Really great daily skincare has always been top of list for the Meaghers customers and we simply adore Irish brand Pestle & Mortar. Aside from their stunning monochromatic packaging and luxurious gifting options, Pestle & Mortar products work for everyone and all skin types. Kildare-based brand founder Sonia Deasy’s formulations are packed with exciting active ingredients and a host of nourishing natural extracts. They feel fabulous on the skin and with daily use, skin gets everything it needs to look and feel its best.
Pestle & Mortar launched in 2014 with just a single product, their now iconic Pure Hyaluronic Serum. The range has since grown to 10 products that target various skincare concerns. I’m a huge fan of their flagship serum and their super-lightweight daily moisturiser but in essence, this is a brand that you can rely on to build a complete skincare routine that works for you.
Hydrate Lightweight Moisturiser
What is it: A lightweight moisturiser that sinks straight into the skin and hydrates without clogging pores. Blended with natural moisturising factor squalane and anti-ageing peptide technology.
What it does for skin: It leaves skin super soft, firm and hydrated.
Key ingredient: Pestle & Mortar vegan squalane derived from olives. It’s a highly penetrative anti-ageing ingredient that won’t irritate the skin as it occurs naturally in the body.
Why I love it: I have to say my stalwart Pestle & Mortar duo is Hydrate paired with Pure Hyaluronic Serum. Hydrated skin is healthy skin but it can be hard to find a dependable daily moisturiser. Hydrate has a heavenly lightweight texture and doesn’t interfere with make up.Superstar Retinoid Night Oil
What is it: A retinoid night oil formulated with two types of retinol in a base of organic, cold-pressed oils.
What it does for skin:Â It literally supercharges the skin while you sleep, smoothing fine lines and wrinkles and dealing with an uneven complexion. A powerhouse formulation that softens, firms and nourishes all at once.
Key ingredient: Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate (HPR), a revolutionary form of retinol that is strong enough to produce visible results but clever enough to be non-irritating.
Why I love it: I use this 2 to 3 times a week. Retinol is an ingredient that’s essential for ageing skin but people shy away from it because it can cause skin sensitisation. Superstar gives me retinol benefits without risk and I wake up with skin that looks plump, hydrated and refined.
Recover Eye Cream
What is it: A silky eye cream that sinks straight in and hydrates the delicate skin around the eye area.
What it does for skin: Recover smoothes fine lines, reduces puffiness and dark circles and brightens eye area skin.
Key ingredient: Palmitoyl tripeptide-5, a super- peptide that boosts collagen production to deliver more youthful, firmer-looking skin.
Why I love it: As with all Pestle & Mortar products, this eye cream is blended without silicones. It sinks into the skin and sits obediently under makeup without pilling.
Balance Fine Misting Spritz
What is it: A fine-misting facial spritz that reminds me of the sea
What it does for skin: Calms, clarifies and refreshes skin 24/7
Key ingredient: Irish magnesium harvested from the depths of the North Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Ireland. I love seeing an Irish brand making use of local ingredients. Magnesium is an amazing skin rescuer - it calms stressed skin and reduces inflammation.
Why I love it: It’s a pick-me-up for skin and can even be spritzed on over makeup. I love having it in my handbag for a quick boost of refreshing hydration.Erase Balm Cleanser
What is it: A lightly scented solid balm cleanser
What it does for skin:Thoroughly removes makeup (even eye makeup) & SPF without stripping the skin.
Key ingredient: Grape seed oil, a natural oil that has super emollient properties. It’s immensely hydrating and reduces the appearance of wrinkles and scars.
Why I love it: This literally removes EVERYTHING, even the most stubborn waterproof mascara. I love that it leaves skin hydrated and bouncy too.Renew Gel Cleanser
What is it: A non-foaming gel cleanser that polishes the skin.
What it does for skin: Renew unclogs pores, improves skin tone and leaves skin gently polished and illuminated.
Key Ingredient: Superoxide dismutase, an enzyme that lessens inflammation and protects the skin against premature ageing.
Why I love it: This cleanser feels amazing. It’s packed with fruit enzymes and leaves my skin glowing and refined. No sulphates mean that it doesn’t dry the skin, which is always a concern when choosing a daily cleanser.
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NMF Lactic Acid Toner
What is it: A gentle leave-on lactic acid solution enriched with skin-brightening Indian Gooseberry extract and black tea.
What it does for skin: NMF sloughs away dead skin cells, lightens dark spots and delivers a boost of hydration to skin.
Key ingredient: Lactic Acid, an amazing skincare ingredient that creates visible change in the skin. It’s a sensitive skin hero and rarely causes irritation.
Why I love it: This is a gentle acid toner that really does deliver. With consistent use, skin recovers its natural, healthy glow.Â
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Exfoliate Glycolic Acid Toner
What is it: A gentle glycolic acid toner blended with niacinamide and green tea.
What it does for skin:Â Exfoliate removes dead skin cells, reduces pore size and lightens dark spots to leave skin looking radiant.
Key Ingredient: Glycolic acid, a hydrating skincare acid that exfoliates the skin and helps to reduce the appearance of sun damage, fine lines and uneven skin texture.
Why I love it: I use this once a week to give my skin an exfoliation boost and to keep my complexion bright and toned. Pure Hyaluronic Serum
What is it: Dubbed ‘Botox in a Bottle’ by fans of the brand, Pure Hyaluronic Serum is a velvety serum that has an instant skin-plumping effect.
What it does for skin: What does it not do?! This serum is my skin’s best friend. It locks in moisture, smoothes out fine lines and wrinkles and delivers a baby-soft complexion.
Key ingredient: Hyaluronic acid, the skincare superhero ingredient that can hold up to 1000 times its own weight in water.
Why I love it: There are many hyaluronic serums on the market and this is one of my firm favourites. It sinks into my skin without leaving any sticky residue and it works instantly. A multi-tasking skincare staple that I won’t do without.
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Vitamin C 2 Phase Serum
What is it: Pestle & Mortar’s new vitamin c serum, formulated using 3 types of high-performance vitamin C together with natural tamarind and pumpkin extracts.
What it does for skin: It’s immensely brightening. Skin looks fresher, more radiant and younger.Â
Key Ingredient: Vitamin C, a powerful ingredient that’s essential for healthy skin but that the body can’t produce naturally. It helps the body to synthesise collagen resulting in skin that’s supple, smooth and toned.
Why I love it: Perfect for use under makeup, this is a velvety serum that instantly gives me a brighter complexion so that I can start each day with radiant skin. Â
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