Do you find yourself overwhelmed by skincare options? Or simply wondering what’s simply a fad? Some of Ireland’s top skincare experts cut through the noise to reveal the options they stick to, and the ones they’d ban if they could. Kate Demolder writes.

Once, it all seemed so simple: Cleanse, tone, moisturise. However, much has changed in the skincare world, with what seems like thousands of new products launching every week. With that comes conflicting advice: what goes first? Is it better to cleanse once or twice? And is ‘natural’ skincare at all better?

If you’ve found yourself wondering whether your skin would be better suited to beef tallow or retinoids, read on. We spoke to eight skin experts to find out their own skincare routines – and the mistakes they’d run a mile from. (Spoiler: none of them uses beef tallow.)

With a waitlist several months long, Agnes Gajewska is the go-to woman for anyone looking for facial sculpting, and was even recently billed by the Sunday Times as the person to “make skin sing”.

What do you use daily?

My daily rituals revolve around lymphatic work, warm water with lemon and ginger or celery juice and cleansing (Skingredients Prebiotic Cleanser), Vitamin C (C-Esta Serum from Jan Marini or Medik8), serum (my own Óige Peptide Elixir), eye patches (POCO Beauty or any Korean brands), moisturising (Avene) and SPF (SPF Trinny London or Heliocare), although I don’t always use moisturiser in the summer months.

I do a quick Face Yoga by Agnes ritual in the morning – or in the evening if I’m under pressure – and I love walking and listening to podcasts, so definitely lots of steps.

My evening rituals are dry brushing as part of my shower, usually three times a week, with evening skincare of double cleanser, an active toner (a sample of a product I’m working on), an LED mask or Lyma Laser, eye cream (Medik8 Eye Retinol), my peptide elixir and retinal, although I don’t apply active toner under retinol.

What do you do in-clinic?

My salon addiction is Dermalux [non-invasive treatment that uses clinically proven blue, red, and near-infrared wavelengths to rejuvenate skin, reduce acne, and calm inflammation] and investments in my treatments/education.

I also try to do a course of IPL and microneedling every year. I had my semi-permanent brows done two years ago, best decision. I never had injectables, but I’m planning to have a blepharoplasty – I’m just not brave enough yet.

What do you base your skincare choices on?

Science, not trends. Ingredients that really make the difference. I will not spend big money on cleansers and moisturisers, but I do definitely invest in serums, and always apply SPF. I also don’t feel pressure to look 20, and I believe in a 360° approach. (I would like to be better with weights; I’m 44 this year and definitely feeling the change.)

With advanced training across both medical dermatology and aesthetic practice, as well as postgraduate diplomas in Dermatology and Aesthetic Medicine, the Dr Alex Clinic is one of the buzziest new clinics in Ireland.

What do you use daily?

I almost exclusively use SkinCeuticals, which is the range I stock in the clinic. That decision was very deliberate. I’m not particularly interested in marketing trends; I’m interested in formulation science, peer-reviewed studies and reproducible results across different skin types.

My morning routine consists of a gel-based, lightly acidic cleanser, Phloretin CF Gel (antioxidant protection), P-TIOX, H.A. Intensifier serum, Triple Lipid Restore, A.G.E. Advanced Eye cream, Ultrasun SPF 50 and SPF, which is the single most important anti-ageing intervention — everything else is secondary to that.

My evening routine is the Glycolic 10 Renew Overnight Cream, which I use twice weekly (I also use this on the backs of my arms for keratosis pilaris), retinol two nights per week and a barrier-focused hydration on non-active evenings. I avoid over-exfoliation and frequent product changes; skin responds best to consistency and barrier integrity.

What do you splurge on?

Regarding in-clinic treatments, I believe in gradual, cumulative improvement rather than dramatic change. Over time, I’ve had: Anti-wrinkle injections (upper and lower face), Profhilo for skin quality, filler-wise I’ve had nose, lip and chin filler all done very subtly to balance my side profile, Polynucleotides in the periocular area, Sunekos [an injectable skin treatment made of hyaluronic acid and amino acids, designed to stimulate collagen and elastin production] for hydration support, Microneedling, BBL and MOXI, a course of chemical peels and fat dissolving under the chin in the past.

These treatments have been spaced and layered over time. The focus is always collagen stimulation, skin quality and subtle structural balance — not transformation.

Anything else?

Finally, I’m a strong believer in the gut–skin axis and take a daily probiotic. I also use sauna and cold plunging regularly, which I find beneficial for overall skin radiance. I don’t routinely have facials; while relaxing, I prioritise treatments with measurable biological impact. Similarly, I don’t personally use red light therapy – it can be effective, but only with strict consistency. Ultimately, my aim is to look like myself, simply well-maintained and healthy.