New Year, New Skin: The best skincare guide for 2026
As we start a New Year, it's time for a new skincare routine. Nadine Baggott is here with her expert guide to the ultimate AM and PM ritual, revealing the essential products and precise layering order for maximum effectiveness.
Nadine Baggott's skincare guide
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Step One (AM)
Wash your face with a cleanser, face wash or cleansing cream (if you have dry skin).
Use a fresh flannel or microfibre face cloth everyday to avoid breakouts.
Products:
1) CeraVe Balancing Air Foam Foaming Facial Cleanser, £10.88
2) BYOMA Milky Moisture Cleanser, £14
3) Stylpro Organic Bamboo Face Cloths, £8
Step Two:
Use an antioxidant serum, followed by a light SPF.
Choose one with added benefits such as with Vitamin C or anti-ageing.
Products:
4) Geek & Gorgeous 101 C-Glow 15% Vitamin C Serum, £7.99
5) Joseon Relief Sun Aqua-Fresh Rice + B5 SPF50, £13.17
6) Q+A Peptide SPF50 Anti-Ageing Facial Sunscreen, £11.25 (For dry skin)
Step Three (PM)
Use a richer cleanser in the evening to remove makeup, product build up and pollution on your skin.
Be gentle with your skin when removing makeup, your evening cleanser should be able to remove any product build up without needing to scrub harshly.
Finish with a denser serum or moisturiser in the evening. Your skin naturally loses more water overnight because oil production is at its lowest. A thicker, richer product creates a more effective protective barrier to seal in hydration and prevent dryness.
Products:
7) Dr Althea Pure Grinding Cleansing Balm, £17.09
8) The Ordinary Retinal 0.2% Emulsion, £15.20
9) Naturium Retinaldehyde Cream Serum 0.05%, £32
Simple skincare rules:
Thinnest (AM) to thickest (PM) product consistency.
Protect in the morning (SPF), repair in the evening (hydration).
Supercharge your cleanser with a soft microfibre cloth.
Don’t cleanse in hot water as this opens up your pores and can cause product build up / breakouts.
Don’t spend a fortune, there are plenty of high street options that will cleanse your skin.
Choose products that are multifunctional and light enough to go around your eyes and down your neck. You don’t need a separate neck cream or eye cream.
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