Every day in clinic, I meet people overwhelmed by overflowing bathroom shelves, endless TikTok “must-haves,” and conflicting advice. Skincare should feel simple, but instead it often feels like guesswork. That’s why I created Phare - a doctor-led, clinically backed store where everything we stock is handpicked because it works.
Confused by skincare? Let us help you
SMART ROUTINES. VISIBLE RESULTS.
SHOP OUR CORE 4
But wait, what are the core 4?
The Phare Approach: The Core 4 + The Bookends
We don’t believe in endless steps. Instead, we build routines around what really matters: the Core 4 essentials, personalised for morning and evening, with “Bookends” to complete your skin’s cycle. Click each of the blog posts below to get the full picture.
Meet Dr Laura, GP, founder & clinical director of Phare
Phare was created by Dr. Laura Lenihan, a GP and skin specialist who believes skincare should be smart, trustworthy, and genuinely effective.
In her Galway clinic, she has seen how the right routine can transform confidence. Phare reflects that philosophy - a curated space where every product is handpicked, evidence-based, and designed to make a difference.
The Problem: Too Much Hype, Not Enough Science
If you’ve ever thought:
“Do I really need ten steps?”
“Why isn’t this trending product working for me?”
"Which brand can I actually trust?”
…you’re not alone. The truth is, most skincare confusion comes from products that are marketed beautifully but don’t deliver results. At Phare, our approach is the opposite: evidence first, results first, brand second.
The Questions We Get Asked Most
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Most people need far less than they think. Start with the basics that do the heavy lifting: a cleanser, an antioxidant in the morning, SPF every day, and a moisturiser. From there you add one active at a time, based on what your skin is actually doing. If you want it mapped out, our complete skincare routine page walks you through it step by step. Build your routine with us.
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No. Long routines look impressive online but they're usually where the confusion and the wasted money start. A few well-chosen products used consistently will do more than ten that fight each other. We build around the Core 4 and the Bookends, nothing added for the sake of it.
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It's the four things that earn their place in almost everyone's routine: an antioxidant, SPF, a retinoid, and an exfoliating acid. They cover protection in the morning and repair at night. You don't start them all at once, you bring them in one at a time. There's a full breakdown in our Core 4 guide.
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It means the products are backed by real research, with active ingredients at levels shown to do something, rather than added in tiny amounts for the label. Everything on Phare is chosen on that basis, the same way Dr. Laura chooses what to use with patients in clinic. Evidence first, results first, brand second. Learn about Phare Approved.
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That's the exact problem Phare exists to solve. Instead of you wading through marketing, every brand and product here has been handpicked by Dr. Laura, a GP, because it holds up. If it's on the site, it's there because it works, not because it's trending.
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Yes. You can shop by concern to see what we'd recommend for acne, rosacea and redness, pigmentation, fine lines and more. If your skin needs more than products, like persistent acne or a flare you can't settle, you can book an online consultation or see the team at Dr. Laura Clinic.
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You can absolutely just start. The Core 4 and the routine guide are designed to get you going on your own. A consultation is there for when you want it tailored, or when something isn't behaving and you'd like a professional eye on it.
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Not always. Price often pays for packaging and marketing, not results. Some of the products we rate most are very affordable, and some expensive ones don't earn their place. What matters is the ingredient, the strength, and whether there's evidence behind it.
SKIN HEALTH STARTS HERE
