Chosen By The Experts: Top Picks from Caroline Barnes

Caroline Barnes is a celebrated London make-up artist and having worked in the industry for over 20 years, she is at the top of her profession. Her reputation for approachable beauty has helped her establish an impressive roster of clients, from Emma Watson, Rebecca Ferguson, Kylie Minogue and Cheryl Cole to Diane Kruger and Kelly Rowland.

Caroline's ability to reveal the natural beauty in everyone sets her apart from her peers and makes her so highly sought after.We are delighted Caroline has chosen her top picks from Face the Future, including her favourite Vitamin C capsules, lifting serum, breathable foundation, retinol cream and even supplements!We love her choices and think you will too, read on to find out more

Exuviance AF Vitamin C20 Serum Capsules

These are a recent find for me. I just love the fact that they are capsules and I can feel confident knowing that the potency won't diminish. Like many actives, once exposed to oxygen their strength weakens. Some Vit C's I have used can sting and irritate my skin but these don't at all. They are really soft and hydrating and a tiny amount goes a long way. My skin is dry so the extra hydration really pleases my skin and they maintain a nice texture and brightness to my skin. Vitamin C is now an everyday morning application. It makes such a difference to the general clarity to my skin.

NeoStrata Skin Active Tri-Therapy Lifting Serum

This is a fabulous lightweight hydrating serum, which really helps with the volume and bounce of my skin. I use a lightweight moisturiser so this sits perfectly underneath. What I like about this most is that it helps my cells to turnover quicker, thanks to Gluconolactone, which gently exfoliates skin. My skin is dry so it needs a kickstart to renew itself and this has stopped it from looking dull. It also contains low molecular Hyaluronic Acid, which helps with continued hydration throughout the day.

Oxygenetix Oxygenating Breathable Foundation

I'm currently having laser treatments and the therapist used this on my skin after my first treatment and I haven't looked back. This is not one I would necessarily use at work but I love it for everyday. It again feels super lightweight, texture is everything but I just feel confident that it is perfecting and protecting my skin with the delicate formula.It contains Ceravitae which delivers oxygen to the skin which is vital if skin is in healing mode or simply very sensitive.It has an SPF of 25 and can be use after many procedures such as peels and injections.

Medik8 r-Retinoate Youth Activating Cream Intense

I am a genuine fan of this British skincare brand. Owned by two brothers their one and only goal is to use their scientific knowledge to improve and perfect skin so women can feel confident that the money they are spending will not be in vain.When I used their R- Retinoate I was so impressed with the results I have not used another Retinol since, why would I? You can use it day and night and there's no sun sensitivity or peeling. Just better, brighter, smoother skin. I much prefer to spend my money on great skincare I can use at home than have a facial where the effects may wear off after a few days.Now Medik8 have just launched R -Retinoate Intense. The cream took 8 years to develop. This product is just to be used a night and you must build up gradually. Although pricey, this is the only product you need to apply at night.I'm three weeks into using the cream and I can already see a subtle difference in the quality of my skin and my fine lines are much less obvious. I use it every night now and when I wake it my skin feels smooth and hydrated. Retinol is the key ingredient you should be using at night if you want to improve the texture of your skin. In my opinion it's the best money can buy without causing any irritation or redness.

La Roche-Posay Nutritic Lips

It is such a common mistake to buy all singing and dancing lip balms when actually all you need is the simplest of ingredients. Our lips can become irritated to so many ingredients and once skin's barrier has been sensitised it's a vicious circle to get it back in place. So if you find that you constantly have a balm in your handbag or by your bed, yet your lips are never hydrated, try changing to a simple non-irritating one like this. I guarantee in a matter of days you won't be reaching for the balm as much as you were.

Lumity Supplements

I have been taking these supplements for over a year now. They are marketed as anti ageing, optimum health tablets for women. I began taking them after they were recommended to me when I was having trouble sleeping. It took about 2 weeks but these supplements contain lots of vitamins and amino acids, which helped to lower my cortisol level. They make me feel much calmer and I sleep much deeper these days. My hair and nails are pretty much the same but I think running a home with three boys means I rarely have strong, perfect nails. My hair is bleached so it's hard for that to look glossy and swishy! My skin though is much more hydrated. I also found out that I was deficient in Selenium and as the Lumity pills contain Selenium, they are a win-win for me!For all these products and more, shop online now! To book a face-to-face consultation with our professional clinicians, call 0113 282 3300. If you are looking for skincare advice, take our online skin test now and receive personalised product recommendations direct to your inbox!Written for you by: Alex, Face the Future & Caroline Barnes, Make-up Artist