Thirsty Skin? 3 New Skincare Launches for Your Face and Lips

Singapore’s humidity may make us feel sticky, but that doesn’t necessarily mean our skin is well hydrated. Long hours in air-conditioned rooms, frequent cleansing and changes in our skincare routine can all leave skin feeling tight or looking dull.

Three new skincare launches offer different approaches to hydration for your face and lips. Japanese brand Hada Labo has introduced its H.A. Supreme range, French brand Biotherm has launched in Singapore with its fitness-inspired “Skin Fitness” philosophy, and The Ordinary has released a targeted HA + Asiaticoside Lip Treatment. Here’s what sets them apart — and what their ingredients can realistically do.

Hada Labo H.A. Supreme: A Focus on Stressed-Looking Skin

Hada Labo’s new H.A. Supreme range centres on hyaluronic acid, a familiar ingredient in hydrating skincare. The four-product collection is designed to help replenish moisture and improve the appearance of skin that looks tired or dull.

The Revitalising & Brightening Lotion (S$28.50) combines what the brand calls ultra-micro hyaluronic acid with Pro-Xylane and hydrolysed soy protein. Hada Labo says third-party testing found a 33% improvement in skin elasticity after seven days, although the release does not provide enough detail to independently evaluate the claim.

The Intensive Sculpting Cream (S$48.50) contains ergothioneine and SepiWhite, with the brand reporting improvements in smoothness and radiance after two weeks. The Collagen Booster & Repairing Night Mask (S$49.50) is a hydrogel overnight treatment, while the Lifting & Contouring Eye Essence Cream (S$30.50) targets hydration and the appearance of dark circles.

Hada Labo also announced MEOVV member ANNA Tanaka as its new Asia-Pacific ambassador. The complete H.A. Supreme range is available exclusively at Watsons.

Biotherm: Bringing ‘Skin Fitness’ to Singapore

Biotherm, a French skincare brand founded in 1952, has officially launched in Singapore. Its central idea is that skincare can be part of the same everyday wellbeing routine as exercise and nutrition — a concept the brand calls “Skin Fitness”.

Leading the local launch is the Aquasource+ Electrolyte Dewy Gel, a lightweight moisturising gel formulated with electrolytes. These minerals are more commonly discussed in relation to fluids and exercise, but Biotherm has incorporated them into a skincare product. The brand claims the gel provides up to 100 hours of hydration; that is a product-specific marketing claim, not a guarantee that every user’s skin will stay hydrated for more than four days.

Other products in the Singapore line-up include the Aquasource Hyalu Plump Gel, Aquasource+ Vitamin Glow Gel, Lait Corporel Moisturizing Body Lotion and Biotherm Homme Aquapower Advanced Gel. The range is available through Watsons Singapore online and in stores. Prices were not supplied in the launch release.

The Ordinary: Hydration for Lips, Too

Hydration does not stop at your cheeks and forehead. Lips are also prone to dryness, and The Ordinary’s new HA + Asiaticoside Lip Treatment (S$21 for 10ml) offers a targeted approach. The treatment combines fermented and micro-encapsulated hyaluronic acid with asiaticoside, derived from Centella asiatica, and goji berry extract.

The brand says its non-sticky emulsion instantly makes lips look plumper without the tingling sensation associated with some lip-plumping glosses. It also claims continued use helps reduce the appearance of fine lip lines and improve definition. These are brand-reported cosmetic outcomes, not evidence that a topical treatment produces effects equivalent to lip fillers. Apply a thin layer to clean, dry lips morning and evening, and reapply as needed. The product launched in Singapore in October 2026.

Hyaluronic Acid, Electrolytes and Asiaticoside: What Does the Science Say?

Hyaluronic acid has a straightforward role in skincare: it is a humectant, meaning it helps attract and hold water. Research supports its ability to improve skin hydration when included in topical formulations. A 2024 randomised trial involving 36 older adults with dry skin, for example, found that a low-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid lotion improved measured hydration more than a high-molecular-weight version or the lotion base alone over four weeks. That does not establish that every small-molecule formula penetrates to a particular skin depth, or that Hada Labo’s own products will achieve the same results.

Electrolytes such as sodium, potassium and magnesium play important roles in fluid balance in the body. In a face cream, however, their effects depend on the complete formulation. We should not assume that an electrolyte gel “replenishes” the skin in the same way an electrolyte drink supports hydration after sweating. Without independent product-specific evidence, Biotherm’s long-lasting hydration claim is best treated as the brand’s claim.

For either product line, the moisturiser’s texture, other humectants and barrier-supporting ingredients, and how consistently you use it may matter more than a headline ingredient.

Asiaticoside is a compound found in Centella asiatica. Although it has been studied for its biological activity, that does not independently establish that a particular lip treatment stimulates collagen production or gives lasting volume. The Ordinary’s claims should be understood as claims about the cosmetic appearance of lips.

Which Product Should You Consider?

If your main concern is dryness or tightness, start by identifying the type of product you actually need. Someone who prefers a light gel in Singapore’s warm weather may be interested in Biotherm’s Aquasource+ Electrolyte Dewy Gel. Someone looking to explore a fuller face-care routine, including an eye product or night mask, may prefer browsing Hada Labo’s H.A. Supreme range.

Neither approach automatically requires buying every product. For many people, a gentle cleanser, a moisturiser that suits their skin and daily sunscreen are a sensible starting point. Sensitive or easily irritated skin may benefit from introducing one new product at a time and checking the full ingredients list before purchasing.

And remember: dehydrated skin is not limited to dry skin types. Oily skin can feel dehydrated too. If your skin remains persistently irritated, itchy, cracked or inflamed, a skincare launch is not a substitute for advice from a healthcare professional.

Editor’s note: This is a new-product feature based on information supplied by Hada Labo, The Ordinary and Biotherm, supplemented by published research. The products have not been independently tested by The Wellness Insider. Individual results may vary.