Beauty: Serums that draw a line through wrinkle worries

FORGET holding back the pounds - there has never been more pressure on women to hold back the years and stay young looking for longer. And so, the pursuit of a fresh face that has staved off fine lines and wrinkles is every woman's holy grail.

While anti-ageing lotions and potions help create that plumped-up look, the ultimate line refiner is the humble serum. Working much deeper within the epidermis than any cream, serums intensively nourish and hydrate to deliver a multitude of nutrients to the skin. Add a moisturiser on top and the result is youthful-looking skin.

Aldi's Lacura Multi-Intensive Serum, costing just 3.49, was recently hailed the latest beauty must-have, after BBC's Horizon programme found it one of the best serums on the high street at reducing the appearance of wrinkles. Containing shea butter, macadamia nut oil and vitamins C and E, it helps smooth out wrinkles and improve the elasticity of the skin.

If it's firmness you're after then snap up Origins Youthtopia Age-Correcting Serum (40). Powered by rhodiola rosea and amalkia, the potent complex helps restore firmness as well as kick-start the skin's natural repair to help re-energize. Rich in vitamin C and antioxidants, it helps give skin the resilience to slow down the signs of ageing. Also try L'Oreal Youth Code Rejuvenating Anti-Wrinkle Concentrate (10.99), which immediately nourishes the skin with moisture and reduces the appearance of wrinkles.

Prominent wrinkles will benefit from Estee Lauder's Perfectionist Wrinkle Lifting Serum (43). This award-winning serum reduces the length, depth and number of lines and wrinkles by up to 36 per cent and leaves skin looking brighter and fresher. Also try Darphin's Arovita C Line Response Serum (63). This hard-working serum invigorates the skin's defences to address the first signs of aging, while also working to reduce the appearance of fine lines, firm and re-energize skin's youthful glow.

Dark spots and discolouration? Origins Brighter By Nature Skin Tone Correcting Serum (30) helps create a more even skin tone, while banishing dullness, dark spots and discolouration. Extracts of cucumber and Japanese basil leaf help prevent future spotting.

And don't forget to get your skin to work harder while you sleep. Estee Lauder's Advanced Night Repair (49) helps repair the appearance of past environmental damage, builds a reserve of anti- oxidants, and neutralises up to 90 per cent of environmentally generated free radicals before they can affect the skin's appearance.

If, however, you need something more than a serum then try the Capital's first ever lunch-time facelift, costing 75 and available exclusively from Lux Clinics in Stockbridge.

Hailed as the latest form of facial rejuvenation, by using painless and non-invasive cold laser technology, it also works to tighten the skin, eradicate under-eye bags and jowls, sculpt facial features, increase collagen production, tighten pores, brighten the skin and increase circulation. It also relaxes muscle tone, creating a natural Botox effect.

Fall in love with Bio Oil (7.05), a specialist skincare oil for the face and body. Containing vitamin A and vitamin E, calendula, lavender and rosemary oils and chamomile extract, the clever dry oil is formulated to help reduce the appearance of uneven skin tone and is highly effective for ageing skin.

Melt proof makeup. Admittedly, we may not have seen much of the hot summer, but that's no excuse not to invest in Bobbi Brown's new melt proof makeup range. Perfect for last minute holidays or all night partying, the range, which consists of eye shadows, liners and mascaras, won't budge no matter how hot things get. Prices start at 13.