We tiptoed around this a bit like a stick of gelignite.  Left it languishing on the bathroom shelf for a bit, while we mustered some courage. Peels aren't generally something we let anywhere near our sensitive skins, you see.  But having been reassured (not least by the name itself) that this was free from the acids that have made our skins rebel in the past - alpha-hydroxy, retinoic, etc. - we very gingerly applied this, massaging into face and neck for two minutes as prescribed by the doctor herself.  (Dr. Véronique Simon is a highly-respected London-based cosmeto-dermatologist offering everything from fillers and Botox to 'tiny touches of light', as she puts it, as well as mesotherapy.)

We were very pleasantly surprised by the results.  Boom!  Improved brightness, and no sensitivity.

Not a cheap treatment, for sure - but cheaper than having a professional peel.  The key is to stick to the two minutes, and not be deluded into thinking 'more is more' - which is where many women go wrong.  If two minutes is good, some women reason, then 10 must be better.  And it's just not the case.

So:  just as when defusing a bomb, do follow the instructions...

UK readers find Simon Therapie Gold Acid-Free Micropeel at www.simontherapie.com/£120 for 150 ml - buy here