Jo Malone body crème
Few creams smell as delicious as Jo Malone's. She started out as a facialist and aromatherapist, created a nutmeg and ginger bath oil table-favour for a client - and when 86 of the 100 guests instantly clamoured for more, her business was born. The all-natural crème - in 15 scents including the sublime lime, basil and mandarin - contains aloe vera, cocoa butter, jojoba and avocado oils.
48 (Dh284) for 175ml, Jo Malone, Mall of the Emirates (jomalone.co.uk; 00 971 4 341 7057).
Espa for men, balancing hydrator
Before there were Espa spas there was Espa skincare, formulated by the owner, Susan Harmsworth (who as a 64-year-old who looks 50 is, incidentally, a good recommendation for the brand). With sage to calm inflammation, white thyme as an antiseptic, Irish moss to hydrate, this is sold as a facial product, but works well as a rich moisturiser for neck and hands, too.
£37 (Dh220) for 70ml at the Espa spa at The Yas hotel (www.theyashotel.com; 00 971 2 656 0862).
Shiseido Future Solution LX total regenerating facial cream
You have only to consider a 19th-century photo of anyone over 20 to run screaming in search of some moisturiser, grateful to have been born into an era of good skincare. Some of the best facial products come from Shiseido, set up in 1872, the first beauty company in Japan, where beauty is sacrosanct and research diligent. Its fine molecules are quickly absorbed producing a smoother complexion within days. Worth the outlay.
£240 (Dh1,422) for 50ml from Harvey Nichols and Bloomingdales.
