5 Things We Love About Torreya, A Botanical K-Beauty Brand That’s Also Vegan & Clean

By Sophie Hong on 26 May 2022

Senior Editor

There’s been an increased interest in vegan and clean beauty brands in recent years, as we are becoming more environmentally conscious as consumers. This is great for both the environment and us as beauty lovers, because there are now more options to choose from than ever before.

One of these new options is Torreya, a botanical K-beauty brand established in 2018 that is also certified vegan and clean. It is inspired by Jeju Island’s Bija trees - which have beautifying properties - and all of its products have plant-based formulations that do not compromise on efficacy. A cult favourite in Korea, Torreya is now available in Singapore via beauty e-tailer Allura Asia.

Read on for 5 things we love about K-beauty brand Torreya, which is both vegan and clean!

#1 It is safe for all skin types, including sensitive skin

EWG is a nonprofit organisation that has a grading system for ingredients found in your personal care products, ranging from green (low hazard) to yellow (moderate hazard) to red (high hazard). As a clean beauty brand, Torreya only uses ingredients that are certified with an EWG Green Grade, which means it is suitable even for those with sensitive skin.

Need further reassurance? Its products are also free of harsh ingredients such as parabens, sodium lauryl sulfates, triethanolamine, triclosan, isopropyl alcohol, oxybenzone, avobenzone, and artificial colourings - all of which have been known to irritate the skin.

Try: Algae Fiber Sheet Masks, $58.90

Photo from Torreya

Torreya’s sheet masks are made with algae fibre derived from seaweed and kelp, which makes them eco-friendly because they’re biodegradable. There are five types of plant-based masks to choose from, each addressing a specific skin concern: Coconut Moisturising Mask for dry skin; Bird’s Nest Anti-aging Mask for ageing skin; Lotus Anti-Oxidant Mask for damaged skin; Sea Buckthorn Whitening Mask for dull skin and Aloe Soothing Mask for irritated skin.

Get them here.

#2 It is vegan and cruelty-free

One common misconception is that all vegan products are automatically cruelty-free, which is certainly not the case because some vegan products are still tested on animals! However, Torreya carries a certification from EVE VEGAN®, which guarantees that their products are free from ingredients of animal origin and not tested on animals.

Try: Natural Active Oil, $63.90

Photo from Torreya

This facial oil delivers intense hydration without leaving your skin feeling weighed down or greasy. And its ingredient list, which is made with 99% natural ingredients, is pretty simple: just 45% ECOCERT certified jojoba oil, bakuchiol, phytosqualane, sunflower seed oil and moringa seed oil. All super hydrating and nourishing ingredients, purely derived from plants!

New to facial oils? Here are three easy ways to incorporate it into your skincare routine:

Get it here.

#3 It uses a gentler, plant-based alternative to retinol that has equally powerful anti-ageing properties

Retinol is all the hype these days with the increased awareness of effective anti-ageing ingredients, but it’s not suitable for everyone. People with sensitive skin or conditions like rosacea might find retinol too harsh, and those who spend a lot of time in the sun will have to use it sparingly as it can increase your sensitivity to sunlight.

For safety reasons, pregnant and nursing women are advised to skip retinol as well. So what then, if you belong to this minority who can’t use retinol for anti-ageing?

Torreya has got you covered with a plant-based alternative. Instead of using retinol in their anti-ageing skincare products, Toreyya uses bakuchiol, derived from the babchi plant. It is proven to be as effective as retinol at targeting wrinkles and hyperpigmentation, but without the side effects of skin dryness and stinging. Bakuchiol has also been proven to improve skin elasticity and firmness, so it’s definitely an anti-ageing powerhouse in its own right!

Try: Botanical Age-Repair Serum, $55.90 (mini size), $133 (regular size)

Photo from Torreya

Formulated with 76% green tea water, 0.5% bakuchiol as well as plant-derived collagen and squalene, this vegan serum packs a punch in the anti-ageing department. Not only does it help to banish wrinkles and brighten dull skin, but it also does all of that without irritating even the most sensitive of skin.

Get it here.

#4 It has gorgeous packaging that is made with sustainable materials

Photo from Torreya

Torreya’s packaging reflects the brand’s minimalist approach to skincare, and we’ve got to say - these products look gorgeous on our beauty shelfie, especially with the soft pastel tones of coral, yellow, lavender and nude.

And because Torreya is an eco-friendly brand, all of its packaging is sustainable. Think recyclable glass, bottles, FSC certified paper (paper that’s harvested and produced in a responsible manner, approved by the Forest Stewardship Council), and soy-based ink.

And if you have travel plans, you don’t have to worry about decanting the products - they are all available in travel-sized containers. How convenient!

Try: Anti-aging Bio Cellulose Mask, Whitening Bio Cellulose Mask, $48.90 for 5pcs

Photo from Torreya

Facial masks are an essential part of any skincare routine - whether you’re using them as a weekly treat or a supercharged treatment for tired skin (especially when you’re travelling!). These masks from Torreya are made with natural coconut fermented bio-cellulose and adhere to your face like a second skin, helping to strengthen and soothe at the same time.

To reduce fine lines, try the Anti-aging Bio Cellulose Mask. Packing a powerful blend of antioxidants and 58% centella asiatica extract, this mask rejuvenates and plumps up your skin while keeping inflammation at bay. For a brighter complexion, try the Whitening Bio Cellulose Mask, which uses 4% niacinamide to lighten pigmentation and acne scars, giving your skin a more even-toned appearance.

Get them here.

#5 It has skincare products for your hands as well

You know how they say the signs of ageing show up on your hand a lot faster? Now that we’re washing and sanitising our hands a lot more, it makes them prone to dryness, which can be painful and cause your hands to look much older than you are. Luckily, Torreya also has a range of vegan hand creams that’ll give your hardworking hands the TLC they deserve.

Try: Vegan Hand Cream Trio, $69.90

Photo from Torreya

Keep your hands well-moisturised Torreya’s vegan hand creams! These fragrance-free hand creams each comes with a different pampering treat for your hands, so we’d suggest getting the gift set so that you can reap the anti-ageing benefits of all three!

There’s the Neroli Age-repair Hand Cream, made with fresh-pressed organic aloe vera leaves for anti-ageing; Jasmin Hydrating Hand Cream made with jasmine flowers for those who love a light floral scent and Lime Shea Butter Intensive Hand Cream, made with a higher percentage of shea butter for dry and cracked hands that needs SOS.

Get them here.

Torreya is now available via Allura Mall, Shopee, Lazada, Tangs, Robinson, Doctor Anywhere and BHG Online.