The products are not entirely up to standard! (Liz Earle Naturally Active Skincare in General)

Member Name: pinky

Product:	Liz Earle Naturally Active Skincare in General
Date:	25/07/01 (3098 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: fragrant products, packed with nourishing plant extracts

Disadvantages: uses solvents which will cause delayed sensitization

Liz Earle Naturally Active Skincare products are skincare that uses essential oils and active herbal ingredients, ie. ingredients contained in any formula that gives the desired physiological effect. Liz Earle is a journalist and author of many health and beauty books, but the main reason for developing this range of skincare was because she couldn't find any suitable skincare for her eczema-proned, sensitive skin.

According to Liz herself on QVC, all her products are meant for sensitive skins, meaning that the ingredients used will supposedly be mildest and therefore be suitable for all skin types be it dry or oily. That is why a list of the ingredients is given with her products to inform the buyers, who are increasingly knowledgeable about harsh ingredients, about what exactly is put into the product. Looking at the beautiful Liz Earle was justifiable enough to make me pick up the phone and order her 10-piece summer set at QVC. I thought that by using her products, I will eventually look like Liz, a close resemblance to Marie Osmond.

It is known that the highest amount of ingredient in a product is listed first and the least amount either listed last or not listed at all. The list of ingredients of the dry/sensitive 'Skin Repair' (a day and night moisturiser) shows that aqua (water) is first, followed by capric tryglyceride, propylene glycol, Persea Gratissima (avocado oil), Echinacea Angustifolia (echinacea), Borago Officinalis (borage oil) and etc. There is a lot of good stuffs in the moisturiser like avocado oil which is moisturising and penetrating, echinacea which is used to treat skin conditions, and Vitamins B5 and E.

What I am concerned with is the fact that propylene glycol is listed as the 3rd item in the list which means that there is quite a high amount of it in the moisturiser. Propylene glycol is a humectant and a solvent and it is a petrochemical derivative. But it is a primary irritant and can cause delayed
contact hypersensitivity! So, why is it in a moisturiser primarily meant for sensitive skins? This is because most herbs are extracted into propylene glycol and because there is so much 'natural' herbal ingredients in this product, there is bound to be a lot of that nasty propylene glycol which is found in so many toiletries and cosmetics. I noticed that propylene glycol is listed as the 7th ingredient in the normal/combination 'Skin Repair'. Perhaps Liz should consider doing the same for the dry/sensitive 'Skin Repair'? As I don't have sensitive skin, I would not have a problem with this ingredient.

Alright, enough about the science bit. So how does dry/sensitive 'Skin Repair' feel on the skin? As I said before, I bought a 10-piece set from QVC recently and I followed the routine religiously: cleanse with 'Cleanse and Polish' with a muslin cloth, then tone with 'Instant Boost Skin Tonic' and followed by 'Skin Repair'. The smells are gorgeous, but for anyone who is allergic to fragrances, Liz Earle's products are not for you as perfume is added to most of her products. I love the 'Cleanse and Polish' and the toner, but I thought the cream was too heavy. Although I only slathered a thin layer after warming it in the palms of my hands, it still felt sticky and it tugged on my skin - not exactly what I want to do to my delicate skin! It doesn't sink in very well and it is as if the cream just sits on top of my skin, although my skin is dry. It doesn't contain any sunscreens, which means that I have to buy a separate sun cream (which Liz Earle doesn't produce, well, not that I know of in QVC anyway) to use on top of this moisturiser in the day. Another way to see it is that because it doesn't contain an SPF factor, one can use this cream as a night cream which I think, is more suitable.

Frankly speaking, I am not entirely convinced with the moisturiser no matter ho
w good-looking Liz is or how fragrant this product is! I'll still rate her products 3-stars 'cos I love her 'cleanse and polish'!

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