Quench The Thirst

Trish McEvoy is a name that always fills my heart with joy. Is it some sort of national pride that makes me partial to Trish McEvoy and Jo Malone? Maybe. Although I'd say the real cause is the products which are just wonderful. They look wonderful, they smell wonderful, they come in wonderful packaging and they do wonderful things to your face and body.

So, having said that, it'll come as no shock when I tell you how much I like Trish McEvoy's Protective Shield® Moisturizer SPF 15 ($40). This is a prefect moisturizer for the better weather as it incorporates a sunscreen and it is water-resistant. It's also lightweight so it absorbs easily and so can wear it under make-up without fear of flaking. And, yes there's more, it helps reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Protective Shield® is oil-free and suitable for all skin types. Like almost everything else on the Trish McEvoy counter this is a quality product that is well worth the money.

Apivita Aromatherapy Age Management Face Cream ($34) like Protective Shield® does double duty. It works as both a moisturizer and an anti-aging treatment. Apivita have an entire Age Management Range which includes Serum ($34), Eye Cream ($32) which also works on dark circles and puffiness; Face Scrub ($22) and Face Mask ($24). Each Age Management product contains essential oils of orange to fight free radicals, lemon, nutmeg (for anti-aging action), white and green tea extracts which are anti-oxidants, ginkgo biloba which improves blood circulation and osmopur to protect skin from cigarette smoke. (Why? Is there anywhere left in the 'free' world where you can light up these days? I no longer smoke myself but honestly, aren't there greater ills in the world than people CHOOSING to light up?)

OK enough with the sermonizing let's get back to the subject at hand. Dr. Howard Murad believes that water is the secret of anti-aging - less water in the cells equals saggy wrinkled skin. You had me at hello; Dr. Murad. Dr. Murad recommends a total lifestyle approach but in an effort to boost your efforts (drinking plenty of water and eating lots of raw fruit and veg) he's formulated the Wet Suit Cell Hydrating Supplement ($43) to help strengthen the cell membrane and lock in cellular water. The supplement contains phosphatidylcholine which encourages maintenance of cellular water levels as well as Gamma Linoleic Acid, Essential Fatty Acids, anti-oxidants and anti-inflammatories. However if you prefer topical treatments Murad has plenty of those too. Check out the Cellular Replenishing Serum ($49) a weightless gel which imparts instant moisture and contains ingredients designed to help the skin retain water.

The Superdefence Triple Action Moisturizer ($39.50) from Clinique is a multi-functional moisturizer with SPF 25. This moisturizer works on a number of levels - by promoting the skin's natural defense systems, by protecting against free radicals and by shielding skin from both UVA and UVB rays. Superdefense Triple Action comes in three different formulas - Dry Combination, Combination Oily to Oily and Very Dry to Dry, so you shouldn't have a problem finding one that suits. This is a product that is very nice to use, it goes on easily and absorbs well.

MAC is another product that always leaves me slightly weak at the knees with desire. They always have glorious colors in their cosmetics ranges and their skincare is equally good. MAC Studio Moisture Fix SPF 15 ($28) is a fabulous way to hydrate or rehydrate your face. This is a no-grease product that provides optimum moisturization as well as protection from the sun and environmental aggressors. As it absorbs quickly it's a good moisturizer for wearing under makeup and it is designed to work throughout the day. MAC has also produced something you don't see very often - a moisturizing concealer stick. Select Moisturecover ($15.50) comes in a tube with a brush-tipped wand applicator so you can target specifically the area you want to cover and if needs be you can easily layer it for extra coverage. The Select Moisturecover comes in a whopping 15 shades so finding one that fits with your skin tone shouldn't be too hard.

For a plain, no-nonsense, honest-to-goodness moisturizer check out Liz Earle Skin Repair Moisturizer ($28) is carefully balanced to hydrate, protect and strengthen skin. Liz Earle has a growing reputation with skin care aficionados and one that is justifiably deserved. Dermalogica also have a well deserved reputation as providers of top-notch skincare products. They have a wide range of moisturizers designed for different skin needs. For a normal every day moisturizer try Active Moist which is oil-free and deceptively lightweight. This product absorbs very quickly and provides great hydration. If it's a no mess, no fuss product you're after then look no further this is the moisturizer for you.

