What does an expert's skincare routine actually involve?

It goes without saying that in my role as deputy beauty editor at Cosmopolitan UK, I'm lucky enough to try a lot of skincare products.

But which are my go-to formulas, the ones that have earned a solid spot in my bathroom? And what are the skincare steps I never miss? Here's a peek at my week and how I take care of my skin along the way...

8.30am: After brushing my teeth I scan my bathroom shelf – sadly, it's not colour-coordinated like you see on Instagram. Instead, it's filled with skincare that I've tried throughout my job. I start with Simple’s Refreshing Facial Wash, followed by Caudalie’s Vinoperfect Instant Brightening moisturiser and my trusty La Roche Posay Anthelios Ultra-Light Invisible Fluid SPF 50, then settle down to work.

6pm: After logging off, I change into workout gear. I get to the gym, do a weights session and wonder why people throw them to the ground so loudly.

8pm: Home time! I peel off my sweaty gym clothes and double cleanse my clammy face with Wishful's Clean Genie Cleansing Balm and the Byoma Jelly Cleanser. I use a Medik8 retinol and follow up with the Caudalie moisturiser to make sure my skin stays hydrated.

8.30am: Today, I need to test a few products for our Cosmo Beauty Awards. I massage on a new (and embargoed) milky cleanser and follow it with Simple’s Vitamin C+E+F Booster Serum. I then layer on a new secret SPF to see how well it sits under make-up.

3.30pm: I need to test a yet-to-be-released face mask, so I use Simple's Refreshing Facial Wash for a clean slate. I apply the mask with a brush and let it work while answering emails.

8pm: I get home from a Pilates class and pick up the Clean Genie Cleansing Balm once again and Fresh's Soy Face Cleanser to double cleanse.

7am: It’s an office day. My skin is looking a little dull – probably down to lack of sleep. I lather a dollop of Simple’s Refreshing Facial Wash on my hands and massage it into my skin.

I slather on Honest Beauty’s Prime + Perfect Mask and leave it on while I curl my hair, following up with Simple's Vitamin C+E+F Booster Serum, my Caudalie moisturiser and La-Roche Posay SPF. Suddenly, my skin looks a whole lot healthier.

8pm: I break down my make-up with Clinique’s Take The Day Off Balm and follow up with a gel cleanser to avoid my skin feeling stripped.

7.30am: WHOOPS, I snoozed – so I need products that will be fast and effective. I sweep a reusable cotton pad soaked in Bioderma’s Micellar Water around my face, then apply the Ultra Violette Supreme Screen Hydrating SPF, which sinks in quickly with no white cast.

I add a couple of drops of MAC Face and Body to my Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser for a sheer dose of colour, dot it around my face and blend it in with my fingers.

8.30pm: Home, and ready to shower the city off my face. I double cleanse, using Clinique’s Take The Day Off Balm to break down my make-up and SPF, then I go in with Simple’s Refreshing Facial Wash. Feeling lazy, I skip serums, slathering on Beauty Pie’s Deep Moisture Miracle Cream while I stream Never Have I Ever.

8.30am: There’s nothing quite like a WFH Friday after a manic week. I cleanse with Simple’s Refreshing Facial Wash, use my Byoma Brightening Serum (very much needed), moisturise with Caudalie’s Vinoperfect Instant Brightening moisturiser and, of course, finish with my La Roche Posay Anthelios Ultra-Light Invisible Fluid SPF 50.

5.30pm: The weekend has arrived. I close my laptop and dive into my make-up bag, applying a full face for an evening of dinner and drinks.

12am: No matter the amount of espresso martinis I consume, I *cannot* go to bed without cleansing. I hold a reusable cotton pad soaked with Simple’s Micellar Cleansing Water on each eye for 30 seconds to break down my mascara and eyeliner. Then I melt it all away with my Clinique Take The Day Off Balm and Byoma Jelly Cleanser.

10.30am: I roll out of bed and look in the mirror, feeling smug for remembering to take my make-up off, though my skin feels a little tight. I hydrate with the Byoma Jelly Cleanser and slather on the Beauty Pie Deep Moisture Miracle Cream.

11.30pm: It hasn’t been the most productive day, alternating between sofa chills and cleaning out old clothes. For an easy fix I sweep a pad soaked with Simple's Micellar Water around my face, then repeat my morning's pairing of Byoma Jelly Cleanser and Beauty Pie Deep Moisture Miracle Cream. After a quick TikTok scroll, it’s lights out.

9.30am: Making up for last night’s lack of routine, I use Simple’s Refreshing Facial Wash and apply Wishful’s Yo Glow scrub to get rid of dead, dull skin. I apply a thin layer of Summer Friday’s Jet Lag Mask and crack on with the day.

6pm: Time for my big shower – a body scrub with Fresh's Brown Sugar Body Polish, a Philip Kingsley Elasticizer hair mask and maybe shaving, if I can be bothered.

Once I’m out, I double cleanse my face and sweep Simple’s Soothing Toner around my face. I avoid acids as I used a scrub earlier and instead apply a thin layer of Summer Fridays' Jet Lag Mask.

10pm: I manage to get into bed at a decent time, determined to start the week off on a good note. We’ll see if I end up snoozing come morning time, though...

Try Simple Kind To Skin facial washes as part of your skincare regime and enjoy healthy, smooth and soft skin after every wash