Good skincare starts with clean skin. It ensures that the products you use afterwards can do their job properly. Your skin will benefit from the hydrating and repairing ingredients that can penetrate the skin more easily.
Don’t wash your skin with hot water. Piping-hot water can make skin feel even more dehydrated. When washing your face, use lukewarm water instead. Avoid harsh cleansers. This isn’t a time for rough exfoliating scrubs or cleansers that strip skin of moisture. Gentle products such as a cream or milky cleanser such as the Esse Sensitive Cleanser are best to help your skin look and feel hydrated and moisturized.

Supercharge your serums. Our superstar ingredient here is hyaluronic acid. Found throughout the body, it attracts and holds water – a staggering six litres for every gram of hyaluronic acid. The best serums use both low- and high-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid, as this ensures that your skin is hydrated both on the surface and just below. ZENii Hyaluronic Booster Serum is a fantastic all rounder. Oilier skin types can choose lighter, oil-free hyaluronic acid serums such as Synergie Hydrogel, but whichever sort you use, do apply a cream over it to ‘seal in’ the benefits. An antioxidant serum shouldn’t go amiss in a hydration routine either. Antioxidants protect against cell damage which can lead to trans epidermal water loss- the process of water escaping through the upper layer of skin.

Exfoliate at least once a week. As dead skin builds up, it can diminish the absorption of moisturisers and serums. Skip the use of exfoliating brushes or tools. While these devices are popular for removing dead skin cells, they can also exacerbate rough, red, and dry skin. Reach for enzymes or gentle acids instead such as Elequra Intense Restore Mask or Brad Ultra Peel.

Use a moisturiser or oil at night. Even though we're shielded from the harsh outdoor climate, heated dry air causes us to naturally lose moisture while we sleep so add an extra nourishing step to your routine. For dryer skin types, reach for Baume 27 or Kahina Argan Oil. If you're on the oilier side, Esse Light Moisturiser will hydrate and reduce oiliness at the same time.

As with our gut, a healthy skin microbiome (good bacteria) is important; creams and serums with pre- and probiotics can be the answer to chronically irritated, red or dehydrated skin as they are fantastic at reinforcing your protective barrier. In fact, some bacteria are actually integral in the formation of your naturally occurring hyaluronic acid - for a potent probiotic boost, look no further than Esse Probiotic Serum.

And finally, always use sunscreen. Without the diligent application of sunscreen, the damaging effects of UV rays will counteract the healing action of the peptides, antioxidants and other ingredients used in your skincare. Soleil Toujours SPF45 is a wonderfully hydrating everyday SPF.