Skincare is a practical process. It does cost money but there are also principles you can apply that will save you money… time, effort and even confusion.

Check out these five top skincare tips by dermatologist Marie Duckett and Sally Penford of the International Skin Institute:

1. The colder the skin, the less absorbent it is, which means that your product – be it a cleanser, moisturiser, serum or body lotion – will work better on warm skin. So, apply your cream after a bath or shower, when skin is warm and moist. – Marie Duckett

2. Choose a moisturiser with a built-in sunscreen, or use a separate sunscreen underneath your moisturiser. UVA and UVB rays are the biggest cause of skin damage! – Marie Duckett

3. Cleanse twice a day; using a face wash or cleanser in the morning and in the evening will help remove traces of sweat and sebum (grease/oil) as well as night cream, creating a clean canvas. – Marie Duckett

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I use a day and night cream. Why? I’m not quite sure to be honest – it seems like the right thing to do. I mean… that’s how skin care products are sold; in pairs.

The conspirator inside me often wonders if the whole day/night cream thing is just a money making scheme: lure youth-hungry women into believing their skin requires a multitude (not forgetting toners, cleansers, serums, anti-wrinkle agents etc.) of age-defying beauty products.

Or is there actually a difference between day and night cream?

Facialist to the starts Nichola Joss says that there is: night creams contain rejuvenating ingredients, rather than the protective ones found in day creams (the skin’s peak time for repairing and restoring is at night). Night creams are also thicker and more intensive, so you only need a marble sized amount – here’s a small tip: don’t apply your cream just before you go to bed; you want it to stay on your face and not end up all over your pillow!

Day creams are designed to hydrate the skin and protect it from pollution and harmful UV rays.

If you don’t buy into the whole day/night cream thing, there is the opinion that day and night creams can be used interchangeably (…the number of times I have used the wrong cream for the wrong time of day – insurmountable) – it won’t harm your skin.

Obviously it would be pointless to use an SPV infused day cream at night; so if you want a cream that can be used both night and day, opt for a non-SPF lightweight lotion that can be applied with your sunscreen during the day and without at night.

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Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, and whether you are heading out on a date, spending the evening with the girls, or expecting a romantic night in with your loved one, we all want to look our best, so why not start thinking about your skin now?

Winter can be extremely damaging to the skin: central heating and constantly moving from heated cars and buildings to the cold winter air and back again can cause dryness and irritation, while exposure to harsh weather can lead to dry, chapped skin and redness.

So to get your face back in shape, here are a few Valentine’s beauty tips you can use any time – Valentine’s day or not!

* Drink loads of water – nothing peps up the skin like it. Your face will feel firmer and smoother if it is better hydrated, and you’ll give your whole body a good flushing out, clearing toxins from your skin at the same time.

* Eat loads of fresh fruit and vegetables – blueberries are said to be beneficial to the complexion, and because fruit and veg have high vitamin, mineral and water content, you’ll be giving your skin everything it needs to look and feel healthy.

* Protect your lips – use a lip balm to keep lips from drying out or chapping in the cold weather.

* Use a hydrating face mask once a week to put lost moisture back into your skin.

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How about a non-greasy, water soluble, new natural make-up remover and oil cleanser? With the amount of eye-shadow that I plaster all over my eye-lids, something gentle if certainly most welcome.

The question is; do natural ingredients have the same cleansing power and make-up removal ability as products containing chemicals? Maison dAnu says “yes”.

Genie in a Bottle is a new luxurious and effective cleanser containing Peach Kernal, Jojoba and ylang ylang oils as well as Vitamin E to naturally cleanse and hydrate the skin without leaving a greasy residue.

This new natural make-up remover and cleanser is designed to gently remove any dirt and make-up easily and painlessly, in one go, without stripping the skin’s natural protective barrier (the acid mantle).

Results are reportedly instant; after the first use skin is left clean, soft, smooth and hydrated.

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Winter can really take its toll on your skin: harsh weather, central heating, and moving from extremes of hot and cold can be drying and cause your skin to become more sensitive, leading to breakouts, broken veins and a dull, uneven skin tone.

Here are five  easy ways to better skin to help lift your skin out of the winter blues:

Use less soap: unless your face is actually dirty, there’s no real need to use soaps or scrubs on your face every day – they can end up making your skin produce more oil in the long run. Simply cleansing with water and then gently rubbing dry with a soft towel to exfoliate is enough for your daily routine.

Switch moisturizers: changes in weather can mean changes in your skin’s needs. In winter, you might find you need less sun protection but more moisturisation. Have a look around your local supermarket for bargain creams that offer what you need right now.

Drink more water: it is a simple fact that flushing your system with plenty of water will help hydrate your skin and give you a healthy glow, so aim for the recommended eight glasses a day for a healthier-looking complexion.

Exercise: getting your blood pumping and working up a sweat will help deliver more nutrients and rid your skin of toxins. Exercise will also prompt you to drink more water, helping to rehydrate your skin afterwards.

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