With all the upcoming holidays to prepare for, allow us to help you get the best skin of your life! Presenting, year two of Cosmopolitan Philippines' Skincare All-Stars! For one whole month, the Cosmo Editors tried and tested cleansers, moisturizers, body oils, and more and rounded up the best of the best. Sit back, relax, and scroll below for all the skincare products you're guaranteed to love whatever your skin type and concern is.
FACIAL CLEANSERS
L-R: Neutrogena Deep Clean Acne Foaming Cleanser; Avene Cleansing Gel; Evoluderm Anti-Imperfections Exfoliating Cleansing Gel
Best Facial Wash for Oily Skin: Evoluderm Anti-Imperfections Exfoliating Cleansing Gel
The rice micro-particles slough off dead skin cells, creating a smooth and clean canvas to absorb your other skincare products.
Price: P540
Where to get: Beauty Bar
Best Face Cleanser for Acne-Prone Skin: Neutrogena Deep Clean Acne Foaming Cleanser
This foam cleanser lifts deep-seated dirt and clears the skin of pimple-causing bacteria.
Price: P232
Where to get: Robinsons Department Store, Watsons, SM Beauty, Landmark Department Store
Best Facial Wash for All Skin Types: Avene Cleansing Gel
This mild cleansing gel can effectively remove light makeup and gunk from the pores. Its gentle formula is safe to use for sensitive skin, too!
Price: P1,325
Where to get: Watsons, SM Beauty
TONERS
L-R (clockwise): Snoe More Awesome Poresome Pore Minimizing And Clarifying Tonic; Maxi-Peel Zero Micro-Exfoliant Fluid; Muji Light Toning Water High Moisture; Koh Gen Do Herbal Spa Mist; Pixi Glow Tonic
Best Toner for Acne-Prone Skin: Maxi-Peel Zero Micro-Exfoliant Fluid
This mighty toner has AHA, BHA, and vitamins that gently exfoliate and expunge gunk from your pores. Rely on this to fight acne because it really works!
Price: P75
Where to get: Robinsons Department Store, Watsons, SM Beauty, Landmark Department Store, Mercury Drug
Best Toner for Dry Skin: Muji Light Toning Water High Moisture
This fragrance-free, gentle toner protects and hydrates skin, making it feel extra fresh!
Price: P545
Where to get: Muji Greenbelt, Muji Shangri-La, Muji Powerplant Mall, Muji High Street Central
Best Toner for Oily Skin: Snoe More Awesome Poresome Pore Minimizing And Clarifying Tonic
Created with cucumber, papaya, and calamansi extracts, this clarifying toner works to reduce the appearance of pores and blemishes. It also regulates the skin's oil-production levels.
Price: P399
Where to get: SM North EDSA, SM Supercenter Pasig, Robinsons Forum, Landmark Makati
Best Exfoliating Toner: Pixi Glow Tonic
A cult-favorite because of its glow-inducing powers. Glycolic acid and aloe vera extract help reveal smooth, radiant, and cottony-soft skin!
Price: P390/15ml; P990/100ml; P1,790/250ml
Where to get: Watsons, Glamourbox, SM Beauty
Best Face Mist: Koh Gen Do Herbal Spa Mist
A multi-purpose face mist that can tone, hydrate, and set skin! Infused with botanical extracts and thermal spring water from Japan, spray this on your face after cleansing or whenever you want to give your skin a pick-me-up.
Price: P1,545
Where to get: Beauty Bar
ACNE TREATMENTS
L-R: Defensil Pimple Defense Cream; Foreo Espada; Bye Bye Blemish For Acne Drying Lotion
Best Spot Treatment: Defensil Pimple Defense Cream
A soothing cream that gets rid of acne-causing bacteria and prevents zits from coming back.
Price: P155
Where to get: Watsons
Best Spot Treatment for Cystic Acne: Bye Bye Blemish For Acne Drying Lotion
Got stubborn zits that just won't go away? They're no match for this drying lotion! With salicylic acid and sulfur as two of the main ingredients, it will quickly dry up and flatten red, cystic pimples on your face, chest, neck, and back!
Price: P720
Where to get: Beauty Bar
Best Skincare Device for Acne: Foreo Espada
This handy device emits LED light that kills the bacteria inhabiting the acne/pimple. Use it twice a day to expect a mark-free spot after your zit heals.
