The idea of craft and curation might evoke images of martinis rather than moisturisers, but any man who is capable of mixing up a little negroni magic can easily curate his own skincare curriculum. Unfortunately, skincare is not one size fits all, but the right products will work in concert to remedy your skin concerns. Getting to grips with myriad products and confusing ingredients can be a challenge, so we’ve put together a simple formula for fashioning an effective skincare routine. From cleansers to creams, a bespoke regimen relies on a few tailored basics and can be adapted to how your skin is behaving on any particular day. Here’s how to do it well.

A clean base is the first step in any skincare regimen and you should never skip it. That rush of musty wind you feel as a lorry speeds past you? Every particle of that dust is in your pores now and should be removed. Finding the perfect cleanser is subjective and you might need to use different formulations at different times of the year.

If your skin is on the dry side and feels tight after a shower, opt for a light cleanser that won’t strip the skin’s natural oils. Try 111SKIN Vitamin C Brightening Cleanser, which gently brightens dull-looking skin, or Shiseido Men Cleansing Foam, which doubles as a shaving cream.

For oilier or acne-prone complexions, or if you’re always at the gym and your face is sweaty, the no-fuss Anthony Glycolic Facial Cleanser relies on alpha-hydroxy acids to gently exfoliate (think of it as Pac-Man, but on the hunt for dead skin cells instead of pixels).

Fine wines and your sparkling wit should get better with age, but your skin needs a bit more than a simple scrub and a splash. Once your skin is cleansed, you can address any specific skin issues you have. Seek out products with specific ingredients that target your concerns.

If you consider yourself an outdoorsman, make sure you’re using SPF every day. Sun spots from too long on the beach call for a melanin disruptor, such as Dr. Barbara Sturm Brightening Serum, which is loaded with cress sprout extract and antioxidants that work synergistically to reduce dark and yellowing patches. If you live in a city, pollution can irritate the skin. To combat this, try Grown Alchemist Detox Serum Antioxidant +3 Complex, which is lightweight, oil-free and melts quickly into the skin to tackle free radicals that age and dull the complexion.

For redness or skin that is easily stressed, try Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Stress Rescue Serum, which is packed full of adaptogens to soothe skin and leave it looking clearer and more radiant.

If ageing is your prime concern and you want to reduce the appearance of fine lines, look for products that contain rosehip oil. It has a similar anti-ageing, smoothing effect to retinol, but without the irritation and redness. You’ll find it in Grown Alchemist Pure Rosehip Oil and Sisley Sisleÿa L’Intégral Anti-Wrinkle Concentrated Serum.

No skincare regimen is complete without hydration, whatever your skin type. This might seem counterintuitive for the oiliest or more breakout-prone among us, but skipping moisturiser only encourages the skin to produce more oil. For the stickier summer months, use lighter textures that contain hyaluronic acid to plump up fine lines and hydrate deeply, without overloading the skin.

Dr Dennis Gross’ Alpha Beta Exfoliating Moisturiser is gentle, but is also packed with skin-friendly acids to help accelerate skin cell renewal – good if your skin is prone to looking a little dull now and again.

If a light moisturiser leaves your face feeling tight, opt for something with a more robust texture, such as Perricone MD High Potency Classics Hyaluronic Intensive Moisturiser, which boasts rosemary leaf extract to leave skin looking delightfully firm.

Bonus points go to creams that also pack sun protection. All that targeted cleansing and moisturising are futile without adequate SPF. Shiseido Expert Sun Aging Protection SPF30 shouldn’t be confined to the beach.

Small changes are often cumulative, so resist the urge to change everything all at once or to freak out if, after the first couple of weeks, your skin gets worse before it gets better. Trial and error are part and parcel of your routine and it can often take weeks before you truly see the benefits of a product. Take some time (at least a month) before you decide whether a particular serum or moisturiser is a keeper.

Once you’ve identified your go-tos and have found a few products you want to stick with, you’re free to start experimenting with extras. Sheet masks and chilling with your partner? No harm there, especially if your skin is looking a bit dull. A generous de-puffing eye cream after a boozy night out? Your new best friend when you’re nursing a hangover. The rules here are simple: choose accordingly and commit. You now have a routine that’s buildable, but flexible, that you can use to craft your complexion to perfection. Or at least look a little better put together.