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I love trying new products as part of my skincare routine, but there are certain steps I never skip. Cleansing your face at the end of each day is probably the most important step; this removes make-up, impurities and dry or dead skin. Cleansers can take many forms, including balms, foams and creams, and can be specifically designed for a single skin condition or for a combination of skin types. After washing your face using your cleanser, rest a warm, wet cotton cloth over your skin for a minute or so to let the cleanser work and to open and clean out your pores. Use the cloth to gently exfoliate the skin and remove eye make-up. Then pat dry.
Holos is a skincare brand based in Wexford, run by Niamh Hogan, who has developed a range of products using essential oils. Love Your Skin Cleansing Balm (€19.20) combines rose, palmerosa, benzoin and frankincense essential oils with coconut oil and witch hazel to create a product that suits mature, combination and sensitive skin types.
Bia Beauty is a Cork-based natural skincare brand created by Tracey Ryan. Its Orange and Grapefruit Facial Exfoliant and Cleanser (€16.95) is a beautiful treat for most skin types. This multitasking product combines castor and thistle oil, which are excellent for cleansing and extracting impurities. Natural jojoba grains gently exfoliate the skin.
