Beauty: Prepare to face the winter with a bespoke facial

I don't think you need to bother with facials in the summer. Call me a beauty philistine, but when the sun is shining and you're out and about in the fresh air all day, there's no real need to have a therapist poring over your, well pores. Your feet are another story, obviously.

But fast-forward through the seasons until the leaves are falling from the trees, you've won the battle with your husband to put the central heating on, and suddenly you realise that your skin is in dire need of some moisture, not to mention a bit of pampering.

Obviously a week-long spa break with the girls would be the best option, but if time and money are in limited supply, in these sorts of situations, it's best to turn to Clarins.

Founded in 1954 by Jacques Courtin-Clarins, and now run by his two sons, the iconic French brand, perhaps best known for its distinctive Eau Dynamisante fragrance, is constantly working on new products and treatments to boost women's well-being, as well as their skin.

Its latest innovation is the range of six TriActive facials, which have taken five years to formulate, largely because the white-coated beauty boffins responsible decided to create 15 new specialist formulas for the professionals to apply to our fizzogs.

My therapist Jessica was clearly delighted to be working with the new range, and I was soon able to share her enthusiasm. But first we had to work out which of the six was right for me. The days of "one size fits all" beauty treatments are long gone, especially in the world of facials where there are products to deal with every kind of epidermis - from the very sensitive, to the positively wrinkly.

We selected the Radiance Reviver, designed to give dull and tired-looking skin its glow back. And I reckon it worked. I felt fantastic afterwards - all the lovely Clarins products had been absorbed into my grateful skin, and in an extra little service Jessica gave me a slight touch of make up to ensure that I could emerge from the pod in John Lewis ready to get on with the rest of my day.

I must just mention the cost-effectiveness of this treatment. It's called a facial, but during 80 minutes I experienced a foot massage, an arm and hand massage and a rather feisty neck and shoulder massage. That's a pretty good deal for 59.

Clarins Skin Spa, John Lewis Edinburgh, tel: [phone]

This article was originally published in The Scotsman Magazine on Saturday 23 October 2010.