The thing about lines is as soon as you lay eyes on one, that’s it. It’s wedged in your mind and that little crease is forever the first thing you see staring back at you in the mirror.
Whether it’s fine lines, deep-set wrinkles or crow’s feet, with skincare technology continually advancing, it’s now actually possible to press the live pause button on your face without professional intervention. And it’s all down to a buffet of skincare ingredients – you just need to know where to find them.
One brand that has been leading the way for innovative products for generations is the iconic Elizabeth Arden. It is perhaps most famous for one product – the cult 8 Hour Cream. Invented in the 1930s, this famous balm is good for just about anything, from keeping those fine lines around your eyes well hydrated to creating glistening cheekbones and soothing chapped lips. Marilyn Monroe used to swear by it and even Prince Harry took a tube with him on his expedition to the South Pole.
Of course, since the 1930s, Elizabeth Arden has worked to perfect its formulations, launching new science-led products to tackle the ageing process ever since.
Here are the hero products every bathroom cabinet should contain…
Eight Hour Cream Skin Protectant, £28.
This powerful hydrator is so popular, one tube is sold every two minutes in the UK alone. The magic? It’s all down to the perfect balance of humectants, the water sponges of skincare that lock in hydration where it’s needed, and skin-shielding petrolatum, vitamin E and anti-inflammatory beta-hydroxy acid. A must-have for face, lips and cuticles.
Advanced Ceramide Capsules Daily Youth Restoring Serum, £66.
Those famous biodegradable capsules filled with skin goodness were first invented in 1990. Today they’re packed with ceramides 1, 3 and 6, an ingredient that acts as a protective barrier for skin, trapping moisture in and keeping grime out. Ceramides replace the lipids – or fats – your skin loses over time, helping it to stay plumped and line-free.
Prevage Anti-Ageing & Intensive Repair Daily Serum, £170.
The Prevage skincare line contains the antioxidant idebenone, which can help to target premature ageing signs by neutralising free radicals and helping to support the skin’s natural repair process. Basically your skin’s BFF. This daily protective treatment goes on first, before your moisturiser.
Retinol Ceramide Capsules Line Erasing Night Serum, £72.
The retinol in these little capsules is 76% more potent than the kind you find in normal creams and serums, thanks to the fact they are sealed so tightly to avoid oxidation. The gamechanging ingredient has been proven to visibly diminish lines and wrinkles, boosting collagen production and improving skin texture. Smooth over face and neck each night before your moisturiser.
Superstart Skin Renewal Booster, £45.
This potion contains sea fennel, flaxseed extracts and a probiotics complex that work at repairing the look and feel of the skin’s surface. This boosts its natural defences and the effectiveness of your other skincare products – as a healthy surface layer will absorb ingredients better. Use before your serum and/or moisturiser.
Visit the GLAMOUR Beauty Festival in London from 20-22 March and head to the Elizabeth Arden area for a complimentary Speed Service – choose from a revitalising Customised Oxygen Blast, Transformation Today luxe mini-peel or Skintervention Customised Solution – worth £15.