Best Moisturisers

Penny road-tests five of the best moisturisers, guaranteed to keep your skin soft and supple this winter.

ESTEE LAUDER 100% TIME RELEASE MOISTURE CREAM FOR VERY DRY SKIN

Claims: Drenches dry skin with a burst of hydration, then absorbs into the skin to provide moisture for up to 12 hours.

Penny says: My pal Jo Williams says this feels lovely on the skin, although there wasn't a great difference after using it - 

her face still felt a little dry. Also, a bit too perfumed.

VERDICT: 6/10

LE REMEDI HAND RESTRUCTURE MASQUE HAND RESTRUCTURE MASQUE

Claims: More than an intensive moisturiser, this stimulating treatment mask helps increase circulation and plumps up skin 

tissue, leaving hands firm and silky smooth. Includes anti-ageing ingredients.

Penny says: Ally, the stylist of my new ITV show, Celebrity!, has very dry hands. She says: 'This is smooth, rich and smells 

beautiful. It leaves a nice film on your hands after you rub it off. Lovely.'

Verdict: 8/10

CLINIQUE MOISTURE LOCK BODY FORMULA

Claims: Serious skin care for body. This cream locks in moisture, smooths and protects for hours.

Penny says: 'Very satiny, soft and rich,' says Sue Jameson, a GMTV roving reporter. 'It promised to firm me up, but 

exercise is probably a better bet. It has quite a strong, clean smell. I'd love some as a Christmas present.'

Verdict: 8/10

CHANEL CONTINUOUS HYDRATING MASK

Claims: Apply a thick layer to face and neck after cleansing, leave for ten minutes, then rinse. This gentle creamy gel mask 

bathes the skin in moisture, bringing instant, long-lasting results.

Penny says: Ginny is a news producer - with very dry skin. She says: 'This is light and non-greasy. It has a subtle smell and 

made my skin feel so much smoother straight away.'

Verdict: 9/10

WU EXTRA STRENGH MOISTURISER

Claims: Based on ginseng, royal jelly and crushed pearl - this super moisturiser is an excellent night cream for very dry 

skin or as an occasional one-off treatment.

Penny says: Definitely for dry skin. Helen, our wardrobe girl responsible for our immaculate outfits, gives this top marks for 

moisturising her sore, post-cold nose. She says: 'Easily absorbed, and a pleasant smell.'

Verdict: 10/10

And one that's not so good...

PRESCRIPTIVES PX INSULATION

Claims: Oil and fragrance-free treatment for overexposure to harsh environmental elements and protection against further 

damage. Contains antioxidant green tea and vitamins.

Penny says: Celebrity! producer Amber is a fan of Clarins Flash Balm and reckons this doesn't do as well in the moisturising 

department.

She says: 'It goes on well, but the effect wasn't long-lasting. The bottle has a big neck so I kept pouring out too much.'

Verdict: 5/10

For more detail: Best Moisturisers

In numerical order of supremacy, this list, compiled from customer feedback, popularity, innovation, ingredients, results, price and Ape to Gentleman’s testers displays the Top 10 Sensitive Skin Face Moisturisers for Men the male grooming world has to offer.

A good sensitive skin face moisturiser should hydrate throughly but not leave the skin irritated and offer value for money – a balance which is tricky to get right. Many grooming brands assume all men have oily skin only, this is obviously not the case but only a handful produce men-specific sensitive skin moisturisers. In light of this we have included a selection of men specific and unisex offerings.

Shiseido, one of Ape to Gentleman’s favourite brands steals in at number one spot. Shiseido’s offering does exactly what the title suggests, recovers traumatised skin. The reasonably thick formula, applied sparingly, will calm, soothe and hydrate sensitive and irritated skin.

A recent discovery for by the Ape to Gentleman team but nonetheless, the Decléor Harmonie Calm Soothing Milky Cream was an instant winner. Despite the clever use of Aromachology (study of the influence of odours on behaviour), the mild fragrance does not irritate and the rich, hydrating texture keeps sensitive skin soothed and hydrated. Decléor also do a ‘fluid’ version which is better suited to those with sensitive but not so dry skin.

Yu-Be is a treasure which doesn’t get enough coverage in the UK. The Japanese staple is used in Japan (known there as Yuskin A) to treat a whole host of skin ailments from dry to sensitive skin through to sun burn and minor skin irritations. The non-greasy forumla, we recommend, is best applied at night – the result the following morning is calmer, hydrated (rich Glycerin content) and calmed skin.