For skincare and make-up, these are our go-tos …
On the Dart last week, I admired someone’s perfume – it turned out to be by pharmacy brand Jenny Glow, and under €20. Smart people are buying their beauty at pharmacies. Always a staple for skincare, in recent years pharmacy beauty has boomed: the market is now valued at over €1bn. Skincare is the fastest growing category, with a growth rate of nine per cent. Just as French pharmacies have always been treasure troves – check out new book, The French Skincare Bible by Dr Marine Vincent, for a hotlist – now our own pharmacies are a trusted source of high-performing gems.
FOR SKIN
It’s a lot to do with trust. We need expert, impartial advice to help us navigate the overwhelming scale of skincare – and we’re finding accessible, affordable solutions in our local chemist. “We’ve seen a significant increase in customers turning to pharmacy beauty, particularly skincare, as consumers become more ingredient-conscious and results-driven in their approach,” says Kevin Reardon of CH Tralee in Co Kerry. What’s the focus this summer? “We’re seeing strong demand for Korean skincare, alongside science-backed skincare focused on hydration, barrier support, SPF and active ingredients.”
Agne Val of Absolue Skin in Dublin 2 recommends a hypochlorous spray as a great add-on “for clients who suffer from active (papulopustular) rosacea, active acne or fungal acne. Hypochlorous sprays have soothing and antibacterial properties, and when used correctly (not excessively) they are nonirritating, and can support healing and help reduce skin inflammation. Also, I love panthenol (B5) in all its forms – the higher the percentage, the better! I prefer richer formulas for scaly, dry areas (corners of the lips) and lighter formulas for calming the whole face, after sunburn or just for sensitised skin.”
Practical daily essentials are myriad, from your basic Cicaplast to suncream: CeraVe’s new range is great, and under €20. We also love Beauty of Joseon’s Daily Tinted Fluid Sunscreen SPF30, around €20, and Rosalique for rosacea-prone skin. And we’re now also sourcing high-performing serums and bodycare in pharmacies, too.
For one thing, pharmacies go big on Irish brands, from Nunaïa Beauty’s superlative balm cleanser and antioxidant facial serum to Modern Botany’s spray deodorant. There’s new suncare range Solas Skin, Skingredients’ down-to-earth routine and bathroom treats by Voya, Green Angel and Skin Formulas, to name just a few.
Our own top pharmacy picks include: Aveeno – its Skin Renewal Smoothing Body Cream (€17) is luxuriously velvety and hardworking; Roger & Gallet scents (master perfumers at pharmacy prices); Bioderma micellar water is a staple (we’re trying their new anti-redness CC Cream SPF50, too). And who would be without a pharmacy lipbalm, from the peerless Carmex to Dr Pawpaw?
FOR MAKE-UP
Irish make-up artist Rebecca Arnold, now based in New York, constantly returns to Irish pharmacy make-up, “not out of nostalgia, but because the performance and quality genuinely holds up. If I forgot my make-up kit entirely, I could rebuild a full professional bag from scratch in a pharmacy aisle. I love the accessibility without compromise. Working in New York, I see how quickly the industry moves toward luxury launches and viral “must-haves”, but in reality, pharmacy staples simply work. Some of my most trusted products still come from Ireland.”
Arnold’s favourites include Sculpted by Aimee CloudCream, “a simple but effective moisturiser that stands out for how well it preps the skin – it creates a hydrated, even base that helps foundation sit more naturally and wear better throughout the day. Also HydraTint, a skincare-infused base that gives a natural finish while still evening out the complexion in an effortless way. It’s multi-use: wear alone, or build up and layer with concealer and cream products when you want more coverage. It keeps skin looking hydrated, so is ideal for bridal work, creating that soft-focus, “your skin but better” effect, while still looking polished and striking in photos.”
She also singles out Bellamianta Dreamy Creamy Concealer for “brightening and soft coverage. It’s versatile: it can be used for light concealing, spot correction, or built up for more coverage where needed.” Brow Aid Hero Tinted Brow Mascara is “quick and easy to use for soft colour, definition and hold.” And of course Hildun’s Beauty Silk to Set Kajal Liner: “the creamy, silk-like texture makes it easy to apply and blend before setting into a longwear finish that doesn’t easily budge once it sets, on both the lashline and waterline.”
We’d also mention et al liners, and Inglot for failsafes reliables at pharmacy prices.
