Frankly, the Men’s Folio Grooming Awards 2022 has not changed much since its inauguration in 2020. Its metrics are still yardsticks that have not shrunk in length — does a product feel and work as they claim to do besides looking good on the table? If we are to play spot the difference, then there are smarter upgrades to the daily staples we use such as serums for the eyes, a greater focus on makeup removal, hydration, and many new solutions to scent oneself.
There are, of course, even more choices this year — roughly 528 nominations were made across 80 brands. We narrowed it down to 286 products from 68 brands, of which were tested by this panel of eight — Managing Editor Asaph Low, Deputy Editor Bryan Goh, Makeup Artists Eric Tan, Larry Yeo, Priscelia Wong, Sha Shamsi, and grooming enthusiasts Smita de Souza and Aiman Haikal — resulting in 68 winners that were deeply vetted, tested, and of course, loved.
From left to right, the best toners and serums from our 2022 Grooming Awards:
BEST HYDRATING TONER — Pixi Milky Tonic
Balancing, hydrating and soothing all in one formula, Sha also thinks the product is “good value for money and a handy product to bring around for quick freshening of the skin.”
BEST OIL CONTROL TONER – The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toner
Besides doing what it is meant to do quickly and without causing sensitivity, Priscelia notes too that “its scent is light, the texture is great and this toner isn’t harsh on the skin”.
BEST BRIGHTENING TONER – M.A.C Cosmetics Lightful C3 Radiant Hydration Skin Renewal Lotion
“A skin brightening toner with active ingredients to soothe skin. I even use this as a beard softening liquid before using a shaving cream,” says Larry.
BEST SKIN SOOTHING TONER – RE:ERTH Calming Toner
Immediately cooling the skin down after application while soothing out angry acne lesions and flaking, Bryan likes that “it doesn’t leave a sticky residue that interferes with other products.”
BEST ANTI-ACNE SERUM — IRÉN Skin Clearer Days Anti-Blemish Serum
“A watery serum that is very easy to apply,” says Asaph, concurring with the brand’s claims that it “reduces acne while calming and healing irritated parts of my skin”.
BEST RETEXTURISING SERUM — LAB SERIES Anti-Age MAX LS Serum
“An excellent blend of peptides and skin communicating agents for skin renewal and soothing,” says Larry who adds that it is an “all-rounder product” made for every man.
BEST SKIN SOOTHING SERUM — RATIONALE #1 The Serum
Besides soothing the skin from issues like mild sunburns or being a little too active with acids, Bryan also appreciates that the serum smells refreshingly like “Caprisun Orange” juice.
BEST HYDRATING SERUM — ést.lab Activecalm Skin Quenching Serum
“It’s lightweight, quickly absorbed and my skin immediately feels bouncy and soft,” says Smita who also likes that “the sliver of transparency on it lets you know when you’re running out.”
BEST BRIGHTENING SERUM — Caudalie Vinoperfect Radiance Serum Complexion Correcting
Besides gently and quickly correcting dark spots of all kinds, Priscelia likes the “light, natural scent this product has” and that “its oil-free formula feels comfortable on the skin.”
BEST REJUVENATING SERUM — TheSkinBrand® Rejuvenating Serum
Comprising 20% GINSENTONIC® in the serum, it does everything from treating premature ageing to roughness, a fact that Bryan thinks “makes it a holy grail that plays well with most products.”
BEST ANTI-AGING SERUM — mtm labo Custom-Blended Skin Repair Serum
Repairing, firming, and reducing wrinkles, Asaph notes that “the serum instantly plumps up the skin and keeps this effect constant with consistent use.”
Once you’re done with this story about the best toners and serums from our 2022 Grooming Awards, click here to catch up with our June/July 2022 issue!
RELATED ARTICLES
The AI-fication Of Facial Treatments
Fashion Is Yearning for More
