It is a common misconception is that moisturisers are only for dry skin. No matter where you live or what your skin type is, moisturisers form the foundation of any basic skincare routine. Yes, they impart moisture (hence the name) but they do much more than that – these multi-taskers also do the heavy lifting by firming, fighting acne or correcting dark spots.
The choices are endless. Whether you're looking for a light, breathable option with SPF for the day, or a souped-up version for an overnight glow-up, we've tested dozens to narrow down to these top few.
Read on for our shortlist of the best moisturisers, facial oils, and mists in Singapore that'll give you happy, healthy and (most importantly) hydrated skin.
Photo from Momopuri
Best Drugstore Moisturiser For Oily Skin: Momopuri Gel Cream Moisturiser
This peach-scented moisturiser is a treat to use. We love how it is not too overly thick or rich; it melts quickly to give your skin a healthy plumpness with a velvety smooth texture. The combination of peach ceramides and lactobacillus paste makes this gel cream suitable for those with oily or sensitive skin as it helps repair the skin’s natural barrier, lock in moisture, and prevent water loss.
Get it here.
Photo from Cetaphil
Best Drugstore Moisturiser For Acne-Prone Skin: Cetaphil PRO Acne Prone Oil-Free Facial Moisturising Lotion SPF25
Cetaphil's oil-free and non-comedogenic moisturiser makes hydration a no-nonsense and fuss-free affair. Skin soothing ingredients like zinc and ceramides make this moisturiser suitable for those with acne as it offers sufficient hydration while soothing and calming the skin AND reducing surface shine.
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Photo from Clinique
Best Mid-Range Asian Beauty Moisturiser: Clinique Moisture Surge™ 100H Auto-Replenishing Hydrator
Our tester says this is one of the best moisturisers she's ever tried. Moisture Surge™ coats the skin in a hydrating veil and locks in moisture effectively. Its lightweight oil-free formula also makes it suitable for those with oily skin, especially those living in tropical climates like Singapore. For multi-layered hydration, this moisturiser can be layered on top of lotions and serums without feeling too heavy.
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Photo from Mary Kay®
Best Mid-Range Moisturiser For Oily Skin: Mary Kay Oil-Free Hydrating Gel
Non-greasy and oil-free, this moisturiser is absorbed quickly into the skin upon application – leaving a matte finish. Bonus points for the inclusion of green tea extract: our testers noted that the moisturiser had an instant cooling and soothing effect.
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Photo from ORBIS
Best Mid-Range Moisturiser For Acne-Prone Skin: ORBIS CLEARFUL Moisture L
Just a couple of pumps of this gel moisturiser is enough to give your skin a much-needed boost of hydration – without clogging pores or aggravating acne. In fact, our tester noticed that her pores looked less visible, thanks to the moisturiser's ceramide veil created by Smooth - Stretch Technology.
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Photo from EVERSOFT
Best Drugstore Anti-Ageing Moisturiser: EVERSOFT Timeless Youth Wakame Age Renewing Night Treatment Cream
We all know the importance of retinol in anti-ageing. This moisturiser is formulated with retinol, wakame seaweed extract, niacinamide, and peptides for a rich and luxurious night cream. Our tester enjoyed its fast-absorbing texture that made her skin look plumper, smoother, and brighter after just a couple of nights' use.
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Photo from essano
*TIE*
Best Drugstore Anti-Ageing Moisturiser: essano Collagen Boost Day Crème
We find ourselves reaching for this moisturiser time and time again thanks to its gentle yet luxurious formulation. Apart from offering great hydration, the inclusion of rosehip oil also made the fine lines on our forehead less noticeable, and our overall visage more plump and radiant.
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Photo from SEKKISEI
Most Gentle Drugstore Moisturiser For Sensitive Skin: SEKKISEI CLEAR WELLNESS Free TypeWater Shield Cream
This clear gel moisturiser feels incredibly light yet nourishing on the skin, leaving a smooth and plump finish without any stickiness. Asian herbs and other botanical ingredients make this moisturiser non-irritating on troubled, sensitive skin.
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Photo from Lavien
Most Gentle Mid-Range Moisturiser For Sensitive Skin: Lavien Kombu Biome Intensive Gel Cream
Komboucha in a gel cream? This gentle Kombu Biome moisturiser gives the perfect balance of hydration and nourishment, thanks to its triple hyaluronic acid, vegetable collagen, and other fermented ingredients that leaves the skin feeling hydrated, balanced and plump.
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Photo from Cetaphil
Most Gentle Drugstore Moisturiser For Dry Skin: Cetaphil Optimal Hydration Healthy Glow Daily Cream
Our tester found this fragrance-free lightweight moisturiser extremely hydrating. It left her normally dry skin feeling moisturised the whole day without an uncomfortable greasy feeling. Best of all: It is also very gentle on the skin, without triggering her eczema or clogging up her pores.
Get it here.
Photo from Embryolisse
*TIE*
Most Gentle Drugstore Moisturiser For Dry Skin: Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré
Despite being one of the creamiest and most luxurious moisturisers we tested for this category, the Lait-Créme Concentré leaves a non-greasy feel. Our tester especially loved its light jasmine scent that lingered even after a few hours. Given her dry and sensitive skin, she was pleasantly surprised that the moisturiser's fragrance and rich texture did not trigger her eczema.
