ABOUT FACE:This year's cake has another candle twinkling ... which magic cream will stave off the wrinkles, wonders Phyl Clarke.
IT HAPPENS every year around the end of May; the 23rd, to be precise. I turn over to the magnifying side of the mirror and unflinchingly examine my face, one year on.
Will I ever know if the plethora of lotions and potions that have been applied to it over the past 12 months have made a whit of difference? Would I look older if I hadn't sampled the La Prairie range, had that "rejuvenating" facial or tested that "miracle" mask?
Truth be told, there is no one cream that is "the one". Many creams will smooth wrinkles, nourish and plump the skin, but none will turn back the clock. Asked for my advice on which cream to buy, a host of factors come into play. One woman's Crème de la Mer is another's E45, so buy subjectively.
The best face cream for you will depend on your skin type, your budget, and your specific skin care needs, and, most of all, the one you think feels best on your skin. I offer a selection for your delectation.
The award-winning Prevage from Elizabeth Arden (€145) now comes in a night cream boasting a magic ingredient called Idebenone, a potent skin revitaliser and antioxidant, which promises a fresher and more rested appearance. Boots may have another hit on their hands with Super Charged SPF15 Day Cream (€25.45) by California-based Dr Nick Lowe. It includes potent ingredients such as pomegranate, raspberry, ferulic acid, plus vitamins A, C and E.
I love a cream with marine extracts, and Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream (€124) is packed with an algae that claims to help boost elasticity and firmness while protecting against free radicals. Ginkgo biloba, mimosa and rose also deliver deep hydration, plus it smells divine. It is available from Harvey Nichols, Dundrum.
Clinique's reformulated Moisture Surge Extended Thirst Relief (€43.50) is a lightweight, peachy pink gel which glides on to skin, providing moisture for 12 hours while taking into account changes in temperature and humidity. Great for those working in air-conditioned offices. Another moisture-boosting cream is Chanel's Hydramax range. The gel cream (€55.50) feels beautifully refreshing and leaves skin super smooth - a great base for make-up.
L'Occitane's Very Precious Cream (€69.95) is part of their Immortelle range and claims to fight wrinkles, loss of firmness and radiance. Based on essential oils from the immortelle flower, it also includes vitamin C to lighten pigmentation marks. Staying in France, dermatologists' favourite La Roche-Posay is drawing attention with its new anti-ageing cream, Substiane (€31), which tackles loss of elasticity and firmness, resulting in fuller and denser skin.
At the cutting edge of skincare is Planet's Anti-Ageing Moisturiser, with its key ingredient, Syn-ake. This is said to mimic the freezing effect of snake venom on wrinkles. It feels rich and smooth and far more expensive than its €65 price tag. It is also packed with natural skin-boosting ingredients. Available from Queen Beauty Emporium, 01-4789633.
Don't you love those Dove women on the sides of buses? They cheer me up no end each time I see them hugging and laughing at the world. Dove's motto is that beautiful skin has no age limit and it has taken its Pro Age range into face care with a cream that aims to speed up the skin's renewal process and diminish fine lines. You'll be laughing too, as it costs a mere €16.99 at pharmacies nationwide.
At the other end of the scale, Estée Lauder will leave your purse considerably lighter for its Re-Nutriv Ultimate Youth Creme (€245), but the lure of Tir na nÓg and the beautifully luxurious texture of this concoction will make you feel special every time you apply it.
pclarke@irish-times.ie