Clean beauty has taken the beauty world by storm, and brands are quickly shunning artificial compounds in skincare in favour of natural ingredients. With this newfound emphasis on the power of plants, herbs are no longer limited to use in hair care. Herbal skincare has been making the rounds between stores and beauty lovers’ skincare shelves– combining the soothing, invigorating effects of a trip to the spa and the precision of clinically formulated solutions, it emerges as a happy medium for those who want to care for their skin, yet avoid the harsh formulas of prescription-style treatments.
It may appear difficult to balance herbal remedies with scientifically-tested treatments in a single product, but the explosion of centella asiatica, with its soothing and moisture barrier-restoring properties, as a skincare ingredient proves otherwise. Now, with the development of technologies and new formulations in the field, hundreds of herbs and potent-yet-pure plant-based treatments have been bottled for your convenience.
Herbal skincare brands today reflect the diversity of practices in herbal medicine that occur around the world, ancient and modern, from Ayurveda to traditional Chinese medicine and beyond.
Almora Botanica - COSMOS-Certified Ayurvedic Skincare
Almora Botanica takes luxury skincare up a notch with its natural, sustainable formulas that deliver holistic results. Founded in 2019, this COSMOS-certified brand blends Ayurvedic traditions with modern science, creating powerful products that do as they promise. Think adaptogenic botanicals, seven-oil blends, and the innovative Sapta Complex delivery system—all working together to nourish and transform your skin. Plus, everything is vegan, non-toxic, and crafted with green chemistry principles, so you’re doing good for your skin and the planet.
The Serum for Fine Lines is your go-to for smoother, firmer skin. Packed with antioxidant-rich Forsythosides B, Mango, and adaptogens, this patented oil-in-water emulsion ramps up cell oxygenation, restores elasticity, and softens fine lines for a visibly youthful glow.
If radiant skin is your goal, the Radiance Day Face Oil delivers hydration in a flash. This ultra-lightweight oil combines Sunflower oil, ß-carotene, and Almora’s signature seven-oil blend to leave your skin silky, refreshed, and glowing all day long.
Almora Botanica proves that ancient Ayurvedic wisdom and modern innovation are a match made in skincare heaven—because good skin starts with smart choices.
KOSE SEKKISEI: New Line of Traditional Chinese Medicine-Inspired Skincare
Hot off the press at KOSE! The brand behind the cult favourite Medicated SEKKISEI Cream Excellent, brings its SEKKISEI BLUE line to Singapore. Infused with a calming signature scent of herbal lavender, rosemary and musk, the nightly skincare routine becomes a relaxing self-care ritual.
Inspired by traditional Chinese Medicine and developed to balance the elements of qi, blood and water, the line includes a set of three Balancing Oils targeted towards specific skin issues. The Watery Balancing Oil, with the lightest texture of the three, hydrates dry skin. The Bounce Balancing Oil revives dull skin with mood-boosting aromatherapy, while the Lively Balancing Oil nourishes skin in need of a healthy flush. Special mention is to be given to the Melty-Off Cleansing Gel, a makeup removing gel scented with the line’s signature herbal aroma. It applies as a lightweight gel and transforms into an oil, emulsifying perfectly to remove all traces of makeup or impurities.
The KOSE SEKKISEI BLUE line is available at BHG, online and in-store.
Kiehl’s: Tried-and-Tested Herbal Skincare Remedies
The brand Kiehl’s has existed since 1851, and its herbal skin formulas have stood the test of time. Beginning as an apothecary on 13th Street and Third Avenue, New York City, its modern offerings maintain uncomplicated and treatment-oriented, but its formulas are far from Victorian. A draw of the brand is its generous sampling policies– so you can walk out of a store with a whole skincare line to test.
The signature Kiehl’s Calendula Herbal-Extract Alcohol-Free Toner has harnessed flower power since the 1960s, formulated with calendula petals which contain skin-soothing compounds to calm inflammation and reduce excessive oil. Quickly working against redness, its lack of potentially irritating actives makes it ideal for acne-prone skin. Besides, the flower petals suspended in the transparent bottle make it a perfect decorative piece for your shelf.
The full line of Kiehl’s products is available at Kiehl’s retail outlets across Singapore.
RE:ERTH: Singapore-Based Nature-Derived Skincare
Singapore born and bred herbal skincare brand RE:ERTH promises “the best of nature and science” in their products, and notably has a sustainability program: customers are encouraged to bring in empty packaging to be recycled into new product packaging.
