achieving perfect skin...

I don't know about you, but I am always on the search for the latest and greatest beauty products that promise to give clear, glowing skin, reduce past damage like pigmentation, fade fine lines and give you the baby-soft dreamy complexion that you've always wanted. I have trialed a selection of masks, treatments and peels and here is my verdict...

Dermalogica Age Smart Multivitamin Thermafoliant - This product has a freaky texture, it's a soft, yellow cream, which 'heats up' on contact with water on skin. It has a gentle physical scrub plus added chemical exfoliants that literally slough away dead skin giving you instantly brighter, fresher-looking skin tone. The 'warm' feeling activates powerful Salicylic Acid and Retinol, also contains White Tea, Licorice and vitamins A,C and E. Sensitive types need to take care when using this product, I found it stung a little on my cheeks (which is the sensitive area on my face) But overall I really liked this product, it did a very good job of 'skin improvement'. $109.00.

Clarins Beauty Flash Balm - This product has been a firm favourite for woman the world over since it's launch in 1983. It's a skin life-saver that can be used as an intense 'beauty' mask to achieve that special glow before a special night out, or used as a thin layer after your day cream and before your foundation for brighter, more radiant skin that just looks 100% better than before! Great for tired, stressed, dull skin. Beauty Flash should be an essential in your beauty kit. $73.00.

Dr Hauschka Facial Steam Bath - I must admit I was abit dubious about this product's claims - saying it had an 'intense effect on skin' - but seriously it did! Love this product, I got comments for days afterwards about my glowing skin. I filled my bathroom sink (or you can use a bowl) with boiling hot water, added two tablespoons of the product, which was about half of the 10 ml bottle I had, hung my face over and draped a towel over my head. Like a sauna for the pores, witch hazel, daisy and indian cress loosens dirt from skin and literally cleans everything out. My skin had a light layer of sweat afterwards, I patted my skin dry and then massaged in a serum for maximum effect. $58.00.

Institut' Dermed Renewing Peel - I had never heard of the Institut' Dermed brand before this trial and I am liking it alot! A peel is basically a chemical exfoliant, rather than a 'scrub' version. In my opinion it's way more efficient and less messy. My skin likes this product alot, usually after a peel, you get pink skin - which is normal, I get no my reaction whatsoever. Leave it on for 3-5 minutes (don't be tempted to extend this time) and active Lactic Acid, Retinol and Goji Berry gives skin a major overhaul, removing damaged cells and stimulating collagen production. My skin looks lovely after my weekly session with this product. $129.00.

Dr Le Winns Instant Beauty Radiance Booster - I feel like this is a copy of Clarins Beauty Flash, but spread the love I say! Used in a similar way, applied as a mask for intense effect or before your foundation, it's a hydration boost that uses 70% aloe vera which is a godsend for tired skins, while potent antioxidants help reduce pesky fine lines and gives you a nice glow. I like this product, but Clarins does it better. $59.90.

Prevage Face Advanced Anti-Aging Serum - I'm a big fan of the Prevage range - it really does make a difference to your skin. The Serum is the newest product to be launched, using Idebenone, the most powerful antioxidant available, it fights free radical reactions and all signs of aging as well as firming - magic! I use this product at night, upon waking my skin glows and just looks way healthier, I'm convinced it's also fading sun damage and minimizing my pore size as well. $209.00.