Singapore Skin Solutions: 12 Best Moisturisers to Combat Humidity, Pollution, and More

Top 10 Best Moisturizers for Singaporean Skin

Some days, I genuinely appreciate Singapore’s sunny and humid weather, especially when I think about the extreme weather some of our friends experience overseas (read: Aussie!).

But with the weather comes an array of skin issues that we Singaporeans might have to address. Moisturisers, sunscreen, serums and many other skincare products are a need rather than a want when you live in our climate.

While some might think, “Oh, it’s so humid, so I don’t need moisturiser,’’ I beg to differ!

Did you know moisturisers improve skin hydration by directly providing water, reducing trans-epidermal water loss, and providing a soothing protective film to protect the skin from friction?

Moisturisers are equally essential, although our climate is not dry.

Why? Essentially, it’s like feeding your skin a big glass of water. Moisturisers help keep your skin supple and plump, even with oily skin!

When I picked a moisturiser for myself, I did a lot of research, especially as someone with a combination skin.

Although I was looking for the best moisturiser for combination skin, I came across the best moisturiser for dry skin and the best moisturiser for oily skin.

I’m not gatekeeping this and want to provide a comprehensive guide to the best moisturizers for Singaporean skin. I’ll let you skip hours of research and get straight to it!

Understanding Singaporean Skin

While we might be blessed with abundant Vitamin D, our climate poses its own problems. First, we deal with the extreme humidity, which makes us constantly sweat. We also have to consider the ever-present pollution in our air and, last but not least, our scorching sun!

Considering all these, finding the best moisturisers suitable for your skin type—oily, dry, or combination—can be challenging.

For those with oily skin, constant heat can cause your skin to pump out excessive oils, leading to clogged pores and, eventually, breakouts.

On the other hand, if your skin is dry, despite the humidity, it can still drive it to cause flakiness, irritation, and fine lines.

If you have combination skin like me, it’s all about finding the right balance between both and addressing any other skin sensitivity.

Choosing the Right Moisturizer for You

There are a few considerations to make when you are choosing the best moisturisers for your skin :

• Skin Type: The first factor is to consider your skin type – do you have an oily, dry, or combination skin type. Not all moisturizers are created equal, so knowing your skin type can help you narrow down the best moisturizer for your skin type.
• Skin Concerns: Next is to see if you have specific skin concerns like sensitivity, pigmentation, or acne. This step goes hand-in-hand with your skin type to find the best moisturizer.
• Key Ingredients: Knowing your skin type and concerns, you can now look at key ingredients that will be suitable and address your concerns. For example, look for hyaluronic acid if you have dry skin and need hydration.

Considering the factors above, some of the best moisturizer ingredients will become central.

For example, ceramides can repair your skin’s barrier; on the other hand, ingredients like hyaluronic acid can provide more hydration, while niacinamide can benefit your overall skin health.

Best Moisturizer in Singapore for Dry Skin

1. Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream

Loved by many skincare pros, Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream has a cult following and should be in your skincare kit if you have dry skin.

It is known for being lightweight and non-comedogenic, so it will not clog your pores.

The ingredients in this cream include Glacial Glycoprotein and Squalane.

Squalane is an excellent ingredient as it resembles our skin’s natural lipids. It helps restore the skin barrier quickly and hydrates and strengthens it.

Glacial Glycoprotein, on the other hand, is a microorganism found off the coast of Antarctica with hydrating properties. This ingredient will help prevent your skin from losing hydration, whether you’re in the sun in Singapore or travelling in the cold weather of Canada!

Ultimately, this is a lot more suitable for those who have normal to dry skin. If you do have a combination or oily skin then check out the oil-free version here.

2. Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel Cream

Having personally used this best moisturizer for dry skin, I have to admit that it is exactly how a friend put it to me before: ‘a cool burst or fresh water on your skin’.

This is another gem in Singapore that many users have sworn by. The beauty of this moisturiser is that although it is in gel form, it is not greasy and doubles as a cream that can be worn before makeup!

Ingredients like hyaluronic acid are the star of the show; they help retain water for long-lasting hydration, keeping your dry skin supple.

Amino acids help support and strengthen the skin barrier, with the addition of electrolytes that boost ingredient absorption.

Oh, did I mention that this can be found in drugstores? Prices are a steal, too!

3. Clinique’s Moisture Surge 72-Hour Auto-Replenishing Hydrator

Clinique’s Moisture Surge 72-Hour moisturizer is filled with wonderful ingredients for your skin.

Still, they take it up a notch by adding in their proprietary Auto-Replenishing Technology, which means your skin will draw from its hydration reserve to rehydrate itself continuously. Wow!

