A calmer skincare routine in five steps

Most irritated skin is not short of products — it has too many. Here is the routine our team comes back to.

1. Cleanse gently

Use a cream or milk cleanser at night and just water in the morning. If your face feels tight afterwards, the cleanser is too strong.

2. Treat, but one thing at a time

Pick one active — vitamin C in the morning or a retinoid at night — and give it six weeks before you judge it.

3. Hydrate

A serum with hyaluronic acid on damp skin, then:

• a light lotion in summer
• a richer cream when the heating comes on

4. Protect

Sunscreen every morning, whatever the weather. It is the single step with the most evidence behind it.

5. Leave it alone

Skin renews itself in about a month. Changing everything every week means you never see what worked.