LONG LIVE THE NEW FLESH

For the best skin in town, Ingeborg van Lotringen has the products, clinics and treatments to try now

HOT NEW INGREDIENT ALERT

Cysteamine is the bright new hope for those suffering from melasma and stubborn pigmentation issues. It inhibits two enzymes that are crucial in the formation of brown spots and, says Dr Sophie Shotter (drsophieshotter.com), it’s proven to be at least as effective as doctor-prescribed hydroquinone but without the latter’s skin-sensitising drawbacks. It’s currently only available as the Cyspera Intensive Pigment Corrector System, but watch this space. £224 (cyspera.com)

SHALL WE JUMP ON A SHROOM?

Don’t expect the ‘shroom boom’ to abate anytime soon: having tackled our mental and physical health, the skin benefits of fungi such as tremella and reishi are taking centre stage. Best ingested, they can boost hydration, calm and balance skin thanks to potent anti-inflammatory properties, as well as keep collagen production ticking over with high levels of vitamins A and C. Pop them in style: Phyto Nectars I Am Radiant (£14.95 for five sachets; phytonectars.com) are tremella-rich phytonutrient powders that you turn into a daily skin drink (free from collagen, it’s blessedly un-slimy). Imaraïs Beauty Nourish Gummies (£40 for a month’s supply; at lookfantastic.com) are vegan and berry-flavoured and boast chaga, reishi and snow mushroom, ostensibly to boost scalp health but just as beneficial for facial skin.

HERE COME THE ROBOTS

It communicates with a disappointingly limited set of bleeps, but this chubby face massager makes up for it with its number of skin-stimulating and muscle-toning functions. LED light, radio frequency energy, microcurrents and connective tissue massage with surprisingly strong, rotating nubby ‘fingers’ are delivered simultaneously. May the toning, energising force be with you. Pietro Simone Fierce Skin Stimulator, £255 (pietrosimone.com)

THE TRUTH ABOUT… SOFWAVE

Sofwave is the latest skin-firming ‘tweakment’ that has insiders queueing up. Boasting new technology that guarantees delivery of high-intensity ultrasound beams at a depth of exactly 1.5mm, it exclusively hits the dermis, where collagen and other plumping, tightening skin fibres are generated. This is important, as other ultrasound and energy-based procedures are known for their ability to unwittingly hit skin’s underlying fat layer, causing volume loss that’s highly undesirable when your face is already gaunt or ageing: less fat means less-supported, droopier skin.

Oculoplastic surgeon Sabrina Shah-Desai is a fan: ‘I’m seeing significantly lifted skin around the mid-face, neck, and we can achieve an eye lift as well,’ she enthuses. But she sounds a note of caution: ‘This technology certainly minimises the chance of fat loss, but you cannot ever rule it out. If you have very thin skin, especially around the eyes, the 1.5mm depth can in rare cases mean you reach the fat. So seek out a highly experienced doctor who’ll assess you properly and honestly.’ At around £3,000 for a treatment, with full results showing at 12 weeks and lasting 12 months, it’s advice worth heeding. (perfecteyesltd.com)

“LED LIGHT, RADIO FREQUENCY, MICROCURRENTS… MAY THE TONING, ENERGISING FORCE BE WITH YOU”