How to sort your day-time skincare plan and be a real beauty

First thing in the morning, remove any dead cells from the skin's surface by using a rough face flannel. Now it's time to cleanse, tone and moisturise – words you've read a thousand times, but never underestimate their importance...

• Cleanse
  • Use either a cleanser or warm (not hot) water and a mild soap. Then splash your face with cold water to help boost circulation.
• Tone
  • Essential to mop up residue (left on the skin's surface after cleansing which can disrupt the acid balance and lead to irritation). It also helps skin to regain its natural balance.
• Moisturise
  • Skin needs moisture in the same way that the rest of our body needs liquid to stay healthy. Apply daily before putting on your make-up, and at night, use a slightly heavier one. Leave a gap of around 15minutes between washing or cleansing your face and applying your make-up to give your skin time to settle. And try to get some exercise and fresh air to wake up your skin.
• Don't neglect your neck
  • The skin here ages faster than on other parts of your body, so apply moisturiser morning and night. Use upward strokes at night to prevent the skin from pulling, and next morning, smooth the cream gently downwards, to help reduce puffiness in the face.
• Drink plenty of water
  • Aim for eight glasses a day to keep your skin hydrated.
• Get your vitamins
  • Alack of nutrients in your diet will soon show in your complexion. So eat plenty of skin-boosting foods, such as dark-green, leafy vegetables, fruit, nuts, brown rice and oily fish.
• Care for your eyes
  • The skin around the eyes is very sensitive and one of the first places where ageing shows. You can't get away without having a few laughter lines, but applying a light eye cream or gel just inside the eye socket (don’t work the cream right up to the eye – it will cause puffiness) will keep crow's feet and dark circles at bay.
• Less is more (when it comes to foundation)
  • Think "light" when applying your face base. Thick, heavy foundations are ageing, while a light shade that blends with your natural skin tone will lift your skin and make it look more youthful.