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. 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?

You do not need morning cleanser with mega cleansing capabilities because you’re just removing a bit of dust, a bit of sweat, a bit of skincare from last night,” says Hughes, who prefers a gel or cream formula that can be rinsed off or removed with a damp flannel or reusable cotton pad. An award-winning health and beauty writer, stylist and creative director, Lisa Oxenham is one of the UK’s top beauty editors and the Beauty and Style Director at Marie Claire UK. With 20 years of editorial experience Lisa is a brand partnership expert, and a popular speaker, panelist and interviewer on a range of topics from sustainability to the future of beauty in the digital world. She recently spoke at Cognition X and Beauty Tech Live and is on the Advisory Board for the British Beauty Council’s Sustainable Beauty Coalition. verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ 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?

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? 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! This would suit anyone looking to get started with Vit C, and who wants a fuss-free one and done serum to use in the mornings. As well as a gentle yet effective concentration of Vit C (7%) this contains Vitamin E for extra antioxidant powers and jojoba seed oil that gives it a lovely, plumping, and juicy feel. Obviously, if you have very oily or breakout-prone skin then oil-based products won't be for you but our dry-skinned texture absolutely loved it. ACCORDING to beauty writer and broadcaster Sali Hughes, building a skincare routine is a bit like getting dressed.The Must-C Daily Anytime Serum is a hydrating and brightening Vitamin C formula, that can be used in the morning and evening. 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? 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. Rather than a scrub that physically sloughs away dead skin cells, a chemical exfoliator containing acids such as lactic, malic, glycolic, salicylic (or a mixture) works below the surface to increase cell turnover and improve skin brightness.