I used Joanna Lumley's 'wrinkle free' £4 beauty must-have and it's now part of my beauty routine

As someone who writes about beauty, I'm always on the hunt for new additions to my skincare regime that promise real results.

Like many others, I have a bit of an interest in celebrity-endorsed skincare, especially when it's affordable, which is why I decided to give Astral Intensive Face and Body Moisturiser a whirl.

Despite its modest £4 price tag on Amazon and being dubbed an "old school" moisturiser, this cream has amassed thousands of devotees who claim it keeps their skin "wrinkle free". Even Dame Joanna Lumley counts herself as a fan, having incorporated the cream into her beauty regimen for 40 years.

The iconic Absolutely Fabulous and Fool Me Once star confessed in a chat with The Times: "I've been using Astral for 40 years as a moisturiser, cleanser and hand cream. It comes in a little blue pot, cheap as chips - adore! It has never been tested on animals, and is about the only thing I've never developed an allergy to."

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Now at 30, I'm looking to combat early signs of ageing without breaking the bank. So naturally, if it's good enough for Dame Joanna, I was eager to see if it would work wonders for me too, reports Rachel Williams for the Daily Record.

What is Astral Intensive Face and Body Intensive Moisturiser?

First launched in 1953, Astral has cemented its position as an essential part of many women's skincare routines. The universal moisturiser is replete with ingredients like lanolin and glycerine that boost hydration and fortify the skin's barrier.

The "rich" formula is a day-to-night staple in your skincare regime, proving itself as the ultimate multi-tasker. Aside from serving as a face and body cream, it can also strip off your makeup and cleanse your skin.

At present, the product boasts an impressive average Amazon rating of 4.7 out of 5, thousands applauding its capabilities to keep their skin "wrinkle free" and ensuring they remain "looking younger."

One confident customer shared: ""Old fashioned cream moisturiser. What can I say but it is good stuff and if your Joanna Lumley considers it more than adequate, then it's surely good enough for me."".

Another loyal user penned down: "I have been a faithful user of Astral since my twenties. Now at 71, I still have really good skin - wrinkle-free. I apply it every morning and night before putting on makeup. It works wonders for dry skin, particularly for hands and feet. Watching all these advertisements on expensive creams and lotions makes me laugh; Astral just does it for me."

Initial impressions

When I first opened my tub of Astral, I was pleasantly surprised by how luxuriously thick the cream appeared. Additionally, its very, very light scent doesn't overwhelm - ideal for those with sensitive skin prone to irritation.

I did initially worry that the rich formula would be a little too much for my skin, especially as my skin tends to prefer lightweight gel-creams in the summer. However, I was quickly proven wrong.

When I first applied the cream to my face, I found that a little certainly goes a long way. Despite my initial thoughts of it being greasy, I found that only a small amount was needed and that it glided smoothly onto my skin, almost instantly sinking in.

Even after just one day of use, I found that the cream instantly left my skin feeling refreshed and replenished, both in the morning and the evening. In fact, it felt so velvety soft that it would make an ideal base for makeup if you use it during the day, but I felt confident enough to go makeup free, thanks to the bit of glow it gave my skin.

Final results

After trialling the Astral Intensive Moisturiser for seven days to get a feel for it, I have decided that it will be a new staple in my skincare routine.

As well as look, my skin felt soft, hydrated and very supple. While I might not have deep wrinkles and fine lines (just yet) to judge its anti-ageing qualities, I can say that I agree with reviews that say it "does make a difference" to your overall skin health.

It's also perfect as a daytime or evening moisturiser, though always add extra SPF during the day for extra protection. However, I found the £4 cream benefitted me most in the evening, as it provided that healthy sheen without any greasy residue.

Typically, when I apply a cream at night, my skin still feels parched by morning. However, with Astral, I noticed my skin remained dewy and radiant till the next day, tempting me to skip my morning face wash.

Given its continued popularity on Amazon, it's safe to say that Astral's long-standing reputation is set to endure. While it may lack the sophisticated ingredients found in many contemporary moisturisers, its simple formula effectively keeps your skin looking fabulous.

You can give the Astral Intensive Face and Body Moisturiser a whirl by purchasing a 200ml tub for £4 on Amazon, here. Alternatively, a number of other retailers have different face creams available. CultBeauty has the Ole Henriksen C-Rush Brightening Gel Creme for £42 or the Byoma Moisturising Gel Cream for £12.99, while FaceTheory has the Supergel Oil-free Moisturiser M3 for £16. Clinique has the Moisture Surge 100H Auto-Replenishing Hydrator, while e.l.f has the SuperHydrate Gel Moisturiser for £12.

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