Host and panel moderator for the event, Jamie Teo
The results of the 17th Guardian Health and Beauty Awards are out!
The annual awards celebrates the best of the store’s comprehensive range of beauty products and health-related items.
After testing over 100 beauty products, our very own editors and writers from Her World and Shape picked out 35 winning products across seven broad categories.
Besides our editors’ picks, members of the public were also called on to pick fan favourites. Over 38,000 votes were garnered during the voting phase.
And to honour the winners, awards were presented to them yesterday (June 1) at Spuds & Aprons, located at Mount Faber. It was an afternoon of celebration as members of the beauty industry turned up for the awards ceremony and casual networking over good food and drinks.
As part of the event, Her World’s executive editor Penelope Chan and beauty writer Kayce Teo were also on the panel, together with Shape’s associate editor Estelle Low and Guardian’s pharmacist Xiang Yun, to discuss one of the latest beauty trends – in particular, clean beauty. The panel chat was moderated by local celebrity Jamie Teo.
In the recent years, buzzwords like “natural” or “organic” may have been on your radar, and they are often used interchangeably. But what do they really mean? Are they the same?
Natural beauty products aren’t necessarily organic, explained Penelope. The main distinction between natural and organic beauty products is that the latter is organic from start to end – the processes involved are organic. Ingredients must pass more rigorous standards of purity and has to be certified by organic bodies. Natural products, on the other hand, refers to skincare with ingredients that are plant based that are sourced from natural rather than synthetic.
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Is organic and natural products necessarily better for your skin/ hair?
“It is not necessarily better. It really depends on your skin needs. If your skin is sensitive, there are some consumers who prefer to go organic because of the processes involved. But on the other hand, if you are allergic to some ingredients like certain oils, organic may not be suitable for you,” said Penelope.
What should you look out for when shopping for organic products?
“Organic and natural skincare falls under clean beauty. Clean beauty products are products that are toxin-free,” said Kayce. When shopping for beauty products, rather than keeping a lookout for certain ingredients, Kayce recommends being aware of the ingredients to avoid like harmful parabens and sulphates.
Is going ‘organic’ for skincare and beauty products expensive?
With the trend of a lot of beauty brands going natural or organic, it has become increasingly affordable. It is like eating organic food when that trend first started, it used to be more expensive but now it is more readily available, naturally the prices go down.
Check out these eco-friendly beauty buys from Guardian.
Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Lotion Sheer Hydration, $16.90 for 350ml
Aveeno is mindful about creating packaging that uses less material, as well as incorporating both recycled and recyclable material. Plus, we love this skin-loving lotion that goes on sheer, absorbs easily and leaves skin feeling hydrated and still fresh, even on a warm, clammy day.
Hask Cactus Water Weightless Moisture Leave-In Conditioner, $18.90 for 178ml
Strictly cruelty-free, this brand reportedly never tests on animals. And we love this fuss-free leave-in conditioner has cactus water to help hair retain moisture so that it is silky soft to the touch and yet feels weightless and bouncy.
Original Source Mint and Tea Tree Shower Gel, $6.50, for 250ml
Carrying a vegan trademark, this brand does not test on animals and contains no animal ingredients. We love the tingly, super refreshing shower experience it gives, great for helping you to wake up and leave you raring to go in the mornings, thanks to mint essential oils and mint leaf extracts. Zing!
Senka Speedy Pw Airy Touch, $13.90 for 150ml
This skin-cleansing brand is under the Shiseido group, which has officially removed microbeads from its products since April 2014 as these exfoliating beads were found to be made of plastic and is detrimental to marine life and toxic to humans. This foaming facial wash has the loveliest souffle lather that is super gentle on the skin and yet effectively cleanses impurities.
Botaneco Garden Trio Oil Shampoo (Repair & Strengthen), $11.90 for 500ml
Offering wholesome beauty products, this hair and body care brand uses mostly eco-certified oils. And this shampoo boasts a powerhouse of good-for-locks oils like babassu, baobab and chufa oils. These help to strengthen, condition and repair damaged strands.
Sukin Super Greens Facial Recovery Serum, 30ml for $21.90
This Australian made brand uses ingredients that are naturally derived, cruelty free, non GMO (genetically-modified organisms) and vegan. All the formulations are reportedly 100 percent carbon neutral and biodegradable, and this refreshing daily skin serum is no exception. It boasts kale, spirulina, chlorella and parsley as its key ingredients – green goodness that promise to keep skin youthful and in the pink of health.
Aprilskin Perfect Magic Cover Fit Cushion, $47
AprilSkin promises to be completely cruelty-free and fragrance-free, making it a choice cosmetic brand for those who have sensitive skin and want to be more eco-friendly. This cushion foundation is a great choice for those with oily and combination skin as it offers higher coverage and doesn’t come off too dewy looking. It also moisturises skin to balance the skin.
Skinfood Egg White Perfect Pore Cleansing Foam, $18.90 for 150ml
This brand is strictly cruelty-free and reportedly never tests on animals. And this gentle cleansing foam is great for deep cleansing your face without leaving it tight and stripped. It whisks away excess oil and grime, keep pores clear and also refines the skin texture.
Biologika Organic Soap Lavender, $5.20
Biologika is an Australian body care range said to be made with natural and organic ingredients, is not tested on animals, and is vegan friendly and environmentally responsible. This certified organic and biodynamic soap bar has lavender flower extracts, safflower, avocado and macadamia oil, all at the affordable price tag too.
