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The winter cold, and excesses of the festive season can tend to leave our skin looking dull and tired, so this month we've decided to test out a variety of skincare and make-up products designed to give you a radiant and glowing complexion.
Each product has been given a mark out of 10 for radiance and value for money.
Please note, these marks are intended purely as a guide to you. They are based solely on my own personal opinion, and have not been calculated particularly scientifically, so you may have a different opinion. If you have tried any of the products for yourself and disagree with my comments, please do feel free to let me know.
If you want to see a full list of the ingredients in any of the products, just click on the link which follows each review.
If you want to find out more about any individual product, or purchase it, just click on its image.
PS: don't underestimate the effect of your diet on your skin - if you want a fresh healthy complexion, whatever the weather, the best way to start is by eating a balanced diet and drinking plenty of water. I also swear by nettle tea (organic of course) - I've been drinking 3 or 4 cups a day for the last 5 or 6 years, and my skin is much brighter and clearer than it was before.
see our cosmetics industry information page for more about chemicals in skincare products.
see previous bodycare features:
body moisturisers, cleansers, shower gels, night creams, hand care and bath products.
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Award-winning skincare. Delivery £2.50 to UK. Organic Detoxifying Cleanser
Retail price £15.90 for a 50ml jar.
Rich cleansing balm with a fresh lemony fragrance. Designed to detox, deeply cleanse and moisturise, leaving the skin feeling soft and radiant. Safe for use around the eyes and great for removing eye make up too.
 radiance score: 8/10  value for money: 8/10
Organic Regenerating Night Cream
Retail price £16.80 for a 30ml jar.
Luxurious night-time moisturiser with a rich and creamy texture. It is suitable for all skin types, including mature, stressed and sensitive.
radiance score: 8/10 value for money: 8/10
click here for ingredients
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Anti-ageing skincare range. Delivery £3.50 to UK.
Miracle Mask
Retail price £37.19 for a 40ml bottle.
Not suitable for sensitive skins, but anyone else will benefit from a weekly treatment using this clear gel mask. You only need to use 2 or 3 pumps each time, so the 40ml bottle will last quite a while. Leaves skin feeling smooth and bright.
radiance score: 8/10 value for money: 7/10
Replenishing Night Oil
Retail price £41.11 for a 15ml bottle.
Light oil containing omegas 3,6,7 and 9, and fragranced with tahitian vanilla oil and rose absolute. Gently massage a couple of drops onto your face before you go to bed (if you've got dry skin you may want to follow with Nude's Age Defence Moisturiser), and wake up with soft radiant skin.
radiance score: 8/10 value for money: 6/10
Advanced Smoothing Complex
Retail price £46.98 for a 15ml bottle.
Carry on the good work started by the replenishing night oil, by using this rich serum under your moisturiser during the day.
radiance score: 8/10 value for money: 6/10
click here for ingredients
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Delivery £2.25 to UK.
'Plant Essentials' Facial Cleanser
Retail price £9.95 for a 100ml bottle.
Suitable for all skin types, including sensitive, this light cleansing oil smells delicious and is enhanced with Reiki healing energy.
Massage 1 pump into your skin to remove dirt and makeup, even around your eyes, and then wipe off with a cotton wool pad or muslin cloth.
Leaves skin feeling fresh and toned.
radiance score: 8/10 value for money: 9/10
'Plant Essentials' Rejuvenating Facial Serum/Moisturiser
Retail price £11.95 for a 50ml bottle.
Also suitable for all skin types, and enhanced with Reiki healing energy. This is a great all-round moisturiser which acts to regulate sebum production and combat the signs of aging.
Use it morning and night to leave your skin feeling toned and refreshed, and naturally glowing.
radiance score: 9/10 value for money: 9/10
click here for ingredients
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Organic Superfruit Concentrate
Retail price £24.47 for a 30ml bottle. Delivery £2.95 to UK.
100% soil association certified organic facial serum containing the super-nutrients avocado, pomegranate, rosehip and seabuckthorn berries. It promises to help to protect against UV and free-radical damage.