The brand’s star ingredient, the Japanese White Turmeric, is grown in partner farms in the Kyushu region of Japan, and is being currently researched at Kindai University for further health benefits. The ones already identified, however, are incredibly promising: not only does the Japanese White Turmeric provide natural hyaluronic acid protection, it stimulates cell production and skin renewal, giving skin a firmer texture and refreshed appearance. Its sibling, the Japanese Spring Turmeric, is also used in RE:ERTH’s products, and lightens hyperpigmentation for a clearer, more even texture. RE:ERTH’s Calming Toner contains both turmerics alongside a highly stabilised form of Vitamin C, creating a brightening solution suited to even the most sensitive complexions.
RE:ERTH products are available at Tangs Singapore and on their website.
ForestMD: Medically Trusted, Natural Skin Solutions
Another Singapore-based favourite, this brand has the medical stamp of approval from founder Dr. Isabelle Yeoh, of IYAC Aesthetic Clinic. ForestMD’s list of star ingredients, a pick of herbs and superfoods from various traditions around the world, contains several less known on the market: tremella mushrooms, used in traditional Chinese medicine to promote skin luminosity, and red algae containing the unique antioxidant Astaxanthin.
The brand’s Deep Pore Cleansing Foam, created with anti-aging properties, was the winner of Beauty Insider Singapore’s Reader’s Choice Award for Best Face Cleanser (Clean Beauty). Formulated without parabens, sodium lauryl sulfate, synthetic fragrances or mineral oil, it contains licorice extract, silk crystal and hyaluronic acid. In addition, its Stem Cell Sleeping Mask, sweeping both awards for Editor’s Choice and Expert’s Choice in the Daily Vanity Beauty Awards 2024, has the unique botanical combination of Swiss Apple Stem Cells and Swiss Garden Cress, both of which have antioxidant, skin-protecting and wrinkle-reducing abilities.
The full range of skincare from ForestMD is available on the website and at IYAC Medispa, 1 Orchard Boulevard #06-04.
Elemental Herbology: Skincare With The Five Elements
Elemental Herbology is a British skincare brand founded by a Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioner. The brand has a system of testing potential customers for their skin type, represented by one of the five elements: wood, fire, water, metal and earth. From there, you are directed towards a product line tailored to the needs of your skin.
The brand’s Cell Active Moisturiser, part of the “Metal” line for anti-aging, won the Beauty Shortlist Award in 2023 for Best Moisturiser (Age 40+). It contains two unique compounds: Liftonin®, a botanical complex sourced from oak apple and millet which strengthens cell structure and firms the skin, and Lanablue®, a blue-green algae which hydrates, stimulates collagen production, and reduces wrinkle depth. For instant energy, roll on the Vital Eyes Roll-On Serum, with kombucha and niacinamide.
Elemental Herbology products are available on the website.
Sahajan: Ayurveda-Based, High-Performance Skincare
Sahajan, stocked at Sephora Canada and beloved worldwide, is a skincare brand based in ancient Ayurveda. Named for the Hindi word for “intuitive”, the brand encourages clean, naturally-derived skincare practices. Formulated through collaboration between skincare scientists in Canada and Ayurveda specialists in founder Lisa Kattam’s hometown of Kerala, Sahajan blends trusted folk herbal remedy with scientific precision.
The luxurious Beauty Oil is a facial oil blend of three botanical oils: moringa, hemp seed, and frankincense, which protects skin from free radical damage and revitalises damaged or stressed skin. The mode of application is just as therapeutic: warm 4-6 drops in your palms, then gently massage into the face and décolletage. Also in their range of calming, firming skincare is the Radiance Eye Cream, formulated with Triphala– a blend of three fruits and antioxidant-rich Neem oil.
If you’re nowhere near Sephora Canada at the moment, you can still snag Sahajan products on their website.
Juara Skincare: Indonesian Jamu-Inspired Herbal Skincare
Juara Skincare began in a home kitchen on the diverse Lower East Side of New York, where the brand’s co-founders lived and studied the Indonesian herbal healing tradition of Jamu. Today, that first endeavour has expanded into a fully-fledged, scientifically-tested skincare line. The brand now brings Indonesian spa treatments and beauty secrets into the home, transforming daily routines into healing practices.
The Turmeric Antioxidant Radiance Mask is inspired by the Indonesian spa treatment “Lulur Ritual”, and is a naturally derived spa day in a tube: turmeric, kaolin clay and candlenut, a deep conditioning ingredient rich in Omega 3 and 6, combine to form a rich facial mask that can be used as an overnight treatment. The brand also carries a Tamarind Tea Hydrating Toner, which combines fermented sweet black tea (Indonesian “Teh Ajaib”, “Magic Tea”), tamarind, rice and hyaluronic acid.
Juara Skincare can be found on its dedicated Singapore website.
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