Living Nature's fabulous Firming Flax Serum

My ears pricked up when I heard about Living Nature's Firming Flax Serum, not only because I love any product which promises smoother skin with finer lines, but because it recently won Best Skin Serum in the Natural Health magazine Beauty Awards 2011 - the Oscar's of the natural beauty industry - quite an accolade!

I've had to seriously re-think my skincare regime lately. The years are ticking by and, at 37, those fine lines and wrinkles are definitely starting to show! I wanted to add something into my nightly routine that would be a little more powerful and potent than my average moisturiser, and a product that would get to work overnight, helping the skin to repair and replenish itself. What better time to put this 100 per cent pure, oil-free product, described as 'Nature's Wrinkle Defence,' to the test.

The Harakeke Flax, a native plant of New Zealand, is not an ingredient I was familiar with, and to be honest didn't sound that appealing until I read about all the clever things it can actually do! Hailed by Living Nature as more powerful than aloe vera, this plant feeds moisture along its leaves, and can do the same for our skin to leave us with a firmer, smoother complexion. It also acts as a mild astringent, causing the pores to contact, which prevents moisture loss and therefore can reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles.

I've been smoothing it on after cleansing every evening for a few weeks now as part of my new anti-ageing routine (you could use it in the mornings too), making sure I apply over expression lines around the eye area, upper lip area and also on the neck. I've also been sleeping on my silk pillow which doesn't wick products like serums away from the skin during sleep like a cotton pillow can.

It's very nourishing due to the addition of active Manuka honey, and the rosehip oil is rejuvenating on the skin, too. The scent is subtle and the formulation is light, silky smooth and a joy to apply, sinking into the skin effortlessly. You can apply a moisturiser, such as the Living Nature Nourishing Night Cream, over the top too, but I've been using it on its own.

My skin now looks as if it's had a visible moisture boost, with the dullness I put down to age (and stress) replaced with a brighter more youthful glow. For such a small and simple tweak to my nightly skincare routine, adding this potent product has made a big difference. It's well worth the investment, whatever your skin type.

Living Nature's Firming Flax Serum is available from www.livingnature.com
priced £22.45 for 13ml.