Apply 1 or 2 drops alone, or over your usual daily moisturiser to enhance absorption of both products. Leaves skin with a delicate glow.
radiance score: 9/10 value for money: 8/10
click here for ingredients
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Organic Rosehip Face Oil with Geranium
Retail price £17.00 for a 30ml bottle (£12.75 for a limited period during January sale). Delivery £2.00 to UK.
Cold-pressed organic rosehip oil, renowned as a treatment for sun-damaged skin, fine lines and scars. Gently massage a couple of drops to cleansed face last thing at night, and wake up with soft, smooth skin.
radiance score: 6/10 value for money: 7/10
click here for ingredients
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Ceramide Recovery Lipo A, C & E
Retail price £34.95 for a 14ml bottle. Delivery £2.50 to UK.
A light golden oil packed with organic herbs and essential oils.
It is designed to enhance hydration and re-texturise skin's surface for a smoother appearance and immediate firming effect.
Massage a few drops into your face morning and evening before using your usual moisturiser - if your skin is extra dry or sensitive you can apply more liberally. It smells lovely, and is easiliy absorbed by the skin.
radiance score: 8/10 value for money: 6/10
click here for ingredients
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Delivery £4.00 to UK.
Lavender Cleanser
Retail price £7.30 for a 30ml tube.
79% organic rich cream cleanser / make-up remover - even suitable for removing eye make up. Leaves skin feeling fresh and toned.
radiance score: 7/10 value for money: 7/10
Wild Rose Beauty Balm
Retail price £28.35 for a 50g jar.
99% organic balm containing 30% retinol-rich rosehip oil, which helps to combat the signs of ageing.
It can be used in 3 ways - as a deep nourishing balm for dry skin, for simple cleansing and exfoliating, or as part of a full facial treatment to decongest and enrich the skin, and It leaves skin feeling soft smooth and refreshed.
radiance score: 9/10 value for money: 7/10
Frankincense Hydrating Facial Mist
Retail price £8.80 for a 45ml bottle.
98% organic, this toning and revitalising facial mist has a light spicy fragrance from frankinsense, neroli, silver fir, cinnamon and patchouli essential oils. Close your eyes and spritz over your face any time you feel you need it - even over makeup (although take care if you're wearing mascara, so it doesn't run).
radiance score: 5/10 value for money: 6/10
click here for ingredients
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Delivery £3.00 to UK.
Exfoliating Oily Skin Cleanser
Retail price £9.99 for a 100ml jar.
Gentle exfoliating cleanser developed for oily skin, but may also be used on normal or mature skin. I used it at night on my normal skin, and it left my skin feeling fresh and toned.
radiance score: 7/10 value for money: 7/10
Avocado Moisturiser (normal skin)
Retail price £6.99 for a 50ml jar.
The texture of this light moisturiser is somewhere between a balm and a cream. It has a lovely delicate fresh fragrance of lavender and geranium and absorbs easily into the skin, leaving it feeling soft and smooth.
radiance score: 7/10 value for money: 8/10
Mature Skin / Anti-age Moisturiser
Retail price £7.50 for a 50ml jar.
Rich, easily absorbed moisturiser containing arctic cranberry extract, natural oils and Vitamin E. Leaves mature skin feeling soft and smooth. Can also be used as a night cream for younger skin.
radiance score: 6/10 value for money: 8/10
click here for ingredients
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Delivery free to UK.
Damask Rose & Orange Flower Daily Renewal Elixir
Retail price £19.09 for a 30ml bottle.
Soil Association certified 99% organic anti-ageing facial treatment oil for dry or mature skin. It has a delicate fresh fragrance, light texture, and is easily absorbed by the skin. Gently massage a couple of drops all over your face, including the eye area, every day.
radiance score: 9/10 value for money: 7/10
Moisturising Nutritive - Medium Light
Retail price £15.61 for a 50ml bottle.
Lovely light, easily absorbed face cream, which leaves skin feeling soft and smooth. Makes a good base for make up.
radiance score: 8/10 value for money: 8/10
Moisturising Nutritive - Extra Rich
Retail price £15.61 for a 50ml bottle.
A rich, easily absorbed face cream for very dry skin, which also makes a lovely non-sticky night cream for most skin types.
radiance score: 8/10 value for money: 8/10
click here for ingredients
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Delivery £3.00 to UK.