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Photo from The Therapy
Most Gentle Mid-Range Moisturiser For Dry Skin: The Therapy Vegan Blending Cream
This innovative moisturiser contains a unique formula for those seeking a nourishing yet non-clogging solution. The Vegan Blending Cream comes with a gel cream on the top layer and a hydrating cream at the bottom: both blending together to create an airy texture that glided naturally over our tester's skin and gave a soft, translucent finish.
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Photo from Clinique
Best Brightening Moisturiser: Clinique Even Better Brighter Moisture Cream
The Even Better Brighter Moisture Cream lives up to its name. It makes your skin look even better than before, thanks to the cocktail of skin-perfecting ingredients that work in tandem to deliver hydration, brighten dark spots, and give your complexion an overall radiance from within.
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Photo from Drunk Elephant
Best Night Cream Under $70: Drunk Elephant Wonderwild™ Miracle Butter
This is a great moisturiser for those looking for intense nourishment. Despite having a very thick texture, the Wonderwild™ Miracle Butter spreads and absorbs easily with no sticky feeling afterwards. GirlStyle Beauty Awards judge Xin Lin Khaw loves to apply it not just to her face but also her dry elbows for a full-body nighttime pampering treat.
Get it here.
Photo from Etude House
Best Day Cream Under $70: Etude House SoonJung Hydro Barrier Cream
The Soon Jung line from Etude House is known for being suitable for sensitive skin, and this Hydro Barrier Cream is perhaps, one of the best products in this line. It hydrates without clogging up pores, and is super gentle on irritated or inflamed skin. Our tester also found that it helped her foundation and concealer blend better.
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Photo from Sulwhasoo
Most Luxurious Moisturiser: Sulwhasoo Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Cream EX
Be it its price point, packaging, powerful anti-ageing ingredients or innovative formulation, Sulwhasoo's Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Cream EX solidifies its spot as a truly luxurious moisturiser. Its signature ginseng scent is relaxing and rejuvenating, almost like bringing the spa experience home.
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Photo from Curél
Most Refreshing Facial Mist For Dry Skin: Curél Deep Moisture Spray
This ultra-fine facial mist gives an instant boost of hydration and refreshment. We love that it is multi-use; spray it over your face before makeup to prep your skin or all over your body for a cooling effect.
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Photo from Evian
Most Refreshing Facial Mist For Normal Skin: Evian Brumisateur Facial Spray
What makes this facial spray a must-try is its versatility. We love bringing out the Evian Brumisateur Facial Spray for every occasion: post-shower to lock in any moisture, pre-makeup to prep the skin, and anytime during the day when our skin needs a refresher.
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Photo from Glowfully
Most Refreshing Facial Mist For Sensitised Skin: Glowfully Hydrating Mist Toner
Thirsty skin will thank Glowfully's Hydrating Mist Toner. Hyaluronic acids, vitamins and blends of plant extracts penetrate deep into the skin via ultra-fine mist, giving a dewy and glowing complexion with irritation or aggravation.
Get it here.
Photo from SEKKISEI
Best Facial Oil For Dry Skin: SEKKISEI Clear Wellness Face Oil Treatment
Dry, thirsty skin will definitely be lapping up this unique oil-serum product. Intensely nourishing and hydrating, it forms a layer of moisture on the skin from bio-derived ingredients without leaving any greasiness or stickiness. Use it day or night to reveal a soft, dewy look that never feels oily or too heavy.
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Photo from KOSÉ
Best Facial Oil For Fine Lines & Wrinkles: Kosé INFINITY Skin Integration Oil
With 24 types of selected botanical oils, this luxurious facial oil feels like a pampering treat for the skin. After two weeks of use, our tester noticed less visible crow's feet and fine lines around her eyes. In addition, the oil gave her skin an overall suppleness and radiance. The subtle fresh floral fragrance is an added bonus.
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Photo from su:m37
Best Facial Oil For Dull Skin: su:m37 Secret Oil
If we could, we'd keep this winning product a secret but it is simply too good not to share. Despite its powerful anti-aging properties, this facial oil is perfect for all ages and skin types. It has a light, watery texture that absorbs quickly and beautifully into the skin – giving it plumpness and suppleness, as well as a glowing-from-within effect.
Get it here.
Photo from Embryolisse
Best Eye Cream For Tired Eyes: Embryolisse Radiant Eye Stick
Mimicking an 'ice cube' effect, this eye treatment stick gives an instant cooling and soothing sensation. Our tester noticed how quickly her her eye bags depuffed, thanks to the Radiant Eye Stick 's moisturising botanical complex and aloe vera ingredients. She also loved how handy it is; the stick/balm formulation makes it a breeze for on-the-go touchups.
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Photo from Bioeffect
Best Anti-Ageing Eye Cream: Bioeffect EGF Eye Serum
Perfect for those who avoid heavy, cream-based eye creams, the EGF Eye Serum is wonderfully light and easy to apply. But this petite product certainly packs a punch: the powerful dose of Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF) boosts collagen to minimise the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, reduce puffiness, firm and brighten the under eye area. Our tester loved how easy it was to apply the serum around her eyes with the cool metallic ball applicator.
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