Live chat with Liz Earle, Tuesday 21 September (1-2pm)

[HelenMumsnet]

We're delighted to announce that Liz Earle is going to be joining us at Mumsnet Towers for a live chat on Tuesday 21 September between 1pm and 2pm.

Liz is a broadcaster and best-selling author of over 30 books covering a wide variety of beauty, health and lifestyle issues.

She is also co-founder of the award-winning Liz Earle Naturally Active Skincare range. Liz Earle products are regularly revered by Mumsnetters, and Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser is cited across the boards as a 'must-have' beauty product.

We hope you can join Liz for the chat on this thread on Tuesday but, if you can't make it, feel free to post your advance questions here.

All Mumsnetters who post a question to Liz on this thread will be entered into a prize draw to win a Liz Earle Ultimate Hamper, worth over £170, plus the brand new Botanical Shine Shampoo and Botanical Shine Conditioner for Normal Hair.

To be in with a chance of winning, you must post your question to Liz, on this thread, before the end of the online chat (2pm on Tuesday 21 September). For all other prize draw terms and conditions, see the bottom of the competitions page.

Hi Liz

When I buy a moisturizer the one thing that always gets me confused / annoyed is why should we buy on for the day and one for the night - is it just a matter of SPF?

Thank you for the response. It is'nt just the animal testing thought but also the Fair Trade side. I know that not all parts of the product can be protected but it surely stands a better chance with a smaller organization?

Sorry Liz - just read yr reply to someone else above re sunscreens nd moisturisers. Thanks. Can I just say your Superskin Concentrate is my absolute favourite and also makes me sleep well!

Hi Liz,

Are you considering to bring out a make up range in the future? If not could you give us a clue to what might be coming out soon.

I absolutley love your products and have been using them for around 14 years now and have noticed a great difference in my skin. I now have ourteenage daughter and son using C & P and skin repair. My husband is more reluctant to use C & P regularly for some reason.

@margherita76

Hi Liz

When I buy a moisturizer the one thing that always gets me confused / annoyed is why should we buy on for the day and one for the night - is it just a matter of SPF?

I quite agree Margherita76! That's why our moisturisers are for daytime and nighttime use (although if you do like a richer, more nourishing cream you can use Superskin at bedtime. I do think you need to use a separate sunscreen when going out into the sunshine (not so critical in wintertime). Do remember than make-up gives some degree of physical protection too - ie foundation, powder, will give some UV cover also :-)

Hi Liz.

I used your cleanse and polish and liked everything about it, unfortunately it didn't like me and after around 2 months i started developing little pimples all over my face. I do suffer with combination skin, but these spots were not my usual ones, IYSWIM. Can you recommend anything else for my spotty and greasy teenager in body of 31 year old skin?

@Curlylox

Hi Liz

Can you recommend something for acne scarring please?

Yes - Superskin Concentrate is really good for this. Not an overnight miracle cure but used little and often is can really help, thanks largely to the organic rosehip oil it contains (don't use this on 'active' acne though as it could cause a flare-up). I also use our Superbalm Concentrate on post-surgical scarring, stretch marks etc etc. HTH

@Bucharest

Erm, not a real question, just thought I'd out myself as the only MNer in the western world who has tried and had to give up with Cleanse and Polish I was so looking forward to it, having read so many great testimonials....bought my Mum a box of goodies last Christmas and she is a convert, got my C and P and within 2 days was told that I looked a) like a hardened alcoholic b) like I'd been at myself with the sandpaper....I persevered, thinking, t'is the toxins coming out, but after 10 days I wanted to rip my own face off with the itching and scratching. (I've always used stuff with quite high % of natural oils etc NY etc, so can't imagine it's some new hyper-sensitivity)

I like the pretty boxes though, and will probably continue to buy it for others.

Hi Bucharest and also youremindmeofthebabe,

I am really very sorry to learn of your experience with our Cleanse & Polish.
All our formulations are as mild and gentle as possible, even for those with the most sensitive skin. It is very rare for us to hear of an allergic reaction, but unfortunately, even the most natural ingredients can cause sensitivity for a very few people, in the same way that some foods can.
The only thing I can suggest is washing the cloths lots before use so they become very soft (maybe you 'polished' a bit too hard??). Washing the cloths in plain water can help some with super-sensitive skins too as the detergent residues left behind after washing can disrupt some skins.

@mackerel

Sorry Liz - just read yr reply to someone else above re sunscreens nd moisturisers. Thanks. Can I just say your Superskin Concentrate is my absolute favourite and also makes me sleep well!

