First-timers: Three skincare products that impressed after just one use

By Aisling Keenan
29th Apr 2019

First-timers: Three skincare products that impressed after just one use

Usually it takes a while for skincare to really impress, but these first-timers nailed it after one go. Here’s why I’ll definitely be using them all again (and none of them will break the bank!)

In the interest of proper research, when trialling new skincare products, I like to give things at least a fortnight’s use before I’ll make any dramatic claims about it. For that reason, first-timers rarely make a lasting impression. It can take time for active ingredients to start showing a result, and sometimes a skincare product can break me out before it starts changing my skin.

Skin changing v skin maintaining

As well as that, there are a lot of products that aren’t necessarily skin changing – more skin maintaining – and those I can tell pretty much straight away aren’t going to make a noticeable long-term difference. But sometimes, all you want is that initial “wow, my skin feels great” buzz, and if long-term skin improvements happen too, well. Bonus!

I’m not going to break out into rapturous applause just yet for any of the below, but I will say they each made my skin instantly feel better after only one use, and that can’t be a bad thing. And I’ll most definitely be repurchasing all three when they run out.

Moxi Loves Powder Cleansing Pods, €7.95

These are genius little yokes – I panic packed a few of them for a last minute work trip away, because they’re powder they don’t have to be packed in your liquids bag.

You mix with water (how much you add makes a different consistency) and it cleanses your skin like a dream. Ingredients include oat extract, rice powder and coconut oil and my skin felt properly cleansed and super smooth after one use.

Kate Somerville ExfoliKate Intensive Exfoliating Treatment, from €30 for 15ml

You can get the incredible Kate Somerville products now in Space NK (Grafton St) and praise be, really, because what a spectacular brand. Developed in Kate’s LA clinic, each product I’ve tried made a first-time difference – but one stood out. And if I get this result every time I use it, I’ll be one happy skincare obsessive.

Cleverly titled ExfoliKate, it contains AHAs, lactic acid and fruit enzymes all working to eat away at dead skin cells. Silica acts as a mechanical exfoliant two, so it’s double as effective.

Nivea Body Souffle Cherry Blossom & Jojoba Oil, €10.99

I don’t know about you, but I go through body cream like nobody’s business. I struggle with keratosis pilaris (that dreadful chicken skin sort of texture) and I have long since learned that the best way to combat it is to keep my skin exceptionally hydrated. Scrubbing doesn’t work, but moisturising my bod does.

Enter Nivea’s Body Souffle. Firstly, it smells edible and delicious, but not overpowering. Secondly, I woke up the morning after my first use and my skin felt super soft and hydrated, particularly the extremely bumpy backs of my arms. And given the rate I plough through body products, I’m relieved this one is such good value because I’ll be buying it a lot.