Price: P8,052
Where to get: Sephora
SERUMS/ESSENCES
L-R (clockwise): Dear Klairs Midnight Blue Youth Activating Drop; Kiehl's Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Solution; Goodal Keratina Anti-Aging Double Serum Light; Olay Total Effects 7 In One Daily Serum
Best Brightening Serum: Kiehl's Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Solution
This lightweight serum has activated vitamin C, white birch extract, and peony extract that all work together to brighten dark spots and bring out the overall radiance of your skin. Best for CGs who are always puyat and stressed!
Price: P2,995
Where to get: Greenbelt 5, SM Megamall, Shangri-La Plaza
Best Anti-Aging Serum: Olay Total Effects 7 In One Daily Serum
This lightweight serum deeply penetrates skin to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, nourish and even out your complexion, refine skin texture, and minimize pore size.
Price: P799
Where to get: Robinsons Department Store, SM Beauty, Watsons
Best Hydrating Serum: Goodal Keratina Anti-Aging Double Serum Light
A serum-oil that improves your skin's texture and elasticity, thanks to its natural fruit extracts and oils. Don't forget to shake the bottle first! Because it's such a potent serum, a small amount (one pump) is all you need for your whole face and neck.
Price: P1,500
Where to get: Robinsons Galleria, SM Megamall, SM Makati, Trinoma
Best Pore-Minimizing Serum: Dear Klairs Midnight Blue Youth Activating Drop
This lightweight blue (It looks so cool!) serum hydrates skin, calms irritation, minimizes the size of pores, and dries out small pimples. Did we mention that it's also suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin?
Price: P1,570
Where to get: Watsons, BeautyMNL, Beauty Bar
MOISTURIZERS
L-R (top to bottom): Kojie San Anti-Aging Overnight Cream; In Her Element Rose Gel Serum Moisturizer; Pond's White Beauty Spot-less+ Rosy White Day Cream; Dermatory Azulene Cica Gel Cream; Althea Fixer Cream; Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence SPF50+; Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye Supercharged Complex
Best Brightening Moisturizer: Pond's White Beauty Spot-less+ Rosy White Day Cream
A pea-sized amount is all you need for this cream to nourish, brighten, and even out your complexion.
Price: P130
Where to get: All leading supermarkets nationwide, SM Beauty, Watsons, Robinsons Department Store, Landmark Department Store
Best Anti-Aging Moisturizer: kojie.san DreamWhite Anti-Aging Overnight Cream
Aside from plumping up skin to diminish the look of fine lines and wrinkles, the Overnight Cream contains youth-regenerating properties, so come morning your complexion looks and feels revitalized and radiant.
Price: P165
Where to get: Watsons, All leading supermarkets nationwide
Best Moisturizer for Oily Skin: Althea Fixer Cream
This gel-cream mattifies and refreshes skin without making it feel sticky after. So simple, yet so good!
Price: P640
Where to get: Althea
Best Moisturizer for Dry Skin: Dermatory Azulene Cica Gel Cream
Aside from having a pretty purple hue, the Azulene Cica Gel Cream moisturizer is free of ingredients that can irritate skin. It's the perfect cream for those who want a simple, no muss, no fuss moisturizer to nourish parched complexions.
Price: P1,200
Where to get: Robinsons Galleria, SM Megamall, SM Makati, Trinoma
Best Priming Moisturizer: In Her Element Rose Gel Serum Moisturizer
Enriched with aloe and rose extract, this gel moisturizer helps any makeup base go on smoothly. Plus, it helps your foundation look fresh for hours!
Price: P895
Where to get: In Her Element, BeautyMNL
Best Eye Cream: Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye Supercharged Complex
This eye balm boasts of a potent formula that brightens dark circles and diffuses fine lines. It also shields the eye are from blue light (aka the light from computers and phone screens!) to prevent wrinkles from forming. We assure you that after weeks of using this, you won't need tons of concealer to mask your under-eye anymore.
Price: P4,280
Where to get: Rustan's The Beauty Source, SM Aura, SM Megamall
Best Face Sunscreen: Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence SPF 50+
A hydrating yet non-sticky sunscreen that doesn't leave a white cast, won't break out your skin, and will leave you looking fresh for hours. It's no surprise it's flight attendant-approved!
Price: P445
Where to get: Watsons, SM Beauty, Robinsons Department Store, All leading supermarkets nationwide
FACIAL OIL
L-R: Hello Gorgeous Unicorn Elixir; Burt's Bees Complete Nourishment Facial Oil
Best Face Oil: Hello Gorgeous Unicorn Elixir
This rosehip oil, argan oil, evening primrose oil, and avocado oil concoction will leave skin supple and nourished, but not heavy and greasy. You can also use it as a hair and body oil!