Thanks! (me too)

Hi Liz,
like JulesJules I have used Cleanse & polish, and have been browsing your website to put together a christmas package for myself from dh

I have an under active thyroid but would find fore head greasy but tops of cheeks dry, I am young 33 but can see the fine lines starting to creep in, so I am also confused about moisturiser, and is there anything else you would recommend?

Thanks

Hi Liz,
Can you advise which products would be suitable for pregnancy to prevent stretch marks?

Re acne scarring, so I would use the Superskin Concentrate on top of moisturiser?

[

@curlytops58

On the Avon sell out. Have been spending a small fortune on a product which I believed to have a full ethical background... now not so sure!! Will the companies original ethics be kept or be lost ie., BodyShop??

Hello Curlytops58
Nothing will change - our ethics will not be lost, they will have the opportunity to be spread further afield, which is a good thing.

@PollyTechnique

Have been using your products for over a year now, Liz, and my skin has never looked healthier. Ta muchly, .

Glad to see the range is now on sale in my local John Lewis, too.

Q: Is there a reason why your products are not widely available in shops, e.g. Boots? Is that your decision, or theirs?

Hi PollyTechnique,

Thank you for your question. We really pride ourselves on great customer service; from the way our in-house ethno-botanists expertly source our naturally active ingredients, to the careful hand-tissue-wrapping of our products before they are mailed to our customers so that they arrive like a special present; to the information packed newsletters that we send to our customers - and the specialist training of our Customer Care team.

Customer service is at the heart of our brand and because of our commitment to service and John Lewis offered us the perfect retail opportunity to put this into practise. It is a partnership between two companies with a like-minded philosophy of delivering first class service, honesty and integrity and with stores that provide national coverage in key cities and towns across the UK. Every store has dedicated Liz Earle customer advisor's who are experts in all things 'Liz Earle', drawing on their expertise to resolve any skin concerns or questions a customer may have. All this takes time and we have yet to be stocked in every John Lewis branch.

Once this has been achieved and is working well we may well look at other retail outlets, but we believe in crawl-walk-run and getting things right slowly but surely. HTH :-)

many women are disgusted at your recent choice of the model sanctuary. Don't you think there are more worthier causes out there ie servicemen and women, mums, nurses etc...

Thanks for your reply, Liz, and many congratulations on your new baby!

@Hermya321

Hi Liz,

I've recently started using your C & P and love it. I was wondering what products you would recomend for me, I have oily skin and am constantly on the look out for something that will keep me from looking like I've dipped my face in chip fat by the middle of the day.

Also I've heard a lot of people mention your wonder balm, why is it so wonderful? (I'm sorry if that sounds like a dumb question).

Also do you have plans to move into doing make up at some point?

Thanks!!

hello there - so pleased you love C&P. I would really recommend Skin Repair Light (for oily skins), helps to mattify. also our Deep Cleansing Mask a couple of times a week. I think you may be thinking of Superbalm? A really great pure plant balm that comes to our skin's rescue (bit like Superman, hence the name!), a versatile little jar - lips, nails, cuticles, dry flakey patches, makes tea - oh no, not, not that last one sadly... ;-)
Make-up - hopefully one day, yes

Who's decision was it to support the 'Model Sanctuary'? This strikes me (and many many others judging by Facebook postings) as a very bad PR decision and totally out of keeping with your brand values.

Liz Earle is a luxury brand which in today's economic climate is increasingly hard to justify, despite the fantastic products, so to see pampered models being pampered for free when so many others are more deserving is frankly insulting to your core market.

Hi Liz.......Love your superskin moisturiser. It is the best moisturiser I have ever used. It is so gentle for my sensitive face and leaves your face so moisturised like silk.
HOWEVER is there anyway you could bring out a superskin with mineral sunscreen, with the same consistency. Similar to the eye cream that contains spf 10 equivalent?? or perhaps a tinted moisturiser with sunscreen.

I have fabulous skin but no sun protection. Your regular sunscreen is too thick to put on my skin. Hope you can advise Liz? Thank you smile

@JackieNo

I love loads of the range, but particularly the Superskin Concentrate - it works v well for my, ahem, mature, but still spotty skin.

My question is - how young would you suggest is OK to start using the Cleanse and Polish? My DD is only 10, but is getting quite spot-prone around her nose. Would C&P help, and should she use the light moisturiser as well, or just C&P on its own?

Hi JackieNo.

