I tested three spot-clearing serums to help keep breakouts at bay – with one for every budget
The sweaty, humid weather and heat-proof, long-wear make-up is a recipe for blocked pores.
So I've been testing spot-clearing serums to help keep breakouts at bay.
BUDGET
The Inkey List 360 skin clearing serum, £16 for 30ml, boots.com
I am a huge Inkey fan. Founders Mark Curry and Colette Laxton are down-to-earth and never shy away from questions about the brand or the products they're creating, which is always a good sign.
This serum does exactly what it says on the tin, helping to control oil production, unclog pores and reduce post-breakout inflammation and scarring thanks to salicylic and lactic acid.
Despite being lightweight, it also hydrates skin, thanks to the caring squalane, glycerin and panthenol.
It's a true all-rounder and unbelievably good value for money.
MID-RANGE
It has been a long time since I've used Clinique skincare. It was my mum's go-to brand when I was growing up, so there's something nostalgic and full circle about it entering my stash, even though she has a different skin type and uses different products.
This is one of the fastest-working blemish solutions I've ever tried. It reduced the redness around my spots in under an hour and helped relieve the bruised feeling of those under-the-skin spots overnight.
It is the most drying of the three, so best for those with extremely oily skin, or paired with a hydrating oil-free moisturiser – but the results are worth the extra step.
LUXURY
Murad biome-balancing clear & prevent blemish treatment serum, £45 for 30ml, murad.co.uk
Murad was my go-to brand when my skin was at its worst and I keep a couple of products for when my skin plays up.
This serum is new and has become one of my favourite products from the brand. It has a gel-like texture that absorbs in seconds and doesn't leave an oily or sticky residue.
The combination of salicylic and mandelic acids is a super gentle way to slowly, but efficiently, slough away dead skin cells while also being antibacterial and reducing acne-causing bacteria at the same time. The salicylic acid also breaks down oil.
My skin felt softer from day one and I've definitely had fewer new breakouts since using it regularly.
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How to get skin like Martha Stewart at 84
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Created alongside her long-time dermatologist, Dr Dhaval Bhanusali (the same doctor who helped to develop Hailey Bieber's $1bn beauty brand, Rhode), the new launch will consist of just two products to begin with: The A3O Elemental Serum ($135), a patent-pending antioxidant serum that targets visible signs of ageing, including UV damage, pigmentation, dehydration and irritation, and the Inner Dose Daily Skin Supplement ($50), a dermatologist-formulated capsule that addresses internal triggers of ageing, including inflammation, oxidative stress and hormonal imbalance. Celebrity and influencer-backed beauty brands are enjoying something of a vogue at the moment, with Rhode being just the most recent success story. Yet with the founders often being women in their 20s and 30s, there's been a glaring gap in the beauty space for a skincare line specifically for elderly skin needs. In this way, it's certainly an astute move for Stewart to be launching her own niche beauty brand, which will no doubt stand out from the crowd. 'From as early as your mid 20s onwards you are losing collagen,' shares skin expert Dr Christine Hall. 'Some studies estimate as much as 1 per cent per year. Production rates decrease and what you have is broken down more quickly. By the time you reach your mid 40s it becomes noticeable, and by your 80s you will have lost a significant amount – but you will also be losing elastin and hyaluronic acid. 'Skin cell turnover, sebum production and blood flow to your skin will be reduced, and post-menopausal oestrogen levels will drop. Together, these are the main drivers in the ageing process, and by your 80s skin can be more sensitive, it may appear dry, thin and pale, and the visible signs of ageing will be apparent – think lines and wrinkles, volume loss, patches of pigmentation and loss of elasticity.' Here, we reveal the skincare wisdom Martha Stewart has offered over the years. Skip to: Daily face masks Stewart has been a long term fan of the hydrating benefits of a great face mask, telling Into The Gloss in 2015 that she would apply one as soon as she woke up in the morning before her shower (her favourites included the Yon-Ka Gommage 305, the Mario Badescu Super Collagen Mask and the Mario Badescu Azulene Calming Mask). Mario Badescu Super Collagen Mask, £20, Space NK Mario Badescu Azulene Calming Mask, £20, Speaking to Vogue earlier this year, Dr Bhanusali revealed that he has created custom-made special formula sheet masks for his client too. Never forget your SPF According to Dr Bhanusali, Stewart mixes her SPF (she is a fan of the Alastin HydraTint Pro Mineral Broad Spectrum Sunscreen SPF 36) in with her moisturiser, and applies it liberally to not only her face but also her neck, décolleté, body and even her ear lobes. She also revealed to Into The Gloss that she is a fan of La Roche-Posay Anthelios: 'I found it one time in St. Barth's many, many years ago, and I've been using it ever since because it's French.' Alastin HydraTint Pro Mineral Broad Spectrum Sunscreen SPF 36, $79 (£60), La Roche-Posay Anthelios, £16, Boots Stewart has also always been a champion of wide-brimmed hats to protect her skin from sun damage. 'At this stage of life, routine dermatological screening is just as important as a good skincare routine,' shares Dr Mariana Noy. 'Skin cancers often present subtly in older adults, and early detection can make a critical difference.' Modest use of tweakments Stewart defers to her aesthetics doctor, Dr Belkin, when it comes to tweakments, relying on his expertise to know what's best. According to Vogue, this includes the use of non-ablative fractionated lasers, which stimulate skin-cell turnover and reduce signs of sun damage. 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I've been a personal trainer for 25 years - I avoid this 'healthy' food because it makes you look old
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