Elemis

Application: You only need to apply a small amount as the consistency is smooth, fairly thick and spreads easily. I applied the cleansing gel to dry skin and added a touch of water when massaging in for a few minutes. The addition of the water turned the gel from a thick consistency to a more milky liquid. Finally, I removed it with a warm, damp muslin cloth.

What's in it? Argan oil, assai fruit, rice silk, rosemary leaf.

Effect: This cleanser really does seem to agree with my normally dry, dull skin. After just a week the effects are really noticeable. My skin had none of the usual dryness or tightness.

Verdict: An effective cleanser that is kind to dry skin. Just fabulous!

Application: This serum dispenses as an almost clear gel to smooth onto your skin. There's some perfume in it but there's still a chemical odour to the product.

What's in it? Argan oil, galactoarabinan, padina pavonica, rhodochrosite, quartz.

Effect: As soon as I put it on, my skin did feel tighter. It didn't feel like the serum absorbed, so it sat on the surface of my skin feeling sticky, and then felt like it was hardening as it dried. It made no discernible difference to my wrinkles, but it didn't stand much chance of doing so as you're meant to avoid putting it on the eye area!

Verdict: This serum does tighten and firm, but the feeling of it on your skin takes some getting used to.

Application: I found this cream very pleasant to use. It's soft to touch, quite silky, and an absolute joy to smooth onto a face still feeling unnaturally tight from an application of Quartz Lift Serum.

What's in it? Chlorella (brown algae), ginko biloba, mimosa absolute, padina pavonica (marine extract), porphyridium (seaweed), rose absolute.

Effect: The cream made my skin feel supple and comfortable, and it was well absorbed -- almost as if it had disappeared completely, leaving perfectly hydrated skin behind. You don't need to use that much so it lasts a while, too.

Verdict: A lovely skincare product. It's a moisturiser I'll happily keep on using.

Application: This light serum with healing, anti-inflammatory, and cell-regenerating herbal extracts is designed to soothe the sensitive eye area, alleviate dark circles and gently tone the skin.

What's in it? Chamomile, Osmanthus, Rosewood.

Effect: With a very young baby who tends to wake up at ungodly hours in the morning, I've had plenty of dark circles to combat. I have to say I could look a lot worse in the circumstances. I suspect this serum may indeed have helped to hold that purplish shade of extreme tiredness at bay. People have even said that I look quite like my normal self! Well done Elemis, for helping me stage a valiant last stand on the wild frontier of sleep deprivation.

Verdict: If your eye area hasn't faced such a challenge recently, I should think that a certain rosy shimmer of health and vitality could be expected after a time of use.

Application: This is a soft, white cream with a gentle floral scent. It has a lighter texture than many rich night creams, so you don't have to have dry skin to use it. The cream is designed to increase oxygen levels in the skin to "accelerate dermal respiration", and to delay the signs of ageing.

What's in it? Avocado oil, hexapeptide, laminara digitata (seaweed), padina pavonica, red coral, wheat germ oil.

Effect: On checking my face in the morning, it did look nourished. After using this cream for a couple of weeks, my skin looked slightly more hydrated, and felt nicely smooth. I have combination skin, so I was impressed that it didn't leave my skin congested, as is the case with many night creams.

Verdict: There was no overnight miracle, but this cream will help keep your skin hydrated (if you're feeling flush!)

Application: This is a smooth, light oil, with a divinely intense scent of frangipani flowers, which can be used on your body, hair and nails. Coconut oil is solid at room temperature so you need to warm the bottle in warm water to melt it (the oil feels lovely when warm, too!)

What's in it? Coconut oil, frangipani extract.

Effect: The oil sinks into the skin easily, leaving you soft and sweet smelling. It's not that practical if you're in a hurry, as you do need to wait for it to melt -- try warming the bottle in the bath or shower so it's ready to use when you get out.

Verdict: A nourishing and exotic skin treat.

Application: The pale orange cream-gel smoothes on easily, and doesn't solidify -- so you can still move your face while it's on! Leave it on for 10-15 minutes before rinsing off.

What's in it? Bladderwrack, milk protein, papain (from papaya), pineapple.

Effect: After use, my skin felt very smooth and soft. I've used Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel a couple of times before getting ready for a night out as it's a great prep for make-up. It's gentle, too, so don't be put off by the "peel" in the product name!

Verdict: This face mask was pleasant to use, plus it left my skin looking very good indeed. A great alternative to abrasive scrubs.