All products and services featured are independently selected by the editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission for orders placed through its retail links, and the seller may receive certain audited data for accounting purposes.
May is Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month! As the month of celebrations continues, we've put together a list of beauty and skincare brands to shop for AAPI month and beyond. From vegan and cruelty-free skin care products to pimple patches, nail polish, and makeup essentials, see below for a roundup of twelve AAPI-owned companies that should be on your radar.
Three ships
Three Ships Brighter Day Red Algae + Biodegradable Avocado Eye Masks
Set sail with three ships! Founded by Connie Lo and Laura Berger, this natural skincare brand has a range of vegan products for various skin types. The Brighter Days Red Algae + Avocado Biodegradable Eye Masks featured above are designed to de-puff, brighten and hydrate thanks to your skin. It's packed with ingredients like red algae extract for hydration and 'upcycled' avocado extract to help brighten skin and reduce the appearance of dark circles and puffiness.
Peach & Lily
Peach & Lily Glass Skin Refining Serum
It's been more than a decade since Alicia Yoon founded Peach & Lily — an eco-friendly skincare line of serums, cleansers, toners, acne spots and more. The K-Beauty brand has a line of toxin-free, vegan, gluten-free, and fragrance-free products, including bestsellers like Glass Skin Cleansing Serum ($39), Acne Dots ($4.99), and Antioxidant cream Matcha Pudding ($43).
Authentic Hero Cosmetics Mighty Patch™ – Hydrocolloid Acne Pimple Patch to Cover Spots and Blemishes, Blemish Stickers for Face and Skin (36 Count)
Hero Cosmetics started in 2017 after founder Ju Rhyu had a pimple emergency. Because of her sensitive skin, Rhyu created the Mighty Patch, a gentle hydrocolloid patch that she first found in South Korea. The XL face pads pictured above are made to treat pimples on the T-zone, cheeks, chin, etc. The product is recommended for oily/combination skin. Hero is home to over 30 different products, including Rescue Balm ($12.99) and Sensitive Skin Trio ($36).
Sephora
ONE/SIZE Ultimate Blurring Setting Powder
One/Size is a beauty brand for “all curvy women, skinny guys, drag queens, fat guys, girly girls, disabled beauties, gender non-conforming icons, runway models and makeup lovers.” Founded by makeup artist and beauty influencer Patrick Starrr, the AAPI and LGBTQ+-owned brand makes high-performance, viral products like One 'Til Dawn Setting Spray ($32), Ultimate Blurring Setting Powder ($34), and the Cheek Clapper 3D Blush Palette ($38); ).
Tatcha
Tatcha The Water Cream 1.7 oz.
Tatcha Skincare was founded by Taiwanese-American entrepreneur Vicky Chai, who, after a decade of working in corporate America, quit her job and found herself in Kyoto, Japan. There, she encountered a cultural harmony that healed her skin and soul and inspired her to launch her beauty brand. Some of Tatcha's most popular products are The Water Cream ($70), Dewey Skin Cream ($70), and Rice Polish Classic Foaming Enzyme Powder ($65).
Ulta
Glow Recipe Niacinimide Dew Drops Serum (Mini)
Christine Chang and Sarah Lee launched Glow Recipe in 2014. The brand uses pure yet gentle ingredients like “antioxidant-rich fruit extracts and clinically proven actives” designed to make your skin glow.
Robectin
Rovectin is a Korean beauty brand rooted in “love and resilience”. The brand was developed to help cancer patients restore skin that has been severely damaged by chemotherapy and has become one of Korea's most trusted skin care brands among patients, dermatologists and hospitals, and is popular in the states. Some of Rovectin's products include Conditioning Cleanser ($20), Aqua Activating Serum ($36), and Barrier Repair Oil for Face & Body ($27).
Em Cosmetics
Em Cosmetics Color Drops Serum Blush in Rose Milk
Em Cosmetics is known as the “big sister” in beauty. The beauty brand, whose name comes from the Vietnamese word for “younger brother,” has a range of products including eyeshadows, eyeliners, foundations, lip powders, lip creams and blushes priced from $22 and up.
CTZN Cosmetics
CTZN Cosmetics Nudiversal 2-in-1 Lipstick and Lipgloss
Aleena, Aleezeh and Naseeha Khan have noticed a lack of South Asian and Middle Eastern representation in the beauty world, but are helping to change that. Born and raised in Los Angeles, the sisters launched CTZN Cosmetics, a mission-driven vegan beauty brand “committed to redefining inclusivity” in 2019. The brand is known for its selection of nude lipsticks, red lipsticks and liners lip balm designed for various skin tones.
Ulta
Patrick Ta Major Sculpt Creme Contour & Bronze Powder Duo
Having grown up surrounded by women like his mother, sisters and best friend, makeup artist Patrick Ta created a beauty brand that “makes women feel comfortable and beautiful in their own skin, the way women made me feel ». Patrick Ta's product line includes lipstick, lip gloss, mascara, eye shadow, blush, eyebrow gel.
Ulta Beauty
Tula The Cult Classic Purifying Face Cleanser
Tula Skincare, founded by gastroenterologist Dr. Roshini Raj, is based on the “power of probiotic extracts and superfoods”. One of the hottest products in the Tula family is the Cult Classic Purifying Face Cleanser ($24) pictured above. It deeply cleanses and gently cleanses, improving skin texture and leaving skin feeling refreshed thanks to natural ingredients like turmeric, white tea and bilberry and chicory root. Additional Tula skincare products include the Hydrating Day & Night Treatment Eye Balm ($38) and the Brightening Treatment Drops Triple Vitamin C Serum ($48).
Target
Cocokind Daily SPF Sunscreen
Priscilla Tsai founded Cocokind to “change the status quo of the beauty industry and break the cycle of aspiration.” Vegan and cruelty-free skin care range featuring a cleanser, serum, eye cream and sunscreen.
Want more beauty tips? Check out our picks for new beauty releases to shop for spring and summer and the best makeup bags for travel.