[unpaid/sample/affiliate/ad] I’ve only lightly dabbled with this cream as I have a lot of skin care at the moment needing my attention. There’s so much about the messaging I dislike but in fairness, it’s a lovely, nurturing, hydrating and softening product that makes very fast inroads into dryness.

It’s described by Clarins as a new innovation for menopausal skin but as ‘menopausal’ is the new ‘lines and wrinkles’ in marketing, I’m really not taking any notice of that. I don’t feel any need to disappear down the rabbit hole of ‘science’ to prove that yes, you really do need special, expensive creams just at the time your brain turns to fuzz and your body is a global warming emergency all of its own. Science can answer anything, given the right questions. Older skin needs more moisture and we can leave it there – it always has and it always will.

Both Clarins Super Restorative Day Cream and Night Cream use organic harungana (African plant, related to St John’s Wort, said to be as effective as retinol although the papers I have looked at say ‘possibly inducing genes stimulated by retinol), and organic gorse extract to target fibroblasts for firmer skin. It also has vitamin C derivatives to target hyperpigmentation so you’re getting a good dose of toning hydration combined with brightening. It feels rich and soothing on the skin – actually, I’ve been using it on my neck which needs a lot more hydration (and is quite sensitive) these days and very much like it for that. You can add a couple of drops of oil or serum to the Night Cream if you like for some extra intensity but it’s not essential.

Clarins Super Restorative Day Cream is £77 and Night Cream is £82 HERE – if its within budget, you have older skin and you love a traditional, glossy, luxy feeling cream, it’s for you. It’s not for you if you think it’s going to help your menopause in any way, shape or form :-).

Non-affiliate HERE.