Honey Mud Mask
Retail price £8.90 for a 50g jar.
Clay mask to cleanse and purify most skin types. Spread a thin layer evenly over your face and leave for 10 minutes before washing it off using warm water and a face cloth. Leaves skin feeling beautifully soft, smooth and toned.
radiance score: 7/10 value for money: 8/10
Facial Scrub
Retail price £6.55 for a 30g jar.
Dry facial scrub for clearing dead skin and impurities such as blackheads and everyday dirt and pollutants. Just pour about a teaspoon into the palm of your hand, mix it with a little warm water to form a paste, and massage it gently into your face. Leaves skin feeling soft and smooth.
radiance score: 8/10 value for money: 9/10
Seabuckthorn & Neroli Cream
Retail price £16.50 for a 50g jar.
Lovely rich golden coloured face cream for normal, sensitive and maturing skin. Smells delicious and leaves skin feeling soft, smooth & radiant.
radiance score: 7/10 value for money: 8/10
click here for ingredients
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Delivery £3.50 to UK.
Tea Tree & Lavender Cleanser
Retail price £5.00 for a 200ml bottle.
A rich lotion with a fresh fragrance from tea tree and lavender essential oils. It is suitable for all skin types, and can even be used to remove eye make up. You can wipe it off using Love The Planet's eco-friendly washable cleansing pads, but I prefer to wash it off with a warm damp face cloth. Leaves skin feeling fresh and clean.
radiance score: 7/10 value for money: 9/10
Tea Tree & Lemon Gel
Retail price £4.00 for an 18g jar.
Light gel containing naturally antiseptic tea tree and lemon essential oils. Soothes and calms spot-prone skin and shaving rashes.
radiance score: 5/10 value for money: 7/10
Neroli & Bergamot Moisture Cream
Retail price £6.00 for a 50g jar.
A rich, easily absorbed face cream made using organic Aloe Vera, and delicately scented with neroli and bergamot essential oils. Leaves skin feeling soft and toned.
radiance score: 6/10 value for money: 9/10
click here for ingredients
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Organic Hemp Seed Oil Moisturiser
Retail price £5.83 for a 56g pot. Delivery £1.95 to UK.
Rich, non-greasy moisturiser which combines the protective, moisturising and rejuvenating qualities of organic hemp seed oil, almond oil and grapeseed oil with soothing aloe vera and essence of papaya.
It is suitable for use all over the body, not just on the face, and it absorbs easily into the skin, leaving it feeling soft and smooth.
radiance score: 7/10 value for money: 9/10
click here for ingredients
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Suncoat Natural Liquid Mineral Foundation
Retail price £21.95 for a 32ml bottle. Delivery £3.50 to UK.
Light, non-greasy liquid foundation. If you want to use a mineral foundation, but want a lighter / less messy option than the usual powder formulations, then this could be for you. Gives medium coverage and leaves skin with a natural dewy finish.
radiance score: 7/10 value for money: 7/10
click here for ingredients
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Face Cream (Normal / Oily)
Retail price £19.00 for a 60ml jar. Delivery £2.50 to UK.
A light, opaque moisturiser with a texture somewhere between a cream and a gel. It has a delicious fresh fragrance, and is absorbed easily into the skin, leaving it feeling fresh and subtly glowing.
radiance score: 8/10 value for money: 7/10
click here for ingredients
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Sensual Face Oil
Retail price £11.99 for a 60ml bottle. Delivery £3.50 to UK.
Rich facial oil for all skin types. it has a hemp oil base with added geranium and rose oils to balance and tone. It takes a couple of minutes to absorb properly into the skin, and leaves it feeling soft and nourished.
radiance score: 7/10 value for money: 7/10
click here for ingredients
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Charisma Regeneration Night Cream
Retail price £26.50 for a 50ml tube. Delivery £4.50 to UK.
A luxurious rich moisturiser containing shea butter, gingko biloba and jojoba, avocado and sea buckthorn oils. Its a little greasy when you first apply it, but by morning skin feels soft and revitalised.
radiance score: 8/10 value for money: 6/10
click here for ingredients
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Delivery £2.50 to UK.
Rejuvenating Cleansing Balm
Retail price £18.10 for a 50ml jar.
