Caviar. It's one of the most sought after delicacies to eat and now you can use it on your face too. The formula containing these tasty black pearls nourish the most damaged of skins. Properties: caviar is rich in proteins and trace elements, and is a highly beneficial ingredient to prevent skin aging. The prestigious Iranian beautician Massi Massumeh includes it in her treatments and her retail beauty products. Phone for information on 91 308 57 12.

Tea. For 2,000 years tea has been part of Chinese medicine. In India its juice is used as a cure to heal cuts and wounds. In recent studies it has been widely acclaimed for its cosmetic use because of its great powers as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. Green tea, when dried, contains very high levels of flavonoids and tannins, which are valued for their regenerative effects and their anti free-radical properties. It's one of the ingredients that is a permanent fixture in aromatherapy treatments in The Lab Room, an up to the minute beauty centre boasting a mixing desk so you can choose your favourite music, and walls adorned with exhibitions of photographs or painting. Phone for an appointment on 91 576 08 47.

Grape. Every grape seed contains skin hydrating and moisturising oils. The grape's flesh contains vitamins, sugars, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium and trace elements, which energize the body's cells. According to the latest research, grape polyphenols are one of the most powerful substances to suppress the action of free radicals. They are 50 times more powerful than vitamin E and 20 times more effective than vitamin C.

Cucumber. Cucumber peel applied to the skin has immediate refreshing properties. But its high vitamin and mineral content has also turned this vegetable into an ingredient of several cosmetic formulas. It has hydrating and emollient properties.

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THE SHOPPING BASKET
Now you know what ingredients are going to be the rage this summer, keep them in mind the next time you go shopping for cosmetics. Here's a handy list to help you:

� E'lifexir, from Phergal. A nutritive preparation made of oil from the seeds of borage and blackcurrant, enriched with vitamins C and E with antioxidant properties. You take two pearls before meals. Price: 2,495 pesetas. On sale in chemist shops.
� Body firming cream Advanced Essential Energy, by Shisheido. A nutritive with rice, green tea and extract of cherry. Firms, hydrates and acts as a global antioxidant. Price: 7,000 pesetas.
� Vin�fit, by Lanc�me. Protective, energizing and hydrating treatment, ideal for young skins. Its main ingredient are grape polyphenols, which prevent cellular oxidization. Price: 6,000 pesetas.
� Soothing cucumber eye pads, by Pond's. Visibly reduce swollen eyelids, and make bags and dark rings under the eyes go away. As well as natural cucumber extract they contain aloe vera, green tea and camomile. Price: 1,895 pesetas.
� Tobacco Flower bath and shower gel, by The Body Shop. Cleanses all the body and contains camomile water and tobacco flower, freesia, mimosa and rose. Price: 1,530 pesetas.
� Juice It Glycerine Soap, by The Body Shop. Choose between mandarin orange, lime, forest fruits, melon, spirulina algae or ginger. Leaves the skin soft and smooth. Price: 525 pesetas.
� Art of Spa sugar body scrub, by Helena Rubinstein. Contains micro-particles which massage and remove dead cells and rough skin. Tones up the skin thanks to a composition of essential oils of orange, pepper, and nutmeg.
� Dermocaviar, by La Prairie. Beads of extract of caviar, vegetable extracts and vitamins A and E. In each packet there is a little spoon and a gauze to press the beads and release the active ingredients. Hydrates, firms and improves the skin texture and tone. Price: 23,900 pesetas.