There are a number no brainers when we fill our beauty stash. The Ultra Facial Cream from Kiehl's has been around since the seventies (mind you: at Kiehl's) and even climbed Mount Everest in 1988 with an expedition team seeking a cream that could withstand harsh cold. We owe this to the ingredients: glacial glycoprotein, derived from microorganisms that survive in icy glacial seas, and squalane from olives. The former retains moisture, the latter replenishes your skin's natural lipid barrier. The texture is lighter than you would expect from 'ultra': the cream absorbs quickly and leaves no greasy film behind. Kiehl's promises 24-hour hydration and calls the Ultra Facial Cream suitable for every skin type, including sensitive. Tried & tested For dry skin, the cream provides long-lasting care. One caveat: for oily skin, it can quickly feel too rich on a warm day. For that, there is the Ultra Facial Oil-Free Gel Cream. Great for those who have been buying the jar for years: there is a refill bag with 61 percent less plastic than the 50 ml jar.

The logic of this duo is simple: the serum delivers the active ingredients, the cream locks in moisture. After cleansing, apply two pumps of CollaShot to your face and neck. Let it absorb for a moment; this happens quickly. Then apply a dime-sized amount of Ultra Facial Cream. In the morning, apply your sunscreen, but only after the cream has absorbed for a minute or two. In the evening, repeat the first two steps. Do you already use a retinol? According to Kiehl's, the serum works perfectly with it.