Beauty report: Luxury face creams (and two budget buys)

P remium skincare can be a minefield. It can be difficult to see past the ostentatious packaging and verbose descriptions when in search of a quality product. In my opinion, once you get to about the €160-€180 mark, you are not necessarily paying for the product any more. You are paying for the pomp and marketing as well. This doesn’t mean that products over that price are snake oil – there’s a €360 cream on this list that is genuinely fantastic and, if it’s within your budget, it’s a great buy. If you are looking for a high-end moisturiser, here are a few that won’t disappoint and a couple of affordable products that work like expensive ones.

Sisley Sisleÿa L'Intégral Anti-Age (€360): This rich concoction works well on mature or very dry skin, smoothing lines and, over time, improving tautness while improving texture. It is perfect for day or night.

La Prairie Anti-Aging Stress Cream (€190): A perfect softening and calming cream for skin stressed by the elements. Redness is soothed and cooled, lines look less obvious and skin is visibly plumped

Kat Burki Vitamin C Intensive Face Cream (€100 from Space NK): This moisturiser is very active, containing 15 per cent vitamin C and lots of high-quality cold-pressed oils. This is ideal for mature skin or skin that has been pigmented by the sun

La Solution 10 De Chanel Sensitive Skin Cream (€74): This calming unguent is perfect for all ages, and is good for male as well as female sensitive skin. It soothes and calms, restoring balance to angrily dry or irritated skin.

La Mer The Moisturising Soft Lotion (€220 from September): A new addition to the La Mer family, this moisturiser contains the same patented ‘miracle broth’ as the other La Mer products, but in a lighter, gel formulation which disappears instantly into the skin. Ideal for oily skin and for those under 40.

Avene Cleanance Expert for Acne Prone Skin (€19): Adult acne is common and this light gel-cream works like a premium product without drying skin or costing too much. Use alone on younger skin, or under a rich moisturiser if you are more mature

L’Occitane Divine Harmony Cream (€168 from Sept 8th): This rich cream is L’Occitane’s most premium yet. A blend of its signature Immortelle flower and red algae, it makes skin look better by morning.

Neal’s Yard Deliciously Ella Rose, Lime & Cucumber Moisturiser (€25 from Nealsyard- remedies.com and selected pharmacies): For a more natural concoction, opt for this collaboration between Neal’s Yard and blogger Ella Woodward of Deliciously Ella. The cream is light but rich and smells wonderfully of lime, rose and cucumber. Suitable for all but the very sensitive.

PRODUCT OF THE WEEK

Sunday Riley Tidal Brightening Enzyme Water Cream (€78): This is a revelation. A sumptuous jelly, it glides on to skin, refreshing and hydrating beautifully without a hint of greasiness. This is perfect for anyone who likes hydration without oiliness. The make-up applies over the top like a dream