I have a friend with lovely skin. Her mum is 58 and looks about 40 - no word of a lie. What is their secret? Not the Clinique 3-step routine or the latest home dermobrasion kit but a flannel and cold cream cleanser.

The final straw for me was watching the latest James Bond offering (bear with me here...), Quantum of Solace. What was M taking her make-up off with? Cold cream. I had to have some. I am an unashamed geek - if M uses it then so do I.

The cream comes in a glass pot and is reasonably priced (about £3.00), I assume because it is a favourite of Nanas around the globe who don't part with their pension easily. This means, ladies, that it's worth giving it a try even if ultimately you decide it's not for you.

The idea is to apply it to your face quite liberally and rub it in lightly with your fingers. Then get two cotton-wool pads and wipe it off. Hey presto, no more make up (even waterproof mascara) and a silky soft face. It's particularly good if you've gone a little crazy at the weekend and got the glitter out - the thick consistency takes it right off.

I have quite sensitive and dry areas on my face - close to my eyebrows - and the odd post-spot -injury and this really sorts them out. I wouldn't recommend it if you have oily skin as it's thick but it's great for combination and dry skins.

I've noticed that Boots have started their own range of retro-inspired products in cute glass jars but I say go with the original from Ponds and get an added bonus - my Grandma was so excited when I told her I used it. I got all her best stories about beauty products during the war. Excellent.