In a recent article in a prestigious magazine it said that even in a financial crisis the 'lipstick index' suggests women opt to spend money on cosmetics, even when they're cutting back on clothing, groceries and other essentials.

The latest batch of expensive 'hope potions' are boasting rare and expensive ingredients that include: drops of wine DNA, caviar, crushed gems,24 carat colloidal gold and most importantly fantasy and beautiful stories!

Beauty doesn't age - skin does!

No matter, how good the story or how expensive the cream, there is an inevitable truth regarding skin health and ageing. Skin does age, nothing prevents this but there is a lot that can be done to slow down the ageing process. And the real secret is - a daily regime!

We know that a lifetime healthy diet and exercise regime will certainly increase your chances of looking good and feeling great. The optimum word here is lifetime regime - meaning daily. No matter how much you spend on a jar of face cream, or a personal gym trainer - doing exercise or using skin care once a week won't keep you fit or prevent ageing.

Your skin can lose as much as 5 cups of water every day!

Going around the country, promoting our Griffin + Row 5 easy steps daily skin care regime, both Marcia and I find that there is a common comment from women - and that is that they 'don't have time' to cleanse, hydrate and nourish their skin every day. But who wouldn't take five minutes out of each 24 hours to ensure that your skin is cleansed of pollutants and toxins, given a most important drink and finally nourished and protected from the assault of our daily lives in this harsh climate?

So, take the Griffin + Row challenge - take five minutes out of your busy day and give your skin and your body the chance to refresh and renew itself every day. That's what skin does - it sheds dead skin cells, it releases impurities, it sweats, it dries and asks for hydration and moisturising and protection.

Oh yes, it also wrinkles! But there is a world of difference between a face crinkled with a smile and a face wrinkled from neglect.

One last thought: Don't worry - be happy. In fact, it's known that an unhappy frowning face uses more muscles and nerves than a smiling one!?

Yvonne Row