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AN EXCITING NEW BREED OF BUDGET LINE BLITZERS COULD SAVE YOUR SKIN – AND YOUR PENNIES

It was once the case that face creams were like champagne – the more they cost, the better they were supposed to be.

But it looks like the era of staggeringly expensive brands could be over, thanks to the new breed of cheap but clever cosmetics you can pick up for as little as £1.89.

Supermarket chain Aldi recently hit the headlines when it revealed that its Siana Moisturising Anti-Wrinkle Day Cream had been voted best for anti-ageing in an independent blind test of 2,000 women.

At just £1.89, it beat established, high-end brands like Elemis and Helena Rubinstein, which come with heart-stopping price tags of up to £100.

So does this new generation of bargain basement creams really work as well as the traditional bank-breakers?

“Companies now realise customers are more savvy with skincare science and cost.

"They are now making their products highly competitive in results and price.

"But it’s hard to tell why one cream is pricier than the other,” explains Dr. Susan Mayou, consultant dermatologist at London’s Cadogan Clinic.

THE FAB FOUR

1. THE CULT PRODUCT
NO7 PROTECT & PERFECT BEAUTY SERUM, £16.75

The Promise: Contains peptides and white lupin extract to help smooth wrinkles and fine lines, and reduce pores.

The Proof: An independent dermatologist compared the effect of this serum on collagen production (which makes your skin look young) with that of a prescription-only drug used to treat sun damage. Their verdict? “Protect & Perfect has been shown scientifically to repair photo-aged skin and improve fine wrinkles.”

What’s in it: Retinyl palmitate, which targets fine lines and brightens skin.

We found: After four weeks, crow’s feet and wrinkles appear more shallow and skin looks healthier.

We have 10 of these products to giveaway. Just click here to be in with a chance of winning.

2. THE BUDGET BUY
ALDI SIANA MOISTURISING ANTI-WRINKLE DAY CREAM, £1.89

The Promise: Helps to reduce the appearance of existing wrinkles and minimise the accumulation of new ones.

The Proof: 2,000 volunteers voted it one of the best with comments like: “Fine lines around my eyes were less noticeable”, and “My skin felt firmer, and brighter”.

What’s in it: Its key ingredient is Co-enzyme Q10 (also called ubiquinone), which helps to slow down the ageing process.

We found: After a month, skin is more radiant but wrinkles are still evident.

Win this as well as the night cream. Just click here to be in with a chance of winning.

3. THE DERMATOLOGISTS’ FAVOURITE
ROC RETIN-OX+ DAY SPF 15, £24.95

The Promise: Helps to plump out wrinkles while the SPF15 protection helps prevent sun damage.

The Proof: Retinol is recognised among dermatologists to be effective in wrinkle reduction and to double the production of collagen.

What’s in it: The key ingredient, retinol, reactivates collagen to give smoother, younger-looking skin.

We found: After four weeks of application, skin appears refreshed, lifted and revitalised.

4. THE GREEN CREAM
GARNIER ULTRALIFT PRO-X RE-PLUMPING DAY CREAM, £11.99

The Promise: Ingredients derived from beech wood extract help to fight against the effects of collagen breakdown, such as loss of firmness and wrinkles.

The Proof: Results from tests (done by Garnier) on 185 women aged 40-60 found that 76 per cent felt their skin was firmer and 74 per cent said it felt more toned.

What’s in it: Its hero ingredient, Pro-Xylane (listed as Hydroxypropyl Tetrahydrophyrantriol), plumps up skin cells which in turn helps to smooth out fine lines and boost sagging skin.

We found: Skin is more radiant after one month and a small but significant difference can be seen in the appearance of fine lines.

WIN FABULOUS BEAUTY GOODIES

10 x Aldi Siana Moisturising Anti-wrinkle Day Cream and 10 x Night cream RRP £1.89
With the promise of reducing the appearance of existing wrinkles and minimising new ones, we have a fantastic web exclusive offer! We have ten of the Day creams and ten of the Night creams up for grabs.

To enter, just click here and leave your details.

Usual Fabulous terms and conditions apply.

COMPETITION CLOSED

10 x No.7 Protect & Perfect Beauty Serum, £16.75
The new celebrity cult product, this promises to reduce wrinkles and leave your skin healthier. We now have ten of these brilliant serums to giveaway!

To enter, just click here and leave your details.

Usual Fabulous terms and conditions apply.

COMPETITION CLOSED

Writer and Stylist: Beauty Editor Donna Francis Photography: Simon Songhurst at Sixtyoneproductions.com, Studio 21. Stockists: Aldi (0870 513 4262), Garnier (leading chemists and supermarkets nationwide), No7 (Boots nationwide), RoC (0845 600 4477)