Hello there! Summer’s just around the corner, and we’re pretty sure that like us, you’re starting to feel the ~heat~, especially now that we’re somehow out and about again.
For the third year in a row, we’ve dedicated ourselves to testing out countless body care, hair care, skincare, and makeup products—including back-to-work essentials—to help you curate your list of summer must-haves. Whether you’re heading out or staying in during the now normal, we gotchu covered. Presenting, this year’s Cosmopolitan Philippines Hot List!
Cosmopolitan Philippines Hot List 2022 Winners
Best facial cleanser: Careline Gentle Jelly Cleanser
This mild cleanser is suitable for all skin types. It frees the pores from dirt and sebum while keeping your complexion hydrated and feeling fresh.
Careline Gentle Jelly Cleanser, P285
Best toner: Cetaphil Brightness Refresh Toner
Achieve a luminous complexion with this gentle toner. Its niacinamide-enriched formula helps fade pigmentation and evens out the skin tone. Pat on the skin after cleansing to help prep your face for the rest of your skincare routine.
Cetaphil Brightness Refresh Toner, P735
Best serum: Pond's Bright Triple Glow Serum
We swear by this serum's glow-boosting abilities, thanks to the powerful combination of Gluta-C, niacinamide, and hyaluronic acid. You'll notice your skin becoming softer and more luminous with regular use.
Pond's Bright Triple Glow Serum, P460
Best sunscreen: Lux Organix Aqua Daily Sunscreen
Skipping sunscreen is a big no-no! If its reputation for being sticky is the one thing that's stopping you from making sunscreen application a daily habit, this product might change your mind. It's lightweight AND water-resistant, aka there's no excuse not to wear SPF on your face!
Lux Organix Aqua Daily Sunscreen, P349
Best spot treatment: Careline Skin Acne Spot Gel
Make your breakouts disappear in a jiffy with this gel formula spot treatment. It has two ingredients that are famous for zapping zits: tea tree oil and salicylic acid.
Careline Skin Acne Spot Gel, P395
Best serum for oily skin: Two L(i)ps Bumpps Sebum-Control Serum
This serum is specially made for the bikini area to get rid of folliculitis. AND, it can also be used to control the oil production on the T-zone! Talk about a multitasking product.
Two L(i)ps Bumpps Sebum-Control Serum, P5,850, Strip Manila
Best moisturizer: L'Oreal Glycolic-Bright Glowing Cream Night
Have you spotted a trend? We are obsessed with brightening skincare! This night cream seals the deal in our glow-boosting skincare routine. It's loaded with glycolic acid, one of the best ingredients used to renew and reveal a more even-toned complexion.
L'Oreal Glycolic-Bright Glowing Cream Night 15ml, P549
Best face oil: Snail White Beauty Glow Drops
You won't need to worry about this beauty oil clogging your pores. It's easily absorbed by the skin! Plus, it has vitamin C to wake up your skin's natural radiance.
Snail White Beauty Glow Drops, P795
Best lip mask: Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask in Chocolate
Laneige is best known for their lip sleeping masks, and their latest flavor has landed a spot on our top shelves. Aside from its ultra-moisturizing abilities, its hint of chocolate satisfies our cocoa-obsessed selves.
Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask - Chocolate, P900
Best brow and lash conditioner: Browhaus Undercoat Lash And Brow Conditioner
When a brow and lash product is manufactured by one of the world's most famous brow salons, best believe it works! It has silk, collagen, and vitamin B5 to help strengthen and nourish your lashes and brow hairs.
Browhaus Undercoat Lash And Brow Conditioner, P2,950
Best lightweight base: Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer Oil-Free Natural Skin Perfector SPF 20
A light base will be your best friend on days when you need to head out and wear a mask. This OG tinted moisturizer from Laura Mercier provides just the right amount of coverage to even out the complexion while allowing the skin to ~breathe~.
Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer Oil-Free Natural Skin Perfector, P2,750
Best cushion compact: Laneige Neo Cushion Matte SPF 42++
Perfect for "no makeup" makeup looks, this cushion compact will grant you that my-skin-but-better finish. It can lightly cover pimple marks and redness and keep the face fresh and matte all day.
Laneige Neo Cushion Matte SPF 42++, P2,000
Best liquid foundation: NARS Light Reflecting Foundation
This liquid foundation is totally weightless, and it has a medium, buildable coverage that gives the skin a luminous satin finish. It’s also infused with skin-caring ingredients to brighten the complexion.
NARS Light Reflecting Foundation, P2,950
Best blush: Ever Bilena Matte Color Stick in Rosy Hue
If you’re looking for an everyday blush, this creamy matte formula from Ever Bilena is worth a try. It’s easy to blend, and it leaves you with the most natural-looking flush!
Ever Bilena Matte Color Stick in Rosy Hue, P139
Best cheek tint: Colourette Colourtint Multi-Use Tint in Rosa
We love a multi-tasking product and this oil-based tint from Colourette doesn't disappoint. It’s highly pigmented and blendable. One shade you can try is Rosa—a brownish-red shade that gives you a romantic flush.
Colourette Colourtint Multi-Use Tint in Rosa, P299
Best eyebrow pencil: Ever Bilena All Day Fine Liner Brow Liner
If you like having natural-looking arches, this affordable brow pencil has a skinny tip that allows you to draw hair-like strokes and a spoolie to soften harsh lines.
Ever Bilena All Day Fine Liner Brow Liner, P175
Best liquid brow liner: Spotlight Cosmetics Megahit Eyebrow Pen
This waterproof and smudge-proof liquid brow pen will keep your brows filled-in all day, even on sweaty days!
Spotlight Cosmetics Megahit Eyebrow Pen, P295
Best mascara: Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara
Infused with bamboo extract and fibers, this waterproof mascara has a bendable wand to define and lengthen every single lash from root to tip. The result: Long, fluttery lashes that look like falsies!
Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara, P499
Best eyeshadow: Ever Bilena Play Palette Eye Shadow
This sleek eyeshadow palette has 16 warm, morena-friendly tones in two different finishes, mattes and shimmers.
Ever Bilena Play Palette Eye Shadow, P165
LIPS
Best lip balm: Hello Glow Papaw Balm with Papaya Extracts
Soothe and repair your chapped pout with this clear lip balm that's packed with marula oil and vitamin E. It also has exfoliating papaya enzymes so your puckers will feel soft and smooth—ready to be topped off with your favorite lippie!
Hello Glow Papaw Balm with Papaya Extracts, P165
Best moisturizing lipstick: Revlon Super Lustrous Glossed Up Rose
This creamy lipstick is like a lip balm and a lip gloss combined. It's formulated with hyaluronic acid, aloe, and rose quartz to hydrate the lips and smoothen out lines for a plumper pout.
Revlon Super Lustrous Glossed Up Rose, P263 - P350
Best liquid lipstick: Maybelline Superstay Matte Ink
We swear, this matte liquid lipstick lives up to its name: It's waterproof and transfer-proof!
Maybelline Superstay Matte Ink, P399
Best brightening soap: Dr. Wong's Lightening Soap
Say goodbye to bacne and dark spots with this brightening soap that doesn’t leave the skin feeling dry and tight.
Dr. Wong's Lightening Soap, P43
Best body wash: St. Ives Exfoliating Body Wash Apricot
Gently buff away dead skin with this exfoliating body wash that's made with apricot fruit extract and walnut shell powder. You'll be left with softer, brighter skin!
St. Ives Exfoliating Body Wash Apricot, P280
Best lotion: Myra Vitamin Lotion Antibacterial
Keep your skin moisturized and protected from germs with this non-sticky lotion that has antibacterial properties.
Myra Vitamin Lotion Antibacterial 200 mL, P160
Best body acne spray: Oxecure Body Acne Spray
Having bacne is just so annoying. This toner mist, which contains 2% salicylic acid, makes it easy to dry out pimples and fade dark spots on this particularly hard-to-reach area.
