Stupid Questions (there's no such thing): Skin and facials

Yes, daily sunscreen is a good habit all year round. Clouds hide the sunshine you can see, but plenty of UV still gets through, and UVA, the rays linked to skin ageing and skin cancer, stays fairly steady through every season. UVA also passes through ordinary window glass, so a sunny desk or a long drive counts too.

The easy way is a broad spectrum SPF 30 or higher as the last step of your morning routine. If you spend the whole day in a room with no windows, your skin gets very little UV, so that is the one time it matters less.

Yes, oily skin still loves a moisturiser. Oil and water are not the same thing: skin can be shiny and still thirsty, and when it feels stripped it can look even oilier. A light moisturiser after cleansing keeps your skin comfortable and balanced.

Look for a lightweight gel or lotion labelled oil free or non comedogenic, which means it is made not to clog pores. On busy mornings, a moisturiser with broad spectrum SPF 30 or higher covers two steps in one.

Pores do not open and close, so no water temperature can change their size. They have no muscles, and their size is mostly down to your genes, so nothing makes them permanently smaller. Warm water is lovely for loosening oil and makeup, and cool water feels refreshing, but neither one opens or shuts anything.

What you can change is how they look. Pores appear bigger when they are full of oil and dead skin, so regular gentle cleansing, a salicylic acid product and, over time, a retinoid help keep them clear and far less noticeable.

It can be, and it does not mean anything went wrong. A facial can bring congestion that was already sitting under the skin up to the surface, and extractions can leave a few small bumps behind. This usually settles within a week or two and tends to appear where you normally get spots.

Keep your routine gentle and hold off on strong acids or retinol for three or four days, or around a week after a peel. If you notice painful swelling, a rash, itching or spots that last beyond two weeks, contact your therapist, and speak to your doctor or pharmacist if it seems like a reaction.

They are very likely sebaceous filaments, which are a completely normal part of your skin. These tiny grey, yellowish or light brown dots line the pores on your nose and help carry oil to the surface. A true blackhead is a plug that looks like a dark speck in a slightly raised bump.

Squeezing filaments only means they refill within about a month, and pressing with nails can irritate the skin. A gentle cleanse, a salicylic acid product and a moisturiser that won't clog pores keep them less noticeable. For genuine blackheads, a facial with professional extractions is the gentle way to clear them.

Yes, it is best left alone. Squeezing can push bacteria and inflammation deeper into the skin, which makes a mark or scar more likely, and it can spread bacteria and start new spots nearby. Fingers also carry germs into the broken skin.

What helps instead is a spot treatment with salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide, or a pimple patch, which covers the spot and keeps your hands off it. Most spots calm down faster when they are left to heal. If breakouts or scarring are getting you down, a skin therapist can help, and your doctor or pharmacist can advise on persistent acne.

Sadly, not on its own. There is no strong evidence that drinking extra water clears spots, because breakouts are driven by hormones, oil, bacteria and genes rather than by how much you drink. Your liver and kidneys take care of detoxing, not your skin.

Staying well hydrated is still good for you and helps your skin feel comfortable rather than dry. So keep your water bottle handy, and pair it with a gentle routine that suits your skin. If spots are persistent, a skin professional or your pharmacist can point you towards treatments that work.

It is a lovely bonus, but not enough on its own. The SPF number on the label is tested using a generous layer, roughly a teaspoon of product for the face, which is far more foundation than anyone wears. Makeup is also rarely spread evenly enough to cover every area.

The simple way is to apply a broad spectrum sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher first, let it settle for a minute, then add your foundation on top. Your makeup SPF then works as an extra layer of protection.

Not necessarily, but it can be a nice addition. The skin around your eyes is the thinnest on your body and is often the first place to look dry or show fine lines, so it does deserve some care. Many people find their usual moisturiser does the job perfectly, as long as it doesn't sting.

An eye cream earns its place if your under eye area is dry, if you want a gentler formula made for that delicate skin, or if you are targeting fine lines or dark circles. Professionals are genuinely split on this one, so it comes down to your skin and your budget.

Three products are all you need to start: a gentle cleanser, a moisturiser and a broad spectrum sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher. In the morning, cleanse, moisturise, then finish with sunscreen. At night, cleanse away the day, then moisturise.

Once that feels easy, add one extra step at a time, such as a serum in the morning or a retinol at night. A handy rule is to apply products from thinnest to thickest, so watery serums go on before rich creams. A skin therapist can look at your skin and tailor this to you.

Not at all. It is never too late to start, and skin in its 40s, 50s and beyond responds beautifully to good care. Daily sunscreen protects everything else you do, and a good moisturiser keeps skin comfortable as it naturally gets drier.

