Our beauty expert’s favourite lightweight anti-ageing moisturisers for oily Asian skin!

The finest featherweight fluids for your face

1/7

True story: Not too many moons ago, one of my girlfriends pulled me aside to ask if I could tone down on the illuminating powder; apparently, certain colleagues were sick of being literally outshone by my complexion. (And for the record, I wasn’t using any, thank you very much.)

This amusing anecdote got me thinking, though. I mean, I was all for stashing away these secret skincare staples of mine, but I suppose good things must share … Presenting my personal pick of multi-purpose anti-ageing moisturisers that are perfect for oily skin, for your perusal and purchasing consideration, please. Cheers to complexion that's bouncy and buoyant like a firm fishball – and yes, you can thank me later!

Image illustration: Sharmaine Khor.

Want more? Spritz, slather and scrub yourself to a fabulously fine finish with these beauty tips I bet you haven’t heard of before, and check out these  tried-and-tested “sleeping aids” to fend off fatigue for softer and smoother skin, even if you’re running on empty. Get your daily dose of beauty at www.herworldplus.com/beauty.

Dior Prestige La Creme Texture Legere, $505 and $445 for re-fill

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OMG, this astonishing anti-ageing addition to Dior’s top-of-the-line range is a formidable face fighter that’s the one to beat this year. For starters, it’s stuffed to the gills with the plump petals of the near-mythical Rose de Granville, a fabulous French-bred bloom said to boast phenomenal restorative properties.

Armed with an arsenal of antioxidant actives and formulated with “breathable” tech specifically for clammy climates, this luxuriously lightweight cream is said to balance out sebum levels, soothe stress-induced inflammation and mitigate melanin production – the sum result of which is skin that’s as pillowy as the rose petals themselves. Talk about flower power, eh.

Also, you need to swatch the cream for yourself to fully appreciate its terrific texture, which straddles that sweet spot between watery emulsion and gloppy cold cream. The gorgeous glide also makes this potion perfect for priming purposes – pat it on under facepaint and you’ll find that your makeup pigments “grab” better and last longer.

And because this is Dior we’re talking about, expect packaging that’s perfectly on point: This moisturiser comes in a reassuringly solid clear receptacle accented with gold that befits its well, prodigious price. (Not going to lie, this is going to make quite the dent in your wallet, but what price beauty, right?)

Want more? Spritz, slather and scrub yourself to a fabulously fine finish with these beauty tips I bet you haven’t heard of before, and check out these  tried-and-tested “sleeping aids” to fend off fatigue for softer and smoother skin, even if you’re running on empty. Get your daily dose of beauty at www.herworldplus.com/beauty.

La Mer The Moisturizing Soft Lotion, $430

3/7

Seriously, this lovely La Mer lotion is #DaBomb. I’ve been topping up with this thirst-quenching tincture and after a meticulous month or so of twice-daily application, I’m happy to report that my skin is pretty much as poreless, porcelain and perfect as it can possibly get. (Shameless, I know.)

The exquisite emulsion for oily-combi complexions has been engineered to offer both mattifying and brightening benefits, and by golly, they ain’t lying; a smidgen of the spectacularly smooth salve  – which apparently contains encapsulated microspheres of moisture plus the brand’s legendary Miracle Broth – is plenty to sop up gunk and grease throughout the day. I’m crushin’ on its cool consistency, which is super sexy to the touch. I’d say an airy agar-agar is the closest approximation – perfect for patting on over your serums and such.

And while it isn’t tinted per se, the difference is noticeable: My skin looks like my own, only better. Put this right on top of your list of go-to unguents for no-makeup makeup days: Think Sunday champagne brunches, when you want to look presentable without being preternaturally polished. A light lotion that functions as an Instagram filter on standby? Yes, please!

Want more? Spritz, slather and scrub yourself to a fabulously fine finish with these beauty tips I bet you haven’t heard of before, and check out these  tried-and-tested “sleeping aids” to fend off fatigue for softer and smoother skin, even if you’re running on empty. Get your daily dose of beauty at www.herworldplus.com/beauty.

La Prairie Skin Caviar Luxe Cream Sheer, $680

4/7

The swishy Swiss brand’s newest and niftiest offering in its Skin Caviar age-preserving line is a cream with a consistency that’s sheerer than ever – perfect for a caftan-cloaked, champagne-clinking weekend at a sun-drenched tropical villa

For this road test, I gave this a good four weeks to work its magic on my mien, and I’m pleased as punch to report that it’s quite the lifesaver. My cheeks are supple and springier than ever, and I feel like it tacks on the appearance of a good eight hours of sleep to nights when I’m hardly getting any.    

