Face
Face care from cleansers and serums to moisturisers, facial oils and SPF. We explain what each step does, which textures suit dry, oily or reactive skin, and how long a new routine needs before you judge it.Read more →
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Building a facial skincare routine that fits your skin
The skin on your face is thinner than the skin on your body, and it is exposed all day: wind, indoor heating, sun, make-up. That is why facial skincare works in layers instead of one single product. Every step has one job, and you can build the routine up slowly. For hands, body and lips, look at our wider skincare range.
What each step in a face routine does
You do not need all of these. Knowing what each one is for makes the choice easier.
- Cleanser: removes make-up, oil and SPF residue, so the products after it reach clean skin.
- Toner or essence: a light, watery layer that adds hydration before your serum.
- Serum: a thin, concentrated fluid with one or two main ingredients, such as vitamin C in the morning or retinol in the evening.
- Moisturiser: holds water in the upper skin layers and takes away the tight feeling after cleansing.
- Facial oil: goes on last and slows water loss. Use it over a moisturiser on dry skin, not instead of one.
- SPF: the daytime step. UK guidance is at least SPF 30 with a 4 or 5 star UVA rating.
Texture matters more than the words on the front
Oily skin still needs water, it usually just prefers a gel or fluid over a rich cream. Dry skin does better with a cream or balm containing fats such as squalane or ceramides, or with a hydrating facial oil layered on top at night. Reactive skin has fewer problems with fragrance-free formulas, and with one new product at a time rather than three. Strength counts too: a retinol serum used two evenings a week is often kinder to the skin than a daily one, and one bottle lasts far longer.
How we choose the face products we stock
We look at three things: the form of the ingredient, the concentration, and whether the combination in the bottle makes sense. A stable vitamin C such as ascorbyl glucoside suits a routine that sits on a bathroom shelf for months. Pure L-ascorbic acid is stronger, but breaks down faster once opened, so we say so on the page instead of calling everything premium. We buy directly from the brands, which keeps every jar authentic, and our compliance team checks each product before it goes live. You can read how we select brands and products.
Who this collection suits, and what to expect
This collection suits you if you want a routine you can keep up: three or four products every day, with one active added later. Starting from zero, begin with a gentle cleanser, a moisturiser for your skin type and a daily SPF. Add a targeted face serum once that feels normal. Be honest about the timeline. Brightening from vitamin C is usually visible after four to six weeks, while smoother texture from retinol takes months of consistent use. Deep pigmentation, set lines and scarring sit beyond what any cream can change. Within those limits, a steady routine keeps skin comfortable, hydrated and protected day to day, which is what most people are actually after.
Frequently asked questions
What counts as facial skincare?
Facial skincare covers everything you use on the face itself: cleansers, toners and essences, serums, eye creams, moisturisers, facial oils, masks and daily SPF. Body lotions and hand creams are richer and thicker, and are not made for the thinner skin of the face. Most people use three to five face products a day, not ten. The rest are extras you add for a specific reason, such as a mask once a week.
In which order should I apply face products?
Work from thin to thick, so the lightest product goes on first and nothing blocks it. A workable order is cleanser, toner or essence, serum, eye cream, moisturiser, then SPF in the morning or a facial oil at night. Give each layer a moment to sink in before the next one. If a product pills or rolls up, you either used too much or did not wait long enough between layers.
Which type of face product should I choose?
Start with what your skin feels like, not with the ingredient that is popular this year. This table shows what each type is for.
| Product | What it does | Best suited for |
|---|---|---|
| Gel cleanser | Cleans without leaving a film | Oily, combination skin |
| Cleansing balm | Dissolves make-up and SPF | Dry skin, heavy make-up |
| Serum | Delivers one or two actives | A specific concern |
| Gel-cream | Light hydration | Oily, humid weather |
| Rich cream or balm | Holds moisture in | Dry, tight skin |
| Facial oil | Slows water loss | Dry skin, night use |
How much sun protection does my face need in the UK?
Daylight reaches your face all year, so SPF is the one step worth keeping in every season. UK guidance sets a clear minimum.
| Point | UK guidance |
|---|---|
| Minimum SPF | At least SPF 30 |
| UVA protection | 4 or 5 stars, or UVA in a circle |
| Reapply | Every 2 hours, and after swimming or towelling |
| UV index | Protect skin from 3 upwards |
| Babies under 6 months | Keep out of direct strong sunlight |
Sunscreen alone is not enough, so use shade and clothing as well.
Source: NHS and Cancer Research UKCan I use vitamin C and retinol in the same routine?
Yes, but the simplest approach is to split them across the day: vitamin C in the morning, retinol in the evening. Retinol breaks down in UV light and makes skin more sun sensitive, so it belongs at night with SPF the next morning. Splitting them also lowers the chance of stinging or flaking, which is the real reason many people give up. If you prefer both at night, leave a clear gap between the layers.
How long does it take before I see a difference?
Radiance from a vitamin C serum is usually the fastest change, often noticeable within two to four weeks of daily use, with tone and texture more visible around four to six weeks. Retinol works on a slower clock: expect months, not weeks, for smoother texture. Hydration is the exception, since a good moisturiser feels different the same day. Judge a new product after six weeks of consistent use, not after three days.
My skin reacts easily. How do I introduce a new product?
Add one product at a time and give it two weeks before adding the next, so you know what caused a reaction. Patch test first: apply a little behind the ear or on the jawline for a few days. Choose fragrance-free formulas, since perfume is a common trigger in reactive skin. With actives such as retinol or acids, start twice a week and build up. Mild dryness in the first weeks is common, stinging is not.
Do supplements do anything for the skin?
Some nutrients have claims approved by the European food safety authority, EFSA. Vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of skin, and zinc, biotin and vitamin A each contribute to the maintenance of normal skin. Those are maintenance claims, so they are about your skin working as it should, not about wrinkles or glow. That is also why we do not promise visible results from collagen supplements. They can complement a routine, not replace SPF and moisturiser.
