If your Instagram feed has been flooded with dewy-faced influencers spruiking Emma Lewisham’s products, it’s time to believe the hype. This light-yet-nourishing moisturiser is worthy of all the aggressive sponcon, with its beautiful formulation and high-performing ingredients list.

My skin behaves fairly well but it has fine lines and feels super-dehydrated in cool weather and after late nights and long flights (remember those?). To counter this I use Vitamin A, C and hyaluronic acid and want a moisturiser that’s going to lock all those goodies in to do their job. This product did just that, and also delivered its own hit of peptides, which are the amino acids that signal to your skin to produce collagen and elastin. My skin felt noticeably smoother and more supple after using it regularly.

Lewisham is also committed to using “clean” (or non-toxic) ingredients and offers the option of ordering refills or recycling the packaging with TerraCycle. This alone makes me want to try Lewisham’s other products too - just call me #influenced.

Doctor Rogers Restore Face Cream, $130, from Ines Store

Created by a Seattle-based dermatologist Doctor Heather Rogers, this is another product that uses the “clean” beauty tag. What that means here is that the ingredients are plant-based, non-toxic and non-irritating, which makes this moisturiser, along with the rest of the range, particularly good for sensitive skin.

The active ingredients in the face cream are niacinamide (or Vitamin B3) which reduces redness and irritation, as well as working to refine pores over time. It also contains a plant extract, centella asiatica, used for treating and soothing wounds and irritation, and something called adenosine which occurs naturally in the body and has been proven to help smooth wrinkles when applied topically.

The result is a thick, nourishing cream which left a slightly filmy feeling on my skin. Initially it felt a bit heavy, but when I used it on two flare ups of red, sensitised skin on my cheeks (one thanks to an ill-advised microdermabrasion treatment, the other after sleeping under the stars during a cold night on an overnight tramp) it calmed both down immediately. If sensitivity is something you deal with on the reg, this product is definitely worth checking out.

Lancôme Absolue Regenerating Brightening Soft Cream, $450‍

This product is basically Lancôme in a jar; from the pale gold packaging to the subtle floral scent and the less subtle price tag, it epitomises the kind of elegant French luxury the brand is all about. The active ingredient is called ‘Grand Rose Extracts’, a blend of extracts from three different roses (including the brand’s proprietary Lancôme rose) which purports to soften, renew and replenish skin.

The fact that you’re not going to find this ingredient anywhere else adds to the vibe of exclusivity, but also means you’re not getting the same level of independent scientific research that goes into something that’s widely available. There is also a slightly less expensive refill option available, which is a good way to reduce the amount of packaging waste.

As you’d expect this cream feels amazing, sinking in beautifully and providing an instant moisture hit. My skin was noticeably softer after using it for a week. I found the scent quite full-on because I usually go for skincare that’s fragrance-free, but if you really want a touch of French luxe in your life, splash your cash on this.

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The majority of product in our beauty reviews is gifted to our reviewers with the requirement it be trialled over a period of time. Editorial opinions are the writer's own. Is there a product you’d like to see reviewed? Let us know.

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