Skincare is designed to do just that – care for your skin. Whatever your age, ethnicity, skin type or concern, there are skincare products available that will deliver the best ingredients to meet your needs. Sorting out spots, preventing dryness, stopping sun damage, boosting collagen or repairing your microbiome so skin stays youthful and resilient, these carefully crafted formulas do everything from removing makeup to repairing skin while you sleep.

For a start, it’s hygienic – no one wants to go through life with a dirty face. But skincare is also a preventative measure for things to come. Think of your complexion as a blank canvas, then think about what’s thrown at it – pollution, UV rays, ageing, stress, diet, hormones. These can cause inflammation, stop a healthy cell turnover, trigger spots or dehydration and produce fine lines. Skincare helps to reset, refresh and reboot, so your skin stays healthy and radiant.

There’s an encyclopaedia of skincare ingredients to choose from, but some of the most commonly used are retinol (vitamin A), vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, AHAs (including glycolic and lactic acids), BHAs (salicylic acid), ceramides, peptides and glycerin. You also get trending ingredients such as CBD, mushrooms and bakuchiol. Then there’s the all-important SPF which is made up of various ingredients, comes in many forms and should never be overlooked.

If you don’t use skincare your complexion will be susceptible to damage, which could result in fine lines, dark spots, pigmentation or acne. The only exceptions to the rule are those with super sensitive skin who may need more prescriptive products that won’t comprise their skin barrier

Even the simplest skincare routine requires a cleanser to remove dirt, makeup and pollution, a moisturiser or serum and an SPF as sun damage is the biggest cause of skin ageing. Build your core routine around these products and then you can add in more targeted treatments once you’ve got the basics nailed.