A rich cleansing balm for normal, dry or mature skin. Its very concentrated, so a little goes a long way, and it leaves skin feeling smooth and toned.
radiance score: 7/10 value for money: 7/10
Brightening Exfoliator
Retail price £15.17 for a 50ml tube.
Gentle creamy exfoliator, containing finely-ground cranberry and bambusa granules - its much smoother than most exfoliators I have used. Use it twice a week to leave skin feeling soft, toned and bright.
radiance score: 9/10 value for money: 7/10
Revitalising Face & Neck Serum
Retail price £16.15 for a 30ml bottle.
A light, easily absorbed face serum to help restore the skin's natural suppleness. Skin feels fresh and toned immediately after applying, and soft and smooth to the touch.
radiance score: 7/10 value for money: 6/10
click here for ingredients
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Peppermint, Chamomile & Lavender Bath & Massage Oil
Retail price £10.50 for a 50ml bottle. Delivery FREE to UK.
Although this is marketed as a bath / massage oil it also makes an effective facial cleanser and light moisturiser, leaving skin soft and glowing.
radiance score: 6/10 value for money: 6/10
click here for ingredients
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Delivery £3.50 to UK.
Madara Moon Flower Tinting Fluid
Retail price £21.00 for a 50ml bottle.
A lightweight tinted moisturiser containing shimmering particles. Lightly moisturises, evens out skin tone and gives skin freshness and radiance, and with the added benefit of some UVA / UVB protection (not SPF rated). A lighter alternative to foundation.
radiance score: 8/10 value for money: 7/10
Madara Flower Dust Lotion
Retail price £15.99 for a 150ml bottle.
A light lotion containing shimmery golden 'flower dust'. Designed for use all over the body, especially on neck, shoulders and arms to enhance a sun tan, it is also nice to use a little on your cheeks to add an additional radiance.
radiance score: 7/10 value for money: 7/10
click here for ingredients
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Face Balm (and more)
Retail price £5.99 for each 30ml tube. Delivery £1.50 to UK.
100% Soil Association certified organic balm for all skin types. A great all round product, as it can be used on face, neck, lips, hands, feet and anywhere else that may need moisturising and conditioning.
Comes in 3 varieties:
Rose Geranium - smells delicious!
Tea Tree -
its anti-bacterial properties make this one ideal for problem skin, hands and feet.
Fragrance Free - with no added essential oils this is especially good for babies, or those with sensitive skins.
radiance score: 7/10 value for money: 10/10
click here for ingredients
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Delivery £3.95 to UK.
Prime Facial Toner
Retail price £15.50 for a 100ml bottle.
A refreshing toner for mature skin.
Mist it over your face after cleansing to leave skin feeling soft and tingling.
radiance score: 6/10 value for money: 6/10
Prime Facial Moisturiser
Retail price £32.50 for a 50ml bottle.
A lovely light, easily absorbed oil, which leaves skin feeling soft, smooth and comfortable. Adjust the amount you use according to the condition of your skin - generally 1 pump is enough, but if your skin feels very dry you can use 2.
radiance score: 8/10 value for money: 7/10
click here for ingredients
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Hedgerow Herbals Queen of Sheba Facial Wash Grains
Retail price £3.95 for a 100g pack. Delivery £2.50 to UK.
Oatmeal-based facial scrub delicately scented with rose geranium essential oil.
Mix a teaspoon of the grains with a little water or vegetable oil to make a light paste and massage into your face - this can be a little messy, so make sure you are leaning over the sink! Leaves skin feeling fresh and smooth.
For a soothing face pack you can also mix the grains with yoghurt or honey.
radiance score: 6/10 value for money: 9/10
click here for ingredients
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Duchess Marden Damascena Enzyme Exfoliant
Retail price £23.44 for a 59ml jar. Delivery £1.99 to UK.
Gentle exfoliating cream with a delicate floral fragrance. It contains plant-based and powerful antioxidants.
Use weekly on a clean damp face, neck and decolletage to leave your skin feeling clean and polished.
radiance score: 7/10 value for money: 5/10
click here for ingredients
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Delivery £2.50 to UK.
