Emer O'Callaghan: Tips for looking after your skin this winter 

The 2025 Holly Bough is out and my beauty pages are on p110-111 this year.

I am always very proud to be part of this iconic Cork tradition, and what I love most about it is its inclusivity - regardless if you’re from north side, or south side, country or city, the Holly Bough is a part of Cork’s Christmas tradition.

My own mum used to post it every Christmas to her two sisters in Australia, along with Barry’s tea bags, and it was a piece of home they knew and loved.

It’s the step back in time, the nostalgia of the Cork of long ago, which always makes it a fascinating read.

I’ve been doing the beauty section in the magazine for 16 years now, I wasn’t around when it started in 1897, but if I was, I’d have been pushing for a beauty section then too, I can assure you!

And yes, I did suggestions this year for the men too, so be sure to pick up your copy in your local shop.

The winter is here, and as a Beauty Doctor and skin specialist, I see the effects of it on people’s skin every day at Emerald Beauty Clinic.

This week, I want to give my top skin tips for both male and female skin.

DON’T QUIT FACIALS

Winter is the season your skin needs support the most, I see it every year, clients who are great to do their regular facials but as soon as November comes, they die off.

However, that November and December facial is crucial as winter is so harsh on everyone’s skin.

Also, Christmas is the time everyone sees you. Why undo all your year’s hard work now?

I truly believe that it’s not just about the professional grade skincare and treatments, it’s the fact you are consistent is the real game-changer, so keep showing up, keep going, quitting is counter-productive.

HEATING AND HORMONES

As temperatures drop, the heating gets ramped up at home, in the office, and in the car.

All this is drying out your skin at its most demanding time. It’s particularly harsh for women.

Winter can be the perfect storm for dryness, dehydration and skin sensitivity and irritations, and wrinkles can form.

MINDSET IS KEY

I believe in training your mindset in the same way you do any other muscle in your body.

Don’t be negative, defeatist or lazy when it comes to your beauty. My videos, which you can watch on our Emerald Beauty Clinic Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok pages, spell this out.

You must listen to our expertise, the people who do can look 25 years younger than they are.

The truth is, healthy, radiant, glowing skin is absolutely possible for everyone of any age, but it takes commitment and consistency.

I always say my job is to educate, empower and inform my clients so they know better and can do better, the ones that do what we tell them look amazing.

None of us wake up looking like supermodels, but we do our best and, sure, that’s all anyone can do.

My clients are already telling me of all the compliments they are getting at Christmas parties on their skin, many say people ask them have they had botox as they have no lines or wrinkles - this is their hard work paying off.

EMER’S TOP WINTER SKIN TIPS

Winter does not need to mean compromised skin - small, intentional changes deliver big results, like boosters and serums for extra hydration, which strengthen your skin barrier and keep that skin radiant, hydrated and glowing all winter long.

Here are some of my best pieces of advice.

Layer your hydration, keep reapplying moisturiser to your skin throughout the day. Cream is like water for our body, you don’t drink one glass a day.

Avoid very hot showers, too much heat can burst the capillaries of the skin, use lukewarm water only for the shower and face.

SPF is vital in winter on top of your day cream, it shields you from harmful UV rays but also adds an extra layer of protection for the skin barrier in winter.

A non-perfumed hydrating serum is what everyone needs in winter, use daily under moisturiser as they boost the skin.

I always say to my clients that serum is like a jumper and moisturiser is like the coat, you put both on before heading out in winter. Serum is not instead of a moisturiser, it’s to be used with it.

Our New Guinot Hydra Peeling 4 Week Serum kit, €97, is about taking back a chapter of your life skin-wise as its ingredients are so targeted at anti ageing.

It is getting fantastic results for my clients and it’s available at Emerald Beauty Clinic now - use this three nights a week for four weeks underneath your prescribed Guinot night cream.

In conclusion, you don’t need a 12 step skin care regime, you need regular facials to keep dead skin off so your products can be absorbed into the skin.

Winter radiance of any skin, regardless of the age, comes from nourishment, protection, and daily care and regular facials.

Emer O’Callaghan is a multi award winning Beauty Doctor and Skin Specialist who won Irish Beauty Therapist of the year and works at Emerald Organic Beauty Products Ltd, trading as Emerald Beauty Clinic, 021 4365949. A multi award winning Gold Standard Clinic, 2008-2025, www.emeraldbeautyclinic.ie - follow us on Facebook/Instagram/ TikTok.

SPECIAL OFFER

All next week, our Dry/Dehydrated skin facial, 90 minutes, is reduced from €125 to €95, includes a full skin analysis, eyebrow shape and heated hand treatment, appointments necessary, to book call Emerald Beauty Clinic, 021 4365949. Free parking for clients.