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The lightweight moisturiser you adored at 32? Suddenly not quite enough. That cleanser that always left your face feeling wonderfully fresh? Now it leaves your cheeks uncomfortably tight. And the expensive serum you bought because it promised to make you look ten years younger is doing a rather impressive job of making absolutely no difference.

You know those mornings when your skin looks as though it's had a particularly exhausting week, even though you haven't? Your complexion seems a little flat, your usual glow has disappeared and, for reasons you can't quite explain, your makeup doesn't sit as nicely as it used to.

There are few skincare ingredients quite as universally adored as hyaluronic acid. It has made its way into practically everything: serums, moisturisers, eye creams, face masks and products promising skin so plump and dewy that you might reasonably expect to wake up looking as though you've just returned from a very expensive holiday.

Dead Sea salt and Epsom salt are often presented as though they're interchangeable. Both promise relaxation. Both are associated with magnesium. Both have developed something of a reputation for transforming an ordinary bath into a wellness ritual. And more importantly, does your skin actually know the difference?

When skin feels persistently dry, the instinct is understandable. More cream. Then a richer cream. Then a hydrating serum. Perhaps an oil for good measure. Before long, the bathroom shelf looks beautifully moisturised while your face still feels tight.

There is a particular kind of satisfaction that comes from using a good body scrub. You step into the shower with skin that feels a little dry and rough, spend a minute massaging in something wonderfully grainy, rinse it away and suddenly your arms and legs feel ridiculously smooth.

Face masks occupy a slightly unusual place in skincare. They’re not quite essential, yet somehow they’re often the products we enjoy using most. There’s the ritual of it.
But beyond the self-care appeal, a well-chosen face mask can actually be useful. The important part is well chosen.

There are trillions of tiny organisms living on your skin right now. Before you reach for the cleanser, that’s not a bad thing. Your skin has its own microscopic community of bacteria, fungi, viruses and other microorganisms. Together, they’re known as the skin microbiome.

Retinol has been an anti-ageing skincare favourite for years. Then retinal started appearing. At first glance, it sounds suspiciously like somebody forgot the last letter of retinol, but retinol and retinal are actually two different forms of vitamin A.

There’s something slightly suspicious about skincare advice for men over 40. Apparently, you turn 40 and suddenly need an eye serum, three acids, retinol, peptides, a facial roller and a 12-step evening ritual performed precisely 20 minutes before bed. You really don’t.

You shave. Everything looks perfectly fine. Then, ten minutes later, your neck starts feeling suspiciously warm. By the time you leave the bathroom, you've got redness, tiny bumps and that unmistakable burning sensation that makes putting anything on your face feel like a questionable decision. 

Is it really different from an ordinary clay mask? Does it "pull toxins" from your pores? Is it good for oily skin? Can dry or sensitive skin use it? And do all those famous Dead Sea minerals actually make a difference?