Best skincare brands in Malaysia
Skin issues don’t necessarily end at secondary school. As technical adults, we have worries like dull complexions and dryness too – not to mention, the occasional pesky pimple that no amount of concealer can cover.
We can spend hours at aisles of skincare products at local health and beauty stores, hunting out the best product to tackle these issues. While Korean brands often take centre stage, there are plenty of Malaysian skincare brands that offer products of equal quality and range.
Read on to discover them.
Table of Contents
1. Ruruberry
Straightforward and affordable serums
Image credit: RuRuberry
The founders of RuRuberry started off by bringing international beauty and skincare products to Malaysia. Armed with the knowledge of what local consumers want, they launched a sustainable skincare brand that works with all skin types and deals with common skin issues faced by Southeast Asians.
Image credit: RuRuberry
Similar to the popular Canadian skincare brand The Ordinary, RuRuberry has a straightforward and affordable line of serums sold in 30ml bottles – 2% BHA Solution (RM45), 10% Niacinamide + Zinc (RM64), and 2% Alpha Arbutin (RM34) included.
2. Lumi Beauty
Deep hydration serum
Image credit: LUMI Beauty via FacebookÂ
LUMI Beauty prides themselves on skincare products built on South Korean formulations and made with natural, cruelty-free ingredients. Their mantra – gleam before glam – rings through in their products, which include serums, moisturisers, body care, and beauty tools.
Image credit: LUMI Beauty via FacebookÂ
The Vitamin Glow Super Serum (RM135) is a best-seller praised for its deep hydrating effects – ingredients like citrus, apple, and grape extracts are used to help with dull complexions. It’s also light and easy to absorb on the skin, not leaving behind any sticky or oily feeling either.
LUMI Beauty website | Facebook | Instagram
3. Chuck’s
Coveted face masks sold in bundle
Image credit: chuck’s
chuck’s, founded in 2019 by content creator Jane Lau, is a newer kid on the block. But their quality products have already become purse staples, with the Lucky Lip Jelly (RM48) a go-to lip gloss for delivering satisfying sheens and benefits like lip hydration.
Image credit: chuck’s
Their face masks (from RM72 for 5) are popular picks among customers too. They promise to moisturise, purify, and brighten the skin with key ingredients in each collection such as royal jelly extract, witch hazel, and peony water.
The Chuck-It Purifying Kale Mask, for starters, has kale extract and peppermint oil to help purify, detox, and revitalise the skin, while also addressing common issues like fine lines, large pores, and dark circles.
If you’re planning to have their masks part of your glow-up skincare regime, there’s the Trio Sheet Mask Bundle (RM196) that comes with 15 face masks – you’ll get to shave off RM20 by purchasing them in a bundle.
4. Clef
Miniature versions of best-sellers
Image credit: CLEF
CLEF is all about putting forward clean and effective skincare products – their name is an abbreviation for the two words. They have two core skincare series, Anti-Aging and Ocean Elixir, depending on the focus for your skin – to enhance its collagen and remedy fine lines, or hydrate it to achieve that coveted glowy look.
Each series comprises a cleanser, toner, serum, moisturiser, and an eye gel or face mask.
Image credit: CLEF
If you’re trying out their products for the first time, the CLEF Miniatures are mini 20g versions of their best products, priced at just RM10 each.
5. Cuura
Range of serums to tackle specific issues
Image credit: Cuura via FacebookÂ
Whether you’ve got acne scars or fine lines, CUURA has a lineup of serums in classy glass-dropper bottles that help hydrate, plump, soften, brighten, and repair the skin.
Their Hydra Boost Serum (RM79) is worth getting if you’re looking to achieve plump, supple skin that glows from within. If breakouts are your nemesis, the Bye Bye Breakout Serum (RM79) will have your back, tackling acne with pimple-busting ingredients like tea tree oil and salicylic acid.
Image adapted from: CUURAÂ
CUURA also has recommended accompaniments to the serum, like On The Spot (RM29.90) which reduces the size, redness, and swelling of pimples, and Glass Skin (RM59), a gentle exfoliating toner that works to unclog pores and promote cell turnover.
Cuura website | Facebook | Instagram
6. Skinmade
Tinted hybrid sunscreen
Founded by a four-person team in 2017, SKINMADE’s ethos is clean beauty. Their products come in sleek packaging and are formulated with research- and science-backed ingredients and methods.
Image credit: @skinmade.official via Instagram
As sunscreen is an important, though overlooked, part of skincare regimes, they’ve developed a Skin Boost Broad-Spectrum + Blue Light Sunscreen SPF50+ PA++++ (RM51.50) – a tinted hybrid sunscreen that’s lightweight, silky on the skin, and suitable for all skin types. It shields against harmful UV rays too, while working to brighten and add a natural glow.
Skinmade website | Facebook | Instagram
7. Alluskin
Cleanser with triple benefits
In 2019, Dr Nurul A’in Sa’ari was unable to find a skincare product that best suited her dry and sensitive skin. The homegrown Alluskin was thus born with a staple line of products – cleanser, toner, serum, and mask – made with those who have sensitive skin in mind.
Image credit: Alluskin via FacebookÂ
The Alluskin’s Purifying Cleanser features a potent 5% glycolic acid that doesn’t just cleanse, but also exfoliates and revitalises the skin. For those battling stubborn acne or simply looking to refine their pores, the Pore Refining Mask is a must-have. It tackles blemishes with serious sass, ensuring your skin gets the nutrients it deserves.
