Hughes has done the work in terms of effective formulas – yet she doesn’t insist that beauty buffs use every single item in her six-piece range to get the best results, which many brands often claim. “If a brand tells you that you need to use the whole line-up for it to work, then walk away, because the products aren’t good enough to stand on their own two feet,” Hughes observes.

Hyaluronic acid, of course,” says Hughes, of the ingredient that draws water into the skin, and an emollient (moisturising) element such as ceramides. “I’m obsessed with ceramides for your skin barrier, they’re great under make-up as well.” The Must-C Daily Anytime Serum is a hydrating and brightening Vitamin C formula, that can be used in the morning and evening. Rather than a scrub that physically sloughs away dead skin cells, a chemical exfoliator containing acids such as lactic, malic, glycolic, salicylic (or a mixture) works below the surface to increase cell turnover and improve skin brightness. She continues, "If that wasn’t enough to make you reach for a vitamin C serum, it's also essential for collagen production. We lose 1.5% a year after the age of 30 and this reduction speeds up during menopause where we can lose a whopping 30% of our collagen." Is it okay to use a vitamin c serum every day? You don’t necessarily have to shell out on premium brands either – even the most powerful ingredients can be found in reasonably priced products – nor do you have to spend more than about five minutes in front of the mirror to get the job done.An award-winning health and beauty writer, stylist and creative director, Lisa Oxenham is one of the UK’s top beauty editors and the Beauty and Style Director at Marie Claire UK. With 20 years of editorial experience Lisa is a brand partnership expert, and a popular speaker, panelist and interviewer on a range of topics from sustainability to the future of beauty in the digital world. She recently spoke at Cognition X and Beauty Tech Live and is on the Advisory Board for the British Beauty Council’s Sustainable Beauty Coalition. I love being the age I am, I think it’s a privilege - I have had too many people go too early at a young age. There are a few things that I prefer five years ago - there’s not much I can do but always look after my skin. I get botox every six months. I do not understand people being angry with injectables. Look at our society that leads people into not wanting wrinkles. I’m learning so much from older women - like my family, but also female brand founders." How do you find confidence? This was one of the serums we, as a team, all agreed on. We're big fans of this brand for their high-tech formulas and (as this sort of active skincare goes) affordable pricing. This serum is the hero of the range and would be the first product we'd recommend trying. These potent ingredients must be used with caution however, as they can cause irritation, redness or flaky skin at first. Start with a low concentration such as 0.1% or 0.2% and work your way up to higher doses once your skin has acclimatised. Easily-irritated skin should proceed with caution, as you would when you're introducing any new product to your skincare routine for sensitive skin.

Following your morning serum or nightly retinol, moisturiser will leave your skin feeling hydrated and healthy. What should a decent moisturiser contain? Meanwhile, those less cautious get in touch to say their skin is suffering - going red, flaring up, becoming too dry and sore or too oily. My friends straddle both camps, too. It’s madness to me that so many already overstretched women are being expected to combine skincare ingredients like some biochemist! Apply to clean skin after your daily exfoliant. Leave a few moments before layering moisturiser or sunscreen on top. Can be used nightly too.I've been blessed with good genes but I also have been a skincare anti aging addict since my early 20s and I'm 39 now. My skin looks great even if I do say so myself! I've used so many different things over the years but my current routine is This would suit anyone looking to get started with Vit C, and who wants a fuss-free one and done serum to use in the mornings. As well as a gentle yet effective concentration of Vit C (7%) this contains Vitamin E for extra antioxidant powers and jojoba seed oil that gives it a lovely, plumping, and juicy feel. Obviously, if you have very oily or breakout-prone skin then oil-based products won't be for you but our dry-skinned texture absolutely loved it. You do not need morning cleanser with mega cleansing capabilities because you’re just removing a bit of dust, a bit of sweat, a bit of skincare from last night,” says Hughes, who prefers a gel or cream formula that can be rinsed off or removed with a damp flannel or reusable cotton pad. Beauty is my passion, and I’ve been writing adoringly and fanatically about skincare for 23 years, but in the last five, I’ve become concerned. As fast as women have become skincare obsessed, they’ve got more and more confused. Dozens of times a week, they message me to ask what ingredients can be used safely with others. “Can this be layered?”, “Will X stop the Y from working?”, “Do I have to use this with this to get a result?” and so on.

