By leaving the fresh face mission until nighttime, it's easy to neglect our routines. Similarly, by following a super-thorough routine 365 days a year, you could end up wasting valuable beauty sleep stuck in the bathroom.

First step is to find your skin type. There's no point borrowing your flatmate's lotions and potions if they have an adverse affect on your face. Skin analysis is available at Boots and most reputable beauty counters.

Cleansing the right way is the foundation of your routine, although the method you choose is down to you. Opt for a cleansing milk or cream if you like to see the results on a cotton wool pad – or use a mousse if you prefer the idea of "washing off" make-up.

For normal skin try Dermologica Special Cleansing Gel (£20.40) or Sisley Lyslait Cleansing Milk for dry/sensitive skin (£54), both from Jenners. Oily skins will benefit from Clarins Purifying Cleanser Gel for oily skin (£14.50, Jenners), while combination skins will love SkinCeuticals Simply Clean Pore Refining Gel Cleanser for combination/oily skin (£20).

Then it's time to tone. Many people miss out toning but it removes make-up that cleansing leaves behind and hydrates the skin.

Opt for toner without alcohol if you have dry or sensitive skin. Lancome Tonique Douceur (£18.50, House of Fraser), will help sensitive skins, and RoC Skin Toner for Dry Skin (£6.95, Boots) will inject moisture into dry skins. Oily skins will love Origins Oil Refiner Skin Purifying Tonic (£14, John Lewis), while combination skins will benefit from Chanel Precision Balance Gentle Hydrating Toner (£23.50, Jenners).

After cleansing and toning, your face needs a dose of moisturiser to hydrate it. You can also up the ante against fine lines with an anti-ageing cream.

Always moisturise twice a day – once in the morning and once in the evening. Choose a hydrating moisturiser for overnight, but your daytime moisturiser should include sun protection.

Molton Brown Moisture Lock 24hr Replenisher (£29) is one of the best around for normal skins. Also look at Natura Bisse, available at Space NK, and the Bliss collection at Harvey Nichols.

For oily skin try Vichy NormaDerm Anti-Imperfection Hydrating Care (£10, Boots) and for combination skin try Liz Earle Skin Repair Moisturiser (£15.50, John Lewis).

There is a short-cut cleanse, however. We've all had a big night on the tiles, when taking off our make-up feels like the beauty equivalent of climbing Mount Everest in effort. But leaving your face covered in slap overnight will age you and prompt spot outbreaks.

That's reason enough to at least turn to a quick-fix cleanse for one night only, and save your pillow from make-up mess. Cleansing wipes are a speedy way to remove grime. Try Superdrug Optimum Facial Cleansing Wipes (£2.99) or Boots 17 Clean Up Your Act Make-up Wipes (£2.99). There are also all-in-one products out there for the lazy. Try Johnson's 3-in-1 Make-up Removing Lotion (£2.99) or RoC 3 in 1 Cleanser (£6.95).

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NEXT BIG THING

&149 It may cost a whopping £75 but Pro-ferm has launched a triple action firming, smoothing and intensively moisturising body lotion. Oh, and it's a self tan, too! Containing hemp oil to calm, hydrate and protect the skin; chlorella vulgaris extract to help maintain the elasticity and the tone; and algae extract to protect from moisture loss and environmental damage, expect a natural even tan in as little as three hours. And fantastic-looking skin, too.