The Skincare Equipment Kit

Creating perfect skin takes the right products – here’s what you’ll need.

Glycerin Soaps And Cleansing Bars:
Normal soap is too harsh for delicate facial skin, but bars that contain moisturising ingredients are a great compromise for those who like the feel of soap and water.

Cream Cleansers:
Milky or creamy cleansers moisturise while they cleanse. For the best results apply them with your fingers, let them soak in and then remove them with cotton wool or tissues.

Foaming Cleansers:
For skins that need deeper cleansing or to remove thick sunscreens in summer, you can’t beat foaming cleansers that you lather onto your skin and then rinse off with water.

Cleansing Wipes:
Wipes are perfect for women in a hurry or those who like low-maintenance skincare. Choose ones that are adapted for your skin type.

Make-up Removers:
Eye make-up needs special solvents to dissolve it fully, which makes a separate eye make-up remover essential.

Facial Scrub:
Gentle scrubs with microbeads or spheres of exfoliant will brighten up dull complexions.

Toners:
The sophistication of skincare nowadays means that very few people need these, but if you want to use a toner choose one that’s alcohol-free.

Light Moisturisers:
Gel or lotion-based moisturisers are great for wearing during the day or for skin types that benefit from less oil and more water.

Heavy Moisturisers:
Thick, oil-based moisturisers are best for winter wear, or on very dry or aging skin.

Clay Face Mask:
Perfect for helping clear pores; mud masks have a similar effect.

Moisturising Face Mask:
Creamy Masks give skin a moisture boost – good ingredients to look for are aqua, rosewater or seaweed.

Peel-off Masks:
Often based on cucumber, these masks exfoliate the skin and give the face a bright and healthy glow.

Eye Creams:
The skin around the eye is thinner and more sensitive than that on the face and needs richer, less irritating creams.

Serums:
These deliver concentrated bursts of hydrating or anti-aging ingredients to the skin. Use two or three minutes before your normal moisturiser so they can be absorbed.

Pore Strips:
Help clear blackheads and reduce blocked and open pores.

Blackhead Extractor:
Only to be used after steaming or deep cleansing the skin.

Spot Sticks:
Usually containing antiseptic ingredients like witch hazel, salicyclic acid or tea tree oil, these help fight minor blemishes.