When it comes to the ultimate facial cream; my wish list is pretty non-negotiable.

There are some obvious things I look for – plush, silky textures, lasting hydration, that lightweight, sunk-in feeling. However, there's a plethora of deeper needs I tend to overlook – advanced technology, innovative ingredients and some other scientific jargon my pre morning-coffee-brain won't quite grasp.

That's where a little bit of trust comes in...

Thankfully for heritage brands like Lancôme, innovation (and scientific jargon!) is their bread and butter. Let their latest moisturiser launch be proof; it's the by product of 35 years of dedicated research.

Taking inspiration from the world of aesthetics, the new Rénergie Collagen+ Lift-Xtend Cream mimics the mechanical lifting power of a thread-lift.

For those unfamiliar with the clinical treatment, absorbable threads are inserted under the skin to reposition and tighten sagging tissues. While the results are impressive, the process involves incisions and a fair amount of 'ouch'. This breakthrough cream offers a needle-free alternative.

How can a topical cream be comparable, I hear you ask? The magic lies in a unique thread-like texture that physically wraps the skin in a supportive matrix. It provides that immediate, gratifying tightening effect we crave without the downtime (or pain!) of thread lifts. Kind of revolutionary, right?

Here's everything you need to know about the new formula.

Radiant skin relies on density. While we know collagen is the scaffolding of a youthful face, there is often confusion about how it works in a jar. Naturally large, whole collagen molecules usually sit on the surface to hydrate.

Lancôme utilises collagen peptides instead. These smaller, potent fragments are designed to target visible signs of collagen loss with much higher precision than their larger counterparts.

Pillowy and dense, the formula works to visibly improve up to 10 years of collagen loss. It doesn't just sit there; it performs. In fact, clinical tests showed a 57% tighter-feeling complexion in just four hours. That is the kind of efficiency we can get behind.

If 'Before and After' shots are your thing, I'd highly recommend playing around with the toggled pics on Lancôme's site. They're pretty impressive / unbelievable!

* Instrumental test, 3 months, 78 women.

** Instrumental test, 40 subjects.

***Consumer self-assessment, 78 women, after 4 weeks of twice-daily use.

Delicate yet powerful, the new cream formula is a gamechanger for those looking to lift, firm and plump without the fuss. It's designed to be suitable for all skin types. Yes, it's even pregnancy safe!

The hero ingredient (and innovation) Collagen Threads share an identical structure to human collagen, which works to visibly improve skin quality and resilience. This is bolstered by a potent dose of Collagen Peptides to tighten sagging areas and boost natural synthesis, while Copper-Tripeptide works to iron out those deeper set wrinkles and restore lost elasticity.

The formula is plush with a velvety midweight consistency that melts into skin for a supple finish. It doesn't leave behind any greasy film and feels relatively weightless. Lancôme recommends using the cream morning and night as the final step of your skincare routine to lock in hydration and help visibly firm. Good news; it also pairs well with retinol.