Native Unearthed Natural Crystal Deodorant

RRP: £6.49
# of varieties available: 4 (mangosteen, aloe, curcuma and natural)

--What does the promo say?--
"How do our Crystal Deodorants prevent odour?- By leaving an invisible layer of natural minerals on your underarms which works around the clock to prevent the build up of odour causing bacteria. Better still, whilst preventing odour, our natural deodorants don’t clog pores like normal deodorants. Instead, our deodorants still allow your body to continue it’s normal course of eliminating toxins from the body whilst providing round the clock protection. Choose Native, Choose confidence."

--Packaging--
The pinky-purple packaging of the mangosteen deodorant that I was kindly sent gives the product a delicate feel as well as perfectly reflecting the colour of the mangosteen fruit itself. It capitalises mainly on strong lettering and a modern, edgy spiral design that simultaneously seems to reflect the idea of plants growing abundantly, making it seem new and different to other deodorants on the market. The twist-up mechanism is of course familiar to users due to its usage in existing mass-market products, and the clear lid shows you exactly how the product looks before buying.

--Usage--
Run the crystal under some water before rubbing it underneath your dry underarms. No need to rinse off. Wait until it dries (no more time than your usual deodorant) before getting dressed.

--Appearance--
The crystal itself is a pale off-coral, pinkish colour, although the other varieties reflect their ingredients with their respective colours (green for aloe, yellow for curcuma and white for natural). When applied wet under your arms, it goes on invisibly and this does not change when the deodorant dries. Bonus: no white marks on clothing, either!

--Scent--
Surprisingly, none. This, along with the invisible appearance, can make you question whether or not it is really working! But stick with it :-)

--Texture and consistency--
Goes on smooth and wet and dries smooth too, with no graininess resulting once the deodorant dries.

--Effects on the skin--
No irritation, and it works as effectively as, if not more so than, high street deodorants. Great work!

--Value for money--
At £6.49, this is clearly more expensive than high street deodorants (similarly-priced deodorants can be purchased from brands such as Davidoff, Christina Aguilera and Pierre Cardin). However, it competes well with the natural deodorant market, with deodorants by Weleda, lavera and Green People all retailing similarly. I was also sceptical initially as I had tested another natural deodorant in the past, to poor results. However, with this I was pleasantly surprised: not only does it work very well, and leave no white marks on clothing, but there isn't the wastage that you would get with a spray (or even some roll-ons, where you seem to get more on your clothes than your body). Would definitely recommend :-)

Advanced Nutrition Programme Skin Antioxidant

RRP: £29.95 for 60 capsules (= 2 months' supply)

--What does the promo say?--
"Skin Antioxidant is formulated with seven super phytonutrients found in plants. Just as plants need antioxidants to protect them from damaging UV rays, so does your skin. Any source of light, even artificial, creates free radicals which cause premature ageing. Protect your skin from the inside with Skin Antioxidant and keep it looking younger for longer!"

--Packaging--
The former slimline plastic zip-lock package was convenient for travel, easy to open and close, took up little space, and keeps the capsules in optimal conditions. Its design was also modern, minimal and discreet, to suit a wide range of possible needs. While the new packaging (pictured above) is extremely sleek, I'm not sure that it would fulfil some of the more practical qualities listed above (e.g. suitability for travel).

--Usage--
Swallow one capsule a day, with liquid, in order to boost your immune system and prevent your skin from environmental damage. The capsules are about 2 centimetres long (possibly a little less), so this is generally easy to accomplish.

--Appearance--
The capsule is an off-white colour with hints of grey and pink. These hues make them easy enough to distinguish from the same company's Skin Vit A capsules, which are a purer white colour. This difference is particularly handy as the two products are sold together in the Skin Complete pack, which encourages you to take the two supplements simultaneously. If you therefore take a few tablets out of each packet in preparation for your travels, you can still know which one you are taking at any given moment.

--Taste and smell--
Nothing discernible.

--Effects on the body--
Tricky to gauge, as unlike some of the other supplements sold by this company, such as the Accumax, immediate results cannot be possible simply due to the Skin Antioxidant's nature. Any anti-ageing effects, therefore, will only be apparent many more months (or even years) down the line. However, the ingredients also are well-known for bolstering the body's immune system, and I'm not sure it's 100% coincidence that just a week or two after my packet finished, I came down with a horrible cold.

