10 Filipino skincare brands that have proven themselves through the years
The local industry has come a long way in creating products that are globally competitive and just as effective (or even better) as international brands. Pinoy pride aside, this is truly something to celebrate and appreciate because many of them are specifically made with the needs of Filipinos in mind. Some brands also make sure to utilize ingredients that are locally produced, such as virgin coconut oil and bee products. Now if you’re looking to add locally-made skin care to your beauty routine on top of our homegrown makeup, make sure to check out these brands!
Silka / 15 years in the business
Did you know that Silka has been around for 15 years? They just recently celebrated their anniversary, and had a lot to thank for for being one of the strongest skincare brands in the Philippines for so long. They're best known for their Papaya Soaps as they were the first to come out with this lightening ingredient locally. Today, the brand has a full skincare line that's effective yet accessible to Filipinas who are on a tight budget.
Human Nature / Eight years in the business
Started as a social enterprise by Gawad Kalinga volunteers, the 8-year-old brand produces all-natural products that are also environmentally-friendly. While their best-selling Sunflower Oil remains a cult favorite because of its many applications, they have a new and improved version called the Sunflower Beauty Oil LUXE which can supposedly rival the benefits of argan oil at a more affordable price. If you’re looking to rebalance your skin and improve its elasticity, you can mix a few drops of Pure Rosehip Oil into your moisturizer or apply it directly for maximum effect.
Human Nature is available at select groceries, beauty sections and online.
Kojie San / Nine years in the business
Whether or not you’re into whitening, getting rid of dark spots is a universal concern. Our editor Liz swears by Kojie San's bestselling Skin Lightening Soap and Body Lightening Lotion for lightening the color of her knees and keeping her skin from having unsightly tan marks. Even the PV men are big believers and avid fans of the Kojic acid’s magic powers!
Kojie San is available in leading supermarkets and drugstores.
Céleteque / 10 years in the business
Because of the French-sounding name, it can be easy to forget that this dermo-skincare brand is proudly Filipino-made and has been providing us with skin health solutions for the last 10 years. Céleteque makes six skin care lines to address every skin condition at an affordable price range. We made sure to include the Hydration Facial Moisturizer in our budget skin care routine for oily and combination skin because the lightweight consistency, while the Brightening Facial Wash simply works well without breaking the bank. Also, check out the Sun Care Face and Body Sun Defense Cream with SPF50!
Céleteque is available in leading supermarkets and drugstores.
Zenutrients / Seven years in the business
Borne out of a need to find a natural treatment for psoriasis, the brand found its solution in virgin coconut oil (VCO). Many of their products feature this as the star ingredient for skin care, face care, and body care. For a great all-around product you can use to nourish dry spots, check out the Argan Skin Salve-ation. And if you’re feeling achy but don’t have the time for a massage, their All is Well Salve provides a quick, soothing pick-me-up.
Zenutrients has stalls in select malls and is available online.
Belo Essentials / Nine years in the business
Dr. Vicki Belo may have made a name for herself as the go-to cosmetic surgeon for celebrities but as a dermatologist, her clinics are also known for their skin care treatments. The release of her own Belo Essentials line has given many the chance to experience “Gandang Belo” without breaking the bank! The brand has a great range of high SPF sun care, and we especially like the Belo SunExpert Transparent Mist SPF 50 with its facial mist-like formula. For a BB cream that also offers sun protection, try the Belo Intensive Whitening BB Cream SPF 50 with kojic acid and tranexamic acid. We’ve also seen quite a few reviews for Belo AcnePro Pimple Gel as an effective overnight pimple treatment.
Belo Essentials is available in leading supermarkets and drugstores.
VMV Hypoallergenics / 37 years in the business
One of the very first brands that developed a comprehensive hypoallergenic rating system was actually from our own backyard. VMV's products are clinically formulated to be free from most, if not all, allergens that are found in a lot of cosmetics so it’s one of the safest local bets for sensitive skin. The Armada Face Cover 30 has been raved about in international magazines and counts Hollywood celebrities like Jennifer Garner among its fans. Bordering on makeup but still chock-full of stuff that’s good for your skin, the Skintangible SPF30 is a great tinted moisturizer that works even for dry-skinned girls while the Fine Finish Pore Minimizing Skin Mattifier is an oil-control toner.
VMV Hypoallergenics has standalone boutiques but you can also purchase them online from here and here.
Snoe Beauty / Six years in the business
You probably never thought you needed products like the Stink Positive Instant Shower Spray or a slimming contour powder like Slim Shade Me Face Sculpting Cake until Snoe made them. The brand focuses on creating effective products that improve your daily routine, and they give the wittiest and cheekiest names to their products! Try the Awesome Poresome Excavator Mask to take the gunk out of your pores and keep your kisser soft and moisturized with their Beso Balm.
Snoe Beauty is available in select malls.
Image via shensaddiction.com
Image via chicsassymom.com
Ilog ni Maria / 22 years in the business
Even before bee-inspired ingredients started a buzz in Korean skin care, a honeybee farm in Cavite was already producing all-natural products with ingredients like bee propolis. Honey is a popular skincare ingredient because of its natural antibacterial and moisturizing properties, so products like the Royal Jelly Cleanser & Moisturizer work well to rejuvenate skin while doubling as a makeup remover. They also have the delicious-sounding Honey Face Scrub, which uses oatmeal to gently slough off dead skin and dislodge blackheads.
Ilog ni Maria’s main store is in their Cavite bee farm but you can also order online.
Oryspa / Six years in the business
The Japanese aren’t the only ones to discover the skin care benefits of rice. Rice bran, the hard brown shell that covers the rice grain, is also apparently rich in vitamin E and vitamin A! It has natural anti-oxidant and anti-aging properties. The Rice Bran Beauty Oil can be used as both a makeup remover and anti-aging product, and instead of washing with rice water, you can use a cleanser like the Rice Bran Face & Body Wash. For the face-mask crazy, they have a Rice Powder Face Mask to clarify and brighten the complexion.
Oryspa can be found in Echo Stores or purchased online.
Have you tried any of these brands? What are your favorite products?
