It’s that time of year again where I look back at all of the many (many) products I have tried and narrow down the ones that work best for me. Please remember just because a product works for me and I recommend it does not mean it will work for you, but I really hope they do. If you decide to purchase any, it would mean a lot if you could do it through the affiliate links included, there’s no extra cost to you and it helps feed my skincare addiction.
So lets get into it!

New to me
I didn’t try as many new products in 2024 as I usually do. I have been going through a really tough time with my skin and had to pair back my product use to the bare minimum. I still managed to find some real gems though.
Doctrine Divinity Cleansing Balm
There something so indulgent about a cleansing balm. The texture, the smell and with this one, the colour! The vibrant blue colour comes from Spirulina while the scent is a blend of yarrow, orange, neroli and lavender.
Thankfully I don’t really get the scent of lavender as that just reminds me of work..
The beautiful balm is a joy to apply to the skin and turns into a lovely milk when water is added. Crucially it ticks my three cleanser boxes. Takes off eye make up with out stinging the eyes, doesn’t leave the skin feeling dry and does not leave a film on the skin.
Docterine is a new Irish skincare brand who have also released a Vitamin C serum which I am planning on getting my hands on soon.
For Irish orders available here


Apothaka skin quenching essence and barrier support serum
Just even reading the names of the products makes your skin feel better. Apothaka has been on my to try list for ages and in a post general anaesthic shopping spree (you really should not be allowed your phone after operations) I finally took the plunge and ordered the barrier support serum. And then the lovely Natasha included the skin quenching essence.
Skin Quenching Essence
A hydrating toner or essence (difference explained here) is, in my opinion, essential for healthy glowing skin. As well as the hydration it allows for better absorption of your next skincare products. With NMF, panthenol (B5), cucumber extract, it’s a drink of water for your skin. I’ve been using it non stop in the am and pm straight after cleansing on damp skin.
Barrier Support Serum
The OG of barrier protecting serums. It contains A 5% niacinamide, ceramide complex & hyaluronic acid, designed to support, protect and replenish the skin barrier, for optimal hydration balance and to keep skin healthy. This serum was the only new product I introduced while my skin was having a prolonged tantrum earlier this year.
Apothaka is on the slightly more expensive side but you are getting such high quality products and supporting a small business that don’t use fear mongering about clean skincare ingredients to sell their products (always win for me)
Available here
APLB – Glutathione Niacinamide Ampoule Serum and SPF
I don’t know how this serum has not gone viral. It helps even skin tone while protecting hydrating and soothing the skin. A great multi tasker it also only about 16 euro but its regularly on special offer for €10 . Which is such an incredible price for what you get.
I have done a more in depth review here
I also tried the spf which I will be reordering. It is a typical k beauty sunscreen but adding in the extra ingredients of Glutathione and Niacinamide makes it a multi tasking hero!
Available at YesStyle.com (Use code BEAUTYEXPLOR for an extra 5% off


Neostrata Tri-Therapy Lifting Serum
A lovely multi-tasking hydrating serum that gives you lovely plump healthy looking skin.
Gluconolactone: A Polyhydroxy Acid (PHA) that is found naturally in the skin and provides antiageing and gentle exfoliating benefits without sun sensitivity. It is a welcome choice for sensitive skin types.
Aminofil: A revolutionary Amino Acid derivative that is the ingredient solution for visible volume building, plumping and firming skin’s appearance. It targets expression lines such as scowl (glabellar) lines, furrows, smile (nasolabial) lines, and crow’s feet.
LMW Hyaluronic Acid: Hyaluronic Acid is a natural Glycosaminoglycan (GAG) found in skin’s support matrix. When applied topically, it acts as a humectant and hydrates at the skin’s surface. Due to its unique small size, LMW (Low Molecular Weight) Hyaluronic Acid penetrates skin’s surface to attract moisture, providing hydration to visibly improve skin’s texture.
Now it is on the expensive side at €85 but you are getting a few products in one.
Coats Triple Moisture Water Cream
This popped up on the Boots €12 Tuesday offers one day, it sounded good and I needed a new moisturiser so I ordered it not expecting much. But oh is it a nice moisturer. And then typically it started popping up on my tik tok non stop.
It’s got my favourite hydrating ingredient polyglumatic acid, plus squalane, peptides and vitamin E for antioxidant protection.
It has the most beautiful texture and soaks into the skin. No pilling here! Perfect for all skin types unless your particularly dry. I’ve found it works really well for my daytime moisturiser but I use a thicker one at night time to trap in that moisture.
It’s reasonably priced at about €25 but is often on offer.
Available at Lookfantastic.com


VT Reedle Shot and Rejuran c-pdrn ampoule.
Rubbing needles into your face and applying dna from salmon sperm. These two win the “wtf is k beauty doing now award” I’ll be doing a full review very soon.
VT Reedle shot is available at Yesstyle.com and Stylevana.com The Rejuran is a bit harder to find, Stylevana has some products and I am on the hunt to find more options.
The Staples – What has made the list again.

Uriage Xemose Huile Lavante Cleansing Soothing Oil
I can’t remember how long I’ve been using this, But I’m sure it’s been over a year. I got sent a 100ml bottle and it wasn’t immediately love but as I went through extended periods of skin irritation, I realised that this cleanser never irritated my skin, not matter how sore and red it was. And even calmed my skin
It’s not the most elegant of cleansers, there’s no mistaking it for the Allies of Skin Cleanser, but it works. And as well as not irritating my skin it ticks my main three boxes
Takes off eye make up with out stinging the eyes, doesn’t leave the skin feeling dry and does not leave a film on the skin!
It’s such a great deal at 500mls for about €20 but you can get it in a smaller size to try it if you want. Available at Lookfantastic.com
NIOD CAIS3 COPPER AMINO ISOLATE SERUM 3 1:1 (CAIS3)
This probably my most used serum at the moment. This has been going on my face nearly every night for more than a year and for good reason. I love it so much its going to make it as a beauty hero.
The Inkey List Polyglutamic Acid Serum
– the best hydrating serum for plumping the skin. Simple, affordable, I go through bottles of the stuff each year.
Available at theinkeylist.com
Cosrx Snail Mucin
I always have a bottle of this on the go. I just find it helps my skin heal quicker, especially after I have picked at a spot yet again. You can now get this in your local boots and in a lot of online beauty retailers like Lookfantastic.com but it tends to be a lot cheaper (€30 vs €15) on the K beauty sites like Yesstyle.com
Hydrosil Dry Eye Gel
My holy grail for treating and preventing my eye eczema. I’ve been meaning to do a post on this for ages so I promise I will get around to it.
Available at skinship.co.uk
The Ordinary Matrixl with HA
You know my love for the Ordinary. When I was pregnant and had to be off retinoids, I started using this. While it takes time see results (about 3 months) I noticed a difference on my neck. I have now gone through bottles and bottles of it. I should also mention The Ordinary Argline serum which I use with it.
Have you tried any of these products? What are you favourite ones for 2024??? Any recommendations?
