IRENE FORTE ON BEAUTY AT HOME

Our Director of Wellness and the creator of Irene Forte Skincare, the sustainable skincare line handmade in Italy, we spoke to Irene Forte for beauty advice at home, now more important than ever.

What do you think are key elements of any daily beauty ritual?

“Each morning I use my Irene Forte Skincare products. I start the morning with a bit of water and the Almond Cleansing Milk. I then apply Helichrysum Hyaluronic Toner using a cotton pad and pitter-patter my skin with my fingertips to boost circulation. Following this, I use the Hibiscus Serum. I never miss the serum step because it’s more potent than a cream and its molecular size allows it to penetrate into the deeper layers of the skin. The Almond Eye Cream comes next and then I usually finish with the Aloe Vera Face Cream.

In the evening, I repeat the same cleanser, toner and serum. I then choose either my Rose Face Oil or Orange Blossom Face Oil and massage this in. The last step is the Hibiscus Night Cream or the Pistachio Face Mask.

I make sure to moisturise my body both morning and evening. I love using my Prickly Pear Body Cream or my Rose Body Oil.”

Do you feel there are elements of the ideal daily routine that people often neglect? If so, what are they, and why are they important to pay attention to?

“Yes, I feel that people often miss the toner step, which is incredibly important for a skincare routine. Toner works in tandem with your cleanser and is designed to remove any dirt left behind after the first step. It also removes the calk (calcium and minerals) that is found in tap water when we wash our face, as well as balancing the pH of your skin.

I would also say that you need to always use both a serum and a cream/oil step. A serum should always be applied before a cream or an oil. Face serums are super concentrated with small molecules that penetrate deep into the skin, delivering key active ingredients. On the other hand, moisturisers or oils are needed to lock in the moisture, and protect and create a barrier on the skin.”

When people have extra time to dedicate to self-care at home, what do you recommend as additional treatments for:

The hair:

“I absolutely love Virtue hair products; their travel duo of shampoo and conditioner is fantastic, and when I have a little more time, I use their hair mask.”

The face:

 “I would suggest doing a ‘deep cleanse’ approximately once per week. For a deep cleanse, I use my Almond Cleansing Milk, and then following this I use my Lavender & Rosemary Foam Cleanser. I then use the Apricot Face Peel, and leave this on for five minutes. I wash this off with water and then tone using my Lemon Toner. The skin is then properly cleansed, and I follow with a serum and moisturiser.

I would also suggest doing some circulation-boosting at-home face massage techniques in the evening using a face oil (post serum). I do this with my Rose or Orange Blossom Face Oils. 

I would also recommend a full-on at home-facial ritual once a week.

Here’s what I do:

I begin by cleansing with my Almond Cleansing Milk; I do some knuckling and self-massage techniques with this. I then add my Apricot Face Peel; I leave this on for 5 minutes. The enzymatic Italian plant ferment of Red Grape, Wheat Bran, Apple and Lemon gently purifies and brightens.

I then pass over my skin with the Labelle Ultrasonic Spatula; removing the face peel, eliminating more dead skin cells, and leaving the skin even brighter. Next, I apply Helichrysum Hyaluronic Toner with a cotton pad to remove any excess peel, and also to balance the pH of the skin. I then apply my Rose Face Oil to the face and do some self-massage techniques, which includes more knuckling, some skin-rolling and some pressure points - until the oil is fully absorbed. I put on some of my Hibiscus Serum, and do a face massage with the NuFace Mini. Finally, I apply and leave on the Pistachio Face Mask for 5-10 minutes. I massage in any excess, before removing it with a warm damp towel.

I then tone again, before applying a Hyaluronic Acid Vial, followed by the Hibiscus Serum, the Almond Eye Cream, and either the Prickly Pear Face Cream, Hibiscus Night Cream or Aloe Vera Face Cream. I then put some Pistachio Lip Balm on my lips.”

The hands:

“I regularly use my Vanilla Hand Cream, especially given how dry my hands are with the amount of times I’m washing them.”

The skin of the body:

“I will do a body scrub in the shower, using my Trapani Sea Salt Scrub. Following this I will body brush; this is great for anti-cellulite and to boost circulation. Following this, I will use my Rose Body Oil.”

What would you recommend for those looking for a simple taster of your at-home treatments?

“My Age-Defying Sachet Bag includes everything you need to try an all-in-one home facial. It contains my Almond Cleansing Milk, to remove impurities; Almond Eye Cream, to help smooth, protect and reduce the appearance of fine lines; my hydrating Pistachio Face Mask, revitalising Prickly Pear Face Cream, the Hibiscus Serum and Hibiscus Night Cream.”

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