Trust me, I'm a beauty expert, you only need these three products. Here's my anti-ageing routine for over 50s...

Another day, another beauty hashtag. Social media's latest obsession is #skinstreaming with 137.7million TikTok views and counting.

Translation: streamline your excessive beauty routines by opting for a less-is-more approach. What you need are a few effective products, targeting multiple needs. Then deploy them consistently for better results.

Basically, this is a newfangled way of saying what your mother always told you: 'Stop putting loads of different products on your face and expecting it to work.'

It's invariably what dermatologists propose and what this 53-year old beauty obsessive knows to be true. After all, there's a reason why so many of us have super-sensitive complexions of late — we aggress our skin with hundreds of chemicals every day as we load on the unguents.

'Glow guru' Kate Somerville, 55, the Hollywood aesthetician who grew up with agonising eczema, is very much an advocate, proposing a handful of hard-working, science-backed treatments loved by Demi Moore, Reese Witherspoon and Eva Mendes.

Another day, another beauty hashtag. Social media's latest obsession is #skinstreaming with 137.7million TikTok views and counting (file image)

Her new KateCeuticals SuperCell Rejuvenation Serum (£84, katesomerville.co.uk) promises clinical-grade skin rejuvenation via a powerhouse of vegan stem cells and peptides accelerating cellular turnover. Already the brand's bestseller, its aim is to boost collagen, combat lines and address sun and pollution damage.

For lazy old me, the fact it's a roll-on also adds to the appeal of this one-and-done approach: a cooling, calming, multi-tasking cinch.

I say one-and-done, but what we're really talking about here is a return to the traditional three-step ritual, albeit with said steps updated. Instead of the old cleanse, tone and moisturise, we now have cleanse, repair and protect.

What you'll need is a gentle cleanser in a texture to suit your skin; some sort of repair product (a moisturiser, oil, or serum, again tailored to your needs); then a SPF of 30 or above.

You don't have to spend a fortune. Instead, seek out Neutrogena, Q+A, Cetaphil, CeraVe, Olay, Garnier, Bioderma, Vichy, La Roche-Posay, L'Oréal and Skin Proud.

Or buy a bundle to make things even cheaper and easier. The Revolution Skincare X Sali Hughes Day Gift Set (revolutionbeauty.com) is £31.50 for £53 worth of basics: a cleanser, exfoliating toner, protective vitamin C serum and light moisturiser for morning. 

Then, there's a Revolution Skincare X Sali Hughes Evening Gift Set (£36 for £48 worth) for night, with the toner and serum, plus a richer cleanser and moisturiser. Bag a travel Mini Set version of the day kit to sample (£10).

Currently, I crave an oil cleanse day and night — the only option that doesn't make my face feel parched. I'm using Medik8's Lipid-balance Cleansing Oil (£29, medik8.com), which leaves my complexion exquisitely supple.

I 'tone' (or rather de-puff) with an ice-cube, then add a layer of Emma Hardie Brilliance Facial Oil (£42.85, sephora.co.uk). However, as with my cleanser, I often veer cheaper. My sunscreen is a moveable feast, but I've become obsessed with Heliocare 360° A-R Emulsion SPF50+ (£26.39, lookfantastic.com) for its brilliance as a stay-all-day, make-up primer.

Before bed, I wield celebrity-favourite Bioderma Sensibio H2O Micellar Water for sensitive skin (£4.68, boots.com) before my oil cleanse, just to check the slap and sunblock are off, exfoliating with a flannel.

Finally, I finish with a slathering of Beauty Pie Youthbomb 360° Radiance Concentrate Serum (members £44, non-members, £185, beautypie.com).

The ultimate belt-and-braces brilliance, its trademarked Biolog-Elastic Complex is a potent fusion of 15 active ingredients: peptides, proteins, super-hydrators and soothers to visibly firm, resurface, brighten, tighten, hydrate and lend stupendous glow. I'm devoted.

Five summer lip tints

MAC Glow Play Tendertalk Lip Balm (£22, maccosmetics.co.uk)

PH-activated for a custom glow in ten winning, lip barrier-strengthening tints.

MAC Glow Play Tendertalk Lip Balm (£22, maccosmetics.co.uk)

Lisa Eldridge Baume Embrace Melting Lip Colour (£26, spacenk.com)

Currently Space NK's best-selling lipstick, this melts onto the mouth for glass-like shine.

Lisa Eldridge Baume Embrace Melting Lip Colour (£26, spacenk.com)

The Inkey List Tripeptide Plumping Lip Balm (£11, cultbeauty.co.uk)

A non-irritating plumper in four shades that repairs, hydrates and gives visible fullness.

The Inkey List Tripeptide Plumping Lip Balm (£11, cultbeauty.co.uk)

Dr Hauschka Lip to Cheek (£26, drhauschka.co.uk)

A nourishing, 100 per cent natural-ingredient stick in four brightening hues.

Dr Hauschka Lip to Cheek (£26, drhauschka.co.uk)

Bert's Bees Tinted Lip Balm (£6.79, hollandandbarrett.com)

A much-loved classic, admired by Bridgerton's make-up director, Erika Ovist.

Bert's Bees Tinted Lip Balm (£6.79, hollandandbarrett.com)

My icon of the week - Alex Jones

The 47-year-old former presenter of The One Show caused a stir when she recommended Simple Protect 'N' Glow Radiant Glow Sheet Mask (£2.30, sainsburys.co.uk), declaring them better than pricier masks. She also loves Bobbi Brown Vitamin Enriched Face Base (now £43.20, boots.com), followed by 'my fail-safe piece of kit — blusher. I'd be lost without it.'

Alex Jones, the 47-year-old former presenter of The One Show caused a stir when she recommended Simple Protect 'N' Glow Radiant Glow Sheet Mask (£2.30, sainsburys.co.uk)

Cosmetic craving

I would be failing in my summer duties if I didn't press upon you my top body bargain of the past 25 years, namely the Philips Satinelle Essential Epilator (£24.99, amazon.co.uk). 

My Mail colleague, Sarah Vine, first introduced me to said device, after her mother discovered it. I purchased one in the early 2000s for much the same price as they are now: less than the cost of a single waxing session at my local salon. Only think how much money it has saved me. 

Epilation is instant, easy, painless (just shave beforehand first-time around, keep hair short, and pull skin taut), and can be used all over (I include my underarms and bikini area). Regrowth is gloriously slow, soft and subtle. Invest!

The Philips Satinelle Essential Epilator (£24.99, amazon.co.uk)