Not a week goes by without a new peptide-powered skincare product landing on my desk. Peptides occur naturally in the body and are best described as ‘building blocks’ for proteins such as collagen and elastin. In a cream or serum, they’re supposed to act like messenger molecules, signaling for more building blocks. But not all peptides are created equally. Most products contain synthetic versions and only up to a dozen different types. I’ve landed on Lancôme’s new Rénergie H.P.N. 300-Peptide Cream - catchy name, I know. It uses plant-derived peptides and 300 different types - so some of those have got to stick, right?

I first discovered Weleda’s Skin Food cream backstage at Fashion Week. Make-up artists love layering it under foundation or using it to create highlights. Most celebrities I interview swear by it, too. The newest member of the Skin Food family is this Ultra-Light Dry Oil - I actually spotted it being road-tested at the Eudon Choi show, to give the models’ shoulders and shins extra gleam. It’s so sheer you can layer it up, which is great because that signature Skin Food scent - a citrus, rosemary, lavender blend - keeps me coming back for more.

Here’s a strengthening, sulphate-free shampoo I can whip up into an airy lather. It shifts product build-up (even overnight masks) and doesn’t knock back my colour. It contains rice proteins to boost shine and elasticity. And, as basic as it sounds, the normcore bottle does it for me.

It’s a best-selling, suits-all blusher, but did you know Nars’ iconic Orgasm shade also comes as a lip balm? Now I don’t normally go for buttery balms, but this is silky and sheer. Usually, if I’m make-up free, adding lip colour draws attention to my dark circles and seems to sharpen patches of pigmentation, but Orgasm lifts and brightens. It also seems to set off any make-up look. I’m not subbing this out for anything at the moment.  

There’s a lot of buzz about new brand Reome. Founded by Joanna Ellner, an acupuncturist and former beauty journalist, Reome encourages a more ritualistic approach to skincare. The Active Recovery Broth sits somewhere between a serum and an essence, and it’s been formulated to calm redness and inflammation, feed your skin’s microbiome and strengthen its barrier function. As someone who tries lots of products, it’s a tonic for stressed-out skin.