A COOL FIX FOR HOT FLUSHES

Proof that the beauty industry is taking the older customer more seriously is a new skincare collaboration between Marks & Spencer and Prai: Menoglow.

This is a range focusing on the particular skin issues caused by the perimenopause and the menopause, which can see women lose 30 per cent of their skin’s collagen in the first five years; it slows to about two per cent a year after that, while other skin changes occur including dehydration, pimples and enlarged pores. All products but the cleanser include their M-complex, which is formulated to boost collagen, soothe and brighten skin. In tests it produced a seven per cent increase in firmness and a five per cent boost to elastin over four weeks, so this range is about trying to put back some of what menopausal skin is losing.

The Hot Flush Cool Fix Serum

(£28) with a rollerball applicator also contains menthol to cool and hydrating hyaluronic acid and carrageenan for an extra collagen hit. The Collagen Boosting Cremegel Moisturiser

(£25) is very lightweight (no pore clogging) and is great for soothing and brightening.

The Super Hydrating Sleep Crème (£28) is exactly how it sounds (it contains no retinol as that can cause reactions and the customer research for this range found many women saying their skin could no longer tolerate it).

There’s also an Ultra Rejuvenating Sleep Mask (£30) – a deeply hydrating leave-on overnight cream. As for the Gentle Rebalancing Crème Cleanser (£20), it deploys coconut oil but think of it as much like a cold cream cleanser.

Now, as I always say, there is no magic bullet – face creams do not represent time travel – this is an aid to helping you look the best that you can in the skin that you’ve got. M&S is so committed to the line that it has specially trained staff to help with questions about the range and menopausal skin. And it will be sold in womenswear, lingerie and beauty departments, as well as online at marksandspencer.com. Plans are afoot to extend into body care, too.