A round-up of the best skincare and cosmetic brands in Malaysia to look out for
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In celebration of Malaysia Day, a holiday that falls on 16 September each year and commemorates the formation of the Federation of Malaysia, we’ve launched the Shop Local series, where we highlight our favourite Malaysian brands and businesses. Here is a round-up of homegrown beauty brands with top-of-the-line skincare products, ranging from face masks that use a microneedle treatment technology, to dual-function solutions that work as both a toner and a serum.
Ischia
A renowned cosmetics brand in Korea that expanded into Malaysia in 2018, Ischia – exclusively distributed in Malaysia by K2PALM – takes inspiration from the healing properties of the volcanic island of Italy’s Ischia to create its line of anti-aging, skincare products. Its Ischia Miracle Marine Collagen collection, in particular, has undergone extensive research and development and produced five top-of-the-line offerings that are gentle on the skin, free of parabens and mineral oil, and made with volcanic ash extract, marine collagen and water from the hot springs of Italy.
Incorporate these products into your daily skincare routine, starting with the Cleansing Toner for an easy way to remove your makeup, while moisturising the skin. The Serum in Toner, the first of its kind in Korea and Malaysia to function as both a serum and toner, helps to support the skin barrier, prevent the loss of moisture and keep the skin healthy and glowing. Don’t forget the “For Face” Eye Cream and Concentrated Eye Cream – the former works as a travel-friendly product that can be applied to the face and neck, while the latter is a collagen-rich eye cream that penetrates deeper into dry skin. As for the pièce de résistance, the Magic Gel Mask uses specially formulated hyaluronic acid, which boasts twice the moisturising power of regular hyaluronic acid.
The Bare Skin
The Bare Skin is a Malaysian brand that offers top-notch, cruelty-free skincare products for both men and women, focusing on guilt-free ingredients that do not include alcohol, chemical fragrances, parabens, GMO or animal testing. Since its inception as an online boutique, it has expanded from Malaysia to Taiwan, Singapore, Brunei, Canada, Australia, Macau and the UK, and integrated its online offerings with offline support.
A must-try product is the Microneedle Invisible Mask, which uses a microneedle treatment technology to create nano-sized molecules that penetrates deep into the skin, offers 80 times more moisturising power and nourishment for the skin, while its sheet mask absorbs 25 times more essence than other marks in the market. Made of a breathable, silky-soft material, it works wonders with repairing damaged skin and restoring its vitality.
La’derm
Founded under Malaysia-based parent company Franevyns, which has been around since 1997, La’derm features a diverse catalogue of skincare products that suit every need and skin type. With outlets in Penang, Pahang, Johor Bahru, Seremban and Port Dickson, as well as an online shop, the beauty brand, which originated in Italy, offers everything from acne creams and sunscreens to hand sanitisers and anti-aging solutions.
Among its more notable offerings include the travel-friendly Ultra Bright Balancing Water, a refreshing formula that tackles dark spots and dull skin; the Oxygen Cleansing Milk, which is made with hypoallergenic ingredients and works to exfoliate the skin and remove dirt and oil without disturbing the pH level of the skin; and the Red Ginseng Eye Shining Mask, one of its best-sellers, which features herbal extracts and helps to get rid of eye bags, dark circles and crow’s feet while boosting blood circulation.
NP Skincare
The brainchild of Belle Lim, Reyoung Beaute was established in 2016 to empower women to embrace their beauty. The Malaysian brand is the parent company of NP Skincare, which specialises in skincare and healthcare products, collaborating with prominent aestheticians from Korea, France and the US to produce the crème de la crème of beauty offerings. Its latest collection, named Royale Allure, focuses on anti-aging and skin regeneration solutions such as the Royale Allure Nectar Youth Oil and the Royale Allure Micro Nourishing Creme.
Made with honey extract, propolis extract, beetroot extract and royal jelly (a nutrient-rich, gelatinous secretion produced by honey bees), the Royale Allure Nectar Youth Oil helps to repair damaged skin cells while giving your skin a luminous glow. The Royale Allure Micro Nourishing Creme, on the other hand, aids in increasing the production of collagen and lifting the skin for a more youthful appearance. Suitable for soothing dry, irritated skin, it includes ingredients such as goat milk extract and apricot flower extract, and can be used every morning and night after applying the Nectar Youth Oil.