Japan has been steadily increasing its defence budget, setting spending records for 12 consecutive years. Its latest budget, approved in December by its cabinet, is for more than 9 trillion yen ($57bn, £42bn) – moving the country closer to its target of spending 2% of its GDP on the military.

Here are the latest rugby headlines on Sunday, May 31.

Edwards in England as RFU urged to make move

Shaun Edwards’ impending exit from France has put a number of major rugby nations on red alert, with the former Wales defence coach back in England amid reports he is about to be let go by the French Rugby Federation two years before the end of his contract.

Edwards was guest of honour at rugby league’s Challenge Cup final at Wembley where his former side Wigan Warriors claimed the trophy, presenting players with their medals as news broke in France of his uncertain future.

Reports in France claim Edwards has lost the full support of head coach Fabien Galthié and is about to be replaced by Gérald Bastide, who previously held the role between 2015 and 2017. Galthié and his assistant coaches recently met in Narbonne to discuss selection ahead of the upcoming friendly against England A and the Nations Cup fixtures against New Zealand, Australia and Japan in July but Edwards was absent.

The RFU will come under huge pressure to make a move for Edwards, who is widely seen as the best English coach England have never had, despite holding tentative talks on more than one occasion. Edwards’ availability comes weeks after head coach Steve Borthwick, who currently has Richard Wigglesworth as his defence coach, survived an internal review after a disastrous Six Nations.

Former England international Andy Goode is among those urging English rugby bosses to make a move immediately.

He said: “If the news of Shaun Edwards parting ways with France rugby are true you’d hope Bill Sweeney (RFU CEO) has the cojones to pick up the phone and offer him a 5 year deal to run through the next 2 World Cups. We can’t miss out on him again!”

As for Wales, they have been without a defence coach since Steve Tandy took over but have now appointed former Scotland international Peter Murchie from this summer.

Edwards has previously spoken of his ambition to coach international rugby in the southern hemisphere and also believes he has the capability to be a head coach at the highest level.

Adams makes Cardiff vow for next season

Josh Adams is adamant Cardiff’s season has been a success and is quietly confident they can kick on next season.

Cardiff reached the United Rugby Championship play-offs for the first time but slipped to a 44-21 quarter-final defeat to the Stormers in Cape Town.

But given all the off field distractions Adams insists finishing in sixth in the league should be viewed as a success for his side.

“We are disappointed with that result but throughout the season we have been excellent,” Adams told S4C.

“We deserved to be in a game like this. We fought very well right until the end. There’s a lot to be said for this young team. There’s a lot of growth for us to do as well.

“We are looking ahead to next season and hopefully we can improve as well. It has been very successful.

“We knew at the start of the season we wanted to finish in the top eight. That was our target and we finished sixth. We’ve been in the top eight throughout the whole season.”

Adams is quietly confident Cardiff will improve next season.

“I think as a group some boys are moving on and there are some new boys coming in over the summer,” he told S4C.

“We just want to build. There’s a lot of growing for this team to do.

“We want to be back here next season as well.”

Munster knocked out of URC play-offs

Bulls ran in six tries as they progressed to the semi-finals of the United Rugby Championship with a comprehensive 45-14 victory over Munster in Pretoria.

The South African side flew out of the traps and scored two tries in the first eight minutes when Embrose Papier crossed under the posts following a neat attack off a scrum penalty advantage before Kurt-Lee Arendse went over to help them into a 14-0 lead.

Handre Pollard slotted a penalty to further extend the Bulls’ lead but Munster responded with a couple of tries of their own through Jack O’Donoghue and Alex Nankivell to narrow the deficit to three points.

Munster’s hard work was undone at the end of the half as the Bulls restored their 17-point lead with two tries before the interval, Johan Grobbelaar striking from close range before Cameron Hanekom scored on the stroke of half-time.

Bulls were threatening to run away it and got their first try of the second half in the 54th minute when Papier claimed his second of the afternoon and the hosts’ fifth.

Stravino Jacobs went over in the corner to round off the scoring with the Bulls’ sixth try of the afternoon to ensure they go through to face Glasgow in the last-four clash.

