You beauty! Annabel Rivkin's cabinet of wonders

Wrinkles. And spots. You'd think that by the time the former appeared the latter would have made a graceful exit. Apparently not. Just because 'character' creeps across your face doesn't mean that oily bits and hormonal horrors automatically recede.

First things first: do not replace moisturiser with hope. Starving skin of hydration is not the answer and will make things worse. It's a rookie error to assume that you can starve spots into submission. Skin will be angry and will make its wrath known. A raging patchwork of grease and parchment is not what you want. So keep moisturising, although you may want to consider going oil-free.

That said, you can't sit back and allow the sebum (revolting word) to run riot. Which is where Amanda Lacey's Miracle Tonic steps in. This apothecary-style bottle holds a pale pink astringent full of botanical weaponry to combat congestion and inflammation and act as a preventative measure when you get that telltale throbby pang. You know what I'm taking about: the bump that is still invisible to the naked eye but has developed a threatening pulse of its own which makes you touch it and touch it with your grimy fingers. Not helpful.

When my skin starts to grumble and gripe I drench my T-zone in Miracle Tonic twice a day, using a cotton bud. It's my insurance policy. Because spots and wrinkles are enough of a bore even when they appear individually. Together? Well, I take a very dim view.

Amanda Lacey's Miracle Tonic, £52 for 50ml (amandalacey.com)