Weatherproof your face

So rather than reaching for the heavy creams, think in terms of treating your skin with light layers of protective products. A creamy cleanser that leaves skin supple is a good start, followed by a hydrating serum to plump up your skin cells with a reservoir of moisture. To stop all this watery goodness escaping into your Sahara-like office atmosphere, you need your usual moisturiser to seal it in.

Joanne Evans, one of London's best facialists, has other tips, too: "It is so important to exfoliate! People tend to slow down or stop routines because it's cold and dark. When you exfoliate, any serum you are using will be better absorbed. And remember your hands. Colder air will really dry them out."

She is also keen on omega-3 supplements (three times a day), which help keep the membrane around each skin cell in good nick - if these membranes are doing their job, they lock moisture in the skin.

If you ask acupuncturist Annee de Mamiel, there is a larger picture to think about. She works with the principles of Chinese medicine that see life and health entwined in a series of seasons and cycles: in autumn, seasonal symptoms of lethargy and vulnerability are likely to show up in the skin.

"Adding an extra level of moisture to your routine will help prevent dehydration and give you extra protection and nourishment," she says.

Annee advises choosing ingredients rich in essential fatty acids like natural vegetable oils such as evening primrose oil, blackcurrant or Argan and seabuckthorn. Her own hand-blended oils can be used neat on damp skin in the evening, or a couple of drops can be used to super-charge your morning moisturiser.

And if you find your skin dries out during the day, take your skincare with you. One of London's top dermatologists carries a vial of Shinso Mist in her bag to spritz on as needed. It's full of moisturising and anti-ageing ingredients which, because they are in nano-sized particles, vanish into her skin straight through her make-up.

The best protection for winter

Annee de Mamiel Autumn Facial oil
(£58, demamiel.com) Hand-blended,
98 per cent organic oil with rose otto, green myrtle and blackcurrant-seed oil which sinks in to grateful skin without leaving a hint of greasiness. Can also help you to achieve a sense of emotional balance and calm.

Nubo Velvet Cleansing Cream
(£28, nubobeauty.com) Leaves skin feeling nourished and smooth rather than stripped, with an innovative tri-peptide to help soothe frazzled autumnal skin.

Dr Jules Nabet's Zen Lotion (£35, julesnabet.com) An anti-ageing spritzer to use under moisturiser, with vitamin C, oxygen and hyaluronic acid.

Avon Anew Genics Treatment Concentrate
(£25, avonshop.co.uk) Hard-working serum made with Avon's new "YouthGen" technology.

Shinso Mist
(£175 shinso.co.uk) A high-tech skin revitaliser with nano-sized antioxidant fullerene molecules.

Joanne Evans Facialist at the Royal Garden Hotel Medical Rooms, W8; 020 7938 2195 (skin-matters.co.uk).

Skinceuticals Hydrating B5 Gel (£59, skinceuticals.co.uk) Lightweight and slippery, this is full of hyaluronic acid which will soften up your skin and perk up winter-battered cheeks by binding in moisture.