This little jar is filled with ingredients like hyaluronic acid, which provides moisture for your skin; activated aloe water, which helps deliver this intense hydration; and Cica, which helps soothe dry and delicate skin.

The gel texture may scare some of you off, as most of the gel moisturisers in the market may not deliver enough hydration. But this one does the opposite, thanks to their Auto Replenishing Technology.

Highly recommended, and if you work under the air conditioner every day, I would strongly recommend it, as their 72-hour claim stands strong and justifies the price too!

Best Moisturizer in Singapore for Oily Skin

4. Drunk Elephant Lala Retro Whipped Cream

The Drunk Elephant brand has been a phenomenon in recent years, and I can see why with their The Drunk Elephant Lala Retro Whipped Cream.

Deemed as one of the best moisturisers for oily skin, this moisturiser is packed with six rare African plant ceramides and oils. Why is this important? Not only does it form a protective layer on your skin, it also provides long-term moisture.

Don’t be alarmed by the thick, whipped texture. One swipe of this best moisturiser will reveal how quickly it gets absorbed without residue.

Though this moisturiser soothes the skin, we recommend that anyone with acne swatch and sample before using it on their skin, as the richness and creaminess can be a problem.

5. Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Oil-Free Gel Cream

A sister product to the famous Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream, this formula is specially created to highlight its oil-free features for oily skin girlies out there!

Equally recognisable as one of the best moisturisers for oily skin, the Ultra Facial Oil-Free Gel Cream by Kiehl’s is perfect for Singaporean weather. It keeps your skin hydrated while controlling excess oil.

The gel and creamy texture of its sister product leaves a cooling effect upon application and is non-comedogenic, so bye-bye, blocked pores!

Oily and sensitive people can rejoice, too, as the product is free from parabens, fragrances, and alcohol.

Yes, run to get your hands on this, as their price justifies the value it delivers if you ask me!

6. La Roche-Posay Effaclar Mat

Another holy grail for shiny girls, the La Roche-Posay Effaclar Mat is definitely a shine-saver, if not a life-saver!

I say that confidently because this moisturiser is one of the rare ones that promises a mattifying finish upon usage. Thanks to its matte finish, you can be sure your skin is shine-free.

It also promises to reduce sebum production, refining your pores and making them less visible.

The creamy texture absorbs quickly, and some say you can safely skip your makeup primer. The lipo-hydroxy acid ingredient also keeps the skin hydrated and controls oil.

All in all, a great oil-controlling moisturiser for those with oily skin!

Best Moisturizer in Singapore for Sensitive Skin

7. CeraVe Moisturizing Cream

Sensitive skin-friendly and ultra-hydrator? Take my money now!

Especially synonymous with those with troublesome and sensitive skin, the CeraVe range is famous for quickly becoming the go-to product for many.

If you have skin concerns like itchiness, redness, and flaky and dull skin, this may be caused by a skin barrier that is not fully working to lock in hydration or keep harmful irritants out!

Thanks to the three essential ceramide ingredients in this moisturiser, it can help to lock in hydration and maintain your skin barrier.

Known to be the best moisturiser for sensitive skin, CeraVe also features MVE Delivery Technology, which continually releases moisturising ingredients for long-lasting hydration.

What is even more convincing is that the whole formula featuring a creamy texture is co-developed with dermatologists. It is gentle on your skin and fragrance free making it very suitable for sensitive skin.

Oh, did I also mention that the National Eczema Association accepts it? Yes, and all that for a very justified price!

8. Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream

How does tackling 5 skin concerns with one moisturising cream sound to you? Amazing? That’s what I thought, too!

I personally tried Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream after a long diving trip in the heat, which was not forgiving to my skin. Thanks to ingredients like almond oil and vitamin E, it immediately comforts and instantly hydrates my extremely dry and sensitive skin.

Cetaphil Moisturizing cream is also filled with other ingredients like hydrating glycerin, pro-vitamin B5 to hydrate, soothe and preserve the skin barrier, and niacinamide to help smooth skin’s texture and retain skin’s moisture barrier.

It almost feels like lotion but is lightweight enough for your skin. This moisturizer is also fragrance-free and paraben-free, so it will not clog pores and is clinically tested for even the most gentle skin. It effectively defends against the five signs of skin sensitivity: dryness, irritation, roughness, tightness, and a weakened skin barrier.

Although I no longer use this moisturizer, I’m so glad that it worked wonders on my skin to address all its concerns and sensitivities—I’ll definitely keep it around!

Best Moisturizer in Singapore for Anti-aging

9. SK-II SKINPOWER Advanced Cream

SK-II is another brand that has been around for some time now. Their famous Pitera range was the ultimate luxury skincare product you could own back then.

While there are many more luxurious brands today in the market, SK-II has continuously innovated to introduce other ranges, like their SKINPOWER Anti-Ageing range.

