By Dr. Edel Woods – Ireland’s leading aesthetic doctor and founder of ORA Skin Clinic.
In a world overflowing with skincare trends, it’s easy to get lost in the noise. But for me, great skin comes down to science, consistency, and knowing what your skin truly needs. As an aesthetic doctor and the founder of ORA Skin Clinic, my personal skincare philosophy is simple: Keep it consistent, simple, and rooted in evidence and focused on long-term skin health, not trends.
Here’s a look at my real-life skincare routine, the products I swear by, the ingredients that actually work, and the in-clinic treatments I rely on to maintain long-term skin health.
Morning Routine: Protect & Prevent
Mornings in my house are often a whirlwind, especially since becoming a new mum, so my routine is designed to be quick but purposeful.
Cleanse: I start with a gentle cleanse using cool water and the Obagi Gentle Cleanser. It’s non-stripping and perfectly suits my skin.
Antioxidants: With hormonal pigmentation like melasma now part of my skincare journey, antioxidants are a non-negotiable. I use SkinCeuticals CE Ferulic, the gold standard in vitamin C serums. It’s backed by incredible clinical data and gives me both a glow and protection against environmental stressors.
SPF: My go-to SPFs are Mesoestetic Mineral Fluid and Melan 130+, a combo that gives the perfect tint for my Irish skin tone while also protecting against infrared radiation, which can worsen melasma. I love a tinted SPF for that extra layer of defence.
Serum (optional step): When time allows, I slot in AlumierMD Ultimate Boost Serum, it hydrates and calms beautifully under SPF. In colder months, I might switch to SkinCeuticals HA Intensifier or La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5, depending on hydration levels.
Hero Products:
- SkinCeuticals CE Ferulic
- Mesoestetic Melan 130+
- AlumierMD Ultimate Boost Serum
Evening Routine: Repair & Renew
Evening is where the real work happens. This is when I focus on regeneration and long-term skin health.
Retinoids: I use Skinbetter Science Alpharet every second night. This vitamin A formulation offers both visible radiance and long-term collagen support, a true investment in my skin’s future.
Nourish Nights: On alternating evenings, I prioritise hydration. I’ll layer a favourite hydration serum under Calecim Recovery Night Cream, a stem-cell-enriched formula that supports skin repair.
Exfoliation Nights: I never use gritty scrubs. Instead, I opt for chemical exfoliation with SkinCeuticals Glycolic Renewal Cleanser followed by Alumier AHA Renewal Serum.
Rule of Thumb: No physical exfoliators, ever. Chemical exfoliants deliver smoother skin without the risk of damage.
In-Clinic Treatments I Swear By
I believe in a consistent, evidence-based approach to in-clinic treatments, nothing extreme, just what works.
Quarterly: ORA Glow Facial
- Our signature treatment combines a light chemical peel, Laser Genesis, and a few secret finishing touches for radiant, glowing skin with no downtime.
Annually: ORA Power Facial+
- This is my skin’s annual reset. It layers Sciton BBL or MOXI, microneedling, stem cell therapy, Polynucleotides, and the Byonik laser. It’s the ultimate collagen-booster and long-term rejuvenation treatment.
Biannually: Anti-Wrinkle Injections
- I opt for a subtle “sprinkle” of wrinkle relaxers twice a year. It helps soften downward-pulling muscles that can make me look tired or tense, without ever looking frozen or overdone.
Philosophy: Great aesthetic treatments should never make you look “done”, they should help you look like the most rested, refreshed version of yourself.
About the expert
Dr. Edel Woods is one of Ireland’s leading voices in modern aesthetic medicine, she is the founder of ORA Skin Clinic with locations in Dublin and Cork.
