As indulgent as the idea may sound, the reality is that most mums don’t have the time to luxuriate in lengthy 10-step skincare rituals every day.
Throw a lifestyle-changing pandemic into the mix and the result is that more and more women are paring down their skincare and looking instead to versatile products that can tackle various needs all at once, saving them both time and money.
Here, we highlight some recent or newly upgraded multi-tasking goodies to hit the shelves.
Toners and Essences
Lancome Clarifique Refining Enzymatic Dual Essence, $148
A skin-refining and hydrating treatment essence to be used as the first step after cleansing, this sloughs off dead cells to help improve skin texture and brighten skin tone. Promises softer, clearer looking skin with less visible pores and a healthy glow after four weeks. Website
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Yours Bounce Back Balancing Toner, $50
Made in Switzerland using clean active ingredients, this fortifying toner helps to boost skin’s natural defence and restore its natural pH with a blend of five essential minerals and vitamin B12. It also has niacinamide to improve skin tone and lighten dark spots.
Bio Essence Bio-Water Probiotics Biome Balancing Solution, $24.90
Like a yogurt drink for your skin, this toning lotion contains probiotics and prebiotics that promote the growth of good bacteria on skin, thereby helping to protect skin against irritation and external aggressors. A great product for tackling maskne and soothing skin after long hours of mask-wearing.
Serums
Glowfully Deep Sea Glow Serum, $63
Packed with a cocktail of ocean minerals and seaweed extracts, this super lightweight and fast-absorbing serum delivers a strong hit of soothing moisture deep into skin. Besides hydrating ingredients, it also boasts collagen-boosting and brightening actives to reduce fine lines and boost skin radiance.
Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Multi-Recovery Complex Serum, $175
This iconic serum that was first launched in 1982 has gone beyond being a night-time repair product. Now into its fifth iteration, it also helps to increase skin renewal and boost collagen production for firmer, fresher looking skin. It can also be used in the day as it provides antioxidant protection against environmental stressors like UV rays and pollutants.
Drunk Elephant Protini Power Peptide Resurf Serum, $116
An ultra-concentrated blend of 11 peptides, amino acids, lactic acid, water-boosting ingredients, antioxidants and more, this resurfacing serum targets multiple signs of skin ageing like fine lines, sun damage and enlarged pores. At the same time, it replenishes hydration levels so you get skin that smooth, plump and bouncy.
Shiseido Vital Perfection LiftDefine Radiance Serum, $210
A rejuvenating serum that promises to tighten and lift skin in four weeks. Featuring a special Shiseido-developed brightening ingredient, it also helps to achieve a fresher, more radiant and even-toned complexion.
Origins Plantscription Multi-Powered Youth Serum, $110 to $165
Comprising 90% naturally-derived ingredients, this bestselling serum has been upgraded with a complex of peptides and plant actives that’s said to address four different types of wrinkles. Previous benefits like skin firming, pore-tightening and volumising are still there too.
Moisturisers
Sigi Skin Idyllic Fields Day Time Moisturiser, $78
A 100% waterless and silicone-free formulation, this uses colloidal oatmeal extracts in place of H2O to deliver intense moisturising, balancing and soothing effects. Not only does it help to reduce redness and irritation, it also has antifungal and anti-bacterial properties to keep blemishes at bay, while polyglutamic acid enhances skin elasticity and boosts moisture levels. Antioxidant-rich green tea protects from free radical damage.
Dr Jart+ Cicapair Re-Cover SPF40/PA++, $71
Get moisturising and repairing benefits, plus sun protection and a light veil of colour to conceal redness or blemishes with this green-to-beige colour correcting cream. Tip: warm the product with your fingers until it changes colour, then dab onto skin for an even, flawless finish.
Caudalie Vinoperfect Dark Spot Correcting Glycolic Night Cream, $75
This night shift worker renews skin while you sleep so that you wake up to smooth, glowing skin the morning after. Using glycolic acid, it acts as a gentle peel to lighten dark spots and even skin tone, while shea butter and grapeseed oil nourishes and moisturises skin.
Cle CCC Cream, $41
In case you’re wondering, the CCC here means ‘colour control and change’. A skincare-makeup hybrid, this combines the benefits of a moisturiser, sunscreen, primer and foundation all in one. Upon application, micro capsules contained in the cream break and release both essence and colour, enabling the cream to blend in naturally and with your skin tone.
