I like to think I'm realistic about skin products aimed at diminishing wrinkles - I know they won't work miracles, I know they won't work overnight, and I know that I'll probably be the only one to really notice any difference to my skin. I don't expect my husband to suddenly burst out, "Gee, honey, you look so much - younger today!", nor do I expect people at work to think I'm 19 when I'm really 29.

It was with these assumptions that I started using Almay's Time Off Revitalizing Serum, an alpha and beta hydroxy acid serum which is supposed to smooth wrinkles and even out the skin tone. It was recently launched in the United Kingdom (where I live), and was promoted as being a very popular product in the demanding American beauty market, with stocks selling out initially.

Now I must make a further disclaimer, just in case some readers were still hoping against hope for a fountain of youth for £15: to a starving man, an apple is a feast. In other words, no, Almay's Time Off Serum did not restore my skin to its pre-wrinkle condition, but I did see some changes which were very exciting for me:

• A verticle line above my lip, which I thought was there to stay, almost disappeared.
• My "crow's feet" around my eyes were made less noticeable.
• My skin tone become more even, and my blemishes - the small ones that only I would really notice - were less obvious.

Overall, I would strongly recommend this to women who are in the market for an AHA serum at a "budget" price. One note to readers who have sensitive skin: Almay does warn that if any redness begins to appear, to discontinue use immediately, which is a standard warning for AHA skincare products.