IELTS Speaking Part 1

Skincare: questions and Band 8 answers

The examiner asks three to five short questions on two or three everyday topics in the first four to five minutes. Here are 5 questions about skincare written by BandLadder in the examiner's style, each with a Band 8 sample answer. Aim for two or three sentences each: answer, reason, one detail.
  • 5 questions
  • 5 Band 8 answers
  • 4 to 5 minutes

5 answers

Sample answers

1

Do you have a daily skincare routine?

Yes, I do, though it's fairly low-key. Every morning, I just wash my face with a gentle cleanser and put on some moisturiser and sun cream. I find that if I keep it simple, my skin tends to behave a lot better throughout the day.

2

What kind of skincare products do you usually use?

Mostly basic hydrating creams and a decent facial wash. I try to stick to unscented products because my skin can be quite sensitive, especially in the winter when the central heating dries everything out. I bought a calming lotion last month that's worked wonders.

3

How important is it to protect your skin from the sun?

I think it's vital, to be honest. Even on overcast days in the UK, ultraviolet rays can still cause premature ageing and long-term damage. Because of that, I always apply a broad-spectrum sunblock before leaving the house, even if it looks gloomy outside.

4

Did you care much about skincare when you were younger?

Not really, no. As a teenager, I barely thought about it beyond splashing some cold water on my face after football practice. It was only when I reached my twenties and started getting dry patches that I realised I actually needed to look after my skin properly.

5

Would you like to learn more about looking after your skin?

I suppose so, yes. There's a lot of conflicting advice floating around social media about active ingredients, which can be quite overwhelming. It'd be nice to consult a dermatologist one day just to get personalised recommendations rather than relying on trial and error.

Details are invented. Use the shape, not the sentences: examiners mark memorised answers down.

Answer out loud and get a band

The AI examiner asks Part 1 questions like these, listens, and scores fluency, vocabulary, grammar and pronunciation, with the words that cost you.

Log in to practise this with AI scoring — free →

7 words

Useful vocabulary

  • low-key

    simple, modest, or not elaborate

  • unscented

    without any added perfume or fragrance

  • worked wonders

    produced remarkably good results

  • overcast

    cloudy and grey, blocking direct sunlight

  • broad-spectrum

    protecting against different types of ultraviolet light

  • dry patches

    small areas of rough or flaky skin

  • trial and error

    learning through repeated experimentation and mistakes

  • →You do not need to invent an elaborate routine; admitting you only use basic soap and water is completely fine if you explain why.
  • →Use precise adjectives such as 'hydrating', 'gentle', or 'sensitive' to demonstrate a natural vocabulary range.
  • →When discussing past habits, clearly contrast how your attitude changed between childhood and adulthood.

Keep practising

More Part 1 topics

© 2026 BandLadder. Written and checked by the BandLadder team. You may quote or cite this page with credit to BandLadder and a link to it; republishing it in full needs our written permission. Content use policy

Log in to practise free