Don’t let your skin go to pot

Jun 29 2008 by Pauline Holt, Sunday Sun

MY mother always had a bottle of Oil of Ulay on her dressing table and now I have a rather glamorous red glass pot of what is, these days, called Olay.

New Olay Regenerist “three-point treatment cream” is a silky, light, yet super-moisturising cream for use morning and night. Its lovely scent reminds me of peaches.

As the name suggests, it claims to be anti-ageing, reducing wrinkles and restoring suppleness so that you can see a difference in as little as four weeks. I have a hard time believing such claims about any pot of cream, but I know that skin does need an effective moisturiser and that this one both looks, feels and smells the business. Less dry skins, like mine, will find that a little goes a long way. The price is £29.99 for a 50ml jar — LESLEY OLDFIELD

ANYONE who blow-dries their hair a lot will probably have discovered all those lovely serums which protect your locks from the worst effects of the heat.

Real base by realhair is a “conditioning haircare mist” made with African moringa tree extract and Californian meadowfoam, whatever they may be.

I do know that it smells good, with a tinge of refreshing lemon among the earthy tones . . . slightly aftershave-y, in fact.

It has a pump action and contains a sunscreen, while still being OK for colour-treated hair.

Realhair products are designed by a Chelsea salon that charges £185 for a cut and style with its director.

But it is good to know you are buying from a UK manufacturer, and one which does not test its products on animals. The price is £17 for a 150ml bottle — LESLEY OLDFIELD

CO-FOUNDER of the popular Ruby & Millie cosmetics range — make-up artist, Ruby Hammer — will be celebrating her 47th birthday this year.

Considering that’s only a year older than me, I was very keen to try out her skin care secret, as she looks a good 10 years younger!

Apparently, as well as doing all those healthy things like drinking water and getting plenty of rest, Ruby is also a fan of the Dr Bragi Intensive Treatment Mask, which costs £10 per mask from www.victoriahealth.com

According to Ruby, the mask is “equivalent to a 15-minute facial” and, as well as using them regularly herself, she also uses them on models before applying their make up.

I tried out the marine enzyme mask . . . a cloth mask which has holes for the eyes and nostrils. The idea is that you use it at night before bed — relaxing in it for quarter of an hour — before wiping off any excess moisture but not rinsing it off prior to sleep.

It’s a great hydrating boost if your skin’s feeling a bit dry, although at £10 per mask, I’d rather forego three weeks of masks for one professional beauty salon facial . . . Clarins’ skin spa at Fenwick offers a 40-minute facial for £34 for example, and private therapists are often cheaper than that. The mask would certainly be a great skin pick-me-up after a holiday flight though. Just don’t wear it on the aeroplane, as you’d definitely frighten the other passengers — PAULINE HOLT