Cost-wise skincare: bright complexion

What causes a dull complexion?

The epidermis, or top layer of skin, thins with age. Over time, the deeper, yellow layers start to show through. In the fight against ageing, a youthful skin tone is as important as preventing wrinkles - and companies are working hard to find solutions.

What to do

Use a colour-corrective foundation with a base that matches your skin - for most of us that's a creamy yellow with tiny pink microspheres to give a glow that's warm but doesn't look different from the rest of your skin.

What to try

Boots No7 Protect & Perfect Foundation, £15.50 (boots.com), has the ideal translucency to disguise imperfections, while allowing light to reflect off the skin's surface. In tests, women wearing this foundation were perceived to be five years younger than those without it.

Max Factor Age Renew Foundation, £11.95 (boots.com), has light-reflective particles to mimic the glow of youthful skin and diffuse imperfections - much like candlelight.

Daniel Sandler Mineral Sheer Tint, £21 (020 7730 1234; beautique.com), has an all-mineral pigment that won't block pores or exacerbate spots and blackheads. It gives an impressive youthful glow - plus an SPF of 20.