Ecoluxury skincare could be the answer to problematic skin

“Ecoluxury” beauty has been around for years; in fact, the trend has been steadily picking up as more consumers care about the impact on the environment in things they buy, and of course, what really goes into their skin. As you can see, the word “luxury” is in the name, and that alludes to the products being luxurious and of quality, but also on the pricier side. So as usual before you buy anything new, check the reviews! Here’s a good list to start with…

[All products available at TANGS at Tang Plaza, Level 4.]

BJORK & BERRIES BOTANIST HAND WASH
& HAND CREAM

$40 each (250ml)
MADE IN SWEDEN

This Swedish botanical skincare and perfume house has really lovely products. Just look at these bottles…they are stylish, add to my minimalist aesthetic, and look great by the sink. Most of all, these products smell fantastic! I’m sure they clean and moisturise hands just fine, but… I’m so focused on how delightful they smell! The description on the brand’s website says that it’s a combination of fresh green apples, blackcurrant leaves, smoky black tea, birch, vetiver and patchouli. Now imagine how amazing that smells (it is amazing!). Also, considering the botanicals that go into these formulas, it tells me that they are pretty safe to use. Now I want the Botanist body wash too!

PESTLE & MORTAR HYDRATE LIGHTWEIGHT MOISTURISER

$195 (50ml), AVAILABLE AS A SET TOGETHER WITH THE PURE HYALURONIC SERUM
MADE IN IRELAND

First impression: Great packaging, looks clean and minimalist. I love straightforward, no nonsense skincare; it gets to the point — this one says that it’s simple. It’s a moisturiser, and that’s what it is, and that’s what it will do. In fact, when I looked on the Pestle & Mortar website for more info on this product, I discovered that they only sell 10 products in total! And some of these are just bundled gift sets of the other products. This is the moisturiser from the brand; first try: it feels sticky. It felt sticky while applying it, and it felt sticky sitting on the face. A little surprising since it says that it’s lightweight. But it is lightweight indeed. In fact, too light for use as a night cream (for me). It worked well as a day cream, though; settling nicely into the skin and prepping it for makeup application. What I particularly loved about this cream: it dispenses from an airtight jar — similar to the creams from Fancl and La Prairie.

Above: You press down on the top to dispense cream.

Above: Then you swipe the cream away. It’s very hygienic as long as you keep the top wiped down and dry.

Which could also be what contributes to the premium price of this product. I love these push top containers; you know the product is kept fresh, and it’s so easy to control the amount you want to dispense. Key ingredients include pomegranate, green tea, vitamin E, jojoba oil, lemon peel oil and lavender flower oil. All pretty good, natural ingredients; plus it’s nice that the brand promises no harmful ingredients or harsh chemicals go into any of their formulas. Well, I’ve had no bad reactions to this moisturiser, so, so far, so good.

KAT BURKI VITAMIN C INTENSIVE FACE CREAM

$140 (50ml)
MADE IN USA

Above: It’s a matte jar with a shiny cap.

While the Pestle & Mortar Hydrate moisturiser has way cooler packaging than this Kat Burki one, I much prefer this cream. The texture is delightful; it’s like a soft mousse that is also a little balmy, and it sinks into the skin with a slight tackiness. I don’t see anyone not liking this texture.

Above: Look how much of it I’ve used!

It’s extremely comforting and the product smells great too — like a fresh baby that’s a little fruity, rather than perfumed. My sis who has sensitive skin tried this moisturiser before and now I see why she likes it. It’s gentle, yet moisturising, and is okay for sensitive, eczema-prone skin. It includes 15% STAY C — a stable form of Vitamin C — and other good, natural ingredients like Reishi Mushroom, Calendula, Lavender, Centella Asiatica, Arnica, Chamomile, Aloe, Green Tea, Geranium, Jojoba Oil, Horsetail Plant, Safflower Oil, and even Colloidal Silver. Also, good to note that all the ingredients are extracted using cold-pressed methods, so their benefits are not degraded with heat. I think this cream is well worth its price.

