Best Facials Singapore: Clear, Glowing Skin Facial Treatments Review

Here at Expat Living, we’re always on the hunt for the best beauty facial treatments that promise brighter, clearer skin. As facials aren’t a one-size-fits-all solution and our skin-needs change through the years from treating acne, extraction, and pigmentation to anti ageing, we put seven of the best facials in Singapore (for different skin types) to the test.

Moving to Singapore can come with its unique set of challenges and finding a place for a good facial is just one of them. Being the helpful folks that we are, we went out and tried some facials in Singapore for you to choose from – in a variety of locations and styles of treatments and skin products.

Here are our reviews of treatments that promise radiant, glowing skin as well as anti-ageing benefits.

My Cozy Room

massage parlour — The welcoming interiors at My Cozy Room

Facial treatment:

MY PREMIUM EXTRACTION FACIAL, 120 MINUTES, $288. First-timers can enjoy the facial at 50 percent off.

The experience:

Located a stone’s throw away from bustling Orchard Road, this boutique spa – which is as cosy as its name suggests! – features whimsical Victorian-style décor and furnishings. My session starts with a brief survey to find out my skin type, followed by a chat with the spa manager Celine, who analyses my current skin condition and recommends the best treatment.

If you have sensitive skin, don’t worry – the spa uses premium German skincare brand BABOR, known for its natural ingredients and effective results. The treatment begins with makeup removal, followed by a divine facial massage. My Cozy Room uses plant-based HYOL cleanser as a cleansing oil and BABOR Phyto-active combination treatment essence for detoxifying. My therapist Iris applies a gentle plant-based peeling enzyme to remove dead skin cells and further cleanse the skin.

Next up is the extraction, which, as someone with a lower-then-average pain threshold, I’m not overly excited about. While I wouldn’t lie and say the process was entirely painful, it was certainly bearable. Iris was extremely thorough, too; it was the longest extraction I’ve ever been through – a whole 45 minutes!

After this, I’m rewarded with a series of pampering treatments, including a head and shoulder massage, a soothing crystal eye massage and eyebrow trimming. My favourite part? Definitely the mask application, which involves a premium alginate mask (formulated with charcoal for purifying purposes) being slathered across my entire face (yes, lips and eyelids included), and then a relaxing hand massage as the mask sets.

Winding down:

If you’re looking for an extraction-focused facial to unclog your pores, this treatment would be perfect for you. While my skin was slightly red right after my session, the redness cleared up significantly after a couple of days. What’s left is a radiant base with an ultra-clean nose area – zero blackheads in sight!

Psst … Looking to glow on your special day (or a special occasion)? Opt for the award-winning Premium Illuminating Facial instead!

– ANTHIA CHNG

Try it at:

My Cozy Room
56A Cairnhill Road
6732 0030 | mycozyroom.com.sg

La Source Spa

Facial treatment:

LA RADIANCE FACIAL, 75 MINUTES, $268

The experience:

La Source Spa is an urban Tuscan-style sanctuary with big vases of lilies propped up against pale yellow walls. The treatment rooms are spacious and prepped with big, fluffy towels. From indulgent facials to full body massages, there’s something for everyone at the spa!

My skin was tired, blotchy and dull, so the La Radiance facial was the perfect pick for me. It uses dynamic pulsed light (DPL) to reduce hyper pigmentation and wrinkles, while lifting and toning. The sensation as the therapist “flashed” the light over my face was unusual but not painful at all. Thereafter, she used a more focused laser on the fine veins on my chin and around my nose to reduce their appearance.

After a traditional cleanse and extraction process, I was then treated to an extended firming facial massage, which felt like a good workout for my skin. I could feel my muscles relax as every part of my face was firmly stroked upward and outward.

La Source Spa uses their proprietary range of products from INNI Solutions, which are botanical and source-traceable, formulated without parabens, mineral oils, additives or preservatives.

Winding down:

There was no post-treatment redness or reaction, so this would be perfect before an event or a special night out as it helps to even out and brighten the skin tone. Days after, my skin still feels firmer than before; credit goes to the divine facial massage!

– DANIELLE ROSSETTI

Try it at:

La Source Spa
#01-03/04, Thong Teck Building 15 Scotts Road
6732 1318 | lasourcespa.com.sg

Trimmings Spa and Salon

Facial treatment:

AVEDA TULASARA FACIAL, 90 MINUTES, $195 (75 MINUTES, $160)

The experience:

It’s always refreshing to find somewhere that isn’t tucked away in a cavernous shopping mall, and Trimmings is one such place. Amidst the old army barracks of Loewen Gardens, this spa is in a separate building adjacent to the noisier hair salon, allowing it the necessary peace and quiet.

The ancient Indian healing art of Ayurveda is at the core of both the Aveda products used for this facial, and in the treatment’s emphasis on tulasara (Sanskrit for “moving towards balance”), the practice of bringing skin into balance – all well explained by my therapist, Celeste. The difference between the 90-minute and 75-minute facial is an extra 15-minute massage, and you can choose between a back, neck and shoulder treatment, or add 15 minutes to your face and head massage towards the end. I opted for the former.

