TOP 20 BEAUTY EMPTIES I LOVED IN 2023

 

In 2023, I have used up 113 products and shortlisted the following 20 beauty empties I loved. 

I am a fan of sharing beauty empties both on blog and on my instagram account - reviewgalore and also loved reading beauty empties' reviews by others. 

Sharing empties provide reviews based on the entire experience with a product which includes not just the initial impressions but also how the product performed over time. Recommending empties demonstrates that the product has been used consistently and has formed a well-informed opinion about its efficacy. 

Empties also tie into the sustainability movement. By using up products completely, we are reducing waste and making the most of the resources and packaging. This aligns with the idea of conscious consumption and minimizing environmental impact. Adding on, I like to keep track of my beauty empties as a way to monitor my skincare/beauty routines and to repurchase products which worked for me. 

Here are my top 20 products for 2023! Spot any of your favourite products in my list below? 

CLEANSERS AND TONERS

Muji Mild Milk Cleansing : Lovely citrus scent that is uplifting and invigorating. It cleanses gently and felt nourishing on skin as a second cleanse. I enjoyed using it and will repurchase. 

Dermalogica + Iherb + Naturisimo Haul

 

My hubby travelled to Bangkok for a colleague's wedding and I gave him my short shopping list. 

JUV Superfruit Sunscreen

The 28 UV Cut Aqua Sunscreen

Estee Lauder Pleasures Duo S$84.07 ( down from S$120.10 ) - from Changi Airport DFS

Redeem a $300 product voucher from my recent facial package purchase

Dermalogica Micellar Prebiotic Precleanse $83

Dermalogica Invisible Physical Defense SPF30 $92

Dermalogica Multivitamin Power Recovery Masque $119

Wavertree & London Summer Spritz Triple Milled Soap - souvenir from a colleague's Perth trip

[ Review ] L/Chemy Hydracalm Serum, Peptide Serum, Moisturiser

 

Thanks to L/Chemy who had gifted the following products to me, in return for honest reviews. 

L/Chemy, the in-house skincare brand from Eternelle V Aesthetic Clinic & Medispa, believes in simplifying your personal care routines for more time on life’s greater pursuits, engineering a life of ease to realise your personal legend.

On their website, you can search for face products, body care products or bundled products for ease of convenience. 

Strangely, there are neither batch codes nor manufacturing dates/expiry dates printed on their actual products, although the Period After Opening (PAO) was stated. 

L/Chemy Ocean is a hydrocalm serum formulated with a combination of multi-molecular hyaluronic acids, anti-inflammatory and barrier-repair ingredients. It intensively hydrates and calms dry, dehydrated and sensitive skin. The continuous use of this serum reduces wrinkles, improves skin elasticity and provides an excellent plumping effect. A potent humectant, this serum works for dehydrated, even oily and sensitive skin types and especially for those living in humid climates.

How To Use : 

1) Apply onto cleansed and freshly-toned skin - day and night, until thoroughly absorbed. 

2) Follow with moisturiser.

Tip : Layer after Golden Glow or Breathe for perfectly hydrated skin!

Hyaluronic Acid works very well for me so it was no surprise that I really like Ocean. Housed in a 30ml dropper bottle, the serum is clear in colour and lightweight in texture with a smooth consistency that sinks in well into skin with a calming sensation and a subtle tacky after-feel. I couldn't detect any scent.

[ Review ] L/Chemy Cleansing Milk, Amino Acid Daily Cleanser, B12 Toner, Exfoliant

 

L/Chemy reached out to me for a collaboration recently, and gifted Ritual No. 1, On Cloud Nine, Serenity, Calmness, Ocean, Breathe and Elixir Ultimate based on my skin type. 

A Singapore brand, L/Chemy is short for Alchemy and represents the love of creating unique formulations sourced from around the world for everyday use. The brand seek high-performance scientific ingredients and pursue the purity and refinement of each ingredient. L/Chemy is the in-house skincare brand from Eternelle V Aesthetic Clinic & Medispa.

L/Chemy was created for people who want to do more with their time. It was created for people who actively seek simplicity coupled with efficiency and who understand that an elegant way of life is a simple one. Every single aspect from the formulation to the packaging is intentional, from the complex formula that delivers multiple benefits to the deliberate exclusion of expensive and elaborate packaging.

Their products do not contain parabens, sulfates, colorants, mineral oils, phthalates and fragrance. You can read more about the brand on their website. 

Strangely, there are neither batch codes nor manufacturing dates/expiry dates printed on their products, although the Period After Opening (PAO) was stated. 

L/Chemy Ritual No. 1 is a gentle, non-drying cleansing milk which can be used as a cleanser on its own and also removes make-up (foundation) and sunscreen effectively without leaving a sticky residue. The soft, creamy 300ml lotion is comfortable to apply and massage onto skin. 

It contains Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate, a popular ingredient in many Japanese and Korean skincare formulations. Balance uneven skin tone, refine overall skin texture, reduce appearance of pore size and reveal your skin’s natural glow. Also a morning cleanser perfect for removing oil and grime without interfering with the skin’s natural microbiome.