Price: P380/15ml; P700/30ml
Where to get: Hello Gorgeous, Retail Lab Glorietta, Retail Lab Power Plant Mall, BeautyMNL
Best Nourishing Face Oil: Burt's Bees Complete Nourishment Facial Oil
Use this oil when your skin is feeling dehydrated or when you want to amp up your complexion's radiance. Because it's highly concentrated, a little will go a long way! ;)
Price: P1,695
Where to get: Beauty Bar, Estancia at Capitol Commons
FACE MASKS
L-R: Leaders Mediu Amino Clearing Mask; Human Nature Pollution Defense Face Mask; COSRX Ultimate Moisturizing Honey Overnight Mask
Best Sheet Mask: Leaders Mediu Amino Clearing Mask
Formulated with amino acids and vitamin C, this sheet mask hydrates, soothes redness and pimples, purifies pores, and leaves skin feeling ~*fresh*~! It's perfect for traveling because everything you need will be in one product.
Price: P94
Where to get: Watsons
Best Clay Face Mask: Human Nature Pollution Defense Face Mask
This clay face mask will purify your pores of dirt, bacteria, and pollution accumulated from the day and leave skin smooth, clear, and revitalized. It's formulated with bamboo charcoal, bentonite clay, oils, and antioxidants to protect your complexion from skin-damaging pollution.
Price: P450
Where to get: Beauty Bar, Rustan's Supermarket, Watsons, SM Beauty
Best Sleeping Mask: COSRX Ultimate Moisturizing Honey Overnight Mask
Got a pimple you want to get rid of? Or how about evening out your skin tone? Or maybe you just want to simply hydrate it overnight? This lightweight gel sleeping mask from COSRX will do that all for you!
Price: P780
Where to get: Watsons, Beauty Bar
EXFOLIANTS AND SCRUBS
L-R: Pixi Peel & Polish Resurfacing Concentrate; Avon Naturals Lime Brightening Peeling Exfoliator
Best Face Scrub/Physical Exfoliator: Pixi Peel & Polish Resurfacing Concentrate
This enzyme peel has both physical and chemical exfoliators that bring out your glow after each use. Its formula is so mild, you can use it up to thrice a week!
Price: P1,390
Where to get: SM Beauty, Watsons, Glamourbox
Best Chemical Exfoliator: Avon Naturals Lime Brightening Peeling Exfoliator
A refreshing alcohol-free peeling gel that removes layers of dead skin cells right before your eyes!
Price: P199
Where to get: Lazada
MAKEUP REMOVERS
L-R (clockwise): Celeteque Hydration Make-Up Remover Cleansing Facial Wipes; Nivea MicellAIR Skin Breathe Extra White 0% Alcohol Micellar Water; Banila Co Clean It Zero Original
Best Cleansing Balm: Banila Co Clean It Zero Original
This tub is never going to be absent from our vanities because of its impressive ability to melt makeup and dislodge deep-seated gunk from the pores.
Price: P945
Where to get: SM Beauty, Glorietta 4, SM North EDSA, Robinsons Place Manila, SM Mall of Asia, Landmark Department Stores
Best Makeup Remover Wipes: Celeteque Hydration Make-Up Remover Cleansing Facial Wipes
This effectively removes heavy makeup in one swipe while giving light hydration to your skin.
Price: P160
Where to get: All leading supermarkets nationwide, Watsons, SM Beauty
Best Micellar Water: Nivea MicellAIR Skin Breathe Extra White 0% Alcohol Micellar Water
A cleansing water that doubles as a gentle toner, it refines pores as it lifts dirt and makeup from the skin.
Price: P99/125ml; P169/200ml
Where to get: All leading supermarkets nationwide, Robinsons Department Store, SM Beauty, Watsons
LIPS
L-R: Human Nature Natural Lip Scrub; Lucas' Papaw Ointment
Best Lip Scrub: Human Nature Natural Lip Scrub
You'll have to stop yourself from eating this all-natural, organic, peppermint oil-infused lip scrub.
Price: P195
Where to get: Beauty Bar, Rustan's Supermarket, Robinsons Supermarket, Watsons, SM Beauty
Best Lip Balm: Lucas' Papaw Ointment
Flaky lips will be a thing of the past once you have this celeb-approved red tube in your bag. Aside from being a lip balm, it can serve as a topical treatment for bites, minor wounds, and scratches. You can also dab it on the areas you normally get blisters whenever you break in a new pair of shoes.
