Dolly Buckley's favourite skincare products

Skincare can be confusing. You probably have your personal favourite cleanser, toner and moisturiser that work for you, but it’s good to try out new products. Every week, however, some new, ultra-trendy “must have” beauty product arrives and it’s really hard knowing which one is best for you. These things don’t come cheap, so mistakes can be costly.

The reason the beauty industry keeps churning out new products is because beauty is a huge business and brands invest enormous sums on development and innovation. But while formulations may change, the building blocks of good skincare do not, and that’s why I want to tell you all about some of my favourite products.

My advice is to keep your skincare regime simple and only use products you love. Rather than it being a daily chore to cleanse, tone and moisturise, make it an enjoyable me-time thing, with gratifying results.

1Face wash

I love nothing better than a morning face wash to wipe off bacteria from your pillow and sleep from your eyes. Gallinée La Culture Foaming Facial Cleanser from Irish stockists including www.rochespharmacy.ie, at €19, is a brilliant sensitive foamy face wash for the shower, which is quick and easy to use and leaves your skin feeling fresh.

If you suffer with rosacea, La Roche Posay Rosaliac micellar make-up removal gel (bottom left), RRP €16, from pharmacies nationwide, is very calming and healing on the skin. Always pat your face dry after your shower; never rub.

2Toner

To clear out blocked pores in your nose and chin area, a toner can really help. Inlight Floral Tonic (right), available from InlightBeauty.co.uk for £36 (approximately €41), is made up of a really lovely blend of rose, camomile and lavender and will leave your skin soothed when applied with a cotton-wool pad.

3Serum

I’ve been asked many times why should we use a serum. Well, it protects your skin from pollution and UV rays, among other things, contains higher levels of active ingredients than any face cream and is full of antioxidants.

Lancôme Genifique Sensitive Dual Concentrate (right), RRP €73.50 from stockists nationwide, enriches and deeply moisturises the face and neck and a small blob on your cuticles will nourish the nails. Always warm up your serum in your hand before placing it on your face. For really dry skin, why not try Botanics Organic rosehip facial oil, RRP €14.99 but currently on offer at €11.24 from www.boots.ie, which soaks in easily and leaves the skin feeling silky smooth.

4moisturiser

Traditionally, the main job of a moisturiser is to make the skin feel comfy and seal in an extra layer of moisture. I’m always harping on about the dangers of UV rays and how environmental damage is the No 1 cause for premature skin ageing, so it’s imperative that your moisturiser has a high SPF in it.

I was away in the sunshine at Christmas and used YourGoodSkin SPF30 anti-oxidant day cream (top right), RRP €9.99 but currently on special offer at €6.66 from www.boots.ie, under my factor 30 sun cream with my wide-brimmed Dunnes Stores straw sunhat.

If you suffer with dry, itchy, rosacea-type skin, then Metronidazole 0.75% cream will really help, but you can only get this on prescription. I also have a tube of E45 cream, which you can pick up in most pharmacies or supermarkets for less than €10 on my kitchen window ledge and use it daily on my children’s faces before they go to school. I also pop one in their swimming/sports bags and keep one in the car, which is great for dry hands.

5Cleanser

Always remove your makeup with a soft cotton pad and a big blob of cleanser at the end of the day to allow your skin to breathe and heal. Try and keep away from using wet wipe-type removers, as I think they can be too harsh on your face and especially your eye area.

I like Simple Micellar Cleansing Water from stockists including mccabespharmacy.com for €3 to take off my makeup, but if you really want to treat yourself, Tata Harper Clarifying Cleanser from US website www.tataharperskincare.com for $68 (approximately €55) is a brilliantly tingly skin-cleansing powerhouse. Work a blob into dry skin, add water, lather and remove with a damp flannel. A luxury product, but so worth it.

6Eye cream

It is true that skin around the eye area is thinner and ages faster than anywhere else. So as we get older, I would advise using an eye cream. I love Origins GinZing refreshing eye cream to brighten and depuff, from stockists including www.debenhams.ie at €29. It does exactly what it says on the pot.

I apply it after my moisturiser, day and night. Only a small amount is needed and simply tap it in gently around the eye area. Also, if you’re having a healthy cup of green tea, don’t toss out the tea bags. Instead, pop them under your eyes for five minutes, as they are full of antioxidants, which help shrink blood vessels under the skin around the eye area and are full of vitamin K to help lighten dark circles.

7Face masks

Face masks are like a gym work-out for your face. One a week will rev up and rejuvenate your skin, making you look and feel better. I use the Murad Pore Extractor Pomegranate Mask from stockists including Littlewoods Ireland for €39.99. It’s great to de-clog your pores, tighten and brighten up the skin and you get a good few masks out of the tube. I always put on my hair conditioner, then my mask and have a good soak in the tub. CL

Next month, I’m going to share with you some expert makeup products and tips on how to really brighten up your eyes. If you have any queries, please email dollybuckley1@gmail.com.