Alluskin website | Facebook | Instagram
8. Olumes
Skincare line with kalalit water extract
Image credit: Olumes via Facebook
Olumes taps into the unspoiled wonders of nature by harnessing the benefits of Kalalit water, also known as Sappanwood. The water, which seeps from Sappan trees, is revered by the Kadazan-Dusun people for its unmatched healing properties.
The skincare brand has cleansers, lotions, creams, and serums, all infused with kalalit water extract to bring a touch of ancient wisdom to your modern self-care routine. The line is also free from fragrance, vegan, and cruelty-free, with no harsh chemicals like SLS or parabens.
Image credit: Olumes via Facebook
The Satin Cream (RM280) is an award-winning, anti-aging product that fights issues like fine lines, wrinkles, acne scars, and excess oiliness.
Olumes website | Facebook | Instagram
9. Confidence Cosmetics
All products under RM100
Image credit: Confidence Cosmetics via Facebook
To bring quality, no-frills, and affordable skincare products to locals, Confidence Cosmetics has a collection of cleansers, moisturisers, and toners all priced under RM100.
Image credit: Confidence Cosmetics via Facebook
To redefine your skincare game with a moisturiser that does it all – hydrate, plump, refresh, and protect with a SPF50+ shield – bag Confidence Cosmetics’ Plump & Calm Day Moisturiser with SPF 50+ (RM69).
For those with sensitive or dry skin, the Gentle Cleanser with Prebiotics (RM50) is made to be soothing and nourishing, making it perfect for skin that needs extra TLC.
Confidence Cosmetic website | Facebook | Instagram
10. Yello Skincare
All-natural mask and scrub
Image credit: @yelloskincarehq via Instagram
Yello Skincare will be your go-to brand for gentle but effective skincare. It specialises in formulations infused with soothing oats, such as their Oatmeal Turmeric Mask & Scrub.
Image credit: @yelloskincarehq via Instagram
 It combines the benefits of a wash-off mask with a scrub, with rice and Epsom salt to brighten the skin and give it a natural glow. Plus, the soothing properties of oats ensure that your skin stays calm and happy, even if it’s on the sensitive side.
11. Kayman Beauty
Ethical and sustainable skincare
Image credit: Kayman Beauty
Kayman Beauty ensures your beauty routine isn’t just effective but also ethical, proudly promising to be 100% cruelty-free on their website. Their products are packed with natural ingredients too, such as watermelon and honey that soothes and exfoliates dead skin cells to reveal a fresh, radiant glow.
Image credit: Kayman HQ via Facebook
The Rosa Glow Treatment (RM89) is a top pick from Kayman Beauty. It has 2% Alpha Arbutin to zap away acne scars and dark spots, rose water to help with dull skin, and Beetox-H to reduce the appearance of fine lines.
The BluMarine Hydrating Ampoule (RM75), another popular buy, has seven seaweed extracts and deep sea water to plump the skin.
Kayman Beauty website | Facebook | Instagram
12. Putryana
Skincare line with neurocosmetic tech
Image credit: Putryana via Facebook
The co-founders of Putryana collaborated with doctors from Switzerland to create a skincare line that focuses on skin wellness and triggers neurogenic responses. Their premium products don’t just aim to make your skin look fab, they also touch on the nervous system to lift moods.
Image credit: Putryana via Facebook
Putryana has everything to kickstart an essential 5-step skincare routine – cleanser, serum, moisturiser, oil, and SPF protection. Take for example, their Clarifying Lotion (RM79), a dual-purpose wonder enriched with hyaluronic acid and glycerin to cleanse, remove makeup, and ensure your skincare routine is as efficient as it is indulgent in one fell swoop.
Putryana website | Facebook | Instagram
13. B&B Labs
Image credit: B&B Labs
It can get pretty science-y with homegrown B&B Labs. The microbiome-friendly brand stands apart from the rest with their formulation comprising skin-compatible pre-, pro-, and post-biotics, supplemented by plant-based ingredients like durian flavonoids, mangosteen xanthones, and aloe vera.
Image credit: B&B Labs
Science-backed products from the skincare brand include treatment essences, face masks, and cleansers. The water-based, gel-cream Pomegranate Intense Hydration Cream (RM75), in particular, receives rave reviews for having a dewy finish and light scent of lavender and orange.
14. Glow Gen
Triple function moisturiser
Image credit: Shopee
If you’re always on the lookout for a product that works more than one way, then Glow Gen’s Barrier Dream Moisturizer (RM85) will be for you.
The weightless, buttery-smooth moisturiser provides 12-hour hydration, and can be used on the face, skin, and even lips. It also contains mangosteen extract that has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.
15. Khlean Beauty
Vegan lip balms
Image credit: Khlean Beauty via FacebookÂ
If you’re in the camp of people who just can’t leave home without a trusty lip balm in your pocket, turn to Khléan Beauty. The vegan and cruelty-free brand puts forward skincare products that are as kind to the planet as it is to your skin – including their Goodness Lip Balms.
Image credit: Khlean Beauty via FacebookÂ
The vegan lip balm has ingredients like coconut oil and castor seed oil to hydrate, nourish, and add a natural gloss to the lips.
Khléan Beauty website | Facebook | Instagram
Malaysian skincare brands
If you’re looking to achieve radiant skin or give your skin the glow-up it deserves, these skincare brands from Malaysia will have something in store for you. You’ll find cleansers, serums, toners, moisturisers, and more to add to your 5- or 10-step skincare routine.
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Cover image adapted from: RuRuberry, LUMI Beauty via Facebook, B&B Labs, Khlean Beauty via FacebookÂ