A few weeks ago we launched the Stylist Skincare Surgery on twitter, with beauty assistant Anita on hand to answer your skincare queries. Now we're sharing her expert skincare advice with you - read on for her recommendations.

A couple of weeks ago I tweeted a seemingly harmless confession about my lack of daily cleansing. My abhorrent skincare routine attracted a thunderous online response, and that was before I’d even offered up my flippant ‘sometimes I even use shower gel as a cleanser’ comment (For the record the rest of the Stylist Beauty Desk are vigilant in their cleansing, I won’t tar them with my slovenly skincare ways).

The conversation prompted us to ask how much we really do when it comes to our skincare, and how we can shoehorn in some better skincare habits.

So in Stylist’s first Skincare Surgery, we asked you; "Are you a #skinsinner or a #skinsaint?" The results were roughly 50/50 but there were a few, recurring skincare offences that everyone is guilty of. Our solution? To make your skincare misdemeanours work for you:

Debbie Walpole ‏@DEB_8Y

@StylistMagazine I'm 31 & only use make up wipes! Skin is blemish free which makes me thinks it’s more genetics than beauty care!

PROBLEM SOLVER: Debbie, you’re right to a certain degree. Genes do play a vital role in how our skin behaves, and how it will age. But our early thirties are a crucial point in the ageing sphere; it’s when the skin starts to show the signs of ageing (and the effects of our wild twenty-something ways). Your skin sounds stress free (lucky you), but adding in some basic, gentle skincare will ensure it’s properly taken care of. We’re big fans of Micellar Cleansing Lotion, £12.50, Avene instead of pore clogging wipes, because this water-like cleanser is so easy to use and doesn’t require removal. It’s the perfect alternative to wipes and we’re pretty sure you’ll notice the difference.

Chetna Patel ‏@ch3tna

@StylistMagazine #skinsinner sometimes I skip the #tone and #moisturise cause I'm sleepy and it wakes me up!

PROBLEM SOLVER: Try One-Step Cleansing Water, £23, Guinot. It’s so gentle that it removes make-up instantly and tones too. The gentle floral scent is so relaxing that you’ll have no trouble drifting off again afterwards, so no excuses!

Gina Stockwell ‏@ginastockwell

@StylistMagazine I am a #skinsinner after alcohol!! It’s the devil!

PROBLEM SOLVER: Gina, we hear you. Loud, and clear. Here’s what we suggest: Use Perfect Cleansing Oil, £28, Nude to wash your face AND remove your make up at the same time. It even removes eye make-up, in case you don’t make it to the actual serum/night cream phase.

Cove Boutique ‏@CoveGirls

@StylistMagazine Tiredness! Try to be a #skinsaint but often v busy lifestyle gets in the way #musttryharder

PROBLEM SOLVER: We know how you feel. It often seems like a million steps are needed to keep your skin looking great. The key is to make it work around your routine. Keep a foaming face wash, like Foam Cleanser,£48, La Prairie in the shower so that’s taken care of. If, like us, you end up applying yoru make-up on the commute in, then add small vials or a sample of your skincare products to apply then too (don’t forget hand cream!). During the day a moisturising spritz like Moisture Surge Face Spray, £19.50, Clinique will take care of any air-con related dryness. And, when you’re safely back at home, another face wash, followed by a little night cream is all you need!

Samantha Cox ‏@Sam_SilverDoor

@StylistMagazine #skinsinner because I forget my cleanser when I stay at friends' houses. Took my make up off with handwash last night...

PROBLEM SOLVER: Samantha, we’re not judging you, not one little bit. But why not keep a mini face wash (Bliss, Liz Earle and Skyn Iceland do great minis) in your make-up or overnight bag? And if none of your friends have face wash you can borrow, then you know what they should be getting you for Christmas...

Maggie Woodward ‏@maggiebob

@StylistMagazine my skincare routine is simply water (applied and internally) and not smoking. That's all. Am I #skinsaint or #skinsinner?

PROBLEM SOLVED: Hard to tell Maggie, hard to tell. Are you happy with your skincare routine and the look of your skin? If so then brilliant, if not, then a simple cleansing and moisturising routine could boost radiance and it won’t necessarily alter your skin’s balance, like La Roche Posay.

Tamarin Wilkinson ‏@Tamarin_MW

@StylistMagazine @StylistBeauty #skinsinner - my worst habit is not taking off my eye make-up off at night because it takes so long

PROBLEM SOLVER: Eye make-up remover pads, £13, Talika make everything that little bit easier for night owls. These little removal pads are fortified with oils, so don’t dry the skin out, and make it easier to dissolve any tough eye make-up. Everyone’s a winner.

Maria Lee ‏@MariafeLee

@StylistMagazine not drinking enough water and too much wine?!

PROBLEM SOLVER: A common problem Maria. Firstly, you need to measure how much water you’re drinking daily. The beauty team use Outlook reminders on our calendars, keeping a 1.5 litre bottle on our desks to remind us to drink one before 1pm and one after (that’s your daily quota smashed).

As for the wine, not much we can help you with there but Caudalie’s Vinosource range uses organic grape extract to boost the skin with antioxidants on the outside.

Ms Williams ‏@rophotographs

@StylistMagazine using too many different products!

PROBLEM SOLVER: Strip it back down to the basics: Use cleanser, serum, moisturiser, night cream and an exfoliator once a week. Keep your new purchases out of sight so you’re not tempted to use them. Ideally you need to give a product at least 2 months to work, before you see real results so stick with them (unless they cause irritation.)

Fashiondisaster ‏@Fashiondisaster

@StylistMagazine skin sinner I'm afraid... Because I haven't got a clue what my skin-type is so no idea what to use. As I said #INeedHelp

PROBLEM SOLVER: Our advice is to head to your local Dermalogica, Elemis or Clarins for a facial. You’ll get to find our your skin type, see a whole range of products and learn the best ways to look after your skin. Facialists are a hugely underused mine of skincare information.

Words: Anita Bhagwandas

Stockists

Avene avene.co.uk

Guinot uk.guinot.com

Nude spacenk.co.uk

La Prairie laprairie.co.uk

Clinique clinique.co.uk

Talika talika.co.uk

Stylist's Skincare Surgery