'I'm a beauty writer. Here are 5 products I always recommend to my friends.'

If there's one thing I love doing (besides dropping toothpaste on my shirt each morning), it's handing out unwarranted skincare advice to anyone that will listen.

Lucky for me, my friends love (tolerate) hearing all about the best products I've tested, and I regularly give them advice on the ones that'll help protect and look after their skin - even when it's b**chy, difficult and looking for a fight.

Watch: Here are 7 ways to improve your skin while sleeping. Post continues below.

Because if you're a lass with a face, you'll understand just how confusing it is out there. Scary, in fact. My god. Especially if you're dealing with a bunch of skin concerns.

There are so many products. Claims. Dos and definite don'ts. It can be... bloody exhausting. So, it's no wonder most of us either just stick to what we know or buy a heap of new, hyped up stuff that's all over TikTok.

So, you know what I'm going to do? I'm going to share some of the advice I give my friends. 

Why? Because it's pervy. Bloody (hopefully) useful. And... *gasp*... maybe a little fun, too.

Best skincare product for dull skin...

Paula's Choice C15 Super Booster, $62.

Image: Paula's Choice  

God, I love Paula. And her products. But mostly Paula. One I always recommend is this guy: C15 Super Booster - especially if you're dealing with dull, tired-looking skin. 

It contains a silly amount of brightening antioxidants, including a combo of 12 per cent stabilised vitamin C, vitamin E and ferulic acid. The result? A brighter, more even and healthier-looking complexion.

Oh! And btw - it's called a 'booster' because you can add it to your moisturiser or serum to level things up, or just apply it directly to your face like an absolute bad a$$.

It might not look as snazzy as some of the other options out there, but it's bloody good.

Best skincare product for breakouts...

SkinCeuticals Silymarin CF, $119.

Image: Adore Beauty

Adult acne sucks. HEAPS. And it can be fickle to treat - especially when you're dealing with a whole host of other issues (hey, premature ageing).

This is where SkinCeuticals Silymarin CF comes in. It contains a whack of potent actives (dioic acid, salicylic acid, glycolic acid and more) to reduce sebum production and fight acne-causing bacteria, while tackling age-related concerns too - such as enlarged pores and post-acne scarring. 

It's expensive, I know - but I reckon it's worth it.

Best skincare product for pigmentation...

Medik8 Oxy-R Peptides, $124 (2 x 10mls).

Image: Adore Beauty

This is sooo good - and I know I've talked about it eleventy million times, but I'm here to talk about it again.

I'm freckle-y and fair, and I'd really like to stop pigmentation before it begins, rather than getting absolutely owned by it in a few years time and having to work ridiculously hard to get rid of it. You know?

So, I've started using this - Medik8 Oxy-R Peptides. And I love and recommend it to everyone I can (the delivery man is a hard nut to crack, but I'm working on it). 

Riddled with pigmentation-fighting oxyresveratrol (a brightening agent), it promises to tackle dark spots, pigmentation, and blemish scars, and instantly makes your skin look brighter, more even and generally just healthier and a smidge more alive.

You get two 10mL bottles in a pack, and you click the black lid to activate the product when you're ready to use it. Keeps it fresh. Genius!

Best skincare product for dry, irritated skin...

La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume, $15.49.

Image: Adore Beauty

Yes. A thousand times YES. I am a La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume addict. I have about five tubes floating around at once because it's that good.

As I've mentioned before, I’ve been blessed with an *actual* flake for a face, so this is one of those staples I can always rely on.

A dermatologist recommended it to me a few years back when I did a number on my skin with acids (what a d**k head!) - and I've never looked back.

Whenever my skin is feeling dry, irritated and uncomfy, I pop it this on at night (she’s thicc) and it just gives it a big swift kick of hydration, for smooth, plump and happy skin come morning. The BEST.

Best for fine lines...

Beaute Pacifique Defy Damage Skin Repair Serum, $80.

Image: Belameres

I'm embarrassingly late to the Beaute Pacifique Defy Damage Skin Repair Serum party. Beauty editors have raved about it for yonks (hey, Leigh Campbell) - and it hurts my soul I didn't try it earlier.

A lightweight, serum-in-lotion formula, this gem features a range of potent ingredients (Vitamin A! Vitamin E!) to help fight wrinkles and sun damage at the same time, smoothing the texture and tone of the skin - all without making your face feel irritated and gross. 

Meaning? All skin types can use it - including those with rosacea or really sensitive skin who usually can't deal with vitamin A serums.

Trust me, your skin just looks better with this in your life.

Remember: Obviously I'm not a dermatologist (fooled you!), so make sure you get some professional advice if you're fighting a particular skin concern, yeah? 

Also: Did you do something to your hair? Looks good.

Tell me in the comments - what are some of your go-to products to tackle your top skin concerns?

Feature image: Supplied + Adore Beauty + Mamamia. 

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