AND HERE ARE FIVE THAT CAN WORK WONDERS

BOOTS INGREDIENTS

£5-£7 for 30ml, boots.com

WHAT IS IT? Eight products such as salicylic acid, which is good for clearing out blocked pores, and hemp-seed oil, which is rich in fatty acids for dry skin.

MY PICK OF THE BUNCH:

Hyaluronic acid serum, £5. The acid is naturally occurring in the skin and holds many times its weight in water.

If your moisturising cream isn’t quite doing the job, try applying a layer of this to clean dry skin and let it sink in before using a moisturiser. It will act as a moisture magnet to cushion the skin.

THE ORDINARY

£5-£15 for 30ml, theordinary.com

WHAT IS IT? The huge range now includes ingredients as diverse as Alpha Arbutin (which softens pigmentation) and Pycnogenol ( an antioxidant which helps reduce redness).

MY PICK OF THE BUNCH: The NoBrainer Set provides three products for £24.50. The first is Granactive retinoid 2 per cent Emulsion, similar to retinol, but less harsh.

Start by using it twice a week after evening cleansing to make sure your skin tolerates it.

Then there’s Natural Moisturising factors + Hyaluronic Acid, which are soothing and moisturising. If the retinoid above dries your skin, add this afterwards.

finally Buffet, a serum of antioxidant ingredients.

THE INKEY LIST

30 items: £4.99-£15.99, cultbeauty.co.uk

WHAT IS IT? The brand’s aim is to deliver skincare’s most- wanted ingredients at ‘give-it-ago’ prices.

MY PICK OF THE BUNCH:

Tranexamic Acid Night Treatment, priced at £14.99, is an overnight brightening mask designed to reduce pigmentation. This one is well worth a go.

The £8.99 Caffeine Eye Serum is another favourite from this selection. Caffeine constricts blood vessels, so this has a reputation for helping to depuff the eye area.

GARDEN OF WISDOM

28 products: £9-£20, victoriahealth.com

WHAT IS IT? A thoughtful range of oils and serums with the fewest possible inactive ingredients, which the brand says allows the active ingredients to work more easily.

MY PICK OF THE BUNCH:

C- Deep Serum, £ 18. This is a vitamin C serum which penetrates deeper than most thanks to the variant tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate.

Azelaic Acid 10% serum, for £ 9, is great for fighting breakouts by reducing bacteria and oil levels in the pores.

Q+A SKINCARE

13 items: £6.50-£12, qandaskin.com

WHAT IS IT? This young brand sells skincare made in Norfolk. Its founder freddy furber says: ‘ People want simplicity and transparency.’

MY PICK OF THE BUNCH:

Squalane facial Oil, £10. A hydrating ingredient derived from olive oil keeps skin firm, supple and waterproof. Tap gently over your face. This is one of the few that actually contains no other ingredients.

Or try the Niacinamide Daily Toner, £ 8.50. Niacinamide calms the skin, decongests pores and reduces oiliness.