Thank you for your question. It's lovely to hear that you are seeing such great results from our Superskin Concentrate! As the mother of two teenagers, I've first-hand experience of tricky young skin. The most important starting point is a good cleanser and if you get this right, young skin is more likely to behave.

Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser is the most perfect choice as it gently exfoliates and deeply cleanses pores without stripping or irritating hormonally upset skin.

Its blend of pure plant oils (not pore-clogging mineral oils) dissolves plugs of sebum whilst purifying extracts of antiseptic eucalyptus and rosemary help bust spot-causing bacteria. The muslin cloth is also perfect for the gentle daily exfoliation needed to keep skin clear. Good for both boys and girls, Cleanse & Polish is the most-pinched item from my bathroom by my teenage daughter and son (but it gives great skin results, so I don't actually mind!).

I also have a DD fast approaching 10 and she uses C&P a couple of times a week. She doesn't need Skin Repair Light yet - probably around the age of 13-14, depending on whether she turns out to have inherited my dry skin or not.

Hi Liz, I love the Botanical Essence No. 1 (and so does my husband, on me that is!) and I really appreciate the all-natural formulation, as most perfumes either give me a rash or make me wheezy. Do you have any plans to bring out any more fragrance?

@f1recr4cker

many women are disgusted at your recent choice of the model sanctuary. Don't you think there are more worthier causes out there ie servicemen and women, mums, nurses etc...

Hello Firecr4cker We all need a bit of TLC these days and yes, I agree there are so very many worthwhile people to support. Charitable initiatives and giving-back has always been a fundamntal part of the way Kim and I work, since Day One. We just haven't spoken much about it. With our new-look website we hope to be able to have a specific area to let everyone know about our work here - support for women's refuges, soldiers, carers, help in developing countries and much more. Hopefully this will give a small insight into much of what goes on behind the scenes in these vitally important and needy areas. HTH

I'd been ignoring this webchat because my skin is so sensitive I normally stick with my tried-and-trusted (and cheaper) brands. But reading through it I am intrigued that several people seem to have made a real difference to their skin with these products.

I have a history of eczema and its adult incarnation seems to be varying areas of itchy skin as a hay fever / animal allergy reaction. I keep control of it best through antihistamines, no soap/cleanser on my face, and lots and lots of moisturiser, mostly old-fashioned Nivea lotion and E45 cream. My skin still looks red & blotchy though, and is very sensitive: my cheekbone areas go red with a little sun or a hot shower. I have worn makeup about 5 times since my wedding 10 years ago - always feel it will either make me sore, or I'll need to be touching/creaming my face during the day which will spoil it. (plus I'm lazy!).

My question is, therefore, how & why can I trust that one of your products is going to make the difference for my skin, at a price which is so much higher than I pay for my beloved E45?

Thanks!

@ilovemydogandMrObama

Am very confused about sunscreens. While I try and use only natural ones, and love yours, am quite concerned about the effectiveness.

Also, color me stupid, but what's the difference between the tube of C & P and the pump?

Hi ilovemydogandMrObama,

Thank you for your question regarding sunscreens. Using the right type of sun cream is crucial. I only ever use a sun cream with a physical barrier, such as a blend of the minerals titanium and zinc oxide, which give broad-spectrum UVA/UVB coverage.
These minerals stay on the surface of the skin and act as a superfine protective veil, literally bouncing the rays away from the skin.

All sun protection products, conventional and mineral, must undergo stringent testing before they go on sale. New EU labelling guidelines recommend that UVA (ageing) protection must equal one-third of a product's stated SPF levels, which relate to UVB (burning) protection. You can be sure your suncream conforms to these new guidelines by looking for the round UVA symbol on the pack.
I firmly believe suncare should focus on high-performance, safe, mineral-based sun protection with added skin-saving benefits from potent plant-based antioxidants, such as green tea and pomegranate. Mineral-based sunscreens are also the safest for your skin as they reflect away rather than absorb harmful UVB and UVA rays which can lead to skin damage and premature ageing, and they provide protection from the moment they are applied.

They are also far less likely to cause skin sensitivity than synthetic chemical versions (I've written quite a bit about this on our website and in my Skin Secrets book).

Perfect for the whole family, including toddlers and young skin, our LE Mineral Sun Cream SPF20 is also enriched with pure shea butter and natural-source vitamin E to keep skin smooth. Its all-round UVA and UVB protection conforms to the latest European guidelines, so it is classified as a Medium Protection Sun Cream SPF20 with a one-to-three UVA-to-UVB protection level.
There is no difference between the tube of Cleanse & Polish and the pump version - just the way its packaged!