What does the practice of sustainability look like in your life? For most of us, it may mean carrying a reusable bag for our shopping, recycling single-use plastic, or avoiding it entirely. It can even mean choosing to re-use old clothing instead of buying new ones. For us at Metro, it also means being mindful of our personal care products and choosing ones that love not just us but our planet as well. 

Just recently, we had the chance to visit sunny Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia to re-acquaint ourselves with the sustainable brand Naturals by Watsons. They had relaunched their lineup of products—now more natural with over 95% naturally-derived ingredients! Apart from that amazing offering, it's now made even more effective as the personal care products are now infused with skin actives like Hyaluronic Acid, Niacinamide, Ceramide, Retinol, and Peptides! What's not to love?

The new Naturals by Watsons lineup

Joining us in the trip were lifestyle and beauty influencers Teree Daisuke, Nicole Andersson, Chelsea Robato, and Nica Fabregas. Come with me as I recount our memorable journey in KL, all the sustainability-centered activities we did, and how it all benefited our wellbeing, inspiring us to bring home what we learned and live it out in the long term. 

Day 01: Travel to Malaysia, Exploring the City, Welcome Dinner at BIjan Malaysian Restaurant

Touchdown, KL! We arrived bright and early, just right before lunch in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and checked into Element by Westin Hotel—our home away from home for three days. Just a stone's throw away from KLCC Mall and the iconic Petronas Towers, we had a blast exploring our neighborhood after our welcome lunch, just before the Naturals by Watsons welcome dinner at traditional Malaysian restaurant Bijan.

The dinner was nothing short of amazing. Bijan, after all, is part of the World's 50 Best Essence of Asia List, and is dubbed the best Malay restaurant in KL! What a treat! We also had an initial re-introduction to the new and improved Naturals by Watsons line while enjoying the sumptuous dinner. “We believe in the power of nature. This is why we source the finest ingredients from all over the world to create a beautiful experience for our customers. I am very proud to say that Naturals by Watsons products are made with over 95% natural origin ingredients and are 100% vegan. This relaunch truly showcases our passion for well-being and inspiring a healthy lifestyle,” says Caryn Loh, COO of Watsons Health & Beauty Asia. 

“At Watsons, we strongly believe that health and beauty with sustainability should go hand in hand, and sustainability has always been at the heart of what we do,” shares Irene Tsang, Head of Brand Development and Watsons International. After a wonderful first day, we were ready to hit the sack! We had a long day ahead on day two, so we made sure to rest well and gather our energy for all the activities lined up. 

Day 02: Naturals by Watsons Cafe Pop-Up, Sustainability Workshop with Bungkus at If Only, Mimone Spa Visit, and Farewell Dinner at ROOST

Waking up in a new city brings a different kind of happiness! For me, being in KL meant I was revisiting a city I'd only been to once in 2014 and awaiting all the adventures that were in store for the day. After a quick breakfast at the hotel, we were off to the Naturals by Watsons Pop-Up Cafe in Bukit Bintang, a busy area in KL with lots of huge shopping malls, restaurants, bars, and clubs. It's often frequented by tourists, and seeing it again brought a different kind of excitement! The one-of-a-kind cafe showcases Naturals by Watsons vision-turned-reality: Self-care and love for the planet can go hand-in-hand.

Beauty and wellness influencers from Philippines, Malaysia, and Thailand at the brand's pop-up cafe in Kuala Lumpur

I made sure to get my refill of Naturals by Watsons Body Wash—a staple in our bathroom at home! I love that I now have a reusable bottle I can use even in Manila!