Price: P499
Where to get: Watsons
BODY CARE
L-R (top to bottom): Dove DermaSeries Itch Relief Soothing Body Lotion; Nivea Extra White Serum Smooth & Firm SPF33 PA+++ Body Serum; Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse Multi-Purpose Dry Oil; Human Nature Hand & Foot Salve; Earth Therapeutics Intensive Heel Repair Balm; Silka Premium Moisturizing Milk Lotion Deep Hydration Avocado Oil; Dove Original Light & Smooth Moisturizing Cream 48Hr Anti-Perspirant
Best Underarm Deodorant: Dove Original Light & Smooth Moisturizing Cream 48Hr Anti-Perspirant
This deodorant will keep your underarms dry and smelling fresh even after an intense sweat sesh. The best part? Its moisturizing formula prevents chicken skin from forming!
Price: P98
Where to get: Robinsons Department Store, Watsons, SM Beauty, Landmark Department Store, Lazada
Best Body Oil: Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse Multi-Purpose Dry Oil
This nourishing and anti-aging body oil won't leave your skin sticky even on humid days. We even recommend it as a lightweight sub for an emollient lotion.
Price: P2,350
Where to get: Beauty Bar, Rustan's The Beauty Source
Best Body Lotion For Dry Skin: Silka Premium Moisturizing Milk Lotion Deep Hydration Avocado Oil
Rough and dark elbows and knees won't be your problem anymore, thanks to this brightening body lotion loaded with avocado oil and almond milk.
Price: P45/50ml; P77.25/100ml; P137/200ml
Where to get: SM Hypermart, Save More, Watsons, Shopwise Supermarket, Robinsons Supermarket, Waltermart Supermarket, Mercury Drug, Puregold Supermarket, Landmark Supermarket, NCCC Malls Supermarket, Gaisano Malls Supermarket, KCC Malls Supermarket
Best Body Lotion For Sensitive Skin: Dove DermaSeries Itch Relief Soothing Body Lotion
This soothing lotion calms rashes and eczema! Its ingredients give your dry and sensitive skin clinical care.
Price: P950
Where to get: Robinsons Department Store, Watsons, SM Beauty, Landmark Department Store, Lazada
Best Body Serum with Sunscreen: Nivea Extra White Serum Smooth & Firm SPF33 PA+++ Body Serum
This lightweight hydrating body serum + sunscreen can brighten and even out your skin tone within a few weeks of use.
Price: P289
Where to get: Robinsons Department Store, Watsons, SM Beauty, Landmark Department Store, Lazada
Best Hand Cream: Human Nature Hand & Food Salve
Reach for this cooling hand and foot cream on days (and nights) you're tired AF.
Price: P149.75
Where to get: Robinsons Department Store, Watsons, SM Beauty, Landmark Department Store
Best Treatment for Dry Cuticles And Heels: Earth Therapeutics Intensive Heel Repair Balm
Wear this foot balm underneath socks and you'll wake up with baby-soft tootsies in the morning.
Price: P625
Where to get: Beauty Bar
L-R (top to bottom): GynePro Feminine Wash Antiseptic; pH Care Naturals Intimate Wash with Papaya Extract; Aveeno Skin Relief Body Wash; Belo Kojic Acid Intensive Whitening Bar
Best Body Wash: Aveeno Skin Relief Body Wash
A hydrating body wash that will soothe itchy and flaky skin after one shower. And if you have sensitive skin, you'll love its gentle, fragrance-free formula.
Price: P506
Where to get: Robinsons Department Store, Watsons, SM Beauty, Landmark Department Store, Lazada
Best Soap for Dark Elbows And Knees: Belo Kojic Acid Intensive Whitening Bar
Use this bar on the face to get rid of dark marks and uneven skin tone OR lather this on dark, scaly elbows and knees to smoothen and brighten them.
Price: P65
Where to get: Robinsons Department Store, Watsons, SM Beauty, Landmark Department Store
Best Intimate Wash for Brightening: pH Care Naturals Intimate Wash with Papaya Extract
Brighten your bikini area with this gentle feminine wash enrcihed with Papaya extract.
Price: P158
Where to get: Robinsons Department Store, Watsons, SM Beauty, Landmark Department Store
Best Intimate Wash for Sensitive Skin: GynePro Feminine Wash Antiseptic
An OB-GYN-approved feminine wash you can use on red days.
Price: P67
Where to get: Robinsons Department Store, Watsons, SM Beauty, Landmark Department Store, Lazada
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PRODUCED BY: Ira Nopuente and Tisha Caedo
STYLIST: Dagny Madamba
PHOTOGRAPHY BY: Mixi Ignacio
