As our passion for skincare continues, we’re seeing a raft of new launches suited to the summer months. Light moisturisers are now called “emulsions”, which sounds more jazzy. See 111 Skin’s Celestial Black Diamond Emulsion for starters. We’re seeing a new wave of intriguing brightening fluids, which both hydrate and gently exfoliate, usually with AHAs. As someone who grew up with gritty exfoliators full of scratchy bits of apricot shell, or else full-on alcohol-based skin strippers, this is a very welcome development.

There are also plenty of new vegan options available. Skin Proud has just launched at Boots Ireland (as has Bite Beauty vegan make-up line). It has a Glossier vibe and is currently all €10 and under; try the Everything Balm, €5.99. Though you don’t have to go new for vegan options: old favourites such as bareMinerals are doing great things on that front (their Mineralist Hydra-Smoothing Lipsticks and lip glosses are ideal vegan-friendly choices).

Crucially, we’re at last seeing a proper focus on refillable packaging in skincare, though there’s still a long way to go. As Jennifer Rock, founder of Skingredients, told me recently, responsibility in terms of sustainability is now a baseline, a necessity. The old way of using something once and throwing it away is anathema – “we don’t want to be part of it” –and you’ll see an overhaul of her entire line from September, using less packaging, offering refills and considering sustainability at every level. As she explains, it’s not easy to do but it’s essential.

Here are three newly launched skin boosters to know about, from under €30 and up:

THE LIGHT ONE La Mer Hydrating Infused Emulsion, €230 (125ml)

This super-light hydrating cream is described as a “bioavailable micro milk” – I genuinely don’t know what that means, but I do know that this feels beautiful on the skin and light as air – especially good for warm days when you want to keep it light but effective. Or indeed for menopausal skin that’s prone to dryness and overheating. It has plenty of moisturising squalane in there plus kelp and soy for skin nourishment. It’s a treat.

THE GLOW-GETTER Chanel Hydra Beauty Camellia Glow Concentrate, €80 (15ml)

A small but elegant bottle of hydration-boosting concentrate with a gel texture, this fetures three AHAs (citric, tartaric and lactic acids) to gently exfoliate, without irritating, the skin and boost the skin’s own production of hyaluronic acid. It takes a month to get your glow back – use a sunscreen in conjunction with this. One for those who like their skincare to smell as good as it looks.

THE DAILY DEFENDER Vichy Mineral 89 Probiotic Fractions, €29 (30ml)

This blue bottle is becoming a staple on our shelves. It’s accessible (price and pharmacy), clinically proven to help boost dull and stressed skin (it was tested on bad sleepers, for example) and is free from fragrance, alcohol and silicones. The regular Mineral 89 is for “fortifying and plumping” while this new version features probiotics to help balance the skin’s microbiome, plus anti-inflammatory niacinamide to soothe skin that’s hot and bothered. It’s light and refreshing to use. Use it on cleansed skin, as a first step before moisturiser and SPF. At pharmacies nationwide and online.