It’s very close to Dundalk in Louth, Ireland, where the Gardiner Family Apothecary is based. I am the third generation of Gardiners and have worked many roles in the company. I am now CEO of the family business. My grandfather Joseph Gardiner founded the business as the first family skincare apothecary in Ireland manufacturing Ovelle specialist skincare for dry and eczema prone skin. Our experience in producing traditional apothecary creams and ointments which soothe and repair, allowed us draw on dermatological advances to formulate Elave Sensitive Skincare, which I created.”
MY MORNING ROUTINE
6.30am: I live by the sea with my two sons and my mum lives nearby. I grew up on this beach, so that is special.
7am: I could not live without my morning training which is a strength and conditioning training routine using a combination of weights and cardio. I missed that the most through the worst of the pandemic and am delighted to be back with my trainer.
Skincare, as you can guess, is extremely important to me and limiting my exposure to harsh ingredients that dry and cause skin irritation and redness is key. My favourites are Elave Hydrating Cream Cleanser, followed by Elave Skin Balancing Moisturiser. The latter being ideal as an under-make-up primer which has hyaluronic acid and vitamins to boost moisture levels, but is oil free. This is followed by a daily application of Elave Daily Skin Defence SPF45 on face, neck and hands.
I specifically designed Elave Daily Skin Defence SPF45 to be used every day of the year as an age-defying UV shield. In short, it is an oil-free, anti-oxidant, vitamin-enriched, invisible zinc infused, broad spectrum SPF45 protective moisturiser.
I love my tea in the morning and eat very little except fruit until lunch.
8:30 am: At my desk for the day to begin.
MY FUTURE PLANS
Recalibrating the business and our team on site here is a huge priority. We have traded successfully through the pandemic and plan to continue to build on that achievement. Trading internationally has changed, but we anticipate further expansion in our international markets in Hong Kong, China, the UAE & Middle East. Our home market on the island of Ireland is very strong and we will be very focused on building our specialist skincare ranges to relieve sensitive dry skin conditions and protect the delicate skin barrier from mask wearing and the impacts of hand hygiene.
3 THINGS ABOUT GARDINER FAMILY APOTHECARY
- We are the first manufacturing apothecary in Ireland, being founded in 1934. All of our solutions are proudly manufactured in Ireland today.
- Elave and Ovelle are specifically designed for dry and sensitive skin types, including eczema, psoriasis and rosacea.
- Uniquely, 93% of our formulations are vegan (including all our Green Parent award winners) – while also 100% cruelty-free.
FIND THE RANGE www.gardinerfamilyapothecary.com