Oxecure Body Acne Spray, P299
Best body sunscreen: Dermaction by Watsons Advanced Sun Solar Barrier SPF 50+ PA+++ Face And Body Lotion
Whether you're at the beach or not, applying sunscreen on your face and body is v v important. This one from Dermaction by Watsons has a moisturizing yet non-greasy formula. It contains broad-spectrum protection so it will shield your skin from UVA, UVB, and HEV (a.k.a. blue light.)
Dermaction by Watsons Advanced Sun Solar Barrier SPF 50+ PA+++ Face And Body Lotion, P374
Best deodorant: Nivea Bio Aloe Vera Deodorant
Switching to a natural deodorant is an effective way to get brighter, smoother armpits. (Learn more about underarm detox here!) Our current fave is this deo spray that's aluminum- and alcohol-free. The clear formula is infused with hydrating ingredients such as aloe vera and glycerin to keep the kilikili ~soft~.
Nivea Bio Aloe Vera Deodorant, P152
Best feminine wash: pH Care Daily Feminine Wash
Keep your bikini area feeling fresh and clean all day with this ~*cooling*~ feminine wash that’s safe for everyday use.
PHCare Daily Feminine Wash Cooling Comfort, P176
Best feminine wash for red days: Gynepro Ultra Protection Feminine Wash
When you’re on your period, reach for this OB-GYN-approved feminine wash, which gets rid of bacteria that can cause vaginal odor, itch, and irritation.
Gynepro Ultra Protection Feminine Wash, P163
Best tanning lotion: Amazing Maui Babe Browning Lotion
Heading to the beach soon? Score a *sun-kissed glow* when you apply this tanning lotion over your sunblock. Infused with kukui nut oil, vitamins C, E, and A, and aloe, it will leave your skin feeling soft, too!
Amazing Maui Babe Browning Lotion, P2,298
Best shampoo: Dove Keratin Tri-Silk Serum Straight And Silky Shampoo
Buhaghag hair no more, thanks to this keratin-enriched and damage-repairing shampoo.
Dove Keratin Tri-Silk Serum Straight And Silky Shampoo 340ml, P278
Best shampoo for colored hair: TRESemme Blonde Brilliance Purple Formula And Jojoba Oil
Bleached hair tends to get brassy over time. Cancel the yellow tones with this affordable purple shampoo. It also has jojoba oil to nourish and soften chemically processed locks.
TRESemme Blonde Brilliance Purple Formula And Jojoba Oil, P325
Best conditioner: Cream Silk Standout Straight Tri-Oleo Conditioner
Tame frizzy tresses and soften damaged hair by soaking your strands daily in this conditioner.
Cream Silk Standout Straight Tri-Oleo Conditioner 350ml, P278
Best hair mask: Kiss New York Argan & Macadamia For Dry And Damaged Natural Hair Deep Conditioning Mask
If you want a ~*clean*~ haircare routine, you can start with this deep conditioning mask from KISS. It has macadamia and argan oil that can help resurrect damaged strands.
Kiss New York Argan & Macadamia For Dry And Damaged Natural Hair Deep Conditioning Mask, P1,099
Best dry shampoo: Palmolive Dry Shampoo in Fresh & Volume Mixed Berries
If you're in dire need of a freshness boost, spritz this sweet-smelling dry shampoo! Its cool formula absorbs lagkit and refreshes your strands.
Palmolive Dry Shampoo in Fresh & Volume Mixed Berries 150ml, P280
Best hair brush: Wet Brush Disney Princess Original Hair Detangler
You'll never be worried about hair breakage with this clever hairbrush. Its unique bristles help detangle your locks without damaging them.
Wet Brush Disney Princess Original Hair Detangler
Best hair bleach: Colourette Cosmetics Bleach Cloud Hair Lightening Kit By Colourette
We couldn't believe our eyes when this bleach kit lightened our Asian dark hair to level 7 and 8 (considered butter blonde) WITHOUT damaging the strands.