Sweet Orange Cleansing Cream
Retail price £7.00 for a 60ml jar.
A light creamy cleanser with the delicious fragrance of organic sweet orange oil. Leave it on yout skin for 5-10 minutes, before removing it with damp cotton wool. Leaves skin feeling soft, supple and fresh.
radiance score: 8/10 value for money: 8/10
Purifying Clay Mask Pack
Retail price £10.00
A detoxing face mask suitable for sensitive skins. Mix a teapoon of the green clay with a couple of teaspoons of the organic rosewater included into a smooth paste. Apply it evenly over cleansed face, leave for 5-10 minutes and rinse off the mask along with the impurities it has drawn out of your skin.
radiance score: 9/10 value for money: 8/10
click here for ingredients
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Mineral Foundation
Retail price £12.99 for an 8g jar. Delivery £2.50 to UK.
Lovely fine mineral foundation powder. Apply in thin layers using a soft kabuki brush until you reach your desired coverage. For added radiance add a little mineral blusher to your cheeks.
radiance score: 6/10 value for money: 6/10
click here for ingredients
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For Her Daughters Organic Living Moisturiser
Retail price £12.50 for a 60ml jar. Delivery £1.94 to UK.
Lovely buttery moisturiser with revitalising rosehip, evening primrose and palmarosa to help to restore the smoothness and radiance of your skin.
radiance score: 8/10 value for money: 9/10
See our Special Offers page for details of how to get 10% off this product until 31 March 2009.
click here for ingredients
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Beauty Totale
Retail price £14.63 for 60 capsules. Delivery £4.95 to UK.
Nutritional supplement containing 24 essential nutrients to promote a radiant complexion, healthy hair and strong nails.
It contains the key essential nutrients Alpha-lipoic acid, biotin and silica, and added beta carotene to support the skins natural UV protection.
As with most supplements it takes a little while for the effects to become apparent, but take 2 capsules a day and within a couple of weeks you should start to notice a difference.
radiance score: 6/10 value for money: 5/10
click here for ingredients
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Revival Radiance Clay & Activation Oil
Retail price £12.95 for 35g / 30ml. Delivery £2.95 to UK.
3-in-1 Polishing and Refining Scrub, Cleansing and Renewing Mask and Intense Regenerating Treatment for all skin types including sensitive skin. Use 3 or 4 times a week, ideally before going to bed, for smooth skin and a fresh, glowing complexion.
radiance score: 7/10 value for money: 7/10
click here for ingredients
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Delivery £3.50 to UK.
Rose Rejuvenating Day Cream
Retail price £20.00 for a 50ml jar.
A deep nourishing moisturiser for dry, sensitive or mature skin, with Rose extract, Rosehip seed oil and Bulgarian Rose Otto. It is easily absorbed and make a nice base for make up.
radiance score: 7/10 value for money: 7/10
Rose Face Oil
Retail price £25.90 for a 30ml bottle.
A lovely light, easily absorbed oil. Recommended for all skin types particularly dry, or mature skin, it leaves skin with a youthful glow.
radiance score: 9/10 value for money: 7/10
Nourishing Night Cream
Retail price £24.00 for a 50ml jar.
A replenishing treatment night creme to help nutralise free radicals and encourage regeneration from environmental pollution. Although its rich, it isn't greasy, and is easily absorbed by the skin, leaving it feeling soft and smooth.
radiance score: 7/10 value for money: 7/10
click here for ingredients
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Big pot of Nourishment
Retail price £14.50 for a 200ml jar. Delivery £2.00 to UK.
A rich, non-greasy moisturiser that is absorbed easily into the skin, leaving it feeling soft and nourished. It is subtly fragranced with geranium and ylang-ylang essential oils.
radiance score: 7/10 value for money: 8/10
click here for ingredients
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Organic Mineral Blush
Retail price £18.00 for a 6g pot. Delivery £2.65 to UK.
A fine, light mineral powder blush.
Comes in 8 shades, so there's one for any skin tone. I tried 'first blush', which is a translucent cool pink with a subtle shimmer - it adds a delicate glow to light-medium skin tones.
radiance score: 8/10 value for money: 5/10
click here for ingredients |
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© Ethical Earth Limited January 2009
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