We know you’re probably tired of hearing #supportlocal, but at Beauty Insider, it’s a philosophy we truly believe in. After all, we wouldn’t be the authority on all things beauty if we didn’t explore the amazing gems Malaysia has to offer. And trust us, there are absolute treasure troves to discover. From skincare staples to makeup must-haves, the only thing our local beauty brands are missing is more support from us. So, here are our favourite local Malaysian beauty brands you absolutely need to check out, if you haven’t already.

Our Favourite Local Beauty Brands, By Malaysians, For Malaysians

Skincare

1. LUMI Beauty

Image source via Instagram

Founded in 2020 by Chryseis Tan, LUMI is dedicated to making glowing skin accessible to all. With the mantra “gleam before glam,” the brand focuses on cruelty-free skincare products inspired by popular K-Beauty formulations, designed to enhance natural radiance. Among their incredible beauty products, we recommend the Vitamin Glow Super Serum, Rose Set Glow Hydrating Mist, Bakuchiol Skydew Cloud Moisturizer, and Vitamin Glow Mineral Sunscreen. They’re truly all you need for glowing skin!

LUMI now boasts kiosks at The Exchange TRX and Bangsar Village II, along with countless unique vending machines across the Klang Valley and beyond. Here, you can purchase your very own LUMI products just as easily as a can of soda — but far better for your skin and undeniably prettier!

Click here to learn more about LUMI Beauty.

2. B&B Labs

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In 2014, Malaysian mother-son duo Julius Lim and Ruby Siah founded B&B Labs with a mission to transform skincare by focusing on the skin’s microbiome — your body’s very own army of good bacteria that works tirelessly to protect you. Their signature E-Cology Plus+ complex strengthens this natural defense, keeping your skin healthy, resilient, and glowing. That’s right, B&B Labs have been concerned about protecting the skin barrier way before it became a buzzword on the internet.

Their bestsellers include the Pomegranate Intense Hydration Cream, Plant Power Moisture Cleanser, Micro-Molecule Gentle Cleansing Solution, Super-Moist Treatment Essence, REFRESH Hydrating Cottonseed Mask, and RENEW Brightening Graphene Mask. You can find B&B Labs’ products at their online stores, selected Guardian outlets, and salons in Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Penang, and Perak.

Click here to learn more about B&B Labs.

3. COSMODERM

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COSMODERM believes that to truly shine in this world (COSMO), it all begins with having amazing skin (DERM). With a deep understanding of your skin’s needs, COSMODERM offers affordable, cruelty-free, and dermatologically-approved products that are carefully tested for 21 days to ensure they’re safe and effective. They are constantly coming up with new and improved products catering to various skin concerns such as their revamped Vitamin E series for normal to dry skin — one of our favourites!

COSMODERM products are available at Watsons, Guardian, and independent pharmacies. They can also be purchased through their online stores. Once you take a look at their insanely affordable price tags, don’t forget to thank us for the recommendation!

Click here to learn more about Cosmoderm.

4. CLEF

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CLEF (AKA clean and effective) has been around since 2019 and is now globally renowned across the United States, Europe, China, Hong Kong, and Singapore so if you haven’t heard of them before, where have you been? This homegrown brand made its mark internationally by offering innovative skincare solutions for all skin types, delivering visible, safe, and long-lasting results.

Their best-selling Copper Peptide Mask, the brand’s first product, serves as a cheat sheet for anti-aging. This proves that CLEF focuses on forward-thinking solutions that go beyond addressing just your current skin concerns. Their ground-breaking skincare products (and fragrances) can be found at their retail stores in Publika and Pavillion as well as Watsons, SASA, Aeon Wellness, and Fabs Mitsui Outlet Park.

Click here to learn more about CLEF.

Makeup

5. Velvet Vanity

local malaysian beauty brands
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We’ve raved about Velvet Vanity before, and for good reason. Few local Malaysian beauty brands have paved the way in cosmetics like they have since 2016. Velvet Vanity’s fuss-free makeup products are designed to help you achieve simple, straightforward beauty routines because to them, beauty shouldn’t require excessive time or effort. Confidence and feeling good in your skin are the keys to true beauty — and we couldn’t agree more.

Trust us, Velvet Vanity’s most popular products, including their Liquid Matte Lipsticks, Peptide Lip Oils, and the new Hyaluronic Liquid Blushes, are worthy alternatives to your Western makeup favourites. Here’s to hoping they’ll expand their expertise to base makeup products soon! Head over to their outlet at Elmina Lakeside Mall to experience vanity, the velvet way.

Click here to learn more about Velvet Vanity.

6. Kamelia Cosmetics

local malaysian beauty brands
Image source via Instagram

Another local makeup brand we adore is Kamelia Cosmetics, keeping mermaid makeup alive in Malaysia since 2016. While their irresistibly cute mermaid and sea-themed packaging may catch your eye, it’s their affordability and high-quality products that will keep you coming back. Thanks to founder Kamelia’s lifelong passion for mermaids and makeup, we can all channel our inner Ariel — let Kamelia Cosmetics be part of your world!

If you’re always on the hunt for the perfect foundation shade, try Kamelia Cosmetics’ Mini Mermaid Skin Foundation, available in seven shades designed for Malaysian skin tones. Their perpetually sold-out #DrippinGlow Serum Blushes are also our go-to for the cheeks. Dive into the mermaid magic at their Petaling Jaya headquarters or through various authorised sellers.

Click here to learn more about Kamelia Cosmetics.

7. LIPS CARPENTER

local malaysian beauty brands
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Founded in 2018, LIPS CARPENTER is driven by a passion for healthy and sustainable beauty. The all-female team creates clean and personalised cosmetics using nourishing natural ingredients like moisturising butters and oils while prioritising eco-friendly packaging to reduce environmental impact. This brand is truly the carpenter of all things lip care, offering nourishing lip balms, tinted lip balms, lip masks, and lip scrubs.

We can’t get enough of their popular customisable lipsticks, offering options for colour, scent, casing, and even name engraving. These customised lipsticks aren’t just the most gorgeous and unique makeup products, they also make the perfect gift for any woman in your life. Catch their physical booths at Lot 10 and Publika until January 2025!

Click here to learn more about The Lips Carpenter.

8. Kittie Yiyi Beauty

local malaysian beauty brands
Image source via Instagram

Calling all bold and quirky beauty lovers, Kittie Yiyi Beauty is custom-made just for you! This fun and unique brand is all about expressing yourself, no matter how unconventional your personal style may be. Are there other local Malaysian beauty brands selling bright purple or deep black liquid lipsticks? We didn’t think so.

Kittie Yiyi Beauty is sure to become your next favourite local brand, with a range of fun products for the face, lips, and eyes. Their latest Puffy Flush Blusher adds the perfect pop of colour and comes in the most adorable and colourful fluffy packaging. Catch the brand at their concept store in Cheras or one of their six authorised sellers — they’re hard to miss!

Click here to learn more about Kittie Yiyi.

Which of these local Malaysian beauty brands are your favourites? Let us know and make sure to follow Beauty Insider on Instagram and Facebook for the latest news updates.