BODY & BATH

Our testers try out and rate everything from handcreams to body oils. Here are their thoughts.

best handcream

WINNER DAWN HUNTER TRIED Organic Bloom Repair and Protect Hand Cream, £5.35, skinblossom.co.uk “This hand cream is certified organic by the Soil Association and comes in a handy-sized tube. It is quite a light cream, but feels effective nonetheless. It leaves your hands feeling soft and smooth, but not greasy.” Effectiveness 5, Value For Money 5, Packaging 5

HIGHLY COMMENDED JO MIDDLETON TRIED Melvita Handcream, £15, uk.melvita.com “I’m a total sucker for hand cream, and loved this one – it left my hands feeling silky smooth and soft. Also you get plenty of it, which is always a good thing in my book!” Effectiveness 5, Value For Money 3, Packaging 3

HIGHLY COMMENDED MICHELLE HOGARTH TRIED Pai Hand Cream, £16, paiskincare.com “This product has stylish packaging and clear green credentials. Easily applied and absorbs into the skin quickly. It provides immediate moisturisation with a pleasant yet not overpowering scent.” Effectiveness 5, Value For Money 5, Packaging 5

HIGHLY COMMENDED AIMEE LAU TRIED Dr Hausckha Handcream, £12.95, drhauschka. co.uk “A lovely treat for the hands – this is easy to apply and the perfect size. It now lives in my yoga bag so I can apply before and after class – yummy! Great scent too.” Effectiveness 5, Value For Money 5, Packaging 5

best body scrub

WINNER JULIA KEMP TRIED

The Green Grocery Body Scrub in Love Letter, £12.50, green-grocery.co.uk “I really loved this product – exfoliating and moisturising plus it smells divine! Contains organic ingredients and I was impressed with the company ethos and care put into the products.” Effectiveness 5, Value For Money 4, Packaging 5

HIGHLY COMMENDED ROSE BARRINGTON TRIED Green People Sensuous Sugar Scrub, £19.95, greenpeople.co.uk “This is a yummy product – it smells really enlivening. It felt really good on my skin – not at all irritating, as some scrubs can be and left my skin glowing and soft. ” Effectiveness 4, Value For Money 4, Packaging 5

best shower gel

WINNER AIMEE LAU TRIED Green People Moisturising Shower Gel, £10.75, greenpeople.co.uk “This is a wonderfully scented product. Great for an early morning wake up shower. Thoroughly enjoyed using this and love that it is certified organic.” Effectiveness 5, Value For Money 4, Packaging 4

HIGHLY COMMENDED FRANCES MILLS TRIED Living Nature Nourishing Body Wash, £13.80, livingnature.co.uk “Very soothing to use with a beautiful scent. Felt like a real treat for my skin. It’s 100% natural, which is reassuring. Great for dry and sensitive skin.” Effectiveness 5, Value For Money 4, Packaging 5

best deodorant

WINNER MELISSA CORKHILL

TRIED Alva Deodorant, £7.20, alvanaturalskincare.co.uk “This liquid crystal deodorant is amazing. I haven’t used deo for years so I was sceptical about whether this product would work but I still felt (and smelt!) fresh by the evening. It allows your body to sweat. Contains no alcohol or aluminium.” Effectiveness 5, Value For Money 5, Packaging 5

HIGHLY COMMENDED SANDRA HOWGATE TRIED Faith in Nature Roll on Deo Crystal, £3.89, faithinnature.co.uk “This crystal deodorant comes with a subtle scent of Aloe Vera and Green tea and I enjoyed wearing it. I like the fact that it’s re-fillable.” Effectiveness 4, Value For Money 5, Packaging 5

22 The Green Parent Natural Beauty Guide 2011