I’m talking about spots, not buses… I can have a zit free month and then suddenly wake up to that feeling that something is going to burst out of my chin, alien-style. And this is at an age where my main worry is frown lines. Nature, you are cruel.

But with the right products, you can put spots in their place before they get established, or if they won’t be beaten, help them to heal quickly. And I’ve even found something for that post blemish redness that can be as annoying as the villain itself. Here are my top five…

When I get the feeling my skin is going to do something unruly, I reach for Darphin Organic Aromatic Purifying Balm (£42), which is pretty much one of the nicest products I’ve ever used. It’s a blend of loads of amazing essential oils that rebalance, calm and unclog. You warm a tiny amount in your hands and massage on at night – then wake up and wonder where those pre-spot bumps have gone. Genius.

Another brilliant way of stopping spots before they’ve even started is the HoMedics Tanda Zap (£60). It looks like a little torch and emits a blue light that you place over a spot, either when it’s coming or already established. It really does work – use it twice a day on that sinister red bump on your forehead and in two or three days it will be gone completely.

Some spots are stealthy and come up quickly overnight. If you get caught out, don’t be tempted by a product that claims to ‘dry out’ the spot. (What does that mean? Spots aren’t wet…) Try Nelsons Pure & Clear Anti-Blemish Treatment Gel (£6.37) contains arnica and tea tree, my favourite for gently calming an angry plook.

When you need to call in the cavalry, enlist Peter Thomas Roth Acne Spot & Area Treatment (£21.25). This uses AHAs and BHAs (Alpha and Beta Hydroxy Acids) to slough off dead cells and loosen oils, but also contains aloe vera to stop skin drying out. Good for hairline spots.

Finally, Clinique have something for fading that annoying area of redness after the spot itself has gone: Anti-Blemish Solutions Post Blemish Formula (£12). Keep it in your handbag and dab on the inflamed area to heal and repair. Then wait for the next one…