Face into 2024 with a fresher complexion
FACE TREATMENTS Éminence Organics Facial Recovery Oil
€85/15ml, eminence.ie
There is nothing nicer than a face oil to use during the harsh winter months to keep the skin feeling nourished, supple and protected from the elements. This Facial Recovery Oil from organic brand Éminence is a real treat for nighttime use and it has other uses. A blend of clary sage oil which balances oil production, olive oil calms and hydrates the skin, cleansing ylangylang and sage leaf extract to tone the skin. Use it on the face and neck, dry cuticles, stretchmarks and any dry areas.
FACE TREATMENTS Q&A Skincare Collagen Booster Serum
€14.80/15ml, health stores, pharmacies and online
Q&A Skincare recently added four new products and all are very affordable, between €10 and €14.80. They include an oil-free moisturiser, a 0.2% retinol serum and this Collagen Booster serum. It contains a blend of vegan-friendly collagen, honey locust seed and algae extracts to help tighten and smooth the skin for plumper, supple skin. It can be used daily, just add a few drops to your moisturiser, or as a standalone treatment for lifting the skin. Apply it to cleansed skin twice weekly.
FACE TREATMENTS
Yon-Ka Cellular Code Serum
€85.60/30ml, salons, spas and yonka.ie
Yon-Ka’s newest serum for mature skin has a blend of 96% natural ingredients that includes some gorgeous plant oils like lavender, nasturtium, rosemary, bergamot and more. Working day after day to combat signs of ageing like fatigue, fine lines and wrinkles, the serum is easily slipped into a day or night regime. The brand says fighting cellular ageing helps to reactivate the youthfulness of older skin. It’s a luxury serum and just a few drops are necessary for the face and neck. Apply before moisturising.
NEW MOISTURISERS
Skin Proud Secure The Barrier Cream
€14.95, iamproud.com and Dunnes Stores Skin Proud has a large following in younger people but it has some great (and affordable) beauty buys that benefit more mature skin. Its Serious Shade SPF 50 is a fantastic, invisible sunscreen with ceramides to plump the skin (€16.95) and its Frozen
Over Gel-To-Ice Hydrator is a chilly drink of water for menopausal skin. This
Secure The Barrier Cream is also great for mature skin. It has a skin-loving blend of hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, avocado oil, niacinamide, squalane and ceramides.
NEW MOISTURISERS
Image Skincare Prevention Clear Solar Gel SPF 30
€61, 18.3g, clinics and imageskincare.ie
Image Skincare is making sun protection very easy with this new entirely transparent sunscreen that works on all skin types and tones. Waterless, clear and with a blend of antioxidants, including vitamin C, vitamin E and green tea, it has a broad spectrum UV filter and those antioxidants protect against environmental pollution. It won’t block pores and also has plant-based squalane to lightly moisturise the skin. Use alone on oilier skin or over moisturiser for drier skin types. Genius product.
NEW MOISTURISERS
Seoulista
Instant
Wonder
Night
Cream,
€30/50ml,
Boots nationwide
Irish mask brand
Seoulista has branched out into skincare, launching an oilto-milk cleanser, eye cream, day cream and this rejuvenating night cream in late 2023.
The Instant Wonder Night Cream has a couple of great ingredients for regenerating the skin. Retinol is the key stimulator here and it helps boost collagen production, smoothes lines and wrinkles and improves elasticity. Vitamin B5 and squalane offer comfort and strength for the skin’s natural barrier. A velvety cream, it’s perfect for bedtime.
EASY EXFOLIATING CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum
€19.20/30ml, pharmacies nationwide
CeraVe’s Resurfacing Retinol Serum is a very affordable way to get into an anti-ageing regime or to tackle acne scarring and reduce blemishes. The retinol here is encapsulated so it’s slowly released after it is applied to the skin. Over time, retinol helps reduce pore size and wrinkles, and it improves poor skin texture. To avoid drying or discomfort, CeraVe has added three essential ceramides to boost and protect the skin’s natural barrier, and niacinamide helps to calm the skin.
EASY EXFOLIATING Dr PawPaw
3-In-1 Cleansing Balm
€17/50ml, Sam McCauley Pharmacies and cloud10beauty.com
Lip balm expert Dr PawPaw has extended into skincare with several great daily buys and masks, and all are affordable. This 3-in-1 Cleansing Balm is very interesting. It can be used in three ways — first as a cleanse when you are skipping makeup, and as a second cleanse when wearing makeup like foundation and waterproof mascara. Its third benefit happens whatever way you are using it because it has papaya seed oil inside which gently resurfaces the skin during the cleansing process.
EASY EXFOLIATING The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Exfoliating Toner
€9.30/100ml, stores and theordinary.com
The Ordinary’s Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution has had a name upgrade and a new size has been released. The original 240ml still exists in the line-up (€13.90) but this new 100ml has been introduced to make it easier to travel with. The exfoliating tonic is a cult buy and it was in the top three most-sold products of 2023. It resurfaces, smoothes and brightens the skin by dissolving away dead skin cells. Soothing and easy to use, it targets dullness, rough skin texture, ageing and blemishes.