Spend or save
Caffeine to energise
Sleepless night? Caffeine is the go-to ingredient for fixing tired, puffy-looking eyes. The Inkey List Caffeine Eye Cream, £8.99, cultbeauty.co.uk, cuts water retention to reduce puffiness straight away; apply gently around your eyes without going too close to the lash lines. Or for something slightly more supercharged try the caffeine formula of Clinique All About Eyes Rich Eye Cream, £27, to stimulate skin and improve blood circulation. It also contains mulberry root and green tea leaf extracts, which boost collagen for added skin benefits.
Alpha Hydroxy Acids to brighten
Restore your skin to its former glory and banish pigmentation with an AHA – the skin-resurfacing, ultra-exfoliating ingredient that replaces harsh scrubs and micro beads. Using
The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution, £6.30, as a mask once a week will shift dead skin cells to reveal brighter, more luminous skin. Alternatively, a thin layer of Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 8% AHA Lotion, £28, works gently to renew skin cells, moisturise and promote even, radiant skin. It’s a little pricier but great for sensitive skin types.
Hyaluronic acid to hydrate
Known for its moisture-boosting ability, holding 1,000 times its own weight in water, hyaluronic acid is brilliant for adding hydration to every skin type. Quench thirsty skin with a spritz of Neutrogena Hydro Boost Express Hydrating Spray, £5.49, and you’ll feel instantly moisturised.
Or try AHC Aqualuronic Serum, £26, an innovative, Korean formula containing skin barrier repairing ceramides to deliver protection from environmental aggressors like pollution, while also delivering a hydration hit.
Retinol to smooth lines
Beauty experts swear by the anti-ageing ingredient vitamin A to help diminish fine lines, exfoliate and boost collagen production. It’s powerful stuff, so first time users should start with a low percentage of around 0.3%. The new and much-hyped
claims to have found the ‘sweet spot’ of retinol strengths; with a low 0.3% retinol it still delivers skin-plumping results that are noticeable without the irritation. For something more budget friendly, try with 1% retinol it packs a powerful punch.
Vitamin C to give a glow
Put some life back into dull, lacklustre skin with this hero ingredient. A daily dose of
will leave your complexion looking radiant as the gentle formula boosts luminosity. But if you’re after something that packs a little more punch,
contains a heftier 15% pure vitamin C to correct dark spots and pigmentation, transforming your skin from drab to dewy in no time.
I Saw It First Multi Opalite Crystal Face Roller, £20, isawitfirst.com
Pop this crystal face roller into the fridge for a refreshing facial boost that aids lymphatic drainage, resulting in a de-puffed face that’s reinvigorated and glowing.
Rio 60 Second Neck Toner, £29.99
We often neglect our necks, so firm up jowls and jawlines by running this gentle muscle stimulator along the area for 60 seconds and you’ll see noticeable results in a few weeks.
Revolution Skincare Cooling Eye Rollerball, £5 Maximise the benefits of your eye cream by applying it with this rollerball. The cooling metal tip will wake you up while evenly distributing cream to the delicate skin around the eye.
TIP
Taking a hot shower or bath before use will ease blackhead removal.
Tweezerman Skincare Tool, £10 Remove blackheads like a pro with this pimple-popping tool designed to minimise damage to the skin.