Breakouts are a fact of life and can happen for a number of reasons. But, if your skin is usually pretty clear and you begin noticing more blemishes than normal, your skincare could be the culprit. The skin on our face is super sensitive and spots, bumps and lumps could be a reaction to harsh products it doesn’t like. Try swapping for a gentler product.

Some products, depending on their ingredients or the PH of our skin, can give us a tingly feeling when we use them; while this isn’t necessarily a bad thing, a burning or stinging sensation is. If you notice that a few minutes after using a product your skin is still sore or red, wash it off and avoid using it again. If your skin is susceptible to sensitivity, test new products on a small patch of skin first.

Dry skin isn’t just annoying, it can be pretty uncomfortable too. If your skin is peeling or feels dry or rough to the touch, you may be over-exfoliating. While acids and peels can work wonders at buffing away dead skin cells if they’re too harsh they’ll strip away the top layer of skin with it which can lead to flaky skin or dryness. Remember, you should only exfoliate a couple of times a week.

Likewise, if your skin has suddenly become oilier than usual harsh products could be to blame. Sometimes when these products strip away the protective barrier our skin’s response is to produce more oil in an attempt to rehydrate itself. If this happens to you, remove or cut down on any oil-absorbing products you might be using and focus on hydration instead (seems counterproductive, but it works).

Freckles may be cute but if you’re noticing new dark spots or a change of pigmentation to your skin you probably need a stronger sunscreen. We should all be applying SPF daily – even in winter – after moisturiser, and reapplying after physical activity that gets you sweating. Look for a broad spectrum SPF with a high factor.