Oh, how many times have we advised people with oily, blemished skin that it’s OK – no, more than OK – to use oil, on the face? Lost count. The temptation, by contrast, is to dry it out. (On one Beauty Bible book tour, we virtually had to barricade the spot treatment section, as at that point it basically contained paint stripper-strength astringents.)

Here is a case in point, to help rebalance skin. Votary Clarifying Cleansing Oil is a ‘sister’ to all-botanical brand Votary’s bestselling cleansing oil, but specifically targeted at skin that is oily, with blackheads or whiteheads, or prone to breakouts.

It features 100% natural plant oils, including rosemary to reduce inflammation and bergamot which is both anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory. (Both great for blemishes.) The base oils are light and non-clogging, including rice bran oil and grapeseed oil, and it magically melts away make-up, leaving skin feeling cleansed but not taut. (We suggest checking out the whole Blemish/Break-Out Prone regime from Votary, as this is a speciality of theirs.)

The other find is also a ‘sister’ product: Votary Nutrient Cream Light is a lightweight version of another Votary bestseller, Super Seed Nutrient Cream. Suitable for dry and sensitive skins, it’s an ideal switch-up for spring or summer. Cooling, almost a little runny in texture, it’s a great base for light summer make-up, with lots of hyaluronic acid, phytoceramides and something called collamung, a skin-strengthening, age-defier that’s naturally derived from mung beans. Free from fragrance allergens, our touchy skins are loving it.

This kitchen table start-up brand – founded by make-up artist Arabella Preston (below) and entrepreneur/friend Charlotte Semler – goes from strength to strength, now with fans all over the world.

We count ourselves among them.

Votary Clarifying Cleansing Oil/£45 for 100ml – buy here

Votary Nutrient Cream Light/£70 for 50ml – buy here

Prize Draws