There's something undeniably magical about the change in seasons - the crispness of autumn or the budding warmth of spring. But while we embrace these transitions in our wardrobes and daily routines, our skincare often gets left behind. As the weather changes, so do the needs of our skin. 

I recently attended a LookFantastic event and was offered an opportunity to talk to Jodie Garner, a senior product manager at Medik8. She reassessed my skincare routine and shared three must-have products. 

Autumn is the time for skin repair and renewal, and Jodie recommended incorporating acids and vitamin C into the daily skincare routine. To start with, the Medik8 Press & Glow is a toner packed with gentle PHA and prickly pear extract that works to remove dead surface skin and improve skin luminosity. 

A 200ml full-size Press & Glow retails at £32, and those looking to try out the product can get a 30ml travel size version, which is available at £9.

"Instead of a nourishing, hydrating toner, the Press & Glow can be used day and night," Jodie said. Speaking about the product, she said: "It gives extra benefits like prepping the skin for optimal vitamin A absorption, if you are using any retinol or retinoids at night. It's going to enhance those anti-ageing benefits." 

While 97% of testers in a clinical study agreed that their skin looked smoother and a further 94% felt their skin looked more radiant, some shoppers were not happy with the product. One person said: "Unfortunately, I did not see any good change, and my skin actually looked somewhat worse. I got a little breakouts on my forehead every time I used this."

I am a sunscreen girl through and through, but over the summer, I still notice occasional dark spots across my cheeks. I will admit that I haven't been reapplying SPF every two hours. Jodie recommended a powerful vitamin C serum that is proven to visibly brighten skin and improve wrinkles in seven days. 

The Medik8 C-Tetra Advanced, £69, is bottled with 20% stabilised vitamin C, antioxidants and restorative phyto exosomes to lift pigmentation. She added: "Adding actives in the morning routine can maximise antioxidant protection during the day. The new Medik8 vitamin C serum has a nice gel-cream texture that won't be too heavy for combination skin. 

"When the weather gets colder, I'd recommend swapping to the C-Tetra Luxe, a rich oil-based vitamin C serum with 14% stabilised vitamin C."

A shopper left a review online, sharing: "This serum is quite different from other vitamin C products I’ve used, with more of a light moisturiser-like texture. It doesn’t seem to give me as much of an instant glow as I’ve felt with some other serums, but I am happy with how my skin looks after using this in combination with the rest of my Medik-8 routine and my daily sunscreen."

Other than Medik8, Vichy's Liftactiv 16% Pure Vitamin C Brightening Serum, priced £42.50 at Boots, is approved by dermatologists. It targets first signs of ageing on the skin and delivers up to 72 hours of skin hydration.

Pai's Brightening Booster offers the same dosage of vitamin C as Medik8. Shoppers can get it on Amazon for £19, but it is a 10ml bottle. 

Keeping a simple routine in mind, Jodie suggested the Medik8 Advanced Day Ultimate Protect - a moisturiser and sunscreen in one. Priced at £59, the day cream provides SPF50+ protection against UVA and UVB rays. 

Jodie explained: "Instead of layering your skin with a moisturiser and an SPF, which can clog pores, the Advanced Day Ultimate Protect ticks both boxes and it's quick-absorbing on the skin. We are still in between hot and cold weather, and keeping in mind that applying SPF is a year-round task, this is perfect to use on these transitional days."

A 50ml tube of Advanced Day Ultimate Protect is priced at £59, and it has received a high 4.9-star rating from nearly 1,300 reviews. One shopper with acne-prone skin said: "It makes my skin so glowy and hydrated.

"It's even helped my wrinkles and fine lines disappear. It's perfect as a base for makeup, would be better if it were a mineral SPF."

A second person added: "This is my go-to SPF, I've a few different ones and always come back to this. When used consistently as part of a regime, the difference is visible. When the pump stops working, I cut the tube and there's usually about a week's worth still left in there, worth doing."

A shopper with oily skin disagreed: "It left my skin feeling very greasy. I'm sure it protected well, but I have oily skin and it just didn't work for me."

While I haven't tried the Medik8 product, I enjoyed using Trinny London's See The Light, which is another brilliant moisturiser-SPF hybrid. I used it daily for three weeks during my vacation in hot and humid Southeast Asia, and it was a game-changer for my combination skin.

Skincare lovers will know how much effort it takes to find an SPF that sinks into the skin without feeling sticky, boosts your complexion and actually works with your makeup. Paula's Choice's Essential Glow Moisturiser, £35, is another lightweight option that is designed to illuminate, hydrate and protect your skin.

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