The cooler temperatures in Hong Kong may be a relief after the sweltering summer, but the dipping temperatures bring its own set of worries. Not only can cold weather cause dry and dull skin, but many skincare products contain harsh chemicals that make the problem worse.
Your best bet is to use hydrating products with natural or nontoxic ingredients and formulations. Here’s our picks of the best clean skincare that will keep your skin in top condition this fall!
See also: The Truth About… Clean Beauty
1.

Botanic Pretti5 Hydro-Power Brightening Cleanser
This Hong Kong-based brand blends “natural Eastern ingredients with high-performance, scientific ingredients from the West.” Botanic Pretti5 is cruelty-free and formulates its products with vegan ingredients and it uses recyclable packaging.
This cleanser is formulated without SLS and SLES (sodium lauryl ether sulfate) surfactants, both of which are foaming agents, parabens, mineral oil, alcohol, artificial fragrance and synthetic colourants.
Available at Pretti5.com
2.

Fresh Kombucha Facial Treatment Essence
Essences may seem like an unnecessary step in your skincare routine, but they’re a wonderful way to add extra hydration to your skin. They can also help to minimise fine lines. This popular essence from Fresh is free from parabens and sulfates. Its star ingredient – kombucha – keeps skin smooth, boosts luminosity and protects from pollution. Use it after cleansing and before your serum and moisturiser.
Fresh is actively working to make its operations more eco-friendly: they use ingredients that are fully traceable, they’re working to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2030 and they’re aiming to make 100% of its packaging from recyclable material.
Available at sephora.hk
3.

Skin Need – Hyaluronic Serum
Hong Kong-based skincare brand Skin Need is new on the skincare scene, and was created with the aim of personalising skincare to particular skin concerns while balancing concern for the planet. The line is entirely vegan, with ingredients that are organically grown and produced via fair trade “where possible.” The products are also locally packaged, using biodegradable and/ or recyclable packaging.
We’re intrigued by the 100% Hyaluronic Serum; the high percentage allows the product to penetrate deeply, which offers intense hydration, perfect for the cooler weather!
Available at sephora.hk
4.

AOTEA – Manuka Honey Day Cream
This New Zealand-based brand creates its products using native flora that are grown sustainably and other natural fair-trade ingredients. Its manuka honey day cream is made with natural manuka honey that intensely hydrates, as well as kawakawa-infused sweet almond oil, providing strong anti-inflammatory properties, ideal for reducing redness and blemishes.
Available at slowood.hk
5.

Zero Yet 100 – Night Face Moisturiser
Zero Yet 100 creates its products with only natural ingredients that are nontoxic and free from harmful chemicals. They’re then packaged in recyclable or up-cyclable packaging and labelled with lamination and plastic-free paper product stickers.
This vegan and cruelty-free night time moisturiser is packed with vitamins and provides hydration without clogging pores and is free from aluminium!
Available at zeroyet100.com
6.

Origins Overnight Hydrating Mask With Avocado & Glacier Water
Origins formulates its products without parabens, phthalates, formaldehyde, SLS, mineral oil, petrolatum, polyethylene beads and the brand is 100% vegetarian. Its packaging is made with cartons that are FSC-certified and more than half of the packaging is recyclable, refillable, reusable or recoverable.
This creamy mask is ultra-moisturising and is infused with hyaluronic acid and avocado butter.
Available at origins.hk
7.

Woke Up Like This – SPF
Just because the sun is making fewer appearances as the temperature dips, doesn’t mean that you should neglect your SPF! Woke Up Like This is another local brand that creates fun, yet practical and effective products. This product with SPF35 is unique in that it comes in a non-chunky powder form that protects the skin from harmful UV rays while giving a lovely peachy tone on the skin. It’s also free of synthetic nylon, fragrance, talc, parabens and preservatives, and formaldehyde releasers.
Available at wokeuplikethisbeauty.com
8.

I Never Use Foundation – Lip Scrub
I Never Use Foundation (INUF) is a Hong Kong-based wellness store that showcases a range of ethical and eco-friendly brands from all over the world.
This plant-based lip scrub from INUF’s own in-house brand is naturally-derived from plant-based oils, gums and waxes to remove dead skin cells and nourish the lips. It also contains antioxidants and vitamins to combat free radicals.
Available at INUF.com
See also: Go Natural: Eco-friendly Deodorants That Actually Work
Sign up for the 8Shades weekly newsletter to get all our feel-good stories in your inbox!