It’s been said that your face is your fortune, and it’s the only one you’ve got. With that in mind, you probably don’t want to slap any old gunk onto your precious skin; it’s worth treating it with a good deal of respect and the best skin care products you can get your hands on.

Not all cosmetics are created equal: often, the cheapest way to manufacture creams and lotions is with harsh chemicals which could damage your skin in the long term, or cause it to become hypersensitive. The best skin care products contain higher-quality ingredients, and generally cost a bit more as a result.

You should also remember your skin is porous, which means it could be absorbing into the body some of what you put onto it. A good skin care regime will minimize your contact with harsh and harmful substances, while providing effective active ingredients to target your main skin care concerns.

One way of reducing your use of harsh chemicals is to choose a more natural skin care regime. There is a growing number of brands producing chemical-free products, or using plant extracts to increase their effectiveness:

• Liz Earle’s philosophy is founded on high-quality, safe, natural ingredients, and has made them the UK’s biggest independent beauty brand. They pride themselves on their simplicity and environmental awareness, as well as the absence of harmful chemicals in their skin care range.
• Kiehls has been innovating since 1851, when it started off as an old-fashioned apothecary in New York. Today, they continue to source the best naturally-derived ingredients which they claim provide real benefits for skin and hair.
• Skinfood is your budget bet for paraben-free, naturally based skin care. This New Zealand-based company produces a core range of unisex products in uncomplicated, unisex packaging, at prices that ensure anyone can enjoy them.

If you put more faith in science than nature, choose a brand with a solid reputation for its research and clinical proof of its products’ results.

• Clarins is a family-run company that fuses science and nature. It uses the most effective and purest botanical extracts as a basis for its range, which includes products for the face and body as well as a sun-care range.
• Dermalogica enjoys a cult following thanks to its cutting-edge scientific research. It was founded on a no-nonsense vision of promoting skin health, rather than beauty, and its product range is free of irritants and only available from licensed stockists.

With an ever-increasing number of brands to choose from and advertising everywhere you look, the skin care market has become a confusing one. Keep in mind your main concerns, do your research before you shop, and fall for the clinical proof rather than the pretty packaging.