My Tried & Tested Skincare & Haircare Favourites That I KEEP Repurchasing
If you’ve been following me for a while, you’ll know that I’m not someone who buys products just because they’re trending. I’ve tried my fair share of viral skincare and haircare items over the years — some worked, many didn’t — and my routine today is really the result of slowly figuring out what my skin and hair actually respond well to!
I’m also not blessed in the skin or hair department… I don’t have naturally sleek locks or the clearest skin effortlessly. For a long time, I struggled with redness, texture, and hair that would frizz the moment I stepped outside in Singapore’s humidity. So when I find products that genuinely make a difference, I stick to them.
This post is a round-up of my favourite skincare and haircare products that I’ve curated over the years! Only ones that consistently worked for me and that I continue to repurchase. Whether there’s a beauty sale happening or not, these are the products I personally rely on to keep my routine simple and my results consistent.
My Skincare Favourites
1. Cleanser — Sulwhasoo Cleansing Foam (LINK)
Why I like it:
I was previously using a very affordable cleanser that did its job, but it leaned slightly drying. Nothing extreme — and honestly still a good option (LINK) — but this Sulwhasoo one feels much more revitalising and hydrating on the skin.
The one I’m currently using was actually a gift, and after about two months of use, I genuinely look forward to washing my face with it. My skin feels clean without feeling tight, which is something I pay close attention to. If it feels tight, it probably will get super greasy within hours of washing my face, which is not ideal for anyone.
When I use it:
After my morning workouts
At night as part of my regular skincare routine
Fresh out of bed, I usually just rinse my face with water.
2. Anua Heartleaf Toner (LINK)
Why I like it:
This toner provides the gentle, anti-redness hydration that my skin was deprived of in years. If your skin tends to look slightly flushed, uneven, or sensitive, this is a very reliable product to calm things down. It’s also fragrance-free!
What I notice most with this toner is that it keeps my skin looking more even, less irritated and more balanced right after application.
When I use it:
Day and night
Immediately after cleansing
3. Torriden Cica Serum (there are 2 variations, but I use THIS)
Why I like it:
This has been one of the most impactful products in my routine for improving skin texture and significantly reducing breakouts, even during hormonal periods. It also hydrates without feeling sticky or heavy, which is something I struggled with in the past with serums. Many hydrating products feel like they sit on top of the skin — this one absorbs properly. I don’t know if this is going to be true for everyone, but the absorption becomes better & better the more I use it. It refines my skin texture overtime and any products I apply onto my skin gets more easily absorbed, a bit like when your skin is fresh out of a facial treatment!
If you deal with:
Closed comedones
Mild breakouts
Uneven texture
This product has really helped to reduce the severity over time.
I’m currently more than five bottles in, and one of the biggest changes I’ve noticed is that my skin texture has smoothed out so much that I no longer go for facials and my skin is better than ever!
When I use it:
Day and night
After toner
4. IDS Vitamin C Serum (LINK)
Why I like it:
This is the most expensive product in my skincare routine, but it’s also one that I consistently repurchase because the results are very clear to me.nIt has been especially effective in lightening post-acne pigmentation (PIH), which used to linger on my skin for months, years even.
I’m also very careful with Vitamin C because sensitive skin can react badly to certain formulations. Since this one works well for me, I don’t experiment much — I just stick to what I know is safe and effective. I believe this Vitamin C serum is going to be well tolerated by many, it’s multi-award-winning and formulated by one of the most popular dermatologist clinics in Singapore!
When I use it:
Night only
I repurchase roughly every 3–4 months, not too bad on the pocket
5. CeraVe Hydrating Lotion (LINK)
Why I like it:
This is, without exaggeration, the best moisturiser I’ve ever used.
For a long time, I was actually afraid of moisturisers because I thought they would clog my pores or make my skin oily. So I skipped this step completely — which, looking back, probably made my skin worse. Once I started using this consistently, my skin condition improved significantly. It absorbs fully into the skin, doesn’t feel greasy, and helps keep my skin barrier healthy. If you suffer from unexplainable breakouts or sensitivity, your skin barrier may be compromised. I’ll recommend (from personal experience), to focus on repairing your skin barrier before anything. Less is more and properly cleansing your skin (& removing makeup, or going completely without it) + this moisturiser is really going to repair your skin bit by bit.
