The 40 beauty tips we all swear by that have been handed down for generations – how many do you stick to daily?

The beauty tips most likely to be passed down through the generations include never going to bed in make-up, moisturising daily - and not picking spots.

A study, of 2,000 women, found 68 per cent swear by a piece of advice passed down from older friends or relatives, with ‘less is more’ when it comes to make-up, and drink a glass of water each morning also among the top 40.

Others have sworn by the advice to pat their face dry instead of rubbing to avoid irritation and to wash in cold water to ‘close’ pores.

Now, 51 per cent of today’s parents have themselves passed down some of the beauty knowledge they've inherited to their own children.

The research was commissioned by Vitabiotics Perfectil, whose spokesperson said: “Advice around staying hydrated, getting enough sleep and resisting the temptation to pick at blemishes is as true today as it ever was.

“We believe that beauty starts from within. When grandmothers and mothers share beauty tips with their children, it's more than just passing on knowledge.

"It can often bring back sweet memories of their own childhood and strengthen family bonds.

“These moments of guidance and care foster a sense of closeness and continuity."

Beauty advice is still very much a word-of-mouth phenomenon, with 46 per cent of women surprisingly not relying on online sources at all for inspiration.

Family and friends are where most people turn (22 per cent), followed by beauty professionals (21 per cent).

Other pieces of advice respondents had passed down to them include putting cucumbers around the eyes to reduce puffiness.

While 15 per cent were told to close their pores with a splash of cold water after cleansing, and 20 per cent advised to be particularly gentle when removing make-up around the eyes.

Just over a tenth (13 per cent) also shared the hard-won wisdom of testing new skincare products on a small patch of skin, before using them all over the face.

The research, conducted by OnePoll, also found 85 per cent think beauty starts from within.

Advice around staying hydrated, getting enough sleep and resisting the temptation to pick at blemishes is as true today as it ever was

Perfectil’s spokesperson added: “True beauty is more than skin deep and starts with looking after your health and wellbeing from the inside out.

“Timeless beauty advice, classic brands and supplements are shared and passed down through generations, proving they stand the test of time.”

Top 40 beauty tips that have been handed down from generations

1. Never go to bed in make up

2. Moisturise daily

3. Don't pick at your spots, to avoid scarring

4. Get enough sleep to prevent tired-looking skin

5. When it comes to make-up, less is more

6. Trim your hair regularly to prevent split ends

7. Don't forget to moisturise your neck and décolletage

8. Drink a big glass of water each morning to cleanse and rehydrate

9. Gently pat your face dry with a towel instead of rubbing to avoid irritation

10. Avoid using too much heat on your hair to prevent damage

11. Remove makeup gently, especially around the eyes

12. Use a lip balm to keep your lips soft and prevent chapping

13. Put cucumbers on eyes to help reduce puffiness

14. Choose a foundation that matches your neck to avoid a mismatched face

15. Wash your face in cold water after cleansing to close pores.

16. Rinsing hair in cold water to increase the shine

17. Wear sunscreen/SPF protection every day, no matter the weather

18. Use a cold spoon to reduce under-eye puffiness

19. Use petroleum jelly to tame brows and moisturise lips

20. Test skincare products on a small patch of skin before using them all over your face

21. Never spend longer than 30 minutes in direct sunlight

22. Exfoliate your skin regularly to remove dead skin cells

23. Wear gloves on hands and socks on feet after putting cream on overnight

24. Wear brown mascara for a less harsh look

25. Apply blush to the apples of your cheeks for a natural glow

26. Wash hair in beer to make in shiny

27. Invest in a good quality eye cream

28. Keep your makeup brushes clean to avoid breakouts

29. Apply eye cream to reduce puffiness and dark circles

30. Apply a heat protectant before using styling tools on your hair

31. Brush your hair 100 strokes per day

32. Head massages for hair growth

33. Deep condition your hair weekly to keep it healthy and shiny

34. Wrap hair in a warm towel to enhance a hair treatment

35. Use a silk pillowcase to reduce hair frizz and skin wrinkles

36. Use a facial mask once a week for deep cleansing

37. Use a gentle, non-comedogenic cleanser to prevent clogged pores

38. Exfoliate your lips using your toothbrush

39. Use mayonnaise as a hair conditioner

40. Use a primer before applying foundation for a smoother finish