There is no shortage of information about what to put on your skin. The harder conversation is about what to do. These are the habits dermatologists return to, repeatedly, when asked what actually moves the needle.
The Daily Non-Negotiable
Apply SPF as a final step, not an afterthought. Broad-spectrum SPF 30 or above, every morning, regardless of plans or weather. UV exposure is the single greatest contributor to premature pigmentation, collagen loss, and uneven texture — and it accumulates on overcast days and through glass just as readily. Reapplication every two hours under direct sunlight is non-negotiable.
Try: La Mer The SPF 50 UV Protecting Fluid is weightless, invisible, and formulated with the brand’s iconic Miracle Broth; or Chanel UV Essentiel SPF 50, which doubles as an antioxidant serum.
The Loyal Skin Companion
Retinoids are still the gold standard. Prescription tretinoin or an over-the-counter retinol used consistently over months — not weeks — remains the most clinically validated approach to stimulating collagen, refining pore appearance, and addressing hyperpigmentation. Introduce slowly, always at night, and never skip SPF the following morning.
Try: Barbara Sturm Anti-Aging Serum, which layers retinol with purslane for barrier support; or Augustinus Bader The Cream, which combines retinol with the brand’s TFC8 complex for cellular repair with minimal irritation.
The Evening Cleanse
Wash your face at night, always. What accumulates on skin throughout the day — oxidised sebum, environmental particulates, residual SPF — actively degrades collagen when left overnight. Skipping a morning cleanse is defensible. Skipping the evening one is not.
Try: Sisley Buff and Wash Facial Gel, a gentle exfoliating cleanser that lifts impurities without compromising the barrier; or La Prairie Cellular Cleansing Water Face & Eyes, which dissolves makeup and pollution in one step.
When Less is More
Stop over-cleansing. Twice daily with a gentle, pH-balanced formula is the ceiling, not a baseline to exceed. Disrupting the skin barrier through aggressive cleansing reliably worsens both sensitivity and breakouts.
Try: Tatcha The Rice Wash, a creamy softening cleanser that respects the microbiome; or Valmont Purity Pack, designed specifically for skin that has been over-treated and needs recalibration.
The Basic Rule
Drink enough water to affect skin at the cellular level. The dermatological consensus sits around 2 to 2.5 litres daily for most adults. Chronic low-grade dehydration shows up in fine lines and dullness before it registers as thirst. Supplement topically as needed.
Try: SK-II Facial Treatment Essence, a cult hydrating toner centred on Pitera that visibly plumps over consistent use; or Caudalie Vinoperfect Radiance Serum, which addresses the dullness that dehydration leaves behind.
The Overnight Ritual
Sleep on your back, or use a silk pillowcase. Mechanical friction from cotton against skin nightly compounds over years. Silk and satin significantly reduce both skin creasing and hair breakage — a small material change with a disproportionate return over time.
Try: Slip Pure Silk Pillowcase in Queen size, the industry benchmark for 22-momme mulberry silk; or Hästens’ silk-blend pillowcase, for those who already invest in considered sleep.
Do Not Ignore
Treat your neck and décolletage as an extension of your face. The skin there is thinner, receives equivalent sun exposure, and is routinely excluded from SPF, retinoid, and antioxidant application. The disconnect shows, inevitably, with age.
Try: Sisley Neck Cream The Supreme, one of the most precisely formulated décolletage treatments available; or Natura Bissé Diamond Neck & Décolleté, which addresses laxity and pigmentation simultaneously with a lifted, firming finish.
