KEY POINTS:
The Ingredients of some skincare products seem like a little something that's been whipped up in the kitchen, so edible-sounding are they. We'd like to start with a face mask, follow up with a moisturiser and finish with a body cream, please.
1. Skinvitals H-Revive Cloth Facial Treatment Mask ($4.99)
In 15 minutes, this cloth mask infused with honey (for its softening and moisturising ability) and grape seed oil (a vitamin-rich anti-oxidant) replenishes dehydrated, tight-feeling skin. Keep a handful in your desk drawer for when the central heating gets too much.
* From Smith & Caughey's and selected pharmacies.
2. Jo Malone Nutmeg and Ginger Body Crème ($160 for 175ml)
Utter luxury. If you can't spend a day being pummelled by a masseuse, this is the next best thing for soft skin. The occasional rush of warm and spicy nutmeg, ginger, sandalwood and cedarwood makes this bliss to use.
* From Jo Malone, Chancery.
3. Dr Andrew Weil for Origins Plantidote Mega-Mushroom Face Cream ($128 for 50ml)
A frequent Oprah guest, Andrew Weil is into integrative medicine and is an advocate of what he calls healthy ageing (also the name of one of his books). He and Origins got together to create skincare that would optimise the skin's defences against oxidation and ageing. This is partly done with mushrooms that help calm the skin. There's also narcissus lily bulbs, seaweed and heather extracts that help the skin's self-protection function and make it stronger, healthier, better - kind of like a bionic moisturiser.
* From Smith & Caughey's, selected pharmacies and Origins stores.
4. Smith's Minted Rose Lip Balm ($18)
The Rosebud salve has been around since 1892 and is the choice of balm for many models and Hollywood starlets. This mint rose variant is essentially the famous rose-scented salve with a side of peppermint for minty-fresh breath. It's not just a lip balm, either. You could also use it for dry, chapped skin this winter.
* From Glamorpuss.
5. Laura Mercier Eau Gourmande Vanille ($59 for 50ml)
Vanilla is one of those memorable kitchen smells. This is a worthy tribute to the heady fragrance of vanilla, blending vanilla orchid with vanilla liqueur, vanilla musk, heliotrope, daylily and vanilla bourbon. The olfactory equivalent of comfort food.
* From Smith & Caughey's from June 25.
