Pamela Anderson has been hitting the headlines by choosing to go makeup free to ‘challenge beauty’, appearing on red carpets and front rows embracing a face devoid of makeup. “There is beauty in self-acceptance, imperfection and love,” the actress said.

Who wouldn't want to emulate her bare-faced look? In a world obsessed with filters and concealers, we all know how we’d like our skin to be–smooth, pliable, free from blemishes and pigmentation with nearly invisible pores and, of course, an amazing, lit-from-within glow. But how do we get there?  

Experts agree that the first step is to look at your skincare regime. “Medical-grade skincare products are more potent than over-the-counter products,” says EV Expert and Aesthetics Practitioner Amish Patel. “They will have clinical research behind their claims, so the return on investment is far more significant and much quicker.”

Aesthetic treatments will be your next option. “For anyone wishing to go makeup free or feeling like they need to address concerns like blemishes, pigmentation, acne, dark circles or fine lines, there are a number of clinic-based treatments that can help,” says EV Expert and Medical Director at Vie Aesthetics, Dr Ioannis Liakis.

So, what will you choose? We round up some of the best skin perfecting products and treatments out there.

Best for hydration 

In-clinic 

Injectable moisturisers/skin boosters

Profhilo
For skin seeking more radiance and glow, consider injectable moisturisers or skin boosters such as Profhilo. Often composed from hyaluronic acid (HA), they act as a magnet to draw moisture into the skin and deliver deep hydration, giving the skin that elusive lit-from-within glow. Profhilo not only adds deep hydration but is also a bio-remodelling gel that can restore loss of laxity to areas such as cheeks, jawline and neck. Normally two treatments one month apart are needed for best results.

At home 

Hyaluronic acid

Hyaluronic acid (HA) is found in many hydrating serums – the ingredient helps the skin tissues hold onto water and can hold many times its own volume in water, leaving skin looking plumped and hydrated.

In the formula of Medik8 Hydr8 B5 Skin Rehydration Serum, HA is blended with vitamin B to help the skin hold onto moisture.

Teoxane RHA Serum combines antioxidants and anti-ageing ingredients to help strengthen and hydrate – it's ideal for dehydrated, dull or aged skins.

111 Skin Hyaluronic Acid Aqua Booster increases moisture levels by infusing concentrated ultra-hydrating ingredients into skin, treating dryness and dehydration.

Intraceuticals Rejuvenate Hydration Gel instantly hydrates skin, providing a reservoir of nourishing nutrients to the skin.

Best for pigmentation 

In-clinic 

Intense Pulsed Light photorejuvenation 

Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) treatments are very popular for treating pigmentation. The treatment uses short bursts of intense pulsed light to help break down affected areas. A course of treatment is required for best results, depending on the extent of your pigmentation.

At home

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is brilliant for brightening dull and discoloured skin and fading age spots by inhibiting pigment formation and strengthening skin against UV damage.

Paula’s Choice C-25 Super Booster is based on 15% L-ascorbic acid plus ferulic acid and vitamin E to brighten dull skin and fade dark spots.

ZO 10% Vitamin C Self-Activating is a potent dose of vitamin C that brightens skin and helps remove surface discolouration.

The Obagi-C Rx System includes prescription-strength 4% hydroquinone and vitamin C to reduce the appearance of pigmentation, including dark spots and melasma, and encourage skin renewal.  

Best for wrinkles

In-clinic 

Wrinkle-relaxing toxin 

If frown lines are setting in between your eyebrows, maybe now's the time to try a small amount of toxin to soften them. Injecting wrinkle-relaxing toxin in the muscles that you use to frown will help dampen the action of those muscles and smooth out those '11'' lines.

At home   

Retinol

Derived from vitamin A, retinol comes from the retinoid family and skin experts are in agreement that retinoids help make skin look fresher. The most potent is retinoic acid (tretinoin), which is only available on prescription, whereas retinol acts like retinoic acid but is gentler. Retinyl palmitate is weaker but still has the same rejuvenation effect when combined with other ingredients such as peptides.

SkinCeuticals Retinol 0.3 is a potent time-release cream that renews skin cells, reduces age spots and strengthens skin.

It may be gentler on the skin than retinol, but Medik8 r-Retinoate gives eight times the result.

Murad Resurgence Retinol Youth Renewal Serum is a fast-acting nightly serum that promises visible results in two weeks.

Best for improving texture

In-clinic 

Microneedling

If uneven texture is your skin nemesis, microneedling might be the answer–the OG treatment, XCellarisPro Twist, is the gold standard in-clinic solution. Tiny needles create micro-injuries, prompting skin to produce collagen and elastin. The result? Smoother, refined skin texture–like hitting the reset button for your complexion. Not only does it improve the appearance and texture of skin, it also helps with acne scarring and sun-damaged skin.

At home 

Skin acids

Alpha, beta, and glycolic acids are chemical exfoliants that loosen bonds between dead skin cells and the skin’s surface, leading, over time, to smoother skin.

Biologique Recherche Lotion p50 is a cult classic combining AHAs and BHAs to clear, brighten and strengthen skin.

Alpha-H Liquid Gold is a leave-on liquid with 5% glycolic for impressive overnight results.

Containing 8% glycolic acid and 2% citric acid, Neostrata Glycolic Renewal Smoothing Cream
is easy to tolerate and will gradually whittle down pigmentation marks.