Stylist’s beauty editors reveal their skincare heroes for 2019

Dehydrated and dull

Stylist’s Editor-in-Chief Lisa Smosarski, 41:

“I’ve been told my skin is severely dehydrated by every facialist I’ve ever visited… which is nice! After begging our beauty team to find me a wonder product to combat this, I’ve finally found two that make a genuine difference. 

In the morning, Crème de la Mer The Moisturising Soft Cream (£120) makes my foundation look completely different when I’m wearing it – much dewier and lighter. 

At night, Chanel Le Lift (£140) has the magical ability to eradicate that dull, dry look a week spent in airless meeting rooms gives your skin. I feel genuine fear when they run out!”

Acne and roseaca

Stylist’s Beauty Editor Lucy Partington, 28, says: 

“I’ve always suffered hormonal breakouts and had redness around my cheeks and nose and of course have tried products, treatments and miracle cures to tackle them. I was recently diagnosed with both acne and rosacea by a dermatologist and have landed on a skin routine that’s made my skin the best it’s ever been. 

For anyone who has similar issues to me, here it is: every morning I use the La Roche-Posay Toleraine cleanser (£12.50) followed by Skinceuticals Serum 10 (£80). This is a Vitamin C serum – one of my favourite ingredients for its brightening and antioxidant properties. 

Then I use Skinoren, a prescription-strength azelaic acid cream which acts as an anti-inflammatory, followed by SPF 50. (I never go anywhere without wearing SPF!) Visit your GP if you think you may be suitable for Skinoren – it’s good for redness and breakouts.

In the evenings I remove make-up with Garnier Micellar Water (£3.33) and cleanse skin with Toleraine, and then apply Skinoren again.”

Pigmentation problems and dryness

Stylist’s Editor-At-Large Alix Walker, 36, says: 

“A youth spent at the local tanning shop (the shame!) has blessed me with bad pigmentation around my nose and cheeks and three young children have gifted me tired, grey skin. I have spent a time searching for products that are quick, efficient (I don’t have time to use 20 different serums) and that actually work. 

This is my beauty arsenal: make-up comes off quickly with Bioderma Sensibio H20 Micellar Water (£10.80), then I use Skinceuticals Phloretin CF serum (£150) which has made a marked difference on my pigmentation spots and has really smoothed out the texture of my skin. I follow that with La Roche Posay Cicaplast Baume B5 (£14) which is the best moisturiser I’ve ever tried. It makes you look fresher instantly. 

At night I use Elizabeth Arden’s new Retinol Ceramide capsules (£42), which are brilliant because each capsule delivers the exact right amount of serum. They also keep their potency as they’re individually wrapped.” 

First signs of ageing

Stylist’s Beauty Director Anita Bhagwandas, 34, says:

“My skin used to be super oily but has changed a lot in my 30s. It’s much drier and although I don’t have lines as such, at times my forehead looks crepey. 

That’s why I try and use as many hydrating products as I possibly can. I think they’re the one thing that all women of every age should be using. Our skin goes through so much, from air conditioning to pollution and stress, that a boost of hydration is pretty much always necessary. 

I obviously try out a lot of products as part of my job. But my absolute skincare lifesaver, and the product I use regardless of what else lands on my desk, is Pestle and Mortar Hyaluronic Acid (£33). Every morning under my moisturiser it is such a game changer – it plumps up the skin and makes it feel more alive instantly.”

Itchy eczema 

Stylist’s Junior Beauty Writer Ava Welsing-Kitcher, 24, says:

“A couple of months ago my childhood eczema came back with a vengeance as a result of poor sleep and stress. Dry, scaly patches, puffy eyes and a pink, itchy rash over my face and neck meant I had to pare my skincare routine back to the basics. Anything other than CeraVe’s simple line of cleansers and moisturisers made my skin burn and eventually peel. 

A cult favourite of eczema and psoriasis sufferers alike, CeraVe is packed with ceramides to repair damaged skin without any additives which could irritate sensitive skin. It works wonders on ‘normal’ skin, too. Try CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser (£9), CeraVe Facial Moisturing Lotion SPF25 (£12), and CeraVe Eye Repair Cream (£11).

Two weeks of using CeraVe products, Dermol Shower Emollient (£5.11) and the steroid cream prescribed by dermatologist Dr Justine Kluk transformed my skin back to its old self, but improved sleep has definitely been the best medicine.”

Oily, acne-prone skin

Stylist’s Fashion News Editor Billie Bhatia, 28, says: 

“I have always had oily skin and when I was younger I used to suffer from breakouts on my forehead. As I’ve gotten older my breakouts are more hormone-focused (thank you PCOS), and now occur more along my jaw line and chin. 

I have to stick to a skincare routine to try and keep spots to a minimum. I wash my face with La Roche-Posay Effaclar Purifying Cleansing Gel (£12), which gets rid of every scrap of make-up and makes my face feel properly clean. Then I apply Votary Intense Night Oil – Rosehip and Retinoid (£135). Despite being an oil, it has the miraculous ability to make my skin much less oily. These are my skincare superheroes!”

Super-sensitive skin

Stylist’s Executive Fashion Director Kitty McGee, 33, says: 

“My job means my life is a whirlwind of meetings in different countries, late night fashion parties and long days dashing from one appointment to the next, which definitely affects my skin. My skin has always been extremely dry but in the last year it’s become really sensitive too. 

It’s usually well-behaved in the sunshine but as soon as the seasons change, the low temperatures and wind can cause it to get quite out of hand. I have tried lots of products but Avene’s Skin Recovery Cream (£16.50) is the only thing that really works. It calms the redness and is super-hydrating. I also use the Avene Cream Cleanser (£10.50), which is so gentle it never irritates my sensitive skin.” 

Images: Courtesy of brands