I've just discovered the Hungarian brand Omorovicza and love their Gentle Buffing Cleanser (£42). This very light yet effective cleanser contains Diatomaceous Earth, a mineral-rich sedimentary rock that's very porous and easy to crumble, making it perfect as a light buffer. It also contains pineapple and rosemary enzymes plus Omorovicza Pannon Complex, a blend of minerals, vitamins, soy, bio-energetic yeast, lupin, micro-algae and apricot kernel oil. Use all over the face avoiding the eye and lip area. If you have mature or dull skin, try SkinVitals C-Brighten Cloth Facial Treatment Mask with Vitamin C and Ginger (£2.99 each).  A no fuss treatment to reinvigorate your skin in just fifteen minutes. Place the cloth treatment over your face and relax. Your skin will feel and look hydrated, revived and radiant. SkinVitals also do a brightening eye mask and firming face and eye masks too.

Evergreen Scottish singer Lulu's skin care brand, Lulu's Time Bomb, has adopted the cloth facial concept too. Her Lulu's Time Bomb Face To Face Citrus Revitalising Mask (£12.72 for 4) is packed with soy protein, collagen, coenzyme Q10 and camellia leaf extract to tone, firm and moisturise the skin whilst getting rid of fine lines. For maximum results prepare the skin by cleansing face and neck with Lulu's Time Bomb Take Off Time Cleansing Cream (£11.74)Take Off Time Polishing Pads (£4.89 for 10). The cleanser contains micro-granules to gently exfoliate whilst getting rid of makeup (avoid the eye area) and the pads have two sides: a smooth one to clear off any makeup residue and a textured one to help the exfoliating action. Great results and I love the scent,  which reminds me of homemade lemonade.

Having dry skin means that I'm always a tad nervous when trying deep cleansing masks as some can be too harsh. I was delighted to discover Arbonne NutriMin C RE9 Release Deep Pore Cleansing Masque (£23.50) a deep cleansing mask that can be used on all skin types without fear of irritation or dryness. Arbonne Seasource Detox SPA Sea Mud Face & Body Mask (£27.40) can be used on both  the face and body and is gentle enough for all skin types. Using sea mud and marine botanicals, this mask cleanses deeply, leaving the skin brighter, firmer and softer.

Skin types prone to excess production of sebum and breakouts will benefit from Dermalogica Sebum Clearing Masque (£30). This clay mask contains kaolin and bentonite and if used up to three times a week it will absorb excess oil and regulate sebum.

A truly universal scrub, Ole Henriksen New Beginning Scrub (£29) for all skin types including sensitive, is the answer if you are nervous about exfoliators. Extremely gentle, it's packed with jojoba wax, avocado and tea tree oil. The exfoliating micro-beads are micro indeed, so they won't scratch the skin surface. Follow with Ole Henriksen Blue/Black Berry Enzyme Mask (£40.50), a soothing, non drying gel mask that will drench your skin with moisturisers, making your face glow.

If you want a lightening mask, look no further than Fade Out Essential Face Lightening Mask (£7.95 for 4). Thanks to its active ingredients (Arbutin, Green Tea extract, Orange and Mulberry) it will brighten the skin whilst soothing it. Inexpensive and efficient it comes as a face cloth, making it easy to use and fuss-free. Use twice a week for best results.

Offering facials to London's well-heeled since 1998, Ark has just launched a clever yet glamorous skin care range. Instead of looking at women's age, Ark focuses on the age of their skin and advises on the right type out of three care systems: Age Prepare, Age Maintain and Age Repair. If you don't have the chance to pop into one of their salons for their Age Aware Assessment and SkinResponse Facial (£70), grab yourself one of their outstanding face masks. I've tried and fallen in love with their Ark Age Maintain Soothing Masque (£25.50), an anti-irritant creamy mask packed with vitamins A, C, E and F that helps keeping fine lines and wrinkles at bay, hydrates and soothes the skin whilst firming and toning. Great for all skin types, but particularly apt for dry, very dry and sensitive.
For all stockists: http://www.omorovicza.com;  http://www.skinvitals.com.au/skinvitals.html; http://www.lulusplace.co.uk; www.arbonneinternational.co.uk; http://www.wantthelook.com;  http://www.dermalogica.com;  http://www.harveynichols.com; http://www.olehenriksen.com; http://www.fadeout.com; http://www.arkskincare.com;

 by Stef Bottinelli