Then there’s the texture. Buttery beyond belief, the comforting concoction sinks straight in; no smearing or spreading required. No complaints whatsoever when it comes to packaging, either; the almost obscenely opulent cobalt-and-chrome carafe demands pride of place on your dresser. Big beauty bonus: The product more than passes the smell test; slapping on this subtly scented salve is ridiculously relaxing, especially when it’s hot as blazes outside.

Bottomline? I’ve torpedoed my way through two tubs and counting of this luxe lotion and won’t be letting up anytime soon. Because hey, anything that allows me to go  from lethargic and lacklustre to divine and dewy literally overnight is #DieDieMustBuy in my books.

Want more? Spritz, slather and scrub yourself to a fabulously fine finish with these beauty tips I bet you haven’t heard of before, and check out these  tried-and-tested “sleeping aids” to fend off fatigue for softer and smoother skin, even if you’re running on empty. Get your daily dose of beauty at www.herworldplus.com/beauty.

Laneige Water Bank Gel Cream, $52

5/7

The panacea for parched skin? Try this recently reformulated superheroine salve from one of the biggest K-Beauty brands around, which comes complete with a botanical blend of quinoa and cypress extracts, both of which promise to soothe and smoothen red and rough skin.

Throw in intriguing next-gen molecular ingredients (impress your Laneige cabin staff and chemist friends alike by casually name-dropping “N-Acetylglucosamine” and “ceramide 3”) that are said to act like hydrating heroes to wick water into the deepest layers of your dermis and you’ve got yourself a superstar salve that’s well worth adding to your arsenal of skin saviours.

As for the results proper, I must say that this juicy jelly has been an utter godsend in soothing spots and shrinking pores – essentially any and every cosmetic concern. Slap this on under sunscreen and look forward to skin that’s zippy and zingy like the chewiest rice cakes (y’know, Laneige being a Korean brand and all.)

Want more? Spritz, slather and scrub yourself to a fabulously fine finish with these beauty tips I bet you haven’t heard of before, and check out these  tried-and-tested “sleeping aids” to fend off fatigue for softer and smoother skin, even if you’re running on empty. Get your daily dose of beauty at www.herworldplus.com/beauty.

Biotherm Aquasource Everplump, $69

6/7

This blue-bottled baby from one of the niftiest no-nonsense beauty brands around quenches parched skin like almost no other.

What’s in the brew? For starters, the featherweight formula boasts microencapsulated moisture magnets to calm and comfort distressed skin – with the bonus of not feeling greasy and gross in the least. Consistency-wise, I adore its intriguingly spongy springiness, which works like a dream over makeup: Dab a dollop over any dry patches or spots for an instant smoothening fix.

I find that this gorgeous gel suffuses my skin with a subtle sheen that’s very fetching indeed – if you have a good canvas to begin with, this ought to be able to double up as a pretty primer. No complaints on the fragrance front, either: The crisp citrusy notes are energising and just evanescent enough not to overwhelm. Get this if you’re gunning for the delightfully delicate, lit-from-within luminescence everyone and their mother’s so obsessed with these days!

Want more? Spritz, slather and scrub yourself to a fabulously fine finish with these beauty tips I bet you haven’t heard of before, and check out these  tried-and-tested “sleeping aids” to fend off fatigue for softer and smoother skin, even if you’re running on empty. Get your daily dose of beauty at www.herworldplus.com/beauty.

Algenist Sublime Defense Anti-Aging Blurring Moisturizer SPF 30, $105 from Sephora Singapore

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Try this teeny experiment: Look into a mirror and press a finger into the flesh of your face. If it springs straight back, congrats, you’re either a pre-pubescent schoolgirl or perfectly preserved. But if you’re left staring at a thumbprint smooshed into your skin, bad news, buddy: The cushion of collagen buttressing your youthful bounce is breaking down from sun, stress and such. #Sad.

Enter this awesome Algenist anti-ager, a mousse-like moisturiser packed with a potent potpourri of the sciencey brand’s signature algae actives. As its name suggests, this “blurring” balm also boasts fairly noticeable opalescent optics that may take some getting used to. While I’m usually leery of light-reflecting particles when it comes to skincare – that sort of instant gratification is usually short-lived – I’ve scrutinised my naked face post-cleansing and can confirm that the new-found milkiness in my mien cannot be explained away by surface shimmer.

Personal experience-slash-endorsement: I’m pathologically obsessive when it comes to the creases and crinkles on my face, so I can honestly say that a month of twice-daily use wiped out the wee wrinkles besides my mouth. Better than Botox? #SmirkingFaceEmoji!

Want more? Spritz, slather and scrub yourself to a fabulously fine finish with these beauty tips I bet you haven’t heard of before, and check out these  tried-and-tested “sleeping aids” to fend off fatigue for softer and smoother skin, even if you’re running on empty. Get your daily dose of beauty at www.herworldplus.com/beauty.