The enormity of today’s beauty market is a double-edged sword. On one hand, it offers a dazzling treasure trove where every whim or need finds its match—with multiple variations, to boot. On the other hand, there can also be too many choices. A glamorous labyrinth, today’s beauty aisles can bewilder and intimidate even the most seasoned explorer; what more the newbies?
As anyone who’s ever set out to find a foolproof skin solution can tell you, finding “the one” for a specific complexion concern can be a never-ending chase, more so if you don’t really know what you’re looking for. That said, if you’re a no-fuss consumer looking for products that work—or simply have no time or patience for the requisite trial and error—consider this a guide made for you.
We’ve scoured skincare halls of fame and consulted industry experts to give you “the reliables,” from legendary acne zappers to cult-favorite glow-getters and more.
The Problem: Acne
The Reliable: Mario Badescu Skincare Drying Lotion
Way before pimple patches, there came a tiny glass bottle containing a miraculous pink potion that proved to be a game-changer in the acne-fighting arena. Created in the 1970s by Romanian chemist and pharmacist Mario Badescu, this potent blend swiftly gained fame for its ability to treat pesky blemishes—from whiteheads to cystic acne—overnight. Its effectiveness and simplicity captured the hearts of skincare enthusiasts worldwide, landing on the vanities of everyone from Hollywood celebrities (Gwyneth Paltrow and Kylie Jenner, to name a few) to regular skinthusiasts. “I always just use the same pimple thing from the facialist in New York I’ve had forever—that chalky Mario Badescu… Mario Badescu is the best one,” says Gwyneth of this legendary on-the-spot solution.
How it works: No fancy ingredients here! This cult classic relies on salicylic acid to exfoliate, treat congestion, and encourage cell turnover; sulfur to absorb excess oil and deliver antimicrobial properties; and calamine lotion to soothe skin and reduce redness. Pro tip: Don’t shake the bottle. You want it as concentrated as possible for maximum benefits.
Mario Badescu Skincare Drying Lotion
P1,350, Rustan’s
The Problem: Dull, lackluster skin
The Reliable: Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Salicylic Acid Exfoliant
This leave-on exfoliant is the number one product among U.S. brand Paula’s Choice’s wide gamut of skincare offerings—for good reason. Not your average exfoliator, it’s dubbed by many as the golden ticket to clearer, smoother, and more radiant skin: It banks on the powers of its titular beta hydroxy acid (BHA) to mimic the natural exfoliation process and shed built-up layers of skin, giving a visible glow and tone boost in just weeks. Since being introduced to the market in 2000, it’s scooped up beauty awards left and right from prestigious titles such as Allure, Instyle, and Elle.
Why it’s different: Forget about abrasive scrubs. This BHA Liquid weightlessly exfoliates skin with salicylic acid, unclogging pores, banishing blemishes, and even improving the look of fine lines like no one’s business. It works fast and gently (it has an optimal pH range of 3.2 to 3.8 and an alcohol-free base), and delivers bonus soothing benefits with antioxidant-rich green tea. Plus, it is gentle enough for use every day—up to twice daily!
Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Salicylic Acid Exfoliant
P2,300, Rustan’s
The Problem: Dry, chapped lips
The Reliable: Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask
A supremely luxurious treat for the lips, this K-beauty hall-of-famer has caused thousands of people all over the world to swap their lip balm sticks for a lip mask, a.k.a. a more intensive moisturizing formula made for overnight wear. It’s so popular—and so highly coveted—that K-pop royalty BTS even collaborated with Amorepacific, Laneige’s mother company, to create their own limited-edition version. The uber-thick formula features a patented moisture technology that works while you sleep, offsetting dryness while also softening and plumping up the lips. It’s enhanced further by shea and murmur butters, and is brimming with antioxidants from its Berry Mix Complex.
How to use it: Apply a liberal amount to lips before bedtime using the spatula, evenly covering the entire lip surface. Leave on for the night. Come morning, gently wipe the lips with a cotton pad or tissue—your kissers will look and feel impossibly soft and supple. You can also use it during the day to instantly thwart off dryness and flakiness.
Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask
P1,129, Laneige
The Problem: Dry, itchy skin
The Reliable: Suu Balm Rapid Itch Relief Moisturiser
Fairly new to the market, Singapore brand Suu Balm was born out of a pressing need: Its founder, Dr. Tey Hong Liang of the National Skin Centre, saw that existing creams, though many, weren’t doing enough to relieve itching fast and effectively moisturize the skin. So what he did was combine menthol, known for its natural itch-relieving and cooling power, with a high concentration of a ceramide-based moisturizer to create the original Suu Balm in 2015. Thanks to the product’s quick and unmatched efficacy (dramatic itch relief within five minutes from application), it’s since earned its stripes as a go-to skin saver—especially when battling persistent itching and irritation due to eczema, psoriasis, or even just the cool weather. Today, the brand’s product range includes face and body creams, cleansers, sprays, and a dedicated skincare line for children.