When your skin is properly hydrated and protected, it naturally produces less excess sebum — which was a huge turning point for me.
When I use it:
Day and night
Final step in my skincare routine
6. Makeup Remover — Micellar Cleansing Water (LINK)
Why I like it:
I don’t wear heavy makeup, so a simple micellar cleansing water works perfectly for me. But also if I were to be wearing a lot of makeup, I’ll still use the same makeup remover.
It removes waterproof eyeliner easily, though it does take a bit more effort for waterproof mascara. If you don’t enjoy rubbing or tugging your eye area, I would recommend using a dedicated eye makeup remover — the same brand usually makes one that works very well (LINK).
If your skin is acne-prone, I strongly recommend using micellar water instead of oil or balm-based makeup removers. I know these are so popular and we often see beauty influencers with perfect skin using them, but the dermatologist I used to go to frowned upon oil and balm-based makeup removers.
Personally, I also found that my skin texture improved once I stopped using oil cleansers. They can feel like they rinse off completely, but sometimes they leave residue behind, which can clog pores unknowingly.
My wallet improved too — because the oil cleanser I used to love was from Tatcha.
When I use it:
At night
Before cleansing
My Haircare Favourites
1. Dyson Airwrap (LINK)
Why I like it:
If there’s one hair tool I would recommend investing in, it’s the Dyson Airwrap.
You really only need one device for both drying and styling, which simplifies your routine a lot. I’ve been using the Airwrap since 2020, and it’s one of the few beauty tools that I’ve used consistently for years.
It saves time, reduces heat damage, and makes styling much more manageable, just 1 tool instead of hair dryer & comb which can be so tiring if you want to do it daily! I enjoy drying & styling my hair before bed while watching YouTube videos. It takes less than 10 minutes for my long & thick hair!
When I use it:
After every wash
For both drying and styling
I actually don’t use all the attachments on the daily basis, so if you are more fuss-free and want to keep personal grooming simple like me, you can consider this slightly more affordable model (link).
2. Drunk Elephant Leave-In Conditioner (LINK)
Why I like it:
This works as both a heat protectant and a conditioning treatment, and it has made a noticeable difference in how soft and smooth my hair feels. A lot of leave-in conditioners don’t work well for my coarse hair. I feel they do nothing.
When I use it:
On towel-dried hair
Before blow-drying
3. Color WOW Dream Coat Spray (LINK)
Why I like it:
This is one of the most useful products for living in humid Singapore. Like everyone is sleeping on this! My hair tends to look frizzy outdoors, especially on hot and humid days, and this spray helps protect against that. It keeps my hair smoother and more polished for longer. Another thing I like is that you don’t have to use it daily. It works even if you wash your hair!
When I use it:
After every 3–4 washes
Before blow-drying
It’s also scent-free!
4. Portable Hair Styler (LINK)
Why I like it:
This is my go-to tool for quick touch-ups & travel.
If my hair looks flat at the crown or needs a bit more shape, this makes it very easy to add volume and soft C-curls without needing to plug anything in. The battery life is very reliable, and the cordless design makes it convenient to use anywhere — especially when getting ready quickly regardless of place.
When I use it:
For quick refreshes
Before heading out
*I’m currently testing out the newer model which I linked above, but I have used the 1st gen and liked it a lot (LINK - more affordable), hence trying the 2nd gen too
5. TRESemmé Smooth Shampoo & Conditioner (Bundle LINK)
Why I like it:
My hair condition changes quite noticeably depending on the shampoo and conditioner I use, and the Smooth series from TRESemmé has been one of the most consistent performers for me.
It keeps my hair soft, manageable, and less prone to frizz, while still being very affordable and easy to find. That accessibility matters a lot for products you finish quickly.
I’ve been using this range since around 2023, and it’s still one of my staples. I don’t like the scent of the hair mask though and didn’t feel that the results were significant enough to keep using despite the strong (& honestly rather off-putting) scent.
When I use it:
Every wash
Final Thoughts
I don’t rotate products very often — once I find something that works, I stick with it. I think its evident from what I share on the daily on Instagram:)
All the products in this list are things I’ve used consistently over time, not just once or twice. They’ve earned a permanent place in my routine because they make my skin calmer, my hair easier to manage, and my daily routine more predictable.
If there’s a beauty sale happening right now, this is the exact list I would start with. And even outside of sales, these are the products I’ll keep going back to!
