Though skincare has always been at the forefront of our self-care routines, spending most of the year indoors gave us a chance to step up our game with it more than usual. This obviously lead to some great discoveries, ones that we won't be able to let go of even after the quarantine is over.
Below, you'll find those standouts that we recently honored at this year's Preview Best of Beauty, plus our personal reviews.
Best Skincare and Body Products 2020
1. Senka Perfect Collagen Whip In
This cleanser has a rich, satisfying foam that grants a deep clean and treats the skin with a "beauty serum" formula with collagen, hyaluronic acid, and silk essence.
Tester Review: "I have no bad words to say about Senka's Perfect Whip Collagen cleanser. It does the job, and it does it well. Sebum and gunk are gone after one thorough wash—good news for people who like a swift cleansing routine."–Steph Sison
Perfect Collagen Whip In, P299, SENKA, Watsons
2. Acwell 5.5 pH Balancing Micro Cleansing Foam
This mild, pH-balanced face wash is perfect for a gentle cleanse that'll remove excess makeup, oil, and other potential irritants.
Tester Review: "This has all the characteristics I'm looking for in a great basic cleanser. It's neither too harsh nor too gentle and leaves the skin feeling soft and refreshed but not dry. Having soothing ingredients like licorice extract and allantoin makes it more than your average face wash, too. I use this in the morning, and it's enough to get the grime off my oily skin and prep it for my skincare."–Nicole Arcano
5.5 pH Balancing Micro Cleansing Foam, P999, ACWELL, Zalora
3. Pond's Cleansing Balm
Formulated with rich oils pressed into a solid balm, this cleanser melts impurities and makeup off the skin in one go.
Tester Review: "This balm to oil formula has become my go-to first-step cleanser. It smooths easily over the face, loosening up any makeup (even heavy eyeliner and waterproof mascara), oil, and dirt as I massage the product in circular motions. Many people wipe off with tissue or a cotton pad after cleansing, but I've found that it washes off easily with water, too—less waste! I especially like that it leaves my skin feeling supple, not stripped."–Isha Valles
Cleansing's Balm, P649, POND'S, Lazada
4. Peter Thomas Roth Water Drench Hyaluronic Cloud Cream Hydrating Moisturizer
This airy cream contains 30% of a hyaluronic acid complex that draws water into the skin, and pentavitin that allows up to 72 hours of hydration.
Tester Review: "I have perpetually dry and picky skin but this moisturizer is the end game for me. It incorporated into my skin routine easily, which almost NEVER happens to me. I always break out when I try new things. But this moisturizer was just the hug my skin needed when looking for a lightweight but hardworking moisturizer. For me, it worked best when I used it overnight. I woke up to supple skin—a good start for any day, if you ask me! Giving it a nine out of 10, though, because you can easily burn a hole in your pocket if you try to hoard it. (Trust me, I've done the math.)"–Steph Sison
Water Drench Hyaluronic Cloud Cream Hydrating Moisturizer, P3000, PETER THOMAS ROTH, Look, SM Aura
5. Shiseido Vital Perfection Uplifting and Firming Cream
With a cutting-edge KURENAI-TruLift Complex and ReNeura Technology exclusive to Shiseido, this cream helps firm and lift the skin all while maintaining the results for longer.
Tester Review: "This really firms the skin in a matter of days. The application is perfect, it absorbs quickly and is not too slick unlike other creams that easily slide off. Formulation wise, it's good, too, backed by the R&D known to Shiseido."–Nicole Morales
Vital Perfection Uplifting and Firming Cream, P6200, SHISEIDO, Lazada
6. Kora Organics Turmeric Brightening & Exfoliating Mask
The combination of physical and chemical exfoliants in this wash-off mask polishes and refines the skin for a smoother, brighter complexion.
Tester Review: "I rarely use physical exfoliators now because of my acids, but I'm glad to have tried this! Truly smoothens out the skin surface on first use, and has a cooling effect. The secret I guess is also the fact that it has BHA, too, a good chemical exfoliant apart from Rosehip Seeds and Quartz, which are the physical exfoliators. Best used at night, before bedtime for the most relaxing ritual."–Nicole Morales
Turmeric Brightening & Exfoliating Mask. P2875, KORA ORGANICS, Look SM Aura
7. Innisfree Green Tea Seed Serum
This best-selling hydrating serum from Innisfree replenishes and locks in moisture with Jeju green tea extract and green tea seed oil.
Tester Review: "I love, love this serum! My skin just drinks it all up and all the goodness shows just days later—I looked a lot healthier and felt refreshed. The formula is light and suits the local weather. You won't feel it on your skin when you layer with other products yet you just know it's working miracles for you. It's one of those few products that will make me panic and scramble to replenish when I'm running low. My skin will feel its absence and resent me for it."–Steph Sison
Green Tea Seed Serum, P1590, INNISFREE, Shopee
8. Dior Capture Totale Super Potent Serum
Made with flower-derived ingredients peony, white lily, jasmine, and longoza from the Dior gardens, this serum brightens, smoothes, and firms for a healthy-looking complexion.