[ Review ] Paula's Choice Super-Light Daily Wrinkle Defense SPF 30

 

Product Description

Paula's Choice Super-Light Daily Wrinkle Defense SPF 30 is a lightly tinted mineral-based anti-aging moisturizer with SPF protection that minimizes shine by absorbing excess oil. This is a daytime anti-aging moisturizer someone with oily/combination skin will love and never want to be without!

-Anti-Aging, Enlarged Pores, Wrinkles

-Normal to Oily Skin; Combination Skin

-Mineral-based SPF prevents premature aging of skin

-Antioxidants restore vital elements of skin

-Sheer-tinted with a soft matte-finish

-Use as the last step in any daytime routine

Its been 10 years since I last used a Paula's Choice product so I was glad to have won Paula's Choice Super-Light Daily Wrinkle Defense SPF 30 from an Instagram giveaway early last year. 

Manufactured in USA, Paula's Choice has established one of the most robust science-backed foundations in the industry to take the guesswork out of skincare. The brand is committed to raise its standards, use more innovative ingredients and improve its formula with each passing year. 

When I first received the product, it confuses me - is it a moisturizer or a tinted sunscreen? While Paula Choice touted it as a moisturizer, yet under the How To Use instructions, it seemed to imply it as a sunscreen usage. At the same time, it won the Best Sunscreen award in Beauty Insider’s 2021 Beauty & Wellness Awards. 

Sephora sells it as a sunscreen product under the name - Paula's Choice Resist Super-Light Daily Wrinkle Defense Face Sunscreen SPF 30. Nonetheless, I am using it as a tinted sunscreen, after my regular sunscreen application. 

My last tinted sunscreens were Naruko Tea Tree Anti-Acne Sunscreen SPF50 and Cute Press Tone Up Sunscreen SPF 50+ PA++ which I had enjoyed. 

[ Review ] I'm From Rice Toner

 

Product Description

This rice toner includes 77.78% of rice extract, having clear benefits in elasticity care. Its formation of a protective barrier is not only effective in preventing water loss but also eliminates dead skin cells, making the skin moisturized and luster through rebalancing dry and tired skin. This rice toner is not limited to specific skin types as it fits well with all, including oily, sensitive, dry, and combination skin types.

I'm From Rice Toner is one of the products I chose for my 2nd Wishtrend collaboration. You can read my review on I'm From Mugwort Essence. 

This toner is highly raved by most who have used it but it wasn't my favorite when I first started using it. Lets delve down to understand why. 

[ Review ] The Inkey List Peptide Moisturizer

 

Product Description

The Inkey List Peptide Moisturizer is a nurturing yet fast-absorbing daily moisturiser with a peptide duo that helps support natural collagen and hydrate the skin. Peptides are small but mighty amino acid chains that support the firming, hydrating proteins for your skin. With continued use, these peptides help support natural collagen, leaving skin looking youthful and feeling comfortable.

I received The Inkey List Peptide Moisturizer as a Christmas gift from a good friend last year and emptied it recently. This is my first foray into the brand.

Founded in 2018 and made in UK, The INKEY List was born from a belief that better knowledge powers better decisions where products are priced to allow one to test and play with ingredients to build the perfect skincare recipe, for your ever changing skincare needs. Products are cruelty-free. 

[ Review ] Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun : Rice + Probiotics SPF50+ PA++++

 

Relief Sun : Rice + Probiotics SPF50+ PA++++

Product Description

Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun : Rice + Probiotics SPF50+ PA++++ is a lightweight and creamy type organic sunscreen that's comfortable on skin. Even if you apply a large amount several times, it is not sticky and gives a moist finish like that of a light moisturizing cream. Containing 30% rice extract and grain fermented extracts, it provides moisture and nourishment to the skin.

Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun : Rice + Probiotics has taken the internet by storm in 2022, with its unbelievable lightweight lotion texture and dewy glow so of course, I have to try it. I purchased it from Yesstyle late last year but didn't get round to using it until this year. 

Prior to this, I have only tried Beauty of Joseon Bubble Toner (Green Plum + AHA) so this is only my second product from the brand. 

Hailing from Korea, Beauty of Joseon has a key philosophy which is to create skincare products that deliver a sense of comfort and relaxation to skin using Hanbang ingredients. 

[ Review ] Dear Klairs Gentle Black Sugar Facial Polish

 

Product Description

Dear Klairs Gentle Black Sugar Facial Polish is great for exfoliating, softening and freshening up your skin in a natural way. Its fine texture gently exfoliates your skin without drying out the skin like salt scrubs or has adverse impact like beaded scrubs. It does not leave any harmful residue on your skin to clog the pores. It is safe to use them even on sensitive skin, face or body.

I received Dear Klairs Gentle Black Sugar Facial Polish from a Wishtrend collaboration last year. My last facial scrub was Ole Henriksen Lemonade Smoothing Scrub which was slightly abrasive while 100% Pure Strawberry Lemonade Jelly Scrub was too runny for my likes. 

Packaging, Scent and Texture

Dear Klairs Gentle Black Sugar Facial Polish is housed in a 110g tub with an enclosed clear plastic spatula. It has a delicious brown sugar-like scent with a thick creamy textured scrub.