As you may have read previously on this Substack, I’m a great advocate for only using 1 or 2 products where 10 may be sold to you at a beauty counter. All you really need in your 40s, 50s, 60s and beyond is a great SPF, a moisturiser or face oil, and a gentle cleansing balm. Which is how I roll myself - better for the planet - less waste. So I was delighted to come across chic and minimal French brand PERS, which is already a huge cult hit in la belle France and is bringing a reductionist ethos across the channel to the UK.
PERS is an acronym standing for Protect, Enhance, Repair and Stimulate and each of the products does one of these things. It is designed as a skincare prescription; derived from a medical protocol, backed up by real life doctors and experts. In fact it was developed by Dr Antoni Calmon - originator of the ‘French Touch’ style of treatment, he specialises in understated yet highly sought after work – looking the very best version of yourself.
I tried the Daily Protection Gel SPF (Protect) (pictured) (gifted), which, I assume, is a chemical SPF as it leaves none of the white cast of a physical SPF. The downside of a chemical SPF is that you may need to apply it a couple of times a day. But, having said that this was probably the most comfortable SPF I’ve ever tried, a quickly-absorbed, light gel which sat easily under make up (Lumene CC Cream incidentally).
I also tried the Light Cream (Repair) (gifted) , which was curiously substantial and not serum like - a proper milky cream. When massaged in at night it really minimised wrinkles and made skin soft and smooth.
In the interests of transparency, I have done some work (writing a press release) for this brand in the last six months. But it’s still an independent brand that I genuinely rate, coming from a country renowned for chic women who age gracefully - thanks to the very best premium skincare and aesthetic doctors.
As promised here’s also a ‘high street hit’ that I love and use and have paid for myself. My Mum gave me some L’Occitane Shea Butter soaps for Christmas. Not only do they reduce the plastic in your bathroom and kitchen (please try to avoid liquid soaps in plastic dispensers and use a bar soap instead for the sake of the planet) they are gloriously luxuriant to lather up and cleanse your hands and body with, producing a rich and gentle foam that softly cleans skin. And did I mention the gorgeous, piquant, traditional Provencal fragrances?
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