Tester Review: "This is hands down one of the best brightening serums I've tried. It visibly evened out my skin tone after a few weeks. I love that it's hydrating yet light enough that I can layer more skincare on top or just wear it alone. The only downside is the floral scent is quite strong, though I'm sure others would love that—I'm just very used to using unfragranced products. At 24, I can't vouch for the anti-aging effects just yet, but if it can help me retain these results, I see myself using it for as long as possible. I also definitely noticed a huge difference when I temporarily switched to another serum. "–Nicole Arcano
Capture Totale Super Potent Serum, P4950 (30ml), DIOR, SM Makati
9. Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Serum
This lighter, more powerful version of the cult-favorite Advanced Night Repair promises faster repair and long-lasting hydration that give a renewed look to the skin.
Tester Review: "It seems to work better than the previous ANR formula for me; has an instant skin plumping effect when applied and skin still feels moisturized the morning after. It also does not have an off-putting smell that other skincare products with potent ingredients have."–Marj Ramos-Clemente
Advanced Night Repair Serum, P4350 (30ml), ESTEE LAUDER, Lazada
10. La Prairie Skin Caviar Eye Lift
This luxurious eye treatment remedies tired-looking eyes by evening out your skin tone, diminishing fine lines, and visibly lifting the skin.
Tester Review: "Trying this made me understand the price point. The lightweight formula is easy to apply and spread. I like how it seems instantly absorbed as I pat it onto my skin. My eyes were noticeably brighter and no longer tired looking after a week of using this day and night. The area around my peepers was more even-toned, my fine lines were less visible, and my skin also seemed less saggy. I also used it on my smile lines and saw them become less prominent. I'm looking forward to seeing its effects as it progresses over time."–Isha Valles
Skin Caviar Eye Lift, price available upon request, LA PRAIRIE, Rustans' the Beauty Source
11. Oxecure Acne Clear Power Mud
Masking your breakouts with this mud mask treats the active zit and the dark spots it can come with using 2% salicylic acid and niacinamide.
Tester Review: "This overnight mud mask soothes cystic acne and dries whiteheads while you sleep without overly drying your skin! The sachet also goes a long way and you only need a thin layer of product with every application. It's a great drugstore dupe for my derma prescribed acne cream, TBH!"–Maura Rodriguez
Acne Clear Power Mud, P89, OXECURE, Shopee
12. Anessa Perfect UV Skincare Gel SPF50+ PA++++
A weightless, gel sunscreen with water-resistant sun protection perfect for all skin types.
Tester Review: "This is a sunscreen that you put on and forget about a minute after application. Your skin feels like it doesn't have any product on and is quite matte, too, but not too matte that your base makeup won't stick or rub off. It's also perfect for anyone with troubled skin since it leaves your pimples unbothered!"–Maura Rodriguez
Perfect UV Skincare Gel SPF50+ PA++++, P1490, ANESSA, Lazada
13. Cetaphil Brightness Reveal Body Wash
This gentle, hypoallergenic formula helps cleanse sensitive skin and brightens with the help of sea daffodil extract and niacinamide.
"This body wash is a godsend for when my skin is feeling drier than usual and can't handle the strength of body soap or a regular shower gel. After using it for a while, the brightening ingredients in it did their magic. The skin on my body now looks more even-toned and less dull, while my dry patches are now gone because it's such a gentle formulation."–Nicole Arcano
Brightness Reveal Body Wash, P649, CETAPHIL, Shopee
14. Belo Armpit Perfecting Kit
This two-step treatment promises to lighten underarm dark spots with a pigment-inhibitor and an illuminating cream formulated with kojic acid, vitamin C, alpha arbutin, and licorice.
Tester Review: "My post-pregnancy pigmentation in my underarms was quite dark, but after religiously doing this 2-step routine after bathing in the morning and evening for a week, I was genuinely pleased with the results. The skin in the area had visibly lightened, based on a comparison with the photo I took on day one. The illuminating cream also leaves a bit of a white cast to lighten the appearance of the skin in the armpits upon application. My only recommendation is that if you use deodorant, apply only a thin layer and wait for it to dry before applying the products in this kit."–Isha Valles
Armpit Perfecting Kit, P3800, BELO, shop.belomed.com
15. Kora Organics Noni Glow Body Oil
Nourishing actives such as noni fruit extract, rosehip oil, and sunflower oil helps this organic body oil deliver moisture and glow sans the grease.
Tester Review: "What initially attracted me to this is the fact that it's safe to use for pregnant women. It has since become a regular part of my body care routine because I love that it doesn't feel sticky despite being nourishing. It absorbs quickly and does not become a magnet for specks of dirt after application, which is what I usually tend to hate about body oils. It also has this nice organic smell to it that reminds me of the chamomile tea that my mom drinks before bedtime. Of course, it doesn't hurt that it has super chic packaging too!"–Marj Ramos-Clemente
Noni Glow Body Oil, P3470, KORA ORGANICS, Look SM Aura
16. Close Up All Around Fresh Cool Mint
This gel toothpaste instantly refreshes the mouth with a peppermint kick. It's boosted with zinc for anti-bacterial effect, and fluoride to protect teeth against cavities.
"If I were to be honest, I'm usually too lazy to use mouthwash after brushing my teeth. And when that happens, using this toothpaste has a refreshing, long-lasting minty feel that lets me get away with it. The difference with this from others I've tried is it doesn't feel overly spicy that I have to wash it off a few times nor does it leave an unpleasant aftertaste."–Nicole Arcano
All Around Fresh Cool Mint toothpaste, P115, CLOSEUP, leading supermarkets
Click here to view all the winners of Preview Best of Beauty 2020: Game Changers.
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