Cities are associated with well-manicured, flawless individuals going about their careers with glowing skin and seamless make up … at least that’s what the television shows tell us, and they are never wrong are they? … Well on the random off-chance that we are not the only people who find that public transport, air conditioning, long days and a lack of sleep leave us feeling a little less than our radiant best; we put a selection of products to the test to counter the perils of city skin.

Dry Spells

What’s the problem?  Niggly dry patches … all those temperature changes to-ing and fro-ing from the train to the office can wreak havoc in the most irritating, not to mention unsightly manner.

Tried and Tested … Champneys Skin Comforting Miracle Balm is a bit like Elizabeth Arden’s Eight Hour Cream – similarly multi-purpose, but at a fraction of the price.  It comes in a small pot (think lip balm sized and thus suitable for handbags and pockets) and is a mix of shea butter, beeswax and almond oil which melts onto the skin and has the clean, herbal smell that is the signature of the Champneys brand.  It’s very much a balm for patches of dry skin rather than an all-over cream – it can be used as a lip balm, on elbows or heels, proved a life saver for cold induced sore noses, and is really great for cuticles as well … never have our finger tips felt more loved than with our newfound ability for a self-applied desk side mini-manicure – it’s addictive.

Price to pay … Small and mighty, we have been using the Miracle Balm several times a day for a month and still have almost an entire pot left … which makes the impressively reasonable £5 price tag all the more welcome.

Stress Buster

What’s the problem?  Just to make you feel better about your long working hours and lack of sleep, stress has a remarkable ability to make its presence known by appearing on your face – the epidermal equivalent of wearing a sign, it’s etched into your dull skin and general pallor.

Tried and Tested … Temple Spa’s BE STRONG is a light weight serum applied before your moisturiser to give skin a bit of a boost – and you know what, it does.  Quickly absorbed it doesn’t make you feel as though you are layering on the products and skin seemed noticeably even, soothed and generally happier after a couple of days.  It’s packed with natural ingredients aimed at a variety of skin problems including acne, ageing, and UV damage and protection against pollutants and has an unimposing scent which makes it appropriate for men and women.

Price to pay … At £33 this isn’t the cheapest option to be adding to your routine on top of cleansers and moisturisers, but it will last as you only need a couple of drops at a time.

Radical Solution

What’s the problem? Unstable compounds that attack human cells causing wrinkles, dry skin, dark circles under the eyes, and generally dull skin … better known as free radicals … and to top it off they are everywhere – food, sunlight, pollution – it’s not so much a minefield as one giant skin hating force field out there!

Tried and Tested … As the option of staying in a sterilised vacuum is neither appealing nor available, we are left with the option to guard ourselves as best as possible.  Coming to the rescue once again, Temple Spa’s SELF DEFENCE is an SPF30 moisturiser suitable for men and women that obviously protects all year round against those pesky UV rays, reduces uneven pigmentation and contains the powerful anti-oxidant, Vitamin C.  Although it’s a bit tricky to tell what long term effect it is having underneath the skin, we found the cream to be extremely light weight (perfect for putting on under your make-up), was easily absorbed, and left skin very soft.  The only problem was that it did cause a little bit of tingling around the eye area, so be careful if you have sensitive skin!

Price to pay … Again this one is £33, which in terms of moisturisers is at the upper end of the high street spectrum.  However, as with all the Temple Spa products you need a very small amount, and it does target multiple concerns – not least of all, the SPF factor which should be adhered to all year round – for all those busy people out there, that is one less thing to worry about!

Saving Face

What’s the problem?  In the long term, yes, we are worried about our skin, but in the short term it is your make-up that needs to hold up throughout the day and into your evening social plans!

Tried and Tested … In terms of fashion we are always being told about the benefits of layering, and such is the case when it comes to your make-up as well (within reason).  [comfort zone] is known for their rich and miraculous natural products, and their Skin Defender Urban Protection Emulsion is a city specific cream used over the top of your moisturiser to target all those general issues – pollution, free radicals, dehydration and UV rays (SPF 30) through its miracle ingredient Lycopene, derived from the active part of the tomato skin.  The down side is that it is an extra item to add into your routine, which won’t be welcomed if you are a wash-‘n-go kind of a gal, but that extra bit of time could be saved on days when plans filter on into the evening as it is a great base providing that little bit of extra staying power to your make-up.

Price to pay … At £38.50 this is a bit of a luxury, but then [comfort zone] didn’t become an industry favourite by making budgets their priority – these people are all about investing in your skin!