The new anti-ageing power players

This caused ripples among beauty editors when it first launched in Iceland thanks to its naturally derived 'Epidermal Growth Factor’. It increases cell turnover by encouraging skin to actually heal itself in a Terminator-like manner. £49, boots.com

One pump of Garnier’s newest offering delivers a pea size dose of double-strength Pro-Retinol serum – a concentrated form of vitamin A – that protects skin cells from irritation. The Flump-like texture is also oddly pleasing. £11.99, boots.com

Anti-ageing always starts with a cleanser. Dr McKeown’s uses alpha hydroxy acid, a light peeling agent to help stimulate cell turnover for softer skin. It tingled at first but stopped as my skin became clearer. £12.99,superdrug.com

Youth Code Luminize is the result of 10 years’ worth of stem cell research. While it’s seriously hi-tech, it glides on like a sea of liquid pearl and creates an even skintone, making foundation redundant. £24.99, loreal-paris.co.uk

It would be remiss to omit Protect & Perfect from this rundown despite the fact it launched in 2010. After trying the serum for a week a colleague asked if I’d been on a spa break. That’s proof enough for me. £21, boots.com

This magic potion mimics the light-reflective qualities of younger skin and fills in any expression lines so they don’t have the chance to become permanent. The even better news? It just melts into the skin. £29.99, boots.com

A bottle of this softening fluid is sold every five seconds in the UK, with good reason. Stylist thinks it should be renamed sleep in a bottle. Not bad for the price of a DVD. £12.99, superdrug.com

Softer, plumper skin in seconds? I didn’t believe it either. But this fast-working, refreshing elixir is my new desk-side essential. It contains plant-based stem cells that act upon the first signs of ageing. £22, thebodyshop.co.uk