MAY COOP RAW SAUCE

$67 (150ml)
MADE IN KOREA

Above: This is the 150ml long frosted glass bottle. There’s a smaller 40ml travel-sized version.

Let me start by saying that May Coop is a Korean beauty brand and Raw Sauce is its best-seller. In fact, it has quite a cult following online (from what I can deduce through Googling), and reviews are all pretty positive. Instead of water, it uses maple tree sap as its base, which does give the texture a richer feel and a rather sweet scent.

Above: The texture is less runny than water, but still very fluid and not thick like syrup (as you may imagine because it is maple sap after all).

Other ingredients in the formula include eco-cert certified fructan powder, and Asian herbal and fruit extracts. The liquid absorbs into skin very easily, and a few seconds later, skin looks plumped and smoother. For anyone who just needs a slight boost of moisturiser, this “sauce” can act as a lotion, essence and emulsion all-in-one.

EVE LOM RADIANCE FACE OIL

$145 (30ml)
MADE IN ENGLAND

If you don’t already use a face oil, or can’t understand why anyone would put oil on their face, you wouldn’t like this product. It feels oily, and it even smells a little oily as well. BUT, if you can get past the idea of pressing oil into your skin, this is one of the best face oils money can buy. In just one use, my skin actually did look radiant — as the product name suggests — and it was more hydrated than usual and felt very comfortable. And when I say radiant, I don’t mean shiny or oily-looking; I mean radiant. My skin had a natural, healthy glow. The oil itself is fast absorbing, so it was easier to press it in to the skin rather than smooth it on.

Above: There’s a dropper to dispense just a little bit of oil each time, and a little bit is really all you need.

The formula looks incredible: there’s a whole bunch of natural oils (wheatgerm, avocado, sunflower, cedarwood, sandalwood, soybean among others); Vitamin C (fantastic for brightening); powerful and natural antioxidants (rosemary leaf and calendula); and… cannabis sativa seed oil.

You’re probably thinking… WHAT? What’s that last ingredient?! Yes, it’s weed. But no, you’re not going to get high or stoned. The level of THC (the main psychoactive part of the plant) in sativa seed oil is extremely low; and if this skincare is legally sold in Singapore, you know it’s very safe. Also, come on… it’s Eve Lom! It’s all botanical! And safe!

SANS CEUTICALS NOURISHING HAIR WASH & HYDRATANT

$44 & $46 (250ML)
MADE IN new zealand

To be honest I wasn’t expecting much from this shampoo and conditioner. The first time I used them, they felt very “normal”; they smelled regular, and the shampoo didn’t foam much. There was nothing extraordinary about the experience. But when I blow-dried my hair after… whoaaa…!!! My hair was soft, and silky (I’ve never described my hair as silky ever!), and shiny! And it was falling naturally —and nicely — and looked like one of those Palmolive advertisements! This isn’t an exaggeration. Any hair product that can turn my dry, grassy hair into something smoother is a miracle. The formulas claim to include potent actives, ceramides, antioxidants, lipids and vitamins; and since it’s 100% sulfate-free, there’s very little foam — and that’s supposed to be better for the environment and our hair (didn’t know that). The brand has a whole page on their website dedicated to formula transparency. It’s a good read if you’re interested to know how “eco” these guys are.

FINAL THOUGHTS

This was my first time reviewing “ecoluxury” skincare. I thought the word was just jargon, but who cares what they call it; these brands employ more environmentally-friendly methods and ingredients (than other beauty products), and actually make skin better in health, texture and appearance. If your usual skincare works well for you, that’s great — stick to it. If, on the other hand, you’re still looking for products to improve your skin, ecoluxury products could be the answer. It’ll certainly be beneficial to those with sensitive or acne-prone skin; but remember, with any new skincare, do a patch test first. 👍🏻