Latest news with #Genosys
Irish Independent
15-05-2025
- Health
- Irish Independent
Beauty fix: What is Korean beauty and how do I get on board without being overwhelmed?
Effective, aesthetically pleasing and relatively affordable, there are plenty of good reasons why Korean beauty is the darling of skincare social media. But that would all be superficial without solid science and business smarts behind it, too. Thanks to government support that also drives the K-pop phenomenon and followed the late 1990s Asian financial crisis, K-beauty has the money to innovate, employing ingredients used nowhere else. Some say Korean beauty is 15 years ahead of the rest of the world, and as it takes over our bathroom cabinets and socials, the craze offers something for everyone, even if a 10-step TikTok regime is not for you and 'glass skin' is an unachievable goal. 'In South Korea, skincare is not seen as a luxury but as a cultural norm,' says Shannon McCreery, Ireland Educator for skincare brand Genosys. 'With a focus on prevention and long-term skin health, rather than quick fixes with aggressive ingredients, it prioritises the skin's barrier and overall hydration.' K-beauty has a lot of weird ingredients. Do they actually work? 'South Korea has some of the world's most rigorous regulations for cosmetic products, resulting in high standards for both safety and efficacy,' says McCreery. 'Brands are known for innovative ingredients, such as snail mucin, propolis and fermented botanicals.' Snail mucin is probably the best known 'weird' ingredient, processed from the slimy trail left by free-range snails raised on dedicated farms. This gloop is packed with proteins and hyaluronic and glycolic acids, so it sounds awful but does the job. Centella asiatica, derived from a tropical Asian plant, is also common in K-beauty. Often listed as cica, it's prized for its calming effect and kindness to the skin barrier, while propolis, a resin produced by bees, is antifungal, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. Is Korean sunscreen as good as they say? ADVERTISEMENT Again, innovation and research are what set Korean sunscreen apart. Their drive to continually advance and experiment with ingredients is a direct contrast with the US, in particular, where sun protection is classified as a drug rather than a beauty product. This means that every element has to be FDA certified and they haven't introduced anything new since the late 1990s. The freedom to innovate has allowed K-beauty to deliver sunscreen that is light, traceless and nice to use, bestowing that glassy finish that a lot of more familiar products can't. Also, Korean sunscreen is not just sun protection, but skincare in its own right, featuring ingredients such as vitamin C, niacinamide and hyaluronic acid. What's the famous 10-step routine? 'The most famous routine,' says McCreery, 'is designed to layer hydration and nourishment and you apply the products in order of texture, from thinnest to thickest.' That is: oil cleanser, to remove make-up, sunscreen and oil; a water-based cleanser to remove all remaining residue; exfoliator, such as a toner-type product, to smooth texture and improve further product absorption. After that, you use hydrating toning mist, as wet skin absorbs products better; essence, which is a slightly thicker hydrator with ingredients such as hyaluronic or niacinamide; serum, with active ingredients such as vitamin C and peptides. With time on your hands – after all, you've committed to 10 steps – a sheet mask can follow for deep hydration. Then it's an eye cream and moisturiser to lock in all that good stuff and protect the skin barrier. Step 10 is sunscreen, so that's just for the mornings. Even K-beauty doesn't suggest you'll need it while you sleep. Can I do less, or is K-beauty not for the busy? 'You absolutely do not need to dive headfirst into a ten-step routine,' says McCreery. 'Korean serums, essences and sheet masks integrate easily into most routines and deliver noticeable hydration and glow.' She says that a core four products will achieve results. In short, that's the double cleanse of an oil and then a water cleanser, a targeted serum, hydrating moisturiser and a good sunscreen. Genosys Soothing Bomb Sea Algae Mask, €45.50 for 10, This cloth mask has a lovely cooling sensation and is bursting with K-beauty heroes, from centella asiatica to coral and seaweed extracts, all of which calm and hydrate. In addition, witch hazel and chestnut have a lightly firming effect without tightness. Ideal to use before a night out. Cosrx Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence Gel, €31.99, Boots Get past the tacky texture and enjoy the snail-trail benefits of this essence. It's full of antioxidants and promises to help with scars and acne, its most prized quality is an ability to super-hydrate, plump out fine lines and leave a (thankfully non-tacky) glow. Beauty of Joseon Ginseng Moist Sun Serum, RRP €23.90, Brown Thomas; Boots A perfect example of a Korean sunscreen that is a pleasure to use. It is serum-like in texture – light and fluid – and sinks in quickly. It has ginseng to reduce redness inflammation, niacinamide to help texture and glow and high broad-spectrum protection from UVA and UVB rays.
Irish Independent
11-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Triona McCarthy: Wondering how to disguise those hooded eyes? I've got just the tricks
Dr Siún Murphy in Blackrock Clinic is the doc of choice where I live, and I'm now going to jump on the bleph wagon so I'm booking in with Dr Michéal O'Rourke in the Institute of Dermatologists when the time comes for mine. If your eyes need some attention, here are a couple of products to help with recovery, disguise or distraction! Balmy Evenings South Korean cosmeceutical brand Genosys is the make-up to use after having anything invasive done. It's already a well-known name in Irish clinics and salons, and it has introduced innovative homecare products to the Irish skincare market. Try the Genosys Intensive Blemish Balm Cream (€45, which is a combination of moisturiser, SPF and cover-up. It will reduce redness, which is great for skin that needs a little TLC post surgery. Brow-can't-be beaten If the idea of going under the knife is too much, draw attention away from hooded eyes by having showstopping brows. Brow Aid S.O.S Advanced Brow and Lash Recovery Mask (€26, is another gem from brow queen Kim O'Sullivan. It's a serum that promotes regrowth and recovery and it repairs and nourishes your brows to help them grow strong. Oh, and the name of the brand is a play on first aid, as O'Sullivan's products provide just that for brows in need — which I only found out recently when I interviewed her. Henna Party You could also try Henna Brows at Hillary's in Ranelagh, Dublin 6 — I get mine done with Lauren (€50, They're great if you've had embrowdery like me that's faded, and they last really well. Henna brows are great for damaged and weak hairs as they're based on natural ingredients, and your skin gets coloured as well as your brow hairs to give you a great result. Bright Eyes Finally, are these the bougiest patches ever? The Dior Hydrating Eye Patches (€85, are designed to revitalise and brighten the eyes. Each set contains five pairs of single-use patches, and all you have to do is leave them on for 10 minutes. They're suitable for all skin types and contain double hydrogel technology for flexibility and adhesion. You'll have fabulous peepers in no time! Treat Tatcha The Brightening Serum, €99, adore this serum from Tatcha, created by Vicky Tsai, who studied the natural Japanese ingredients and timeless rituals that healed her inside and outThe serum contains brightening Vitamin C compounds and ferulic acid to firm and boost the skin. It's exactly what I need to brighten up my day... and face. ADVERTISEMENT Treatment IPL M22, from €135, I often get DMs asking what my favourite treatment is and any kind of IPL is always high up on my list. This IPL facial rejuvenation at The Wicklow Street Clinic in Dublin is a special collagen-boosting facial that tightens, tones and rejuvenates. It uses the M22 Universal IPL Machine, which is the gold standard and offers remarkable results on a range of skin concerns, from wrinkles to rosacea, with results lasting up to 18 months. . Trick Glow up If your concealer looks too pale or ashy to cover up dark circles under the eyes, try blending it with some cream bronzer instead for a warm, radiant glow. It adds depth and brightens your look without that washed-out effect. Just a little swipe can make all the difference! Gently blend with your finger tips and finish with some brow gel and mascara and you're good to go. Who's ready to give this easy trick a try?