If you would like to try retinol, start with a low strength every other night and build up slowly as your skin adjusts. Smoother texture often shows after about three months, with more change over six to twelve. If you are pregnant or planning to be, check with your doctor or pharmacist before using retinol.

Yes, you can use them together. The old warning about vitamin C and niacinamide cancelling each other out came from early lab tests using unstable formulas, and modern products work happily side by side. Apply vitamin C first, give it a minute, then add niacinamide, or simply use one in the morning and one at night.

Vitamin C and retinol pair well too. Vitamin C suits the morning under your sunscreen, and retinol suits the evening, as some forms break down in sunlight. Both can be strong, so introduce one at a time and let your skin settle before adding the next.

Every four to six weeks is a lovely rhythm for most people, and yes, they are worth it. That timing roughly follows your skin's natural renewal cycle, so each facial builds on the last. As the saying goes, one facial is a treat, a course is a treatment.

Your therapist may suggest closer appointments for congested skin, or a little more space for sensitive skin. Beyond the deep cleanse and the glow, regular visits help you learn which products and treatments truly suit you, so your home routine works harder between appointments.

Only if your day calls for it. Double cleansing means an oil or balm cleanser first to melt away makeup and sunscreen, followed by a gentle water based cleanser. It is a lovely evening step if you wear long wear or waterproof makeup, mineral sunscreen, or have oily skin.

On a bare skin day, or first thing in the morning, one gentle cleanse is plenty. If your skin is dry, sensitive or prone to redness, a single cleanse is often kinder, as two can leave it feeling tight. The whole thing should take under two minutes.

Toothpaste is best kept for your teeth. It may dry a spot slightly, but it is made for teeth, not skin, and its ingredients can leave your face red, irritated or stinging. A spot treatment with salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide does the job far more kindly.

Coconut oil is a lovely moisturiser for dry skin on your arms, legs and body, but it is rich and waxy and can clog pores on the face, especially if you are oily or prone to breakouts. For your face, choose a moisturiser labelled non comedogenic.

There is no evidence that it does, so it is best kept for its intended use. Some ingredients can briefly tighten blood vessels, which is where the rumour began, but the labels advise keeping these creams away from your eyes, and those containing steroids can thin delicate skin with repeated use.

For a quick depuff, a cold compress or chilled spoons for 15 to 20 minutes help fluid drain away. If puffiness is persistent or appears suddenly, speak to your pharmacist or doctor.

Absolutely, and your therapist will take it as a compliment. Drifting off means you felt safe, comfortable and relaxed, which is exactly what a facial is for. Snoring is completely natural and nothing to feel shy about. Professionals see it all the time and simply carry on with your treatment.

If you snore loudly, your therapist may gently adjust your head or pillow to help you breathe easily. Then you wake up refreshed with glowing skin, and no one will mention it unless you do.

Yes, it really does come from snails, though not quite as you might picture it. Snail mucin is a filtered, purified version of the secretion snails make to stay moist, move around and repair themselves, so what goes in the bottle is a refined skincare ingredient rather than raw slime. Most producers say it is collected without harming the snails.

It is hydrating and soothing, and suits dry or easily irritated skin well. As it comes from an animal, it is not vegan, and a patch test first is a kind idea if your skin tends to be sensitive.

If the sachet is sealed, within its expiry date and has been kept somewhere cool and dry, it is usually fine to use. Check the date printed on the packet first, as sheet masks do expire.

Leave it out if the sachet is puffed up, torn, leaking or unusually dry, or if the mask smells sour, has changed colour or the essence looks slimy or separated. Once opened, use it straight away rather than saving some for later. If your skin stings, itches or swells, take it off, rinse, and speak to a pharmacist if it doesn't settle.

Yes, a little, mostly because they are cool. A chilled cucumber slice works like a mini cold compress, which helps puffiness settle by encouraging fluid to drain, and its high water content feels pleasantly refreshing on the skin.

So the magic is mainly in the cold. Chilled spoons or a cool damp cloth work just as well, and 15 to 20 minutes is the perfect excuse to lie down and relax. Straight from the fridge, cucumber slices remain one of the nicest little rituals around.

There is no need, so come exactly as you are. Every facial begins with your therapist cleansing your skin properly, makeup and all, so arriving with a full face is completely fine.

To help your skin get the most from your treatment, skip strong exfoliants and harsh products in the week before, and avoid waxing, tweezing or shaving your face for 24 to 48 hours. Bringing a list of the skincare products you use is really helpful too, so your therapist can choose what suits you best.