The Skin Nerd: Land of saints and skincare: Our top Irish picks

Ireland's beauty brands have a lot to offer.

Our land is bountiful — and the bounty is beauty. I don’t think we should shop Irish just for the sake of it (controversial), but when you have the skincare and makeup brands that we do at your fingertips, it’s frankly silly not to at least give Irish beauty a go.

The beauty industry in Ireland has been blossoming for years — shout out to Waxperts, Cocoa Brown,Fuschia and Blank Canvas — but I think we’re reaching the pretty peak of it now, with Pestle & Mortar making waves worldwide, Kinvara making botanical more active, Seavite looking after the sensitive-skinned who still want results — and that’s only to name a few.

The Burren, Ireland.

The Burren Perfumery

Based in the Burren, Co Clare, this Munster-made organic cosmetic and perfume brand focuses on quality over quantity, creating small-batch products and running the delectable Tea Rooms on-site.

If you are a fan of natural skincare with calming essential oils, you will love The Burren Perfumery’sserums.

In my eyes, their stars are their hand soaps.

We have the gorgeous Lost Garden Hand Soap (€7.50, 100g) in the Nerd HQ bathroom — their soaps are palm oil free, totally organic and are a great way of cutting down on your use of single-use plastics.

Available from burrenperfumery.com or from The Burren Perfumery, Co Clare.

Pestle & Mortar

Founded by Sonia Deasy and her photographer husband Padraic Deasy, Pestle & Mortar takes a minimalistic yet results-orientated approach to skincare.

I adore the products and I usually don’t say a lot about packaging but the elegant black and white looks iconic on any shelf.

Although I’m personally a fan of the entire range, I have an emotional attachment to the Pure Hyaluronic Serum (€24, 15ml) because myself and Team Nerd have used it at London Fashion Week.

It’s so phenomenally hydrating whilst simultaneously soothing.

Available from pestle and mortar.com and pharmacies nationwide.

Kinvara

Kinvara has a slightly more unusual origin story than most in that founder, Joanne Reilly, has a doctorate in tropical ecology.

Her range is inspired by the plant-based resourcefulness she encountered during her fieldwork in Sumatra and Mauritius.

The Kinvara Absolute Cleansing Face Oil (€22.95, 100ml) is entirely preservative-free as the cleanser contains no water and it is made completely out of plant oils.

With omega-rich sunflower seed oil and sesame seed oil, and antioxidant-rich watermelon seed oil, your skin will be hydrated, protected and makeup-free.

Seavite

The Doctors Mulrooney harnessed the powers of the sea that always helped their eczema as children, combined them with antioxidants and powerful skincare ingredients, and the result is an effective range that is suitable for super sensitive skins.

Their body products are gorgeous and I, of course, adore active body care.

The Super Nutrient Revitalising Bath & Shower Gel (€16, 250ml) contains organic seaweed extracts and soothing botanical ingredients for skin equilibrium and none of the tightness you get from your bog-standard shower gel.

I highly recommend introducing some Irish skincare to your routine - if you can’t make your way across the country, visit your local pharmacy, head to an Avoca or a Brown Thomas or do some googling.

Outside of the brands mentioned, I highly rate Nunaia, Skinician, the Bia Beauty Collection from Codex Beauty and Peachy Skincare among a huge host of others.

THE NERDIE PICK

I feel that every hooman should have a multitasker in their skincare kit and for me, I reach for Kinvara Hyaluronic Youth Boost again and again.

It has plumping hyaluronic acid with turmeric, known for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant capabilities.

You can tap it on across your whole visage as your main serum, apply it just to areas like the forehead and cheekbones for plumpness and glow, use it as an eye gel or lash it on to your lips before a thicker balm, as I do. Word of warning: it does have a yellow-y turmeric tint but it does not stain you!

■ The Nerdie Pick: Kinvara Hyaluronic Youth Boost (€22.95, 15ml, available from kinvaraskincare.com, Avoca and selected health stores and pharmacies