Boots Botanic Organics
The Boots Botanic Organic range of products, authenticated by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, combines active plant extracts in formulations to create a product for each skin type. Each product also lists the percentage of certified organic ingredients on the product packaging.
We gave busy mum of two, Melissa, a range of products from the Boots Botanic Organic range to test out.
Melissa said: “I really enjoyed testing these products and was surprised at the results because they varied so much.”
The Results:
Product 1. Super Balm £4.99
This was my favourite of the six products tested. It has been a Godsend for me. Having had a baby 8 weeks ago and having an 18-month-old toddler, I hardly get any sleep and my skin has suffered from this. Applying this cream before bed (or even in the night during a feed!) has had a visible improvement on the hydration of my skin. I have noticed my skin is smoother and less lined in the two weeks I have tested it. Being a facial skincare snob, I was not hopeful that this product would hold a torch to my normal Estee Lauder night repair but I was pleasantly surprised. The consistency is great; it goes on oily but leaves skin feeling light and fresh. Nine out of ten, would definitely buy it again.
Product 2. Smoothing Face Polish £4.99
This scrub was very disappointing in my opinion. There were hardly any gritty bits in it, so it was impossible to feel that you had removed dead skin cells form your face. The smell was poor as the description of ‘cranberry and cupuacu’ had me expecting a burst of fragrance. My skin did feel moisturised and not tight as with some scrubs but I wouldn’t buy this product or recommend it. I think it would benefit from a lot more ‘grit’ in it. Having tried various scrubs out, even cheaper ones on the market are better than this i.e. St Ives peach scrub, which is only £2.99, ranked a lot higher. I had high expectations, as some of the other Botanics products I tested were outstanding. Two out of ten, sorry!
Product 3. Soothing cleansing balm £6.50
This product is almost a double of a very expensive cleanser by Eve Lom which is £50 for a 50ml pot. The consistency is identical, the method of application with the muslin also identical. I was most impressed with this, it was easy to apply, and you didn’t need a lot, a little went a long way. It was relaxing to use and made a tired complexion much improved. This is a luxury item, which lifts the spirit and is a lovely treat to apply when in the bath for example. The citrus scent was subtle but enjoyable, and the pot a good size. I would recommend this and buy it again. Eight and a half out of ten. (The only down side is visually this product looks like it’s mouldy but that is supposed to be how it looks).
Product 4. Cleansing Body Wash £4.50
A pleasant and awakening scent, good consistency and pretty packaging make this a hit. I love the mixture of rose and geranium along with bergamot, which really de-stress you in the shower. I think this is worth buying as it can be used in the bath as a body wash or the shower as a gel. My partner also enjoyed using it, so it is versatile enough to be unisex. The essential oils claim to smooth the skin, but I did feel a bit dry after a shower and still needed body cream so I think this claim is slightly exaggerated. I would buy this again for its fresh scent and I would also give as a gift to friends. Six out of ten.
Product 5. Rich Body Butter £6.00
I loved the smell of this body butter, it is a real find if you want a smell you won’t get sick of. For a perfume wearer like me it is ideal as the smell is subtle enough to be able to wear it under your perfume. So many body creams are overpowering in smell that this was a pleasant surprise. I loved the consistency and the pot too. The only fault is that my skin didn’t feel hugely improved over the two weeks that I used it. My legs were still quite dry which was disappointing as it does claim to be for dry skin. I might buy it again if it were on offer perhaps. Seven out of ten.
Product 6. Hydrating Day Cream £7.49
This was the worst of the bunch. Perhaps it had a hard job to do as I use Clairns face cream, which is £35, but it left my skin feeling dry and itchy. I used it for two weeks but was glad to stop to be honest. I am using it on my body now, as I don’t think it agreed with my face at all. The Almond oil provides a nice smell, but I feel this is more suited to a ‘normal’ skin of someone in their teens or twenties for example. I would not buy this or recommend it. One out of ten, sorry!
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