The new SK-II SKINPOWER Advanced cream targets the ageing trigger cell ‘AT-0’ and initiates skin regeneration. This moisturiser contains their proprietary SK-II PITERA ingredient, Pitera, which reduces Ageing Trigger Factor II.

It also contains White Peony Root Extract, which reduces skin roughness and increases its elasticity and plumpness. Another key ingredient in this concoction is Kinren Extract, which helps protect skin from external stressors.

The light cream feels velvety to the touch and has a very luxurious fragrance. I recommend that if your skin is sensitive to fragrance, you avoid it, especially because it comes at a steep cost. But if it is not your concern, then this jar is definitely jam-packed with anti-aging goodness!

10. L’Oreal Paris Triple Action Anti-Aging Cream

L’Oreal Paris has been around for more than 30 years. Thanks to their vast experience in the industry, I would trust them to deliver an excellent anti-ageing moisturiser.

L’Oreal Paris Triple Action Anti-Aging Cream does just that.

Their new fragrance-free formula includes key ingredients like Hyaluronic Acid, which hydrates and enhances skin, and vitamin C, an antioxidant known to boost skin’s radiance.

To further reduce lines and wrinkles, this formula also included Pro-Retinol.

The moisturiser has been dermatologically tested. Its creamy texture is not greasy, absorbs quickly, and is suitable for sensitive skin and everyday use. It is also free from Paraben, mineral oil, and dye and is allergy-tested.

Many have also suggested that they make a great base under makeup, like a primer, without clogging your pores. Well, that’s a win-win if you ask me!

Best Moisturizer in Singapore for Brightening

11. Paula’s Choice C5 Super Boost Moisturizer

I’m all about maintaining my natural skin tone, but even a tiny scar can seem very visible when you have quite a bit of melanin. Not only that, as Asians, we are also more prone to hyperpigmentation.

To battle these, I was in search of a moisturiser that would give me brightening effects in addition to all the hydration that my skin needs.

Enter the Paula’s Choice C5 Super Boost Moisturizer!

The product’s capability to brighten comes from its ingredient, vitamin C. But when it is combined with peptides and lipids, it can deliver a firm, supple and youthful complexion.

Its 5% stabilised vitamin C visibly lifts dullness and promotes firmness by fighting free-radical damage. Then, hexapeptide-5, lipids, and polyglutamic acid strengthen the moisture barrier for lasting hydration.

I personally love the silky texture of this moisturiser—something like a gel lotion. At what I can best describe as a gel lotion, it’s got such an unusual feel that it seems like liquid silk on the skin.

All-in-all, I would pick these up and use them as part of my skincare to battle any uneven skin tone thanks to their brightening effects!

12. Kiehl’s Clearly Corrective Brightening & Smoothing Moisture Treatment

Another staple for girls who are looking to restore their skin tone, Kiehl’s Clearly Corrective Brightening and smoothing moisture treatment helps to reduce the appearance of skin’s uneven tone delivering clearer and brighter skin.

This moisturiser is explicitly designed with stabilised vitamin C to target pigmentation and promote skin evenness. Not only that, it also restores dull skin thanks to the glycolic acid that gently exfoliates dead skin to refresh your complexion.

This light, creamy-textured moisturiser is also free of parabens, mineral oil, or dye, making it suitable for sensitive skin. This formula can be used as an intensive overnight mask by applying a second, thicker layer to the skin before you sleep.

Additional Tips for Maintaining Healthy Skin in Singapore

No SPF, No Talk!
Our sun rays are why we have many skin concerns, especially hyperpigmentation, wrinkles and so on. Ensure you add sunscreen to your skincare kit, regardless of which moisturiser or serum you use.

Don’t forget to cleanse, but don’t overdo it.
Of course, you should cleanse your skin at the start and once at the end. This will help remove impurities, sweat and other irritants, but don’t overdo it by scrubbing vigorously or constantly cleansing. This is because you can strip away your skin’s natural oils essential for clear skin.

Hydrate your skin and body
While you rely on topical moisturisers and serums, remember that our skin often reflects our health. Our humid weather definitely requires plenty of hydration, so keep drinking your water throughout the day.

Most important tip: See a professional
If you have concerns that seem tougher to solve, see a dermatologist. They will assess your skin and customise a skincare routine that you would need to combat your problems.

Conclusion

There really isn’t one-size-fits-all when it comes to skincare. While products like moisturisers are a basic skincare need, choosing them may be a little overwhelming, given that the options are almost endless.

I also believe that choosing your moisturizer by knowing your skin type or biggest skin concerns is critical.

Therefore, before you go through the options above, I hope you have already figured that out. If not, try to have them assessed by a professional.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)