At the other end of the scale Dermalogica make Power Rich^TM a maximum intensity cream which works to improve skin firmness, texture and stimulate cell renewal. This product works in three phases using biostimulating active tissues to treat loss of strength, smoothing agents to enhance cell renewal and vitamins A, C, E and B5 to reverse signs of premature aging and sun damage in a pharmaceutical-strength formula.

In between there's Skin Smoothing Cream a medium-weight cream which softens and smoothes normal to dry skin using essential oils, plant extracts, silk amino acids and egg oil.

Biotherm are another giant where skincare is concerned and their new Daily Enriched Moisturizer ($24) utilizes 8 essential nutrients - Magnesium, Zinc, Copper and Maganese for radiance; Fructose, Glucose, Sucrose and Amino Acids for hydration and smoothness.

The formula also includes Artemia Extract a marine-based anti-oxidant to strengthen the skin's defenses against free radicals. Healthy Difference is light, easily absorbed and comes in two types Normal/Oily and Oily.

If the latter is your skin type then take a look at Balancing Moisturizer (£11.50 STG, $22 approximately) from Monu which is a day cream formulated especially for oily and blemish prone skin. It contains a sunscreen and mattifys the skin. For a real skin treat Sonya Dakar (The Problem Skin Specialists) have the gorgeous Hydrasoft Lotion-Maintenance ($77) which has been formulated to keep your skin not just healthy looking but healthy. Apart from keeping your skin hydrated this product will help reduce redness, soothe irritation and won't leave your skin feeling greasy. You can use this product in the morning and the evening. If you're wallet prevents you from indulging yourself in a luxury moisturizer don't let that be an excuse for not using one at all. There are plenty of good, affordable moisturizers on the shelves, not least of which the SkinMilk® range which utilize the alpha hydroxyl acid which naturally occurs in milk in the formula. SkinMilk® Facial Moisturizer ($4.99) is a lightweight oil-free moisturizer which includes softening extracts of white pond lily and orange flower. And it smells nice too!

Even women who moisturize their faces with religious fervor often forget about the rest of their skin. Although our bodies aren't as routinely exposed to the sun and elements as our faces they still need regular hydration. Sometimes having to moisturize your body seems like a giant pain, especially if you're in a rush in the morning. Carol's Daughter have a range of body lotions that will have you positively looking forward to that extra five minutes rather than avoiding it.

The Carol's Daughter Shea Soufflé Collection is so yummy the names alone will leave your mouth watering. There are six body moisturizers in this collection each containing Cocoa Butter, Pure Shea Butter and a combination of nut and vegetable oils. Despite being rich in natural butters and oils (47%) the moisturizers are light and fluffy hence the name. Choose between Almond Cookie (almond, vanilla and sandalwood), Ecstasy (pineapple, peach, mango, strawberry, vanilla and a dab of Egyptian Musk), Groove (peach, pineapple, musk, sandalwood and vanilla. Designed for both herself and himself.), Jamaican Punch (spices, fruit and flowers), Mango Melange (mango, lime, pineapple and tangerine) and Ocean (lavender, rosemary essential oils with hyacinth, watermelon and cucumber. Also unisex) All moisturizers retail for $25 for 16 oz but you can get the smaller 4 oz for $12 at CarolsDaughter.com.

Carol's Daughter also do a range of Shea Body Lotions ($20) which are comprised of Shea Butter, omega fatty acid, antioxidant-rich cranberry oil and olive oil and come in the same six fragrances as the Shea Soufflés. Clinique Deep Comfort Body Butter is an intense concentrated cream which despite its richness absorbs easily and quickly. The formula includes Shea Butter, Vitamin E and silicone which works for ease of application.

Dermalogica Ultra Rich Body Cream can be used for both hydration and massage. The dual-function formula has been developed with extra-dry skin in mind. It's fortified with antioxidants and vitamins and is 100% free of scent. Finally, let's not forget the hands which are in and out of water all day long. Clinique Water Therapy Moisture Glove Hand Treatment ($19.50) not only helps repair dry and chapped hands but lasts through several washes.