Trust me, I’m a beauty expert, you only need these three products. Here’s my anti-ageing routine for over 50s…
Another day, another beauty hashtag. Social media’s latest obsession is #skinstreaming with 137.7 million TikTok views and counting.
Translation: Streamline your excessive beauty routines by taking a less-is-more approach. What you need are a few effective products that target multiple needs. Then use them consistently for better results.
Basically, this is a new way of saying what your mom always said: “Stop putting all kinds of different products on your face and expecting it to work.”
It’s invariably what dermatologists suggest and what this 53-year-old beauty obsessive knows to be true. After all, there’s a reason so many of us have super-sensitive skin lately: We’re bombarding our skin with hundreds of chemicals every day as we slather on the ointments.
‘Glow guru’ Kate Somerville, 55, the Hollywood beautician who grew up with agonizing eczema, is a big advocate of the treatments, proposing a number of effective, science-backed treatments beloved by Demi Moore, Reese Witherspoon and Eva Mendes.
Another day, another beauty hashtag. Social media’s latest obsession is #skinstreaming with 137.7 million TikTok views and counting (file image)
Her new KateCeuticals SuperCell Rejuvenation Serum (£84, katesomerville.co.uk) promises clinical skin rejuvenation via a powerhouse of vegan stem cells and peptides that accelerate cell renewal. Already a best-seller for the brand, it aims to boost collagen, fight lines, and address sun and pollution damage.
For the lazy old me, the fact that it’s a roll-on is an added attraction to this one-time approach: a cooling, calming, multitasking breeze.
I say one-and-done, but what we are really talking about here is a return to the traditional three-step ritual, albeit with the steps updated. Instead of the old cleanse, tone and moisturise, we now have cleanse, repair and protect.
What you need is a gentle cleanser with a texture that suits your skin; a restorative product (a moisturizer, oil or serum, again tailored to your needs) and an SPF of 30 or higher.
You don’t have to spend a fortune. Instead, look for Neutrogena, Q+A, Cetaphil, CeraVe, Olay, Garnier, Bioderma, Vichy, La Roche-Posay, L’Oréal, and Skin Proud.
Or buy a bundle to make it even cheaper and easier. The Revolution Skincare X Sali Hughes Day Gift Set (revolutionbeauty.com) costs £31.50 for £53 worth of basic products: a cleanser, exfoliating toner, protective vitamin C serum and a light moisturiser for the morning.
Then there’s a Revolution Skincare X Sali Hughes Evening Gift Set (worth £36 for £48) for night-time use, which includes the toner and serum, plus a richer cleanser and moisturiser. Pick up a travel-sized version of the day kit in the Mini Set to try out (£10).
At the moment I’m craving an oil cleanse during the day and at night — the only option that doesn’t leave my face feeling dry. I use Medik8’s Lipid-balance Cleansing Oil (£29, medik8.com), which makes my complexion wonderfully smooth.
I ‘tone’ (or rather, de-puff) with an ice cube and then add a layer of Emma Hardie Brilliance Facial Oil (£42.85, sephora.nl) But as with my cleanser, I often opt for cheaper. My sunscreen is a portable feast, but I’ve become obsessed with Heliocare 360° AR Emulsion SPF50+ (£26.39, lookfantastic.com) because of its great effect as a make-up primer that stays in place all day.
Before bed I use Bioderma Sensibio H2O Micellar Water for sensitive skin, a celebrity favourite (£4.68, boots.com) for my oil cleansing, just to make sure the sunscreen and the skin around it are properly removed, I exfoliate with a washcloth.
Finally, I apply a layer of Beauty Pie Youthbomb 360° Radiance Concentrate Serum (members £44, non-members £185, beautypie.com).
The ultimate brilliant belt and suspenders, the patented Biolog-Elastic Complex is a powerful fusion of 15 active ingredients: peptides, proteins, super-hydrators and emollients to visibly firm, renew, brighten, tone, hydrate and give a stunning glow. I’m committed.
Five Summery Lip Shades
MAC Glow Play Tendertalk Lip Balm (£22, maccosmetics.nl)
PH-activated for a custom glow in ten winning, lip barrier-enhancing shades.
Lisa Eldridge Baume Embrace Melting Lip Colour (£26, spacenk.com)
This is currently the best-selling lipstick from Space NK. This lipstick melts in the mouth and gives a glossy shine.
Lisa Eldridge Baume Embrace Melting Lip Colour (£26, spacenk.com)
The Inkey List Tripeptide Plumping Lip Balm (£11, cultbeauty.co.uk)
A non-irritating plumper in four shades that restores, hydrates and visibly adds volume.
Dr Hauschka Lip to Cheek (£26, drhauschka.co.uk)
A nourishing stick with 100 percent natural ingredients in four illuminating shades.
Bert’s Bees Tinted Lip Balm (£6.79, hollandandbarrett.com)
A beloved classic, admired by Bridgerton’s make-up director, Erika Ovist.
My Icon of the Week – Alex Jones
The 47-year-old former One Show presenter caused a stir when she tested Simple Protect ‘N’ Glow Radiant Glow Sheet Mask (£2.30, sainsburys.co.uk), and they’re better than more expensive masks. She also loves Bobbi Brown Vitamin Enriched Face Base (now £43.20, boots.com), followed by ‘my infallible piece of kit — blusher. I’d be lost without it.’
Alex Jones, the 47-year-old former presenter of The One Show, caused a stir when she wore Simple Protect ‘N’ Glow Radiant Glow Sheet Mask (£2.30, sainsburys.co.uk)
Cosmetic craving
I would be remiss in my summer duties if I didn’t present you with my best body purchase of the past 25 years, the Philips Satinelle Essential Epilator (£24.99, amazon.nl).
My Mail colleague Sarah Vine first introduced me to the device after her mother discovered it. I bought one in the early 2000s for about the same price as they are now: less than the cost of a single waxing session at my local salon. Just think how much money I’m saving.
Epilation is instant, easy, painless (just shave first, keep hairs short and pull skin tight) and can be done anywhere (I include my armpits and bikini line). Regrowth is wonderfully slow, soft and subtle. Invest!
The Philips Satinelle Essential Epilator (£24.99, amazon.nl)