As a beauty writer, I am always on the lookout for new products for my skincare routine that will deliver proven-results.
Like quite a few among us, I have a bit of a keen interest in celeb-approved skincare. It’s also even better if I can find one loved by A-lister’s that is budget-friendly, which is why exactly I set out to try the Astral Intensive Face and Body Moisturiser.
Despite being priced at just £4 on Amazon and hailed as an “old school” moisturiser, this cream boasts thousands of fans who say it has left their skin “wrinkle free”. In fact, even Dame Joanna Lumley is a fan, with the cream being a staple in her routine for 40 years.
The 77-year-old Ab-Fab and Fool Me Once actress previously admitted in an interview with The Times: “I’ve been using Astral for 40 years as a moisturiser, cleanser and hand cream. It comes in a little blue pot, cheap as chips — adore! It has never been tested on animals, and is about the only thing I’ve never developed an allergy to.”
Considering I am now 30 years old, my skincare routine is now focused on fighting the early signs of ageing, whilst also trying to save some pennies. So, if it is good enough for Dame Joanna, then I hoped it would be good enough for me.
What is Astral Intensive Face and Body Intensive Moisturiser?
(Image: Daily Record/Rachel Williams)
A staple in many women’s skincare routines since it was first launched in 1953, Astral is a multi-purpose cream for all skin types. It boasts the likes of lanolin to boost moisture and protect your skin’s barrier, while glycerine provides extra hydration.
The “rich” formula can be incorporated into your daytime and evening skincare routine, making it the ultimate multi-tasker. Not just perfect as a cream for your face and body, it also acts as makeup remover and cleanser.
Right now, it currently averages a 4.7 rating out of five on Amazon, as thousands of shoppers praise it for keeping their skin “wrinkle free” and that it keeps them “looking younger.”
One beauty buff said: “”Old fashioned cream moisturiser. What can I say but it is good stuff and if its good enough for Joanna Lumley it’s good enough for me.”
Another shopper who swears by it wrote: “I have used Astral since my twenties I’m 71 now and have really good skin, wrinkle free, morning and night, always apply first before makeup, good for dry skin, especially hands and feet. Makes me laugh when I see all the expensive creams and lotions advertised, it’s Astral for me.”
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My initial thoughts
(Image: Daily Record/Rachel Williams)
On opening my tub, I was surprised to find that the cream looked luxuriously thick. It was also very, very lightly scented, making it ideal for anyone who suffers from sensitive skin that can get irritated easily.
I did initially worry that the rich formula would be a little too much for my skin, especially as my skin tends to prefer lightweight gel-creams in the summer. However, I was quickly proven wrong.
When I first applied the cream to my face, I found that a little certainly goes a long way. Despite my initial thoughts of it being greasy, I found that only a small amount was needed and that it glided smoothly onto my skin, almost instantly sinking in.
Even after just one day of use, I found that the cream instantly left my skin feeling refreshed and replenished, both in the morning and the evening. In fact, it felt so velvety soft that it would make an ideal base for makeup if you use it during the day, but I felt confident enough to go makeup free, thanks to the bit of glow it gave my skin.
Beauty deal of the week
For deep wrinkles, one product that is getting glowing reviews is the Liquid Peptides 30 percent Complex Multi-Peptide Age-Defying Serum from Medik8.
Available in an 8ml (£19) and a 50ml (£55), the age-defying serum has been expertly formulated with no fewer than 10 peptides in a 30 percent blend to both slow and prevent the visible formation of expression lines and deep wrinkles. It has been designed to be used daily in your skincare routine.
The £55 serum has been formulated with Matrixyl® 3000, a gold-standard ingredient in the world of anti-ageing skincare. This “tricks” the skin into producing more collagen to help skin look firmer and younger.
There is also the addition of drone-targeted copper peptise to support collagen-producing cells and hyaluronic acid, a must-have skincare ingredient right now. According to Medik8, you will see improved skin firmness in seven days and a reduction in wrinkles within four weeks.
Currently averaging a 4.8 rating based on 750 reviews, the Liquid Peptides Serum has been praised by beauty buffs who adore its “lightweight” formula and ability to leave wrinkles “softer and less pronounced.”
One glowing review read: “I absolutely love how this makes my skin feel. It is always super glowy after I use this. It is light and has made a difference to my fine lines.”
A second shopper gushed: “I’m now on my third bottle and am pleased to say I can see visible results- lovely on the skin and soaks in quickly. Wouldn’t be without it now.”
Shoppers can purchase the Liquid Peptides 30 percent Complex Multi-Peptide Age-Defying Serum from the Medik8 website here.
Final results
(Image: Daily Record/Rachel Williams)
After trialling the Astral Intensive Moisturiser for seven days to get a feel for it, I have decided that it will be a new staple in my skincare routine.
As well as look, my skin felt soft, hydrated and very supple. While I might not have deep wrinkles and fine lines (just yet) to judge its anti-ageing qualities, I can say that I agree with reviews that say it “does make a difference” to your overall skin health.
It’s also perfect as a daytime or evening moisturiser, though always add extra SPF during the day for extra protection. However, I found the £4 cream benefitted me most in the evening, as it provided that healthy sheen without any greasy residue.
Usually when I use a cream at night, my skin is still dry in the morning. Not with Astral, as I found my skin to still remain dewy and glowing in the morning, which made me want to skip washing my face the next morning.
Considering this is still a bestseller on Amazon, I am inclined to confirm that its long-standing reputation will last even longer. While it may not have all the fancy ingredients of many modern moisturisers, it’s a simple formula that works to keep your skin looking great.
You can try out the Astral Intensive Face & Body Moisturiser for yourself by purchasing a 200ml tub for £4 on Amazon here.
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‘I tried the viral snail serum – here’s how it’s paid off months later’
Amazon has lowered the price of a viral snail serum that promises to produce “glass skin”.
The retail giant’s Amazon Premium Beauty week sale is here, and one popular product that has been slashed to a low price is COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence, now down to £13.28 from £21.99.
The serum is hugely popular on social media, with thousands of videos on the likes of TikTok and Instagram talking about its benefits. Containing 96.3 percent Snail Secretion Filtrate, the product is said to keep skin hydrated while warding off dark spots and signs of aging like fine lines and wrinkles.
So we know why this essence is popular, but does it actually work? That’s what Trends Writer Lucy Farrell wanted to find out. After using it daily for the last seven months, she has now made it a permanent addition to her skincare routine.
She said: “As a beauty fanatic, I’m always eager try the latest creams, serums and sprays that promise to improve my complexion. With the hype that has been surrounding the CORSX Power Essence, I knew I had to give it a go. Firstly, I started applying it directly to my damp skin after cleansing, having previously waiting for my face to dry before using. I had seen some beauty fans recommend this online and I believe doing this allowed my skin to retain more moisture.
“Secondly, I moved from using it only once a day to applying it in the morning and at night and with extra use, I feel that it made it more beneficial – all though I did run out of it faster. I think these changes really made a difference and have fully converted me to a full time snail serum user.
“The old saying “good things come to those who wait” can apply to many things – and this includes skincare. After being patient and consistent with the serum, I can see that my skin has a lasting glow without looking greasy and my overall skin tone has become more balanced.”
Nab the CORSX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence for £11.09 on Amazon here.