Colourette Cosmetics Bleach Cloud Hair Lightening Kit By Colourette, P599
Best hair dye: L'Oréal Excellence Ash Supreme Hair Color in 7.73 Champagne Ash
Here's another product that can help you score blonde hair at home: After bleaching your locks, try this hair dye to get a pretty salon-worthy ash hue.
L'Oréal L'Oréal Excellence Ash Supreme Hair Color in 7.73 Champagne Ash
Best hairstyling tool: Avon Rose Hair Straightener
Here's one hair tool that won't damage the strands. Its plate delivers the right amount of heat to straighten and curl your tresses.
Avon Rose Hair Straightener (available at Avon dealers)
Best hair removal tool: Philips Bikini Trimmer 3000
This cordless, electric trimmer earned praises from Pinays because they felt *zero* pain while removing unwanted hair down there. It's gentle yet effective—you won't have to worry about nicks and bumps!
Philips Bikini Trimmer 3000, P2,795
Best loungewear: Avon Therese Flexiwear Tank + Leggings
This pastel activewear set isn’t only cute but it’s also comfortable to wear. You will feel *supported* without the clothes feeling restrictive.
Avon Therese Flexiwear Leggings, P739
Avon Therese Flexiwear Tank, P849
Best teeth whitening product: Sparkle Whitening Booster Gel
Add this cleansing gel on top of your toothpaste to brighten your teeth with regular use. It also helps remove and prevent surface stains, which are usually caused by drinking coffee, tea, and red wine.
Sparkle Whitening Booster Gel, P699
Best toothpaste: Closeup All Day Freshness Gel Toothpaste
Aside from keeping your breath fresh all day, this OG gel toothpaste can also help lift the yellow tones in your teeth, thanks to its Micro-Shine Crystals.
Closeup All Day Freshness Gel Toothpaste, P36
Best beauty supplement: Trizie Bloom Jelly
This yummy mixed berry-flavored jelly supplement is loaded with skin-loving ingredients to brighten the skin and prevent signs of aging.
Trizie Bloom Jelly (10 pieces), P1,195
Best supplement for overall health: Fortima Film Coated 8 Tablets
This supplement does more than improve your skin’s health: It contains vitamins C and E and zinc to strengthen your immunity while making your skin look healthy and *glowing*.
Fortima Film Coated 8 Tablets, P100
Best alcohol: Pili Ani Alco-Sanitizer With Elemi Oil (Stress Away)
Here's a hand sanitizer that won't dry out your skin. It's also made with essential oils that can help ease your stress. This one has a ~calming~ blend of eucalyptus, lavender, copaiba, sandalwood, orange, and rosemary.
Pili Ani Alco-Sanitizer With Elemi Oil (Stress Away), P380
Best protective face mask: Belo Med Anti-Maskne Mask 2.0
You won’t mind wearing this reusable face mask the entire day. It’s breathable and lightweight, and its soft fabric (which has anti-bacterial properties) feels gentle on the skin—perfect for those who get maskne. It also has adjustable ear straps for a snug fit!
Belo Med Anti-Maskne Mask 2.0, P590
Best lunch kit: HydroFlask Insulated Food Jar
Returning to the office? This insulated, leak-proof food jar will keep your lunch meal at the perfect temperature—you won't need to use the shared microwave.
HydroFlask Insulated Food Jar, P2,590
Best water bottle: HydroFlask Standard Mouth Bottle
Thanks to its double-wall vacuum insulation, this handy stainless steel water bottle will seriously keep your iced water cool—and coffee warm—throughout a workday!
HydroFlask Standard Mouth Bottle 24 oz, P2,390
PRODUCED BY: Ira Nopuente and Patricia Melliza
ART DIRECTION BY: Bacs Arcebal
PHOTOGRAPHY BY: RG Medestomas
SET & PRODUCT STYLING BY: Martina Bautista-Josue