#nofilter by Denise Smith

Skin Proud Recharge 0.5pc Overnight Retinol Serum, €15 FOR Sleeping Beauty vibes, this lightweight serum blends hyaluronic acid, retinol and plant-based bakuchiol to help even skin tone and banish dead skin — all while you snooze. Apply before moisturiser as part of your nightly skincare routine. But be careful not to use with other retinoid treatments.

Skin Formulas Bakuchiol Retinol Alternative Serum, €67 PREGNANT? Or maybe you’re not quite ready to commit to retinol — I have the next best thing. Perfect for those unable to use retinol, this lightweight serum contains bakuchiol, a plant-based swap that improves the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and even increases the skin’s firmness and plumpness by stimulating the natural production of collagen and elastin. Packed with anti-inflammatory antioxidants, it boosts hydration and visibly reduces redness and blemishes, acting even faster if you use it both morning and night. The skincare range was created by Tipperary aesthetician Geraldine Jones, who’s been helping clients to glow for almost two decades, so you know your complexion’s in safe hands.

IT Cosmetics Hello Results Wrinkle-Reducing Daily Retinol Serum-in-Cream,€73 This serum/cream hybrid is the ultimate youth boost and is fast becoming one of my all-time favourite products. Offering all-day hydration while refining the skin’s texture in as little as 12 weeks, it’s gentle enough for even sensitive types, and can be used daily from the get-go. Infused with niacinamide, plus nourishing vitamins E and B5, it combats the redness, flaking and dryness that can occur after hitting the retinol hard — so slather away.

Peace Out Retinol Eye Stick, €29 MAYBE serums or moisturisers just aren’t your bag? This supercharged serum-balm goes head to head with tired, maturing skin with just a slick of a stick. It’s infused with retinol, peptides and squalane to reveal smoother, firmer-looking under-eyes.

The Inkey List Retinol Serum, €12.40 FOREVER breaking through beauty jargon to give you no-nonsense affordable products, this slow-release formula minimises irritation and maximises results, leaving fine lines and wrinkles smoothed. For newbies, it’s a nice introduction to the world of retinol and at just over a tenner you can’t really go wrong. Pick it up and try it now — you won’t regret it.

Kiehl’s Retinol Fast Release Wrinkle-Reducing Night Serum, €74 ONCE you get past the scientific jargon, you’ll know Kiehl’s new ‘fast release’ delivery system is worth the hype. Containing 0.3pc pure retinol, the quick-absorbing serum penetrates up to 15 skin surface layers deep, rapidly bringing fresh, gorgeous new cells to the surface for gloriously youthful-looking skin

Ultraceuticals Ultra A Perfecting Eye Cream, €73 SPENDING so much time at my computer, coupled with aimless scrolling on Instagram means my tired peepers are in need of some TLC. This hydrating and plumping cream visibly diminishes fine lines and wrinkles and is sensitive enough to use on the delicate skin around the eyes — it’s expensive but you can’t put a cost on look-at-me eyes.