After working for Jo Malone on London’s Bond Street, studying to become an aromatherapist, and setting up her very own organic treatment room in Sussex, Lucy Russell specialises in handmade, organic skin care and beauty products – and has so for over a decade!

Reportedly spending hours in her kitchen cooking up treatments that use only the finest natural facials, whilst mixing her