I have always heard good things about the Liz Earle range of cosmetics and I was fortunate enough to be given her Superskin Concentrate last year, which I really liked. Liz Earle's ethos is to use plant based ingredients, avoiding animal ingredients, (but some 'animal-friendly ones such as beeswax and honey are used in certain products) and they don't test on animals. They try and source ingredients sustainably and ethically, and don't use excess packaging. This is an ethos I subscribe to and it is always nice to come across a company so transparent about their policies. There is a lot more information on their website for those who are interested.

Through a promotion online I decided to order their 'skincare essentials range' for £41 which is a saving on buying the cleanser, skin tonic and moisturiser separately and it included a superskin concentrate travel bottle, as well as a free gift (another bottle of cleanser). The offer changes monthly but the price seems to be about the same. The tonic was wrapped in branded tissue paper in the box, and all ingredients and instructions for use were on the bottle. To buy on its own the tonic is £12.50 for a 200ml bottle.

The Instant Boost Skin Tonic is in Liz Earle's signature pale blue plastic bottle. The lid doesn't screw off but pops up for ease of access, giving you a small hole to pour your tonic onto a cotton wool pad. I think this is a great idea, as it minimises wastage and potential spillages. I cannot be alone in having accidentally sloshed expensive liquids all over the bathroom floor. The product is designed to be used after the hot cloth cleanser (which I also use - see separate review for more information) and followed by a moisturiser.

If I am honest I am always a bit blasé about toners and what they do but I am not getting any younger, and whilst this product doesn't claim any anti-ageing properties, if it makes my skin look good then I am happy. It is easy to use with the help of the thoughtful cap - just a half twist and the little spout is revealed and I tip it onto my cotton pad. If you are really clumsy you can still spill some (I have done this) but the wastage is minimised. I then sweep the damp pad across my face which feels cool and soothing. The tonic is colourless but has a subtle scent of aloe vera. The pad usually comes away fairly clean on my face as the cleanser has removed any make up, but as I have long hair, I sometimes find it discolours around my neck. The tonic claims to give instant radiance, and I am not sure it actually achieves this: If I used it on one side of my face and not the other, I don't think you would notice the difference straight away. However I think using the product regularly has helped.

I find the tonic really gentle and not as astringent as some products I have used, and it feels very refreshing and soothing on my skin. I am fortunate that I don't suffer from many skin ailments, but I could imagine this would feel great on dry or inflamed skin caused by allergies or other problems as it is also mildly moisturising. Key ingredients include cucumber extract (I get a bit of this in the scent, I am not usually a fan, but it certainly lives up to its calming and soothing promise), geranium oil, aloe vera, glycerine (vegetable derived), hops, Vitamin B5 & E, calendula extract and chamomile oil. A full list is on the Liz Earle website: http://uk.lizearle.com/

Liz Earle also produces a spritzer bottle of this, which would probably be equally easy to use. They also suggest spritzing over make up before a night out. I can imagine as it is slightly moisturising that it would help refresh and brighten your skin without affecting your make up and intend to keep an eye out for this version when I am ready to replace the bottle I am currently using. I don't expect that to be for a while as my 200ml bottle still has a lot of use and I expect it to last for months yet (I have been using it for a couple of mionths already).

Liz Earle products can be bought online on their website (above), at John Lewis or QVC. They also have a few of their on stores now in London, Guildford, Isle of Wight or Leeds and a few (very few) branches of Boots and Fenwicks. I would recommend checking out their website for any promotion and offers though.