Simone Gannon on how to have healthy, clear skin from the inside out

Why do you feel so passionately about skin health?

Taking care of your skin is one of the most powerful forms of self-care. Yes, it’s about tackling current skin issues and using the right products to elicit results over time, but it’s also about investing in your future self and promoting an overall feeling of well-being.

A good skincare routine can change how you feel about yourself. It’s a way to regain and maintain everyday confidence. When we put aside time to take care of our skin, we reap the benefits.

What common mistakes are Irish women making when it comes to skin health?

Many people don’t wear sunscreen or don’t wear enough sunscreen every day. Applying a two-finger amount of broad-spectrum sunscreen every morning is the single best thing we can do for our skin. There’s no point investing time and money in a skincare routine if sunscreen isn’t a priority.

It doesn’t just protect the skin from harmful UV rays, preventing premature ageing, sun damage, skin cancer, and more – it also allows our skin to repair itself from damage that has previously occurred.

How much does our skin reflect our overall well-being?

There’s a wealth of research that demonstrates the unique connectivity between our skin and our sense of self-worth. If our skin looks and feels good, then we feel good. I have always believed that a good skincare routine is as much about using the right products as it is about the actual ritual of taking care of yourself – time put aside, even if it’s just a few minutes, to look after your skin and to look after yourself.  

What simple steps can we take to look after our skin at home?

A little time put aside morning and evening for a gentle cleanse, a nourishing and hydrating serum, and a barrier-repairing moisturiser (and a broad-spectrum sunscreen in the morning) can work wonders for how your skin looks and feels. Skincare doesn’t have to be complicated and it doesn’t have to be expensive. It’s about putting together a simple routine that works for you and that you enjoy doing. 

What are your top 3 favourite skincare ingredients?

There are so many great ingredients with great benefits for the skin.

• Niacinamide is one of my favourites. A less irritating alternative to vitamin C, it helps to improve moisture levels in the skin, strengthen the skin barrier, balance oil production, and reduce redness and sensitivity, among many other benefits.
• Ceramides are fantastic for preventing water loss too, and for protecting and supporting the skin in general.
• And I also love Polyhydroxy Acid or PHA. An incredibly gentle exfoliant, it’s a great option for sensitive skin as it works at a much slower pace than other exfoliants we’re familiar with, such as Glycolic Acid, but still delivers results. 

*Do you have sensitive skin? Team IMAGE shares their favourite skincare products*

4 supporting supplements for healthy skin

From Oonagh O’Hagan, pharmacist and MD of Meagher’s Pharmacy Group

1. YourZooki Liposomal Collagen is the ultimate daily beauty and health supplement. Containing 5,000mg of hydrolysed marine collagen and 30mg of vitamin C, this supplement contributes to natural collagen formation for the normal function of skin, cartilage, bones, gums and teeth. It’s perfect for anyone looking to restore and maintain youthful, hydrated skin and a healthy body.

2. Made using a combination of ingredients chosen to support skin, hair and nails, Revive Active Beauty Complex is a daily powdered sachet that you simply add to water and drink. It’s enriched with marine collagen, hyaluronic acid, phytoceramides and biotin and offers effective nutrient delivery and absorption.

3. If you have stressed or problem skin, make sure to try Advanced Nutrition Programme Skin Clear Biome. Our microbiome can often affect our skin, so this has four strains of beneficial bacteria and yeast, which work in synergy to balance and clear the skin from deep within. It also helps support gut flora, skin health and skin immunity and works to balance the skin’s natural barrier.

4.  Our gut health is strongly linked to not just our skin health, but our overall health and well-being. The gut microbiome helps to support vital processes in your body such as digestion as well as brain and immune health, making it important to support its healthy balance. Symprove Gut Health Supplement is based on an extract of germinated barley and is produced at a dedicated site in Surrey, England under strict and carefully controlled conditions.

Do you have sensitive skin? Team IMAGE shares their favourite skincare products

The IMAGE Wellness Project is powered by Meagher’s Pharmacy in association with Gym+Coffee, Aveeno and Cleanmarine MenoMin.