Mid-year beauty picks

Defence measures

UV rays cause 80 per cent of the visible signs of premature ageing, so the Body Shop has come to the rescue with its Skin Defence multi-protection face mist, with SPF 45 PA++. (The PA rating measures the protection against UVA rays, which are more harmful since they can create permanent ageing.) Recognizing that we don’t all apply sunscreen every two hours, the spray offers quick spritzes over SPF sunscreen and make-up that you might apply in the morning, extending that initial sun protection. It’s enriched with Community Trade marula oil from Namibia, north Atlantic red algæ extract, and vitamin C.

Youthful

Dolce & Gabbana—the designers—might be getting themselves into trouble on social media these days, but the fragrances, which come from another outfit, continue to delight. New to the range is the Dolce Peony eau de parfum, with top notes of pink pepper, white bergamot and nashi pear, already getting our attention for its fruitiness. At the heart are peony, Bulgarian rose and freesia, and basenotes of yellow plum nectar , amber and patchouli.

Haute couture beauty

Parisian brand Anne Sémonin was ahead of its time since its inception over three decades ago. It uses natural active ingredients and plant and marine extracts. The packaging is recyclable, and the company limits the chemical additives in its products. None of the products have been tested on animals. Among its latest are its Lipoliss Intense firming body serum (100 ml, £50), using almond proteins, algæ and hyaluronic acid, and its Lipoliss Intense anti-cellulite gel (150 ml, £60), using laminaria digitata (a brown algæ with a high iodine concentration), fucus vesiculosus (bladderwrack seaweed), horse chestnut, caffeine (which is known to combat cellulite effectively), and a slimming complex of grapefruit, cypress, oregano and rosemary pure essential oils. In the UK, Anne Semonin is available at Harrod’s; online, at www.annesemonin.com.

Responsible moisturizer

After a few years looking uncertain, Olay has come back over the last few years with an easier-to-understand range and more innovations. This is its latest: refillable packaging. Trialling in the US and UK from October, Olay will sell its Regenerist Whip moisturizer with a recyclable refill pod that goes inside the container. The packaging itself will be recycled paper, not cardboard, and there will be no cellophane wrapping. •