--Value for money--
At the supplement's full price, only you can decide if 50p per day is worth it for the possibility of ongoing health and anti-ageing. I'd say it's not bad, just for the wellness effects alone. Value for money is also greatly increased by the twin facts that a) you get £10 off your first order when signing up to their newsletter, and b) once you are signed up, discount vouchers in the region of 10%-20% off are emailed through frequently. So even if I hadn't been sent my first pack for nothing, I'd perhaps be inclined to continue.

perfect partners
Skin Complete, £45.00
The Skin Collection, £77.50

Origins Mega-Mushroom Skin Relief Advanced Face Serum

RRP: from £41/30ml

--What does the promo say?--
"Calms. Soothes. Makes skin more resilient. The result: visible ageing is slowed. Now that’s a relief. Dr. Andrew Weil for Origins™ Mega-Mushroom Skin Relief Advanced Face Serum is formulated with scientifically proven, newly discovered anti-irritant ingredients of Chaga Mushroom, Pleurotus Mushroom, Certified Organic Sea Buckthorn, Spike Moss and Mangifera Leaf Extract. This upgraded, more-potent formula works faster on skin and builds on the clinically proven success of the original ingredients in the current Dr. Andrew Weil for Origins™ Collection: Hypsizygus ulmarius, Cordyceps and Reishi Mushrooms, Turmeric, Ginger and Holy Basil. According to The National Center for Biotechnology Information, “the Chaga Mushroom is claimed to have beneficial properties for human health.” Pleurotus Mushrooms have been used by a variety of cultures for their beneficial properties. Sea Buckthorn, valued for its golden-orange fruits, provides Vitamins C and E, Folic Acid, Carotenoids, healthy Fatty Acids and Flavonoids. Spike Moss delivers rapid relief to the look of sensitive, red skin. Mangifera Leaf Extract offers Anti-Glycation benefits, helping to reduce the appearance of sensitivity.

PROVEN BY SCIENCE
Recent clinical and sensory studies were performed on hundreds of women from both the United States and Japan. Participants ranged from having normal skin to being dermatologist-diagnosed rosacea patients. After testing was conducted, Dr. Andrew Weil for Origins™ Mega-Mushroom Skin Relief Advanced Face Serum was clinically proven to:
√ Soothe Skin’s appearance
√ Reduce the appearance of Redness
√ Strengthen Skin’s moisture Barrier
√ Boost a look of Clarity

After just 1 month of continuous use:
96% said their skin felt soothed
94% said their skin appeared healthier
94% said the redness in their skin looked reduced
88% said their skin looked calmed and felt less reactive or sensitive
84% said their skin felt stronger and more resilient."

--Packaging--
The box is a calming, natural, unisex and unusual combination of dark green and white. Kept simple, it explains everything you need to know in concise and understandable terms. The dark green pump action bottle is mysterious and translucent as well as functional.

--Application--
Serums are traditionally applied after toning, but before moisturising. Apply directly to the skin or mix with moisturiser morning and night. No problems here.

--Appearance--
An unattractive runny beige lotion which thankfully blends into skin invisibly.

--Scent--
As you would expect, it has the clean earthy smell of fresh mushrooms, but it's in no way overpowering. It's perhaps a bit of a shame that the other ingredients, such as ginger and basil, don't get more of a look-in.

--Texture and consistency--
A smooth lotion that easily absorbs into the skin, whether on its own or mixed with your usual moisturiser.

--Effects on the skin--
Skin felt instantly smoother, and within a week seemed calmer and less red, as well as showing a demonstrable improvement in the number and severity of spots. I had previously read online that while mainly targeted at rosacea sufferers, those with acneic skin also saw a positive difference, and thankfully for me, the internet wasn't wrong. Huzzah! As for any anti-ageing claims, I'm not sure I'm convinced, but then again, I don't really espouse anti-ageing products anyway: just a normal moisturiser or even a sunscreen will do, surely?

--Value for money--
For something that really does provide relief and an improvement in skin appearance and health to sufferers of acne and rosacea, it's worth paying up - and if you can't quite stretch to the £40-£50 required, you can still test the technology in the smaller and more affordable £29 Skin Relief Collection. Additionally, Dr Andrew Weil, who has worked with Origins to make this products, donates all after-tax royalties and profits from this product range to the Weil Foundation, which supports the advancement of integrative medicine and the training of doctors, so there's an extra feel-good factor too.

perfect partners
Mega-Mushroom Face Cleanser, £23
Mega-Mushroom Treatment Lotion, £23
Mega-Mushroom Face Lotion, £46
Mega-Mushroom Face Cream, £46
Mega-Mushroom Skin Relief Collection, £29
Mega-Mushroom Eye Makeup Remover Pads, £21
Mega-Mushroom Eye Serum, £36
Mega-Mushroom Skin-Calming Face Mask, £31
Mega-Mushroom Body Cream, £36