I'm loving not having to paint myself with foundation every morning. It was such a drag and honestly, when you think about it, can it be healthy to have something like that sitting on your skin, all day, every day? Have you read the ingredient list on the pack of a tube of foundation recently? Titanium dioxide, butyl paraben... I don't know what the hell either of those things are and I sure don't want them sitting in my pores.

NeoStrata is a fantastic range of skincare that can be found in your local chemist for a very reasonable price. The range uses alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) and milder poly hydroxy acids (PHAs) to give you a mini chemical peel at home. This is great for reducing the signs of ageing - fine lines, skin pigmentation and so on. Another way to think of it is as a chemical exfoliation.

As I said, my results have been really pleasing. I started off with the PHA 4 Facial Cleanser, used morning and night (if you are new to using hydroxy acids you should always start off with the milder PHAs before moving up to AHAs when your skin is ready for it). I coupled this with the PHA 10 Ultra Moisturising Face Cream, also used twice a day.

After a month or so I decided to move onto the AHAs - however I still use the PHA 4 cleanser twice a day as it really is a terrific product. Now I use the AHA 10 Ultra Smoothing Lotion once a day - sparingly - and this is giving great results (make sure you always wear a sunscreen when using any AHA or PHA product as it has the effect of peeling away the top layers of your skin, leaving the newer, unprotected skin underneath).

Anyway I just stocked up on my NeoStrata products yesterday so imagine the chagrin I felt this morning when I found an offer from Terry White Chemists on NeoStrata products here - get a free NeoStrata Eye Cream (RRP $40.95) when you purchase specific products from the NeoStrata range. I've used this cream before and it's quite good.

(Offer ends June 11).

By Caroline Warnes