I love being the age I am, I think it’s a privilege - I have had too many people go too early at a young age. There are a few things that I prefer five years ago - there’s not much I can do but always look after my skin. I get botox every six months. I do not understand people being angry with injectables. Look at our society that leads people into not wanting wrinkles. I’m learning so much from older women - like my family, but also female brand founders." How do you find confidence? CE Ferulic is never far from the top of any list of the best Vitamin C serums, and with good reason. SkinCeuticals are pioneers of antioxidant skincare and this is their hero product. In fact, the only thing keeping it off the top of this list is the price, which will be prohibitive to some. Some industry figures - Marcia (Kilgore) is so inspiring - she has really good ideas and is open to new things. She’s a really nice person and has done everything without being ruthless. It’s people that work hard without being mean to people. In my personal life I’m hugely inspired by my friends. I’m in such a close friendship group and we speak multiple times a day - they want me to make things better. They also directly inspire me - all different circumstances and good, kind people who are still hilariously funny - Caitlin (Moran), Lauren (Laverne) and Sharmadean (Reid). Another group that I used to work with at the Gap in the 90s and we go on holiday together. Both groups really love each other. There’s nothing they don’t know. I've also considered my skincare line for them - it doesn’t contain silicone - because Lauren is allergic to silicone." You have a huge following as a journalist - to what do you attribute your success?

Sali says, “I've worked with great formulators, and proven active and supporting ingredients, to create a 100% cruelty-free and vegan-friendly core range of two cleansers, one exfoliant, one serum and two moisturisers, all fully compatible, to be applied in four simple steps over just four minutes.” verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{

There’s a wisdom and confidence that comes with ageing. It's not arrogance. Part of it is having children and you’re not prepared to take any nonsense and you become a tigress about things. I’ve had incredibly long friendships and that also gives me confidence - because I know that I am loved and understood and there’s a loyalty there and that makes me a stronger person. It’s still a work in progress." Who do you look up to and learn from? You do what you can when you are at the less expensive side of the market. Everything is recyclable but one of the products has a pump which is impossible to recycle. The jars and tubs are made out of 50% post consumer plastic. It’s more sustainable to have a formula rather than single ingredients. We manufacture in the UK so the products don’t have to travel far and we are supporting local infrastructure. I was adamant that I wanted it made here." Finally - what’s your favourite product from the range? This was one of the serums we, as a team, all agreed on. We're big fans of this brand for their high-tech formulas and (as this sort of active skincare goes) affordable pricing. This serum is the hero of the range and would be the first product we'd recommend trying. Budgets aside, if you can afford to buy this, you should. It combines 15% gold standard stable Vitamin C with Vitamin E plus ferulic acid, another antioxidant that's known to boost the power and stability of Vit C when combined. You'll spot this trio of ingredients together a few times in this list, but just know that these guys did it first. Hyaluronic acid, of course,” says Hughes, of the ingredient that draws water into the skin, and an emollient (moisturising) element such as ceramides. “I’m obsessed with ceramides for your skin barrier, they’re great under make-up as well.”

ACCORDING to beauty writer and broadcaster Sali Hughes, building a skincare routine is a bit like getting dressed. Following your morning serum or nightly retinol, moisturiser will leave your skin feeling hydrated and healthy. What should a decent moisturiser contain? Hughes has done the work in terms of effective formulas – yet she doesn’t insist that beauty buffs use every single item in her six-piece range to get the best results, which many brands often claim. “If a brand tells you that you need to use the whole line-up for it to work, then walk away, because the products aren’t good enough to stand on their own two feet,” Hughes observes. Meanwhile, those less cautious get in touch to say their skin is suffering - going red, flaring up, becoming too dry and sore or too oily. My friends straddle both camps, too. It’s madness to me that so many already overstretched women are being expected to combine skincare ingredients like some biochemist!is what my son earns for babysitting - so when I was making the serum I thought about it representing an evening of childcare. Even if it’s too expensive you always make sure there’s something more affordable. I would hate for anyone to sacrifice anything." What’s your philosophy on ageing? After using the best Vitamin C serums, you'll notice your face looking brighter. It's also one of the best hyperpigmentation treatments that you can safely do at home. How does all of this brightening, protecting magic work exactly? SPF is not about weather, but it is about how much time you spend outside,” says Hughes, who varies her sunscreen according to how long she’ll be outside. “If I’m spending a lot of time outside, I use a dedicated sunscreen from a suncare company. If I’m not spending much time outside, I might use an SPF in my make-up. If I’m spending a little bit of time outside, I might use a moisturiser with an SPF in it.” It's the jeans and white T-shirt of skincare – great, reliable, effective formulas that always work." – Sali Hughes Drench a washable cotton pad with that and sweep it all over,” Hughes says. “I’m a daily exfoliation [fan]. If you’re not, you can use it less frequently, say once or twice a week.”