SELF-CARE DIARY
Unfiltered and highly influential, Caroline Hirons knows how to size up a skincare product. The best-selling author and founder of the Skin Rocks brand gives us a glimpse into her day…
Caroline, what time do you normally wake up?
“At 4.30am. I don’t get out of bed, but it’s the time my body wakes me up. I get around six-and-a-half hours’ sleep; I dream of eight.”
What’s the first thing you do?
“Wee and tea, before the gym.”
And what’s your morning skincare routine?
“Before the gym, it’s hydrating mist, moisturiser and SPF. Once back, I do the full routine.”
Which high street beauty products do you buy on repeat?
“So many, including Curél’s Deep Moisture Spray and Garnier’s Body Repair.”
What’s the most expensive product on your bathroom shelf?
“Biologique Recherche’s Lotion P50 1970. You can’t get it in the UK, so I bulk-bought on my last trip to the United States.”
What’s the skincare question you get asked most often?
“‘How do you reduce pores or pigmentation?’”
And your answer is…?
“Stop worrying about your pores and throw away your magnifying mirrors. For pigmentation, use a high SPF to protect, introduce a retinoid and, if you’re really concerned, invest in professional treatments – but know that if it’s melasma, it will generally return.”
How often do you apply self-tan?
“On the face, every other day.”
How do you clean your make-up brushes?
“With shampoo, and this is a good reminder that I should probably clean mine soon.”
Which hair products do you use?
“I love Oribe’s Très Set mousse.”
And a beauty treatment you recommend?
“I’m trialling Potenza [radiofrequency microneedling] and so far, so good. For me, reflexology is pure luxury.”
Do you take any supplements?
“Magnesium, a multivitamin with B12, vitamins K and D, and omegas.”
What’s your favourite fragrance?
“Byredo’s Slow Dance.”
What’s your average daily screen time?
“Enough to know I should not be looking at my screen time.”
How much water do you drink?
“Not as much as I should.”
Favourite podcasts?
“Table Manners with Jessie and Lennie Ware, Limited Supply, SmartLess and Broken Record.”
What’s on your bedside table?
“Jewellery pot, coaster for tea and a La Mer hand serum.”
What’s your favourite candle?
“Slow Burn, which is a collaboration between Kacey Musgraves and Boy Smells.”
And your night-time skincare routine?
“I do my skincare routine as soon as I get home. I double cleanse, usually with a balm such as Emma Hardie’s Moringa Balm and then Skin Rocks The Cream Cleanser.
“I alternate between a retinoid and an acid, so on a retinoid night, I use hydrating mist before applying Skin Rocks Retinoid 2 and then The Moisturiser.”