneration process. If you want to look forever young, try their Daily Dew Hydrating Mist to lock in your skin’s moisture. And besides, who doesn’t want a pretty addition to their nightstand?

Hero Image: Handmade Heroes