CE Ferulic is never far from the top of any list of the best Vitamin C serums, and with good reason. SkinCeuticals are pioneers of antioxidant skincare and this is their hero product. In fact, the only thing keeping it off the top of this list is the price, which will be prohibitive to some.

verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ Many breakout-prone or combination types complain Vitamin C serums have a pore-clogging or heavy texture on the skin, but not Silymarin CF. It combines all your top antioxidants with salicylic acid, the most powerful skincare acid for clearing pores. Plus we get silymarin, another antioxidant derived from milk thistle that regulates oil production and the tinted dropper keeps everything inside fresh and active. First things first - the ampoules are biodegradable, which should assuage any environmental concern. The second thing to say is, naturally, individual dosing could not be more suited to Vitamin C as an ingredient, as every drop is kept safely away from light and air until it's going onto your face in fully active form. The capsules also contain ceramides, Arden's signature ingredient, which nourishes and rebuilds the skin's barrier function for soft, plump, protected skin. If you're wondering how to apply serum, it's always onto clean skin after cleansing, before your moisturiser. What does a vitamin c serum do to the face? is what my son earns for babysitting - so when I was making the serum I thought about it representing an evening of childcare. Even if it’s too expensive you always make sure there’s something more affordable. I would hate for anyone to sacrifice anything." What’s your philosophy on ageing?

If you haven't heard of Farmacy, this Vitamin C serum would be a perfect product to get to know the brand. Why? Because unless you are on a tight budget there's very little not to adore here.It contains 10% ascorbic acid, the most stable and powerful form of Vit C, and combines it with gentle exfoliant lactic acid plus alpha arbutin, another antioxidant, for extra skin-protecting powers. It also has a waterless base, which means that precious vitamin C won't be prematurely destabilized by the oxygen in H2O, while the airless pump bottle boosts this protection further. Chances are, if you're a beauty obsessive, you'll know who Sali Hughes is. The beauty journalist, author and influencer is known for her fuss-free approach to skincare, so there was a big buzz when she launched her minimalist skincare range with the affordable brand Revolution.Even if you don't necessarily know who Hughes is, it's worth paying attention to her incredibly democratic, hardworking collection. And while many skincare pros advise against foaming face washes that can strip the skin of moisture, Hughes isn’t so prescriptive: “The most important thing about cleansing is that you do it. Actually, loads of people like a foaming cleanser. I personally don’t, I don’t think it’s the best thing, but if that’s what you need to make you cleanse every day, you do you.” I am a very curious person. If you have a journalist sensibility - you are on the outside of the room listening in. That’s a journalistic personality - I like to work people out and I’m very sensitive to temperament in the room and always thinking how is this person feeling. It’s also about being adaptable to the future. When the digital stuff happened - so many people in the industry were pissed off as they thought they were 'glossy editors'." You are also one of the most recognisable and authoritative names in the industry. Do you feel a sense of pressure that comes with that?Used at night (never in the morning) in tandem with daily SPF, vitamin A derivatives such as retinol and retinoic acid stimulate collagen production and increase cell turnover, meaning they target the signs of ageing and can help reduce acne scarring. After noticing how confusing skincare was becoming for consumers, Hughes, 47, decided to partner with affordable beauty brand Revolution on her first product range. Often lighter in texture than moisturiser, serums are formulated with potent active ingredients that deliver skin benefits as well as hydration – often in the form of hyaluronic acid – and can be applied morning and night. You do what you can when you are at the less expensive side of the market. Everything is recyclable but one of the products has a pump which is impossible to recycle. The jars and tubs are made out of 50% post consumer plastic. It’s more sustainable to have a formula rather than single ingredients. We manufacture in the UK so the products don’t have to travel far and we are supporting local infrastructure. I was adamant that I wanted it made here." Finally - what’s your favourite product from the range?