Skin that gets shiny after half an hour, I hear you.

Although there's a different complaint with every skin type, I'm biased because mine is combination/oily which brings its fair share of bugbears. Makeup slips off in a matter of minutes, blemishes occur far too frequently, pores are akin to craters, there are blackheads aplenty and as for the whole oily skin ages better, I'm calling bullsh*t on that. Anyway, it stands to reason that with problem skin, you're going to need some high-performing products in your beauty arsenal and the good news is I've come across a few essentials. Here's the five I would recommend without hesitation and believe me I'm pernickety. IMAGE Clear Cell Pads, €35 These are so good. If you feel like your skin needs a good clean first thing in the morning or last thing at night, one of these pads will remove impurities, take away excess oil and clear clogged pores thanks to a hardworking mix of salicylic and glycolic acid. An IMAGE facialist took one look at my skin and immediately declared I needed to give these a go. Hot tip, cut them in half and use one piece each use which will make them last much longer, giving you serious value for money. Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid, €32.95 If your blackheads just won't go away, then this is a beauty buy you need in your life. This bad boy contains 2% salicylic acid which exfoliates and also penetrates the deeper layers of the skin, making it more difficult for pesky dirt and oil to clog up your pores in future. A product that works overtime, long after you have applied it, gives you bang for your buck and leaves your face feeling squeaky clean. Sunday Riley U.F.O Ultra-Clarifying Face Oil, €80 This one is far from cheap but then that's no major surprise considering the cult following Sunday Riley has gained in recent times. This face oil is great for congestion, like the above, but it has the added benefit of purifying, hydrating and brightening the skin at the same time. When you consider there are so many benefits, you can kind of see why it's so expensive. Also how good would the gorgeous green bottle look on your dressing room table?! Shiseido Pureness Moisturising Gel Creme, €40 There's a random beauty myth that says oily skin doesn't need a moisturiser but having learned this the hard way, I can tell you it's not true. Oily skin, like every other skin type, gets dehydrated, and so it needs to be replenished and rehydrated. Now that's not to say you can slap on any old moisturiser because you need to stay away from rich products that will clog up pores. This gel cream is lightweight and there's also a mattifying moisturiser (€40) in this range too which just so happens to include "oil-absorbing powder". Bobbi Brown Blotting Papers, €9 You could go upmarket and buy the fancy case that house these blotting papers for €24 which is a lot more hygienic that the basic paper packaging, but if you're just starting off, these won't break the bank. They're ideal for refreshing your skin when you're on the go as a quick swipe will remove any excess shine and it's a lot handier than spilling powder on yourself when you're in a rush. Honestly, if you have oily, shiny skin, you've met your new best friend.