THE dark, windy mornings of February seem to stretch forever like a run of black ice – and it’s at this time of year that fatigue can play havoc with your rain-soaked skin.
So what better time to introduce a potent, benefit-packed new range of skin goodies than in the midst of a bleak midwinter? The lovely boffins at Molton Brown clearly think so, and having just tested some of their great new products we have to agree their timing is superb.
"Gym for skin"
RENEW: Winter blues face their nemesis...
Three new families of products have been revealed this week by Molton Brown.
First up, and perfect for this tatty time of year, is “Renew”, described as “a gym for the skin”. This range is rich in plant extracts and amino acids, which help protect against a range of environmental factors.
Next is the Hydrate range, which aims to protect skin by cocooning it with a crack team of active ingredients, including the “Resurrection” plant, and the Mexican desert candelilla.
And finally comes Sleep – the third family of products, aimed at those poor souls who find it hard to just stop.
Stopping has never been one of your tester’s big problems, so I plumped for one each of the Hydrate and Renew range.
Weather
My real problem is that I walk to work every day. In the rain, in the snows, and in the wind, I walk several miles through the weather, and then sit in an air-conditioned office for the rest of the day. This is a recipe for skin issues.
This hot and cold treatment is terrible for drying out our skin, and I for one have been plagued by dry skin and itchy patches on my shins since I opened the first window on the Advent calendar.
So armed with the Ambrusca Cleansing Shower Oil (£22.50 from the Renew range) I took to the shower and lathered on as per instructions. The first thing you notice about any MB product is the tantalising perfumes of those vital ingredients – and even by nose you can tell these products are power-packed. The foaming action was good, and the over-all skin-aroma after the shower was gorgeous – almost spicy, but clean at the same time.
After showering and pat-drying (so moisture remained on my skin from the shower) I then liberally smoothed on the Desert Bloom Body Quencher (£25.50), with its mouth-watering aromas of tamarind, linden, pea and moringa.
Benefits
The white cream absorbed really easily (I hate greasy moisturisers!) and left my skin feeling very soft and conditioned from the first use.
It wasn’t until the next day, though, that I really saw the huge benefit of the lotions – my dry skin patches were dry no more, and the itchy sensation had disappeared – after just one shower! I was genuinely amazed, not to say relieved.
I have tried using cheaper moisturisers for this problem every winter, and nothing has worked this well.
The very convenient thing about the ranges is that you can mix and match products depending on your lifestyle. I don’t have lots of time for a full skin regime – but I do shower at least once a day.
Top-notch
Using that shower time efficiently with an in-shower solution saves me bother and fuss, and means my walk to work not only smells better but feels nicer too.
These products are not cheap, but with a long-list of top-notch global ingredients inside that’s not surprising. But my bottles should last me easily until the clocks go back and the sun starts to return.
Then I can start thinking about shorts – and sun protection!
JW
* Trafford Centre shoppers can enjoy a complimentary hand massage using these new products. Just call the Main Dome boutique to book, on: 0161 748 1836.