A simpler outlook on life has led actor Lawrence Wong to revamp his skincare brand Grail. The product packaging now boasts neutral tones and clean shapes to reflect “a calmer, less cluttered state of mind”. Plus, it is now the brand’s mission to promote sustainable lifestyle habits. “Like purchasing only what you need to reduce the waste produced,” says Wong, adding that he has become more conscious of his overall consumption patterns in recent times.
Grail also has two new drops—a moisturiser formulated with patented ingredients and a retinol serum. Wong talks to us about the new additions, advocating for eco-friendly practices and upcoming plans he has for the brand.
What inspired the brand revamp?
The refreshed messaging comes from my personal lifestyle ethos to be more conscious of what and how I consume. By stripping down my skincare routine to only the essentials provided by Grail, I don’t burden my skin with unnecessary products that might end up congesting it instead. Grail’s ‘less is more’ approach makes sure that you are only using what your skin needs to stay healthy and hydrated.
The brand aims to draw a balance between luxury and eco-consciousness. How?
As an actor with back-to-back appointments, I have adopted an ‘essentials-only’ approach for a while now. This new lifestyle in embracing simplicity and mindful living is one of the best things I have adopted because it has made me more conscious of how much I consume, and ultimately, how much ends up as clutter.
Personally, I’ve always tried to do my best to be a responsible consumer and recycle. Since I have the privilege to use my influence for good, I use Grail to reflect my vision by making sure that my products are not only used and loved, but also reusable and recyclable. This way, Grail users products can participate in environmentally-sustainable practices. Our new packaging uses glass bottles. They are more premium in quality but environmentally-friendly.
The brand is big on using natural ingredients. What are some of your favourite ingredients that you’ve incorporated into the products?
My favourite ingredient is bakuchiol, which can be found in our latest Retinol Vitamin A Serum. Bakuchiol is known for its anti-aging properties like reducing fine lines by stimulating collagen production. It is also a potent antioxidant and soothes the skin, so it helps to visibly reduce skin discolourations from environmental exposures like the sun.
I am also very proud to introduce synbiotics, a potent blend of postbiotics and prebiotics into Grail’s ingredient line. These help to regulate the skin microbiome. Keeping it healthy contributes to the overall youthful glow and hydrated look of your skin.
But my favourite ingredient of all time has to be aloe vera. I believe that aloe vera is the most powerful natural moisturiser for the skin. It can stimulate the production of hyaluronic acid, collagen and even elastin fibres in the dermal layers to keep the skin supple and hydrated. Beyond hydration, Grail provides effective solutions for all skincare concerns. So for redness and inflammation, tripleurospermum maritimum (Icelandic mayweed), not only addresses those problems, but also soothes your skin and restores collagen to repair it
Grail is best known for its Deep Hydrating Mask and Pure Mineral Sunscreen but recently launched new releases.
The two newest products are the Hydrating Dewy Moisturiser and Retinol Vitamin A Serum. he moisturiser contains our newly patented ingredient, hygroplex HHG which ensures that your skin stays moisturised for an extended period of time. Our formula also includes rice yeast, pro- and pre-biotics which with vitamins, minerals and amino acids, ensuring balanced and even skin tone while soothing and calming the skin.
The serum contains an expert blend of one-and-a-half percent retinol and one-and-a-half percent bakuchiol for exfoliation and cell regeneration. What sets Grail’s version of retinol apart is our addition of nourishing ingredients such as sweet almond oil, sunflower oil, and plukenetia volubilis seed oil. The serum helps provide essential moisture barrier support and improves the skin’s tolerance to retinol.
What’s your skincare regime like?
My top tip for building skincare routines is keeping it simple. All I do is cleanse, moisturise and apply sunscreen before I head out for the day. And at night, I do the same, except I apply serum instead of sunscreen. If my skin is feeling especially tired due to a long day of work, I use the Deep Hydrating Treatment Mask.
I am able to keep my routine so minimal because the Dewy Hydrating Moisturiser, contains an ingredient newly patented by Grail, hygroplex HHG. It is a multifunctional ingredient that provides deeper hydration while also protecting the skin’s barrier from environmental stressors that can advance ageing.
What’s next for Grail?
As the collection for skincare is almost complete now, I will be moving on to body care. I am keeping my skincare line small as I believe that less is more, so the products I have developed will definitely be enough to treat and protect your skin as it needs. We are currently working on an exciting product that I will share more about by the end of this year.
