Skin Shelfie - Hayley Dawes, Founder of Dreem Distillery

A typical day:

My alarm goes off at 7.12am, seven days a week – no idea why I set it like that, but it works for me. I’m a big believer in habit stacking, so my mornings begin with brushing my teeth balancing on one leg, before bouncing up and down while massaging my face to wake up both body and skin.

Once the kids are at school, it’s a fast walk to the gym or a Pilates class to support my nervous system and lay the groundwork for better sleep. At work, I break the day into bite-sized chunks – creative meetings, product development and strategy. I usually take a homemade protein shake to the office (kefir, blueberries, Form protein, flaxseeds, collagen, coconut and almond butter). Lunch is a big salad stacked with protein and plenty of seeds.

Early evening, I drive the kids to either football or tennis, and am home around 9pm. The focus is on winding down quickly, so after a nourishing dinner, I take a bath laced with Dreem Distillery The Z’s Bath Soak, which melts away the day. From there, it’s breathwork or journalling and half a dropper of Night Drops with CBD to carry me into deep, restorative sleep. Lights out by 11pm.

Day

Decree Preparatory Mist, £59

My go-to toner and hydration boost in one. It’s infused with ectoin to support the skin barrier, rose water to rebalance skin tone and hyaluronic acid to intensely hydrate and plump. I use it straight after cleansing to calm, refresh and prime my skin.

SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic, £169

I’ve used this antioxidant serum for years; it’s my gold standard for brightening and protection. The vitamin C gives my skin instant radiance, while the antioxidant blend shields it from pollution and daily stressors. It’s one of those products that if I skip it, I genuinely notice the difference.

The What Supp Co Looks Good On You Beauty Patches, £18

These slow-release vitamin patches contain copper peptides, biotin, zinc citrate, pomegranate extract, ginseng extract and green tea extract. I find they boost my skin’s health from the inside out.

Night

Dreem Distillery Moonlit Night Cream, £45

This is one of those products that quietly does it all. I leave it on overnight several times a week and wake up to plumper, smoother skin. With bakuchiol (a gentle, plant-based alternative to retinol) and kaolin to draw out impurities, it nourishes while it refines.

Dreem Distillery Night Drops, £160

I love our Night Drops as they switch my mind off and quickly settle me into deep, restorative sleep. Packed with a broad-spectrum hemp extract, they help you drift into restorative rest within 30 minutes. They’re an absolute game-changer for sleep.

Dreem Distillery Dreem Melt Magnesium Butter, £36

Using this has become a nightly ritual for me and my children. It’s deeply nourishing, sinks beautifully into the skin and the light lavender scent calms the senses after a long day.

Mood-boosting make-up

Westman Atelier Baby Cheeks Blush Stick in Petal, £44

The Petal shade is the perfect soft pink that instantly wakes up my face, making me look fresh, even on tired days. The creamy texture melts into skin, blends effortlessly with fingers and leaves the most natural, healthy glow. It’s foolproof and always in my make-up bag.

Violette_FR Lip Nectar in Bêtise, £30

This is my go-to when I want a pop of colour without the fuss. It gives a high-shine juicy wash of pigment, feels ultra-hydrating, and is never sticky or drying. I love this shade because it instantly brightens my face and takes me seamlessly from day to night.

Victoria Beckham x Augustinus Bader The Foundation Drops, £104

I caved to the hype and happily it’s completely justified. The coverage is impressive, yet it feels weightless and a few drops are enough. It melts instantly and feels like a second skin.

Signature scent

The 7 Virtues Clementine Dream, £85

I don’t wear perfume very often, but when I do I like to use a fragrance that is hypoallergenic, non-toxic, vegan and cruelty-free, so I’ll go for The 7 Virtues – a fellow female-founded brand. At the moment I like Clementine Dream which is a light, lifting citrus fragrance.

Skincare philosophy

Less is more.
I believe in investing in products that truly work, layering science and nature together. I love powerful actives and results-driven skincare tools, but I balance them with nourishing, calming formulas that support long-term skin health.

Main skincare concern

As I move through midlife, my concerns are texture, hydration and pore size. I want my skin to look luminous and rested, so ‘beauty sleep’ is my thing.

Skincare non-negotiable

SPF every single day.
No exceptions.
I love Heliocare – I can apply make-up straight away with no stickiness.

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