The facial is a completely non-invasive, relaxing treatment that can be done regularly, at least once a month. It involves deep cleansing, a mask and activator that has a mild peel effect, extraction, and a wonderfully relaxing facial massage using Aveda’s radiant oleation oil. I’ll be completely honest and admit I slept through at least half of the treatment, which meant that not only did I leave with smooth, glowing skin, but I was also completely rested and relaxed, which did wonders for my eye bags, too.

Winding down:

My skin had a far more even tone than when I had arrived, without any redness at all. Even my husband commented that my face was looking smoother, which is a minor miracle.

– AMY BROOK-PARTRIDGE

Try it at:

Trimmings Spa & Salon
75B Loewen Road
6471 1922 | trimmings.com.sg

Derma Lab

Facial treatment:

ULTIMATE ANTI- AGEING FACIAL, $450 ($180 FOR FIRST TRIAL)

The experience:

Using products from Swiss skincare brand Juvena, this two-hour facial started with cleansing and exfoliation, then a cool steam (which I loved even more than a warm steam!) and a much-needed extraction. Then came a round of dynamic pulsed light (DPL) to brighten skin and stimulate collagen production. As a DPL newbie, the bright lights and little pulses all over my face were an odd sensation at first, but it went pretty quickly and, before I knew it, I was being massaged by a cooling crystal ball, which was quite relaxing.

Things got extra indulgent when a 24k gold leaf was massaged into my skin; gold is said to have anti-inflammatory and anti-ageing properties. Then came the equally decadent caviar mask, meant to stimulate collagen and create luminous, balanced skin. We wrapped up with a great shoulder massage!

Winding down:

I left the salon feeling relaxed and looking glowy, with soft skin slathered in luxurious creams and serums. It felt like a good spring-cleaning for my face! A week later, my skin was still feeling soft and my pores were still super clean; my skin even looked a bit brighter. As for anti-ageing effects, I think it would take more than just one session to see any real results.

– AMY GREENBURG

Try it at:

Derma Lab
#02-08B United Square Shopping Mall,
101 Thomson Road
6266 3038 | facebook.com/dermalabsingapore

Beaute Hub

The treatment:

LPG ALLIANCE FACE TREATMENT, 60 MINUTES, $598 ($68 FOR FIRST TRIAL)

The experience:

The treatment started with a deep face cleanse before gentle steaming, followed by extractions. The LPG machine is the first in Singapore and is the latest technology treatment to get visible, instant results. LPG face endermologie is the only technique in the world that stimulates natural hyaluronic acid, collagen and elastin, making it a natural and effective anti-ageing solution.

As the therapist gently glided the machine head over my face and neck, the pulsating motion felt soft and relaxing, similar to a light massage. My skin soon felt tightened and rejuvenated, and my lines and wrinkles were smoothed out, resulting in a firmer and brighter base. According to my therapist, it can reduce dark circles under the eyes, too.

After the machine did its magic, a soothing face mask was applied, and I was treated to a moisturising massage to round off the facial.

Winding down:

My face felt firmer immediately and looked noticeably brighter. I would definitely be keen to do it again, as stronger and more visible results are typically seen after five sessions.

– JACQUI YOUNG

Try it at:

Beaute Hub International
Multiple locations island-wide
6555 1515 | beautehub.com

Pure Tincture

The treatment:

ORGANIC CUSTOMISED FACIAL FOR ULTRA SENSITIVE SKIN, 90 MINUTES, $200

The experience:

Housed on the second floor of a shophouse along Tras Street, Pure Tincture is known for its award-winning facial treatments suitable for sensitive skin. The organic beauty sanctuary is cosy and clean with a homely vibe; it almost felt like I was dropping by a friend’s place for a coffee break!

Pure Tincture offers a range of facials for different skin types: oily, combination, dry, ageing and sensitive. Over the past couple of months, my skin had become more sensitive than usual and I was breaking out rather frequently, so this organic treatment was perfect for me.

The facial started with a double cleanse and exfoliation using Pai products, which are formulated with only naturally derived ingredients and without any nasties such as preservatives, fragrances or parabens. After around 10 minutes of facial steaming, my therapist Helen then went on to extract my pimples and blackheads – a painful but necessary step for clearer, healthier pores. The session ended with a face mask, coupled with a series of divine neck, shoulder and head massages, which was undoubtedly the highlight of my experience.

Winding down:

Immediately after, I took a peek in the mirror and was surprised to see how refreshed and awake I looked. While there was some minor redness that comes with most facials, my skin looked much clearer and calmer. My eyebags had somehow miraculously disappeared too, and I’m positive it’s got to do with Helen’s magical face massage! If you liked the effects of your facial, be sure to check out the various products on display, which are mainly organic, natural and non-comedogenic.

– ANTHIA CHNG