Expert-approved: Dermatologist and well-aging physician Dr. Kaycee Reyes, founder of Luminisce Holistic Skin Innovations, often recommends the Suu Balm Rapid Itch Relief Moisturiser to her patients, particularly those with atopic skin conditions—including babies. “I really love the comfort and fast action of Suu Balm,” she says, adding that the “nurturing emollients combined with cooling menthol” work to calm itchiness in record time.
Suu Balm Rapid Itch Relief Moisturiser
P900, Suu Balm
The Problem: Hyperpigmentation
The Reliable: Murad’s Rapid Dark Spot Correcting Serum
Want to reduce dark spots without a doctor’s visit? That’s precisely what Murad’s powerhouse serum promises—and sets out—to do, a claim backed by 30 years of dark spot-brightening expertise. Proven to quickly fade the look of spots and discoloration, this no-prescription formula goes beyond correction with its patented Resorcinol Technology and tranexamic acid component to minimize and prevent further pigmentation. Glycolic acid, meanwhile, enhances natural radiance and improves the penetration of active ingredients by removing dulling surface skin cells.
Usage tips: This serum is ideal for a wide variety of skin types: from normal and balanced to dry, combination, and oily skin. As with any skincare routine—and especially a spot-brightening regimen—complement with daily SPF use to prevent UV damage that can aggravate the intensity of existing discoloration.
Murad’s Rapid Dark Spot Correcting Serum
P4,250, Rustan’s
The Problem: Sensitive skin
The Reliable: Vanicream Moisturizing Cream
Beloved by dermatologists around the world, Vanicream is a 50-year-old brand that specializes in products for people with sensitive skin—one of the first skincare brands to do away with chemicals that could be irritating or sensitizing to the skin (fragrances, dyes, lanolin, the works). Not surprisingly, one of its core products, the Vanicream Moisturizing Cream, continues to be a top choice for those seeking gentle yet effective hydration: The highly emollient, non-greasy formula immediately relieves dryness, soothes red and irritated skin, and creates a protective barrier to prevent water loss.
Versatile formula: “It’s an ideal all-around preservative-free moisturizer not only for patients with dry skin and conditions like eczema, atopic dermatitis, and psoriasis, but also for those with normal skin,” says Dr. Maximin Navarro, dermatologist at Bella Pelle Skin Solutions and a fellow of the Philippine Dermatological Society, who adds that it can be used on the face, hands, and body. It also won’t irritate inflamed skin or aggravate breakouts—that’s how gentle it is.
Vanicream Moisturizing Cream
P1,800, Bella Pelle PH
The Problem: Scarring and stretch marks
The Reliable: Bio-Oil Skincare Oil
A miracle blend of calendula, chamomile oil, lavender oil, and rosemary plant extracts, it’s touted as the “world’s leading scar and stretch mark product” with a whopping 400 skincare awards (and counting) to its name. Originally created by German chemist Dieter Beier to treat his persistently dry skin, this breakthrough formulation proved to do so much more, delivering clinically proven results in diminishing the look of scars, stretch marks, uneven skin tone, and even aging skin. Its efficacy can be largely attributed to its proprietary component, PurCellin Oil, which serves as a delivery system that helps the natural extracts absorb quickly deep beneath the skin surface—minus any greasiness or heaviness.
Do-it-oil: It’s a great oil to stock up on for a host of skin concerns—from acne marks, injury, dryness, and more—on the face, neck, arms, legs, and the whole body. A precaution for those with acne-prone or sensitive skin: You might want to limit your usage to just neck-down, as its botanical ingredients may cause irritation in reactive types.
Bio-Oil Skincare Oil
P520, Watsons
The Problem: Dark, wrinkly under-eyes
The Reliable: RoC Retinol Correxion Line Smoothing Cream
One of the most popular drugstore eye creams in the U.S.—which, unfortunately, isn’t locally available yet—is this retinol formula from New York-based brand RoC, which is tried and tested to address three major eye area concerns: dark circles, lines, and puffiness. Formulated with pure RoC Retinol, a.k.a. America’s Most Awarded Retinol, the lightweight cream works to speed up the removal of old, dull skin cells to make way for fresher, newer ones. Visible lines appear smoothed immediately after application, dark circles and puffiness dramatically decrease after four weeks, while wrinkles and crow’s feet are noticeably reduced after 12 weeks.
Accessible retinol: We know retinol isn’t cheap, but this brand makes it easy on the pocket, offering a whole slew of retinol products—from creams and capsules to patches—with clinically-tested efficacy.
RoC Retinol Correxion Line Smoothing Cream
P1,480, Lazada
Given the variety and complexity of skin concerns we face these days—and the sheer number of groundbreaking formulas out there, with many yet to achieve mainstream status—it goes without saying that this guide is just the tip of the iceberg. Hot take, though: Just because something’s popular doesn’t always mean it’s good. It’s always best to do serious research or, better yet, consult with a trusted dermatologist (our other not-so-secret “reliable”).