Jan O’Brien, known online as The Flower Mummy, will unveil her deeply personal garden, Threads of Life, at the NEC in Birmingham next June, using flowers, textiles and symbolic storytelling to honour a close friend living with Motor Neurone Disease.

The project, which follows the success of her award-winning 2025 BBC Gardeners’ World Live garden, aims to raise awareness and funds for the Manchester and District branch of the Motor Neurone Disease Association (MNDA).

Jan in her award-winning 2025 BBC Gardeners’ World Live garden (Image: Jan)

But for Jan, the garden is about far more than medals or design.

“When somebody you love is losing pieces of themselves to this disease, you realise how important it is to create something meaningful while you still can,” she said.

“It’s become bigger than just a garden.”

The design reflects Jan’s life across five decades, with each section representing different “chapters” through planting, pathways, mirrors and sewing-inspired installations.

Threads of Life garden design (Image: Jan)

Inspired by a lifelong love of textiles inherited from her mum and nana, the garden features giant sewing needles, woven elements and repeated planting themes to symbolise memory, healing and connection.

Jan said: “The garden celebrates my 50th year through five decades of lived experience, where planting, path and sculpture form chapters that are still being written.

“It speaks about fragility, mending and resilience.

“The whole idea is that all our lives are stitched together through the people we love.”

(Image: Jan)

The Horwich gardener explained that spending time outdoors became a source of comfort following her own cancer diagnosis and during periods of grief.

“I found comfort being in the garden,” she said.

“I feel closer to my mum there. Nature brings me a lot of solace and support.

“When life becomes overwhelming, the garden is where I go to breathe again.”

At the heart of Threads of Life is Jan’s close friend, David, who was diagnosed with MND last year and has rapidly lost mobility.

Jan said: “It’s absolutely tragic and I wanted to do this to raise awareness for MND and show support for him and his family.

“This garden is for all those living with, caring for, or affected by MND.

“I wanted them to know they’re seen, they matter and their story matters too.”

Jan admitted there were moments she considered stepping away from the demanding project, but said the emotional importance of the garden kept her going.

“There were times this year when I thought I couldn’t do it,” she said.

“But it’s giving them hope and something to look forward to.

“That’s what gardens can do, they can comfort people when words sometimes can’t.”

Jan first caught the attention of BBC Gardeners’ World Live judges in 2025, winning Silver Merit and Best Interpretation of the Theme for a garden supporting the Willow Foundation, a charity helping seriously ill young adults.

(Image: Jan)

Despite insisting she was “not a garden designer”, judges encouraged her to return the following year.

She laughed: “I told them, ‘No, this is my one and only.’

“But apparently they knew better than I did.”

Alongside the garden itself, Jan is also creating a lasting “legacy” project inspired by books that shaped her own life.

Books linked to themes such as theatre, gardening, grief, hope and creativity will be donated to schools, libraries, hospices, care homes and community groups after the show, each carrying a special Threads of Life and MNDA bookplate.

She said: “Stories helped shape me through some of the hardest moments in my life.

“If this garden can help even one person feel comforted or understood, then it will have done what it was meant to do.”

Fundraising is now underway to help cover the practical costs of bringing the garden to life, including transport, materials and accessible accommodation for volunteers and guests connected to the project.

A minimum of 40 per cent of all pre-show donations will go directly to the Motor Neurone Disease Association, while all post-show plant sales and donations made during the event will also support the charity.

People can follow the project and support fundraising efforts via Jan’s Instagram page, @theflowermummysgarden or donate to the crowd funder https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/threads-of-life-bbc-gardeners-world-2026

Jan added: “Every contribution becomes a small stitch in the Threads of Life garden.

“None of us can create something so meaningful entirely alone.”

A picturesque seaside town in Essex is embroiled in controversy after plans were submitted to convert a shopfront into a Greggs outlet — with a petition now launched to block it

A picturesque seaside town hailed as one of Essex’s finest places to live could soon see the arrival of Greggs — but the prospect has divided opinion.

Leigh-on-Sea occupies one of Essex’s most stunning locations and is renowned for its independent shops and businesses.

The beautiful coastal town, known simply as ‘Leigh’ amongst residents, comprises the old town where dining and drinking venues abound, and the Broadway, home to boutique retailers and restaurants.