A Sustainable Lunch and Upcycling Workshop

Right after the Pop-Up visit, we were treated to lunch at a sustainable restaurant called If Only. It doesn't just offer impeccable aesthetics, but mouthwatering, nourishing Japanese fare as well. Every bite reminded me of how the freshest, unprocessed ingredients can truly be one of the most pleasurable things you can experience. My favorite dish has got to be the Cold Soba Noodles: Tataki New Zealand Ora King Salmon, daikon, edamame, shio kombu, ikura & dashi broth. What followed after lunch was a one-for-the-books Upcycling Workshop with Bungkus, a company that takes single-use plastic from the ocean and upcycles it to make cool bags and pouches!

Relaxation Break at Mimone Spa

It was a pretty busy day, so a side trip to Mimone Spa was a welcome break. Mimone is a cozy spa that offers massages and other relaxation services, such as the Salt Room. We got to experience both, as well as an essential oils workshop, allowing us to learn different mixes for different purposes. I made a mix called "Tumpu," meaning focus—a mixture of Lemon, Clary Sage, and Rosemary essential oils. This is something I need most especially for busy work days like today! The Salt Room is said to help clear breathing passageways and induce deep relaxation. I fell asleep the moment I sat down on the chair! Lastly, we had a relaxing Foot Reflexology session using the Naturals by Watsons Lavender lotion, a great way to get re-energized for the rest of the day. 

Farm-to-Fork Dinner at ROOST

What ended day two was an unforgettable farewell dinner at ROOST in the Bangsar Baru neighborhood of the city. It's a well-known farm-to-fork restaurant that prides itself on using only the best sustainable ingredients, natural wines, cocktails, and beers. The dinner consisted of five courses, each beautifully inspired by Naturals by Watsons ingredients like Rosemary, Olive, Lavender, Blood Orange, and Coconut! Safe to say it was a total feast and an explosion of delicious flavors for my palate! ROOST, I'll be back again, for sure!

Day 03: Until next time, KL!

It seemed just like day one when we arrived in sunny KL. Day three went by quickly as well, as it was time to go back home. After some pasalubong shopping the night before and a quick exploration of Bukit Bintang and Jalan Alor Food Street, our time in KL was done. 

The past two days were nothing short of inspiring, filled with new learnings and experiences which I surely took back home with me. I was reminded of how sustainability goes beyond the simple recycling or bringing an eco bag—it's an entire lifestyle. From the way we eat, dress, and consume, sustainability is something we should be doing holistically. Thanks to Naturals by Watsons, getting truly natural personal care products is at arm's length.

A Naturals by Watsons farewellThe Naturals by Watsons range features a total of 12 unique products, each infused with carefully selected natural organic ingredients sourced from various countries around the world. Customers can enjoy the benefits of ingredients like Aloe Vera from Mexico, Rose from France, Olive from Italy, Coconut from Thailand, and Sakura from Japan. These organic ingredients are expertly paired with skin actives such as Niacinamide for brightening, Hyaluronic Acid for moisturizing, Retinol for anti-aging, and Ceramide for strengthening the skin barrier. The body lotions provide 72 hours of moisturizing, while the hand creams offer 48 hours of hydration. This attention to formulation ensures that each product delivers a tailored skincare solution that caters to diverse needs.

In addition to its impressive ingredients, Naturals by Watsons is committed to sustainability. The entire packaging for the personal care range—bottles, jars, and tubes—is made from 100% recycled ocean-bound plastic collected from 50km shoreline areas in Asia. This initiative helps prevent plastic waste from entering oceans and emphasizes Watsons' commitment to sustainability.

Beauty and wellness influencers from Philippines, Malaysia, and Thailand celebrate the regional relaunch of Naturals by Watsons at IF ONLY cafe in Kuala Lumpur

The upgraded Naturals by Watsons personal care range includes a variety of products catering to all your personal care needs, from body lotions and cream baths to shampoos, conditioners, hand creams, hair tonics, and body scrubs.

Available across Asia, the relaunched Naturals by Watsons range can be found in key markets including Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Turkey, GCC, and Vietnam.

Shop Naturals by Watsons at your nearest Watsons store or online. Follow @watsonsph and @naturalsbywatsons on Instagram for updates.