Watch the full panel discussion here:
Check out the editors’ picks from Guardian’s Health and Beauty Awards here.
Or scroll through this gallery to see our picks of hydrating skincare under $70 from Guardian.
Apart from the harsh environmental conditions we subject our skin to – from the hot and humid outdoors to the dry and cold air-conditioned indoors, we are also prone to moisture loss and dryness as Asian women naturally have a weaker skin barrier compared to their Western counterpart (based on studies published in the Journal of Dermatological Science). Hence, our skin is more susceptible to damage by external stimulation, making it more prone to dehydration.
That is why it is extremely important to deeply moisturise our skin from within. One of the best (and quickest) ways to keep dry flaky skin at bay is to moisturise, day in and day out, with lotions, essences, sheet masks and facial mists.
Sure, you can grab any old formula off the rack and hope for the best, but an even better than that is to check out our list of tried-and-tested skincare that won the seal of approval of the panel of esteemed judges of the 2018 Guardian Beauty & Health Awards as well as crowd favourites.
Here are the best hydrating products tested for the Guardian Beauty & Health Awards that will nourish the skin and leave the skin looking plump, firm and supple. In this list, we’ve also included products that will work for those with oily skin.
For the full list of winning products, visit https://www.guardian.com.sg/hba-awards
Photo: SM Town/Facebook
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All of Avène’s products are made with thermal spring water, which means you already know this soothing facial mist – formulated with anti-inflammatory silicates is good for you skin.
All of the products from Avène are also dermatologist backed and extensively and clinically tested on the skin so they are perfect for those with sensitive skin.
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Made with thermal spring water and rich in nutrients and antioxidants, this facial mist can also be used to set makeup. This gentle, irritation calming mist is also ideal for those with sensitive skin because it soothes the skin without weighing it down. It’s a perfect post-flight or work out pick-me-up.
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This sheet is made from patented Tencel cellulose fiber that is soaked in a serum made of bird’s nest extract. People who suffer from tight and dry skin will love the soothing effect of this mask that plumps up and firms skin while providing a heavy dose of moisture.
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This budget friendly option from Taiwanese skincare brand My Beauty Diary is surprisingly effective. There are plenty of types to choose from the brand, but this one harnesses the hydration properties of Hyaluronic Acid to leave the skin intensely hydrated and brighter.
You can use it as a step in your skincare routine before an important event to keep your skin looking fresh and well-rested even underneath your makeup.
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This refined oil glides onto the skin and leaves a matte finish that is great for makeup application afterwards. Made with organic jojoba and argan oil, this face oil is rich enough to be used by itself or can be added into a face cream for a more comforting texture.
It also helps to impart a nice glow, while plumping and smoothing out fine lines with ingredients like organic sea buckthorn oil and mineral-rich mica.
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Easily absorbed, and made with skin-loving ingredients like thermal spring water, myrtus extract and pre-tocopheryl, it quickly hydrates drier sensitive skin without a heavy after-feel.
Perfect for Singapore’s humid clime, this lightweight moisturiser is enriched with pumpkin seed oil that mattifies the face and keeps the skin’s sebum production levels under control so you won’t have to worry about looking like a grease ball. It is also non-comedogenic and hypoallergenic, making it perfect for those with sensitive skin.
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The state of equilibrium means not having too much of anything, including water – the key to good skin health. This cream helps sensitive skin to maintain an ideal moisture balance.
Coupled with a hydro-thermal complex, it replenishes moisture in the skin barrier to protect it from external environmental aggressors.
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This jelly-like moisturiser has an ultra-refreshing texture that melts upon contact with the skin without leaving a sticky residue.
Great for sensitive complexions, this moisturiser has an anti-irritant complex and antioxidant rich vitamin E and olive oil extracts to soothe inflammation and boost skin repair. It also balances the oily t-zone so your complexion looks fresh and oil-free all day without compromising on hydration.
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Gel formulas like this one have quickly earned a reputation as the perfect moisturiser for those with oily skin because gels typically don’t feel greasy. This dermatologically tested one is also great for sensitive and dry skin.
Upon application, it leaves a cooling sensation on the skin and can be applied multiple times a day without making you feel like you are piling on too much product and clogging your pores thanks to its non-comedogenic and oil free formula.
Formulated with hyaluronic acid, this moisturiser leaves the skin feeling thoroughly hydrated and dries down to a matte finish so it’s great under makeup. Nothing is going to slip and slide on top of this stuff.
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Another option for those with oily skin, this lightweight moisturiser that contains three types of hydrating hyaluronic acid comes with a formula that absorbs easily into skin.
The water gel also balances the skin’s oil to water ratio, which helps to keep excess oil and sebum at bay.
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When it comes to ingredients in skincare, less is always more. It’s always nice to be able to scan through at a glance and actually know what they are without having to Google.
This serum packs a punch with less than 12 ingredients and one of the ingredients in the serum is the brand’s mineral-rich thermal water. The ingredient is present in a high concentration of 89 per cent that makes skin stronger and boosts its regeneration process.
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This alcohol, fragrance, colorants and mineral oil free essence is made with a unique Moist24 technology that promises to provide continuous moisture for 24 hours.
Less like a lotion and more like a super thin, ultra-lightweight liquid, this essence sinks into the skin to deeply moisturise it, leaving it plump and dewy.
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