Skincare Sunday: How to supercharge your skin

Cosmetic doctor Jean-Louis Sebagh devised his famous ‘pre-party skin prescription’ specifically to quickly transform weary, end-of-the-day skin. His advice was to “first use a peel, then hydrate your skin with a hyaluronic acid serum, and finally moisturize with a cream.”

Taking inspiration from Dr Sebagh, I’ve honed my own fast, fail-safe regime to use on mornings when my face needs help. To begin, I use a scrub – I usually prefer peels to grainy scrubs, but Lancer’s The Method: Polish leaves skin ultra-smooth. Follow with a creamy, not greasy, nourishing or moisturizing mask. Sisley’s Black Rose Cream Mask is incredible – you can see the difference after 10 minutes. The mask should be wiped off, but if you have very dry or jet-lagged skin just massage it in. Finally, finish with a light textured hydrating serum and really work it into the skin – Estée Lauder’s Advanced Night Repair serum performs on any skin type. It may all seem in the wrong order – technically, it is – but it works for everyone I’ve shared this with, and leaves skin beautifully prepped for makeup.

The new-generation daily peel pads are excellent for taking flat, matte skin and giving it a glow (I love Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta Ultra Gentle Daily Peel pads and Zelens PHA+ Bio-Peel Resurfacing Facial Pads). Experts often say that it’s best to use a peel at night, but if you want that luminous radiance, swap to the morning. It’s a trick that makeup artists use to prep the face before applying base as it gives skin – and the makeup you put on top – a silky-smooth finish.

This tip, from makeup artist Andrew Gallimore, was a game changer for me as it makes skin look incredible in minutes. “Many women use a hydrating mask, but it’s how you use it that makes the difference,” he says. His secret is to apply it generously, wait a few minutes and reapply. Then wait a few minutes more and, where needed, apply a third time. “The aim is to literally saturate the skin, so it soaks up the hydration like a dry sponge in water,” he explains. Try Tata Harper Moisturizing Mask or La Mer The Intensive Revitalizing Mask; arid areas, like the cheekbones and under the eyes, will soak up more, and when you see excess product left on the skin, you’ve used enough. It’s amazing just how much dry skin can absorb. Tissue off what’s left and you’re primed and ready for makeup.