The daily essential serum, gentle Irish star and affordable French line we rate …
Winter is tough on our skin. Serums are the best way to get active ingredients into your skincare routine, since the lightweight formulas tend to be more concentrated, offering targeted support and benefits. Apply onto clean skin and then follow with a moisturiser.
THE DAILY ESSENTIAL
We’re calling it – if you use one thing on your skin this month, it should be this: the Óige by Agnes Peptide Elixir, €50.
WHAT This is the first skincare product created by skin wizard Agnes Gajewska, whose 25 years’ experience and natural face-sculpting approach puts her in a class of her own.
WHY It can be a challenge to bag a facial with Agnes herself; her (entirely deserved) reputation means that she’s in constant demand from loyal devotees such as Angela Scanlon and Nunaia’s Nicola Connolly, and she has sculpted the skin of actors for the red carpet, including Sarah Greene, Vicky Krieps and the luminous Cate Blanchett. She’s based at Essentials in Dublin (tip: book in with Agnes-trained Nikolett), with occasional slots at Planet Beauty, Brown Thomas. This peptide-packed silky serum offers liquid compensation while you’re on the waiting list.
IN THE BOTTLE A truckload of active ingredients include Argireline (a line-smoothing peptide), Niacinamide and Tranexamic Acid to brighten dull skin, even skintone and even the complexion. There’s Hyaluronic Acid for multilayer hydration, plus antioxidants and gentle exfoliants.
THE LOWDOWN It has a calming, firming effect and feels genuinely soothing on the skin; it’s designed for all skin types, including sensitive. It gives a great base for make-up, too. I love that it’s fragrance-free – it has a plain, oaty, almost earthy scent from the peptides themselves.
NEED TO KNOW The serum is not overly expensive for what it is; Gajewska does everything with integrity and consideration, and will bring out only what she considers to be entirely essential and high-performing. Her second launch is set to be an exfoliating toner, something she swears by.
TIP Agnes runs Sculpt Pro Face training workshops or you can also book in for an online group face yoga session (€130) to learn her techniques. Think of this as being way cheaper than Botox, and an education that will last you forever.
THE GENTLE IRISH STAR
A second standout is the Kinvara 24hr Rosehip Face Serum, €36.95.
WHAT Kinvara‘s renowned rosehip oil serum delivers a comfort blanket of nourishing hydration – so welcome at this time of year.
WHY It’s newly available in dual-language Irish and English packaging, celebrating Kinvara’s Irish heritage. Sustainable, careful, considered and created by Galway scientist Dr Joanne Reilly.
IN THE BOTTLE If your skin is feeling dull, blotchy or reactive (we’re ticking all these boxes), this is a helpfully calming option to help bring back the glow.
THE LOWDOWN This is quite a rich formula, with a gorgeous soft rose scent, and it hydrates the skin instantly. In a recent consumer trial, 97 per cent of testers said their skin felt moisturised.
NEED TO KNOW I would recommend adding the fragrant Brilliant Body Oil (€34.95) to your basket, too – it’s really silky, with apricot kernel and sweet orange oils. The ideal antidote to dry winter skin.
THE AFFORDABLE FRENCH LINE
Finally, the Aroma-Zone Vitamin C Astaxanthin Serum, €7.95.
WHAT This French brand is new to us, but is making a splash as a chic Gallic take on The Ordinary. Aroma-Zone was first founded in 1999 by the Vausselin family (still involved today), driven by their passion for essential oils and natural skincare recipes. The brand launched into the UK last year.
WHY We’re drawn by the simplicity, the focus on key ingredients – and the prices. Even the serums are priced around €8, and most products (bar nutrition supplements) come in at under €15. Just what we need in the early months of the year.
IN THE BOTTLE This facial serum, concentrated with 10 per cent stabilised Vitamin C, contains antioxidant Astaxanthin, which is extracted from microalgae, plus Hyaluronic Acid for intense hydration. It’s suitable for all skin types, fragrance-free and allergen-free.
THE LOWDOWN The serum is designed to brighten the complexion, stimulate collagen synthesis and minimise signs of photo-ageing.
NEED TO KNOW Aroma-Zone’s range of serums also includes a concentrated, 100 per cent natural Hyaluronic Acid 3.5% Serum (apparently, one sells every ten seconds in France), a great staple that you can use on dry, damaged hair.
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