With so much choice out there, our expert’s guide will help you keep things affordable and simple
It’s September, so back to skin school, folks! Let’s cut through the BS and get back to the good stuff with a simplified skincare regime which can be better for your skin, as too many products can potentially irritate or dry it out. By using a pared-back routine, you can balance the skin’s natural oils and improve its hydration levels. So here are some suggestions for a simplified routine that will give you everything you need for a softer skin texture and glowing complexion.
Bubble Soft Launch Hydrating Cream Cleanser (€20, boots.ie)
In a Bubble
We could take the lead from my daughter Mini. I’m instilling a simple routine in her – even when she’s bombarded everywhere with products that promise to do X, Y and Z. I like to ‘borrow’ her Bubble Soft Launch Hydrating Cream Cleanser (€20, boots.ie), which is great for young (and old) skin. Designed for dry skin and suitable for the most sensitive faces, it lathers into a soft, hydrating foam that cleans without leaving skin feeling stripped or dehydrated. The cleanser contains avocado oil to help nourish skin and reduce redness, and its naturally high content of vitamins and essential fatty acids helps to soften and moisturise.
Voya Bio-Glow, €41, voya.ie
Glow Baby
The next step is a great toner and Irish skincare brand Voya has a new vegan-friendly, brightening toner, Voya Bio-Glow (€41, voya.ie), which blends fruit acids, seaweed and hydration ingredients to exfoliate and protect. Enriched with aloe vera and sodium hyaluronate, the lightweight toner also delivers long-lasting hydration, plumps the skin, and soothes any signs of sensitivity. And, of course, Voya’s signature fucus serratus seaweed extract helps protect against environmental stressors.
Skin Rocks – The Moisturiser (€72, arnotts.ie)
Hydration Station
Moisturising comes next and I find that Skin Rocks – The Moisturiser (€72, arnotts.ie) is a great base for make-up, as it increases the skin’s smoothness, firmness and elasticity. The skin-conditioning and moisture-boosting formula helps to reinforce the skin barrier and increase water retention. It’s lightweight with antioxidants to help protect the skin and is suitable for both day and evening. Ideal for all skin types, but particularly beneficial for those with sensitive skin.
Dr Macks Perfecting Balm (€22, drmacks.ie)
Janey Mack!
And not forgetting the guys. The Clare-based male hygiene brand, Dr Macks, has two core products that combine to provide a very effective simplified routine. There’s Dr Macks Cleaner (€19.95, drmacks.ie), which comes in four different scents. It was designed specifically for the skin in the male genital area but is gentle enough to be used on the whole body. Then there’s Dr Macks Perfecting Balm (€22, drmacks.ie), a fragrance-free, multi-tasking balm that absorbs sweat, combats odour and soothes irritation.
Skin Krush’s Rejuvenating Clear and Calming LED Mask, €350, skinkrush.com
Treat
Mask moment The main question in my DMs is whether I rate LED masks and as I always say, they work but only if you commit to using them! I suggest Irish-based Skin Krush’s Rejuvenating LED Mask and the Clear and Calming LED Mask (€350, skinkrush.com). Each target specific skin concerns, with comfort being a crucial factor in the design.
Treatment
Ooodles of oxygen I think I have found the perfect combination of relaxing and result-based facials. The Pro Dermal Active O-Biome Oxygen Therapy (€200, eavannabreen.ie) is designed to tackle the five biggest causes of skin ageing: collagen breakdown, sun damage, glycation (sugar damage), oxidation and inflammation. This treatment uses a combination of oxygen enzyme peels, custom activators and an oxygenating mask for a radiant complexion.
Trick
Earring endurance I love wearing statement earrings, but they can sometimes drag my ear lobes down and feel uncomfortable. I discovered that if you put a piece of plaster at the back of the hole in your ear and push the earring through it, it immediately stabilises the earring and makes it so more comfortable to wear. It’s a game-changer if you want to dazzle everyone all night with your fancy earrings without having to take them out after an hour.