The delightful town, which features spectacular waterfront vistas, cobbled streets and vibrant beach huts, is celebrated for its independent character. Yet proposals to transform a Broadway shop into a Greggs branch have sparked debate.

Papers lodged with Southend-on-Sea City Council outlined plans for a shopfront displaying Greggs signage on the Factory Shop — with a verdict expected by July 10.

Nevertheless, a petition has been started urging the council to reject the Greggs proposals, attracting more than 1,700 signatures so far.

Behind the campaign is resident Enzo Harrison. He explained to this reporter: “It’s important to keep the Broadway independent. When people spend money in locally-owned businesses, the money stays in the area, it enriches us all.

“We risk losing not only our wealth but the unique feel of the area.”

Elaborating on why he started the petition, he explained on the website: “For as long as I remember, Leigh has had a host of high quality, independently owned bakeries and restaurants. Grout’s, The Homemade Bakery, The Flour and Spoon etc.

“The money we spent stayed in our community, the food we ate was wholesome and used proper ingredients, the faces behind the counter were familiar and friendly. This may soon come to an end.”

He continued: “To put it simply — Leigh’s too good for a Greggs. And we all know it.”

Responding below, one resident remarked: “I live on the Broadway and this would have a huge impact in my daily life, as their operations unit would sit right on my backyard. Keep Leigh independent, we love our artisan bakeries and coffee shops.”

Another chimed in: “Leigh doesn’t need any more chains or food outlets . To keep Leigh special we need independent shops selling things we actually need.”

Greggs was established in 1939 and has become one of Britain’s best-loved bakeries with thousands of branches. It also runs its own charity, The Greggs Foundation, which provides eight million free breakfasts for primary school children each year.

Leigh-on-Sea, meanwhile, is home to over 20,000 residents who enjoy scenic walks and delicious fish and chips.

Situated on the Thames Estuary, London is accessible by train in roughly 45 minutes, making the town attractive to commuters who prefer to avoid living in the heart of the capital. Edward White, the owner of fashion boutique Local Merchants, told express.co.uk last year: “We’re lucky to be surrounded by locals and visitors who actually care about supporting independent shops. They want something you can’t get everywhere.”

Councillor Carole Mulroney also weighed in on the flourishing high street, saying: “We’re lucky, we don’t often see empty shops in Leigh. There’s a healthy turnover, but people are invested. Shop owners, residents, they want this place to do well.”

She went on to note that cafes were “always full” whether by the old town waterfront or along the lively hilltop high street.

The town once had a Costa Coffee, which has since shut its doors, and a Subway had to be redesigned to blend in with its surroundings. Leigh continues to resist the cookie-cutter uniformity that plagues so many British high streets, with its embrace of independent businesses proving to be its greatest strength.

The seaside town sits just a 15-minute drive from Southend-on-Sea, and according to Rightmove, the average property price in Leigh-on-Sea stands at £448,840.

Local resident Russell Campbell, who previously lived in Basildon, shared his thoughts on Leigh with this publication.

He said: “I like the people here. I like the art here, the music, and I like that it’s by the sea. I just like the whole feel about it. It’s quite arty. The people here are creative.”

A visitor also chimed in: “Leigh has a cultural life which other towns like Southend don’t. It’s a wonderful place. Some talented people have emerged from here.”

This includes Oscar-winner Dame Helen Mirren, who grew up there, and Jamie Oliver, who once posted on social media: ” Aaaaahhhh back in my home town of Leigh on Sea ESSEX down at the cockle sheds just a quick visit but 15 mins for a pint of Adams and a little Cockles white pepper and vinegar and a roll before my next job then back to London Town happy days and memories.”

One local resident, Simon Green, also championed Leigh-on-Sea last year when Which? placed Southend-on-Sea as the fourth-worst seaside resort in the country in its yearly survey of top coastal destinations.

He outlined three reasons why this assessment was “total nonsense”, arguing that Leigh-on-Sea had been unfairly dismissed as one of Southend’s finest assets.

Simon described it as “undoubtedly one of the most desirable areas in the city”, highlighting how residents descended there every weekend to soak up the atmosphere at the Broadway cafes.

He also praised the independent retailers and a Michelin restaurant named Food.

And painting a picture of what Broadway – which may soon welcome a Greggs – is truly like, he wrote: “Situated right on the seafront, the former fishing village has a beautiful cobbled street running through it lined with clapboard houses from the 18th Century. Shacks are always open selling countless varieties of fresh fish — including prawns, oysters and mussels caught that day.

“And the meal can be washed down with a pint at the ever-popular Peterboat or the Boatyard, which overlook the fishing trawlers bobbing in the estuary. Ye Olde Smack is always a popular pub for locals too.”

Greggs and Leigh Town Council have been approached for comment.

Welcome back to What’s Cooking, Metro’s food series, taking a peek inside the nation’s kitchens.

This week, we’re at home with Michelin-trained chef Poppy O’Toole, who you might recognise from social media as ‘the potato queen’.

Poppy has a whopping 1.4 million followers on Instagram, where she regularly shares potato recipes, and her food is so beloved that she’s recently teamed up with Bill’s restaurants to serve it nationwide, with a limited-edition menu to celebrate the chain’s 25th anniversary.

But if you’ve ever wondered what the 32-year-old really likes to eat when she’s not roasting, mashing, and frying potatoes, we’ve got the answer.

First, tell us a secret. What’s your most unhinged snack obsession?

I absolutely adore frozen peas; I eat bags of them. Sometimes I’ll put them on top of cream cheese or cottage cheese, but I also just scoop them into my mouth straight out of the freezer. My husband thinks it’s mental, but I love that it’s like ice, but it’s also food.

Which dish always transports you back to your childhood?

My mum’s lasagne. She used to make individual ones so everyone could always get the crusty bit around the edge, which is the best bit. That, with some garlic bread and a side salad, takes me straight back.

Now, we’ve got to ask… What’s next for potatoes?

Goodness me, that’s a big question and one I ask myself regularly. 

I think barbecuing potatoes is going to be a big trend this summer – it’s on the verge of having a moment.

I’ve actually started making potato skewers on the barbecue. You take baby potatoes, very lightly parboil them with loads of aromats, so you’ve got some stock in there, some bay leaves, and peppercorns for flavour, skewer them on metal skewers, and add veg in between each one, just as you would a kebab. 

The key is to make a really beautiful glaze for them. I’m using clarified butter, and you can add whatever herbs you want, but I’m going for a bit of paprika, cumin, coriander, chilli, and lemon juice. 

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Mix that up and then cook them low and slow on the barbecue, and you glaze the potatoes every 10 minutes or so, for about 40 to 50 minutes, turning and glazing as you go, until you get these charred, beautiful, potato kebabs that are perfect on top of a yoghurt dressing.

Name one thing that’s always in your fridge…

I’m a savoury girl, and I love pickles, but they have to be cold, sweet, and sour. 

Currently, I’ve got Sainsbury’s own-brand gherkins, and they’re so good – they’ve got some mustard seeds, caraway seeds, onion and a bit of pepper in, and I’m eating that as well. I’ll also drink some of the pickle juice.

What about in your store cupboard?

Potatoes are the obvious answer. That’s a given.

But I also always like to have some Worcestershire Sauce in the cupboard, and it has to be Lea & Perrins. I’ve tried other brands, but that’s the one I always end up going back to.

And in the freezer?

Bags of frozen chopped garlic and ginger. They’re so easy, and really convenient because I always forget to buy garlic, so having that in the freezer is such a useful backup.

Is there anything you can’t resist splurging on at the supermarket?

I love sourdough bread, and I’m realising it’s getting more and more expensive. My go-to is Jason’s number 11.

I’ll also splurge on a really good block of butter, whichever looks posh and has salt crystals in.

A fiver for butter is just ridiculous, but I love proper butter.

What do you prefer to get the cheap own-brand version of from the supermarket?

Ice creams. We had Magnums the other week, which are very nice, but they’re so much smaller than I remember them being, and it’s so expensive for three of them.

So now for anything ice cream or ice lolly related, I just buy own-brand ones.

Is there anything you won’t eat?

I have an unhinged fear of jelly. I can’t eat it, I can’t even look at it, it makes me feel physically sick. I take it off my pork pies, and if I have a terrine or anything like that, it has to be removed.

I can’t have anything set in gelatin, but it’s so sad because I’m desperate to eat trifle – it looks like the most beautiful thing in the world.

How does it feel having your dishes on the menu at Bill’s?

It’s been incredible, as this is the first thing I’ve ever done where a lot of people can try my food.

There are three items – my ultimate smash burger, loaded tater tots, and a crispy smashed potato salad. 

The burger is amazing, it’s got a hash brown on top, red onions, as well as caramelised onions, and it’s a big boy. I’ve also got a hyper fixation on tater tots at the moment, and these have hot maple feta and bacon, which is a winning combo. It’s potato perfection.

I’ve been there literally like three times in the last month; it’s ridiculous how many times I’ve been to eat the burger.

Finally, what’s been cooking lately?

A few weeks ago, we didn’t have a lot in, just some mince and some chips in the freezer, so I fried off the mince with a bit of onion and garlic, and loaded it up on top of chips. It wasn’t saucy, just slightly dry, which I know doesn’t sound very good, but trust me, it was delicious.

It’s now become one of our weekly go-tos for dinner. 

Want to take part in What’s Cooking and let Metro raid your kitchen at home? Email courtney.pochin@metro.co.uk  

Do you have a story to share?

Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk.

If you’re heading into town by car, be warned. It’s gong to be even more difficult that usual.

The start line for both races is located on Portland Street and both finish on Deansgate. The routes do vary though, and you can take a look at our full guide here.

Road closures

The following roads will be closed to vehicular traffic during the dates and times shown.

Saturday 30 May to Sunday 31 May

6am, 30 May to 9pm, 31 May

• Liverpool Road – Deansgate to Barton Street

6am, 30 May to 11pm, 31 May

• Tonman Street – Deansgate to Barton Street

Sunday 31 May

2am to 7pm

• Deansgate – Whitworth Street West to Quay Street

4am to 4pm

• Peter Street – Mount Street to St Peters Square
• Portland Street – Princess Street to Oxford Street
• Chepstow Street – Oxford Street to Great Bridgewater Street
• Dickinson Street – Portland Street to the eastern end of the street

4am to 6pm

• Deansgate – Quay Street to John Dalton Street
• St John Street – Deansgate to Byrom Street
• Jacksons Row – Deansgate to Southmill Street
• Lloyd Street – Deansgate to Southmill Street
• Peter Street – Deansgate to Mount Street
• Quay Street – Deansgate to Byrom Street
• Southmill Street – Peter Street to Albert Square

5:30am to 1pm

• Mancunian Way East – Fairfield Street to Regent Road
• Mancunian Way West – Fairfield Street to Regent Road
• Pin Mill Brow – Fairfield Street to Mancunian Way

6:30am to 1pm

• Chorlton Road – Jackson Crescent to the Mancunian Way roundabout
• Fairfield Street – Ashton Old Road to Mancunian Way
• Manor Street – Paddock Street to Mancunian Way

6:30am to 2:45pm

• Albion Street – Whitworth Street West to Great Bridgewater Street

6:30am to 4pm

• Abingdon Street – Portland Street to Silver Street
• Bloom Street – Chorlton Street to Princess Street
• Cross Street – Cross Street to John Dalton Street
• Great Bridgewater Street – Oxford Street to Deansgate
• Major Street – Sackville Street to Princess Street
• Minshull Street – Portland Street to Aytoun Street
• Oxford Street – Peter Street to Whitworth Street West
• Portland Street – New York Street to Princess Street
• Princess Street – Albert Square to Portland Street
• Sackville Street – Portland Street to Major Street

6:30am to 6pm

• Hardman Street – Byrom Street to the Royal Bank of Scotland car park exit
• Atkinson Street – Byrom Street to Deansgate
• Bootle Street – Deansgate to Southmill Street
• Byrom Street – Quay Street to Hardman Street
• Central Street – Southmill Street to Lloyd Street
• Bridgewater Viaduct – Chester Road to Whitworth Street West
• Chester Road – Bridgewater Way to Bridgewater Viaduct
• Ellesmere Street – Hulme Hall Road to Chester Road
• Hulme Hall Road – Ellesmere Street to Chester Road
• Whitworth Street West – Albion Street to Deansgate

7am to 11:30am

• Alan Turing Way – Ashton New Road to Ashton Old Road

7am to 1pm

• Ashton Old Road – Alan Turing Way to Pin Mill Brow

7am to 2:45pm

• Albion Street – Whitworth Street West to Medlock Street
• Medlock Street – Albion Street to Princess Road
• Whitworth Street West – Albion Street to Gloucester Street
• City Road East – Albion Street to Great Jackson Street
• Great Jackson Street – City Road East to Chester Road
• River Street – Medlock Street to Garwood Street
• Garwood Street – Great Jackson Street and City Road East to River Street

8am to 11am

• Ashton New Road – Ashton New Roa/Darley Street to Alan Turing Way

When Penny forgot about a lunch date to meet her daughter’s in-laws for the first time, her husband of 45-years knew it was time to go to the doctors.

Denis Horton, 75, was familiar with the signs of memory loss. His friend’s wife had developed dementia just five years earlier, so he was attuned to what could be put down to ageing, and what couldn’t.

Penny, 74, is a ‘voracious reader’ and attentive grandma to her three grandchildren.

She was organised and on top of everyone and everything in her life, having had a long career in the social services before her retirement in 2019.

But in 2019, she started to struggle to remember dates, directions in familiar areas and exciting plans.

She became confused while travelling to a London restaurant to meet her daughter’s partner’s family for the first time

‘That’s when I knew to get her checked out,’ Denis said.

What followed was plenty of tests, different doctors and trips to clinics across London.

At first, medics at the Acton Memory Clinic were unsure whether Penny had any memory loss problems. But eventually, after blood and cognitive testing, she was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimers.

‘It was difficult to come to terms with,’ Denis said. ‘Especially because we were, and still are, very happy together.’

The couple had met at school in Grimsby, when Denis was 18 and Penny was 16. They had moved to west London, for work and raised four children together.

They are regular theatre-goers, as well as avid walkers, making the reality of their future hard to swallow.

Denis said: ‘Things aren’t as they were, with Penny repeatedly asking a lot of the same questions. But I remind myself to be patient, and aside fromt that we remain a happy couple going about our normal lives.’

They immeadiately launched into action finding the best course of treatment to try and delay the disease from developing.

The answer lay in numerous trials, and after researching what would be the best course of action for them, they came across University College Hospital’s pioneering clinical study.

Brain inflammation is a feature of Alzheimer’s progression, and scientists are exploring whether treating this and improving the brain’s natural repair processes helps slow the disease.

This is the first-of-its-kind approach to treatment, and led by Professor Catherine Mummery, they are developing ImmunoBrain’s new antibody.

And results so far are promising. There are no adverse side effects and researchers have observed trends which would indicate improvement.

Professor Mummery said: ‘Without volunteers we have no trials, and without trials we have no progress. At the moment, we are making real progress in the study of Alzheimer’s—and that is down to people like [Penny].

‘There is still a clear need for new treatments that can address the underlying biology of Alzheimer’s disease.

‘These findings suggest that working with the immune system in a different way may offer a promising new direction. While this research is still at an early stage, it is encouraging to see signals that support further study.’

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

For more stories like this, check our news page.

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Tip Toe was inspired as much by events from Russell T Davies’ own life as it was from the general news cycle

It’s important to note that Tip Toe is not set in a not-to-distant future dystopia, this is Russell T Davies’ reflection on the modern world as it is

Despite his own personal feelings on the subject matter, Russell wanted to show different sides to characters on all sides of the argument, and not paint either of them as saints

Given Tip Toe’s difficult subject matter, everyone involved knew it was going to make for a difficult shoot

David said that working on a show as well-organised as Tip Toe meant he was able to really focus on the difficult task at hand

Alan Cumming had a specific way of de-stressing at the end of a long day of filming

Having Alan’s dog, Lala, around on set helped keep things light, too

Warner Bros. TV via Getty Images

There was never a question of setting Tip Toe anywhere other than Manchester

Oh, and we’re pleased to report that being on set with Denise Welch was as much of a delight as you’d expect

Metro journalists select and curate the products that feature on our site. If you make a purchase via links on this page we will earn commission – learn more

There’s no denying the beauty industry is oversaturated, with too many products and confusing messaging about what your skin actually needs. 

Viral trends come and go, and only add to the overwhelm, but aren’t always best suited to you and your needs. As a beauty journalist, I know this feeling all too well – I have oily skin with hormonal acne and mild rosacea, and despite my years in the industry, I’m often left feeling frustrated with the excessive amount of products that promise to ‘fix’ me. 

If that’s something you’ve also experienced, Noli could be the solution to simplifying things. It’s an AI-driven platform, backed by L’Oreal, that uses dermatologist diagnostics to take the guesswork out of beauty shopping.

The setup is simple; complete the questionnaire to discover your profile – or what Noli calls its BeautyDNA – and it will analyse your skin type, concerns, budget preference, and more, to recommend the products best suited to your needs. 

So I did exactly that, and have plenty of thoughts. My personal needs are to clear up blemishes, tackle dehydration and smooth uneven tone and texture. I told Noli I have no preference on fragrance, want my skin to feel soothed, and I’m happy to spend a little more on products if they’ll work. 

Here’s exactly what Noli said I needed, and my verdict on the four-product skincare routine it built for me. 

La Roche-Posay Effaclar H Iso-Biome Cleansing Cream

Noli advised using this as my first skincare step, as it’s gentle enough to cleanse my skin without being too harsh or removing too much oil, which can only lead to increased oil production.

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It’s specifically formulated to soothe discomfort from harsh acne treatments, which can be very drying, and is well-tolerated with Isotretinoin (a prescription acne treatment). 

The formula is packed with niaciamide, mannose and glycerin, which, combined, hydrate and reduce the appearance of pores and inflammation. 

I love how rich and creamy it feels when lathered with warm water, and I found it surprisingly effective at removing my makeup too.

It rinses off easily, is fragrance-free, and leaves my skin feeling immediately softer and smoother.

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So far, so good.

Buy Now for £16.50

SkinCeuticals Phyto Corrective

Next up was a targeted serum, and Noli’s top pick for me was this SkinCeuticals Phyto Corrective. Gel.

It’s a blend of hyaluronic acid, cucumber, thyme and mulberry that contains lactic acid, a gentle exfoliant, that unclogs pores, reduces blemishes and hydrates without adding oil. 

It’s incredibly lightweight, with a watery-thin texture that absorbs in seconds, which I love.

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There’s nothing I hate more than spending ages rubbing a sticky solution on my skin. 

It has a slight medicinal scent, but it disappears very quickly, and I found that when I had bouts of period-induced breakouts, it calmed my skin and left it feeling soothed and comfortable, even when I had painful cysts on my chin.

It’s expensive, but a worthwhile investment.

Buy now for £83

IT Cosmetics Confidence in a Gel Cream

Next is an oil-free moisturiser that can tackle blemishes, hydrate and balance oil production. 

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Noli’s pick was this from IT Cosmetics – a refreshing, cooling gel cream that contains a mix of niacinamide and lactic acid, both proven ingredients for reducing inflammation, regulating excess oil and unclogging pores.

Everything I need, basically. 

I love the texture of this; it’s like a drink of water for my skin, without the stickiness or greasy residue I often experience from thicker, richer traditional creams.

I use it day and night, and it creates a smooth, even base for my makeup and SPF to be applied on top.

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Kiehl’s Better Screen™ UV Serum Sunscreen

I know all too well the importance of SPF, and having been sunburnt as a reckless teenager, I’m well aware of how damaging a lack of sun protection can be.

Noli recommended this new sunscreen from Kiehl’s, which provides SPF 50 and a silky-soft texture that leaves a glowy finish. 

It’s a non-comedogenic, meaning it won’t block your pores, which inevitably leads to breakouts, and doesn’t leave a white cast behind that could leave my skin looking ghostly.

I love the radiant finish, which isn’t dewy, but just enough to make my skin look healthier with one use.

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