Skin Care & Skincare Essentials

A simple routine usually covers three steps: cleansing, treating and moisturising, with sunscreen added in the morning. Most people can start with a gentle cleanser such as Cetaphil or Cerave, follow with a treatment suited to their skin concern, then finish with a moisturiser to lock in hydration. You can build on this base as your skin's needs change.

Skin often needs a bit more hydration through the cooler months and lighter, oil-controlling products in summer, so a seasonal swap is common practice rather than a hard rule. Brands like La Roche-Posay and Avene offer both richer and lighter formulas within the same range, which makes it easy to adjust without switching brands altogether.

Korean skincare brands such as Beauty of Joseon and SKIN1004 tend to focus on lightweight, layered formulas built around ingredients like rice, ginseng and centella asiatica, while many Western pharmacy brands focus on dermatologist-backed, single-purpose formulas. Neither approach is better across the board, it comes down to your skin type and how many steps you want in your routine.

Start with your main concern, whether that's sensitivity, breakouts, dryness or early signs of ageing, and look for brands that specialise in that area. Cetaphil and Cerave are solid starting points for sensitive or reactive skin, while La Roche-Posay and Bioderma offer more targeted options. Our pharmacists can point you towards a brand suited to your skin if you're not sure where to start.

Pharmacy skincare brands can be a good option for everyday maintenance and mild concerns, but they are not a substitute for prescription treatment where a skin condition needs medical management. If you have a persistent issue such as ongoing breakouts, eczema or unexplained changes to your skin, it's worth speaking with our pharmacists or your GP before relying on over-the-counter products alone.