Emer O'Callaghan: How you can give tired eyes a boost

I was driving home the other night after attending a skin conference up the country, and when I saw our famous Port of Cork sign at the quays, I smiled a sigh of relief.

For me, there’s no place like home. I have been offered jobs in other countries, but home is where the heart is, and the more I experience other places, the more proud I am of Cork.

I feel safe here and I love our wit and humour, and how in general people are just sound.

We should all be very proud of what we have here in Cork.

If you know me, you will know I love my job. It is full on, which I love, but getting older has me more aware that I am only human too and I too need rest.

I do lots of things to de-stress my body and am very active, so I have to focus on literally resting more and staying still. I really feel all our bodies need this more as we head into autumn.

This time of year can be harsh on our bodies, and many people of all ages tell me in my clinic how they are so tired and run down, and lots get sick at this time of year.

So this week I want to provide advice in a Q&A format to boost your skin this autumn.

I did one of my popular beauty videos on this recently and you can watch it on the Emerald Beauty Clinic Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok pages.

Q: WHAT IS BEST TO TREAT DARK CIRCLES AND LINES AROUND THE EYES

A: Lots of things really can help here, and these are just some of the recommendations I give to my clients.

First off, the basics, aim to get 7-8 hours sleep a night, and try to nod off before 12 as sleep cycles do matter.

Next, do you need an eye test? Modern life has us all staring at screens daily and this can affect our eyes, many are squinting more throughout the day, which forms its own lines around the eyes, so book the eye test.

My eye treatments provide an instant transformation, removing all the dead skin around the eyes, draining away fluid, and pumping in loads of hydration.

Also, invest in better quality eye products - you will instantly transform your ageing eyes.

So many do not know that eye gels are best for dark circles and eye creams for lines and crow’s feet.

Far too many people use high cosmetic, perfumed products that just irritate the eyes, and too many also apply too little of it.

We also have some amazing eye masks and targeted eye serums that work like magic for the eyes.

Q: HOW DO I CLEAR MY DRY SKIN UP

A: Well, this certainly is the season for dry skin, and as a skin expert I can assure you this problem didn’t come overnight. I treat so much dry and dehydrated skin this month from the neglect of the summer.

You can be genetically prone to dry skin, but experience has taught me that the people I see with the most dehydrated skin have it from two main things really. Firstly, they self- diagnosed their own skin randomly, buying any old skincare, and mixing a variety of different brands.

The smart person will get their skin professionally analysed in a facial. In my clinic, I really need to touch, feel, and assess the level of dryness.

Once we know how much hydration is needed, we can then prescribe the products that will clear up the dryness fast.

The second big reason for dry skin is down to years of neglect. Some people never do facials, and really, they are missing out.

One thing is for certain though, I would never ignore dry skin because it forms dehydration lines which become wrinkles.

VITALITY INSIDE AND OUT

The change of season does take a toll on us all physically, mentally, and emotionally.

I love the summer and this year I had to brace myself to let it go and prepare for the long winter ahead.

Age-appropriate multi-vitamins are good to take at this time of year.

While lots of the over-65s will get the flu jab and other jabs, I am forever saying regular hand washing is one of the most effective tools we can use to prevent picking up germs.

Vitamin C is a water soluble vitamin, as is vitamin B, and both are great for women of all ages.

I feel everyone should be on vitamin D every winter as it helps our immunity. Zinc is a mineral and another good one for immunity and helping our bodies fight off illness.

Of course, if you are taking any medications please check with your doctor or pharmacist if these vitamins are suitable for you to take.

HYDRATION IS KEY

I have always been an advocate of drinking two litres of water daily.

Every organ in our bodies needs hydration daily to work to its best.

So many people are constantly dehydrated, and I’m not surprised the brain slows down when it’s not given enough water to help it daily.

SERUM SEASON

So many people will randomly buy any old serum with no clue that if it’s not the correct one for your skin needs, it could just dry you out even more, or clog your pores, or give you a skin sensitivity if the ingredients are too harsh.

In my professional opinion, serums are the one thing many people get wrong in their skincare regime.

A good serum is an investment. I don’t believe there is a moisturiser today that provides enough hydration on its own to combat the harsh winters we all endure.

I change my serums monthly and I also use a different day and night serum.

You can pay anything from €69 to €380 for a serum and the biggest mistake many make is that they then use them too sparingly.

Think of them as being like impact subs in a sporting sense, they are brought in to make a fast improvement and therefore need to be used correctly.

Emer O’Callaghan is a multi award winning beauty doctor and skin expert who won Irish Beauty Therapist Of The Year and works at Emerald Organic Beauty Products Ltd, trading as Emerald Beauty Clinic, 021 4365949. A Guinot Crown Elite Clinic and Dermalogica Centre of Excellence, 2008-2026, www.emeraldbeautyclinic.ie - follow us on Facebook/Instagram/TikTok now.

SIX WEEK SKIN KICKSTART

Take over a decade of dead, dry, ageing skin away with our amazing six week skin kickstart at Emerald Beauty Clinic.

It comprises of three professional grade facials and a personalised home care skin plan to do every morning and evening with the prescribed professional grade products to literally transform your skin in just six short weeks.

What you will learn about your skin type, and how best to slow down the ageing, will last for life.

The course is suitable for all ages and skin types, to book your kickstart simply call Emerald Beauty Clinic on 021 4365949. Appointments only, free parking for clients.