Clinic director of Monica Tolan, Balbriggan, Malahide and London shares her top skincare tips for the season …
One great treatment or product to help with pigmentation: When it comes to managing pigmentation long-term, the most important ingredient in skincare, for both at-home use and incorporated into salon treatments, is vitamin A. It not only helps to regulate how much pigment is produced within the skin, but it also has the unique ability to repair DNA damage in skin cells, which is often what causes melanocytes to misbehave in the first place. Using SPF and incorporating vitamin C both topically and internally via a skincare supplement is also important, but unless the skin is vitamin A-rich everything else is just firefighting. Vitamin A is where the real change happens.
How to hydrate your skin: The quickest and simplest way to hydrate skin is with a face mist. I love et al. 3-in-1 Face Mist (€52.50) for this – it’s an easy way to replenish moisture throughout the day.
For longer-term hydration, I always recommend an omega-3 supplement, such as Advanced Nutrition Programme Skin Omegas+ (€41) and using barrier-supporting ingredients within your topical skincare routine such as niacinamide, panthenol and hyaluronic acid. I would recommend Environ Skin EssentiA Botanical Infused Moisturising Toner (€55) and Environ Focus Care Moisture+ HA Intensive Hydrating Serum (€96).
One great pharmacy skincare buy: I always pick up a tube of Biafine. It’s a French classic and brilliant for soothing irritated or sensitised skin. It’s deeply hydrating, speeds up healing and calms any redness or inflammation – perfect for everything from sunburn to scrapes and cuts. There’s always someone needing it in my family.
One skincare staple to swear by: If you have taken a break from AHAs, now is the time to bring them back. They help to smooth and refresh skin, especially if it’s feeling dull or dry. Autumn is also a great time to slow down and enjoy skincare as self-care. I love layering in face masks, hand treatments, and even a good foot soak in the evenings when it gets dark outside early.
If you do one thing this season for your skin … Ask yourself: is your skin vitamin A rich? We’ve been conditioned to fear retinol, but in reality, vitamin A is one of the most protective, healing ingredients available to us. Skin that’s rich in vitamin A is more resilient, heals faster, and ages better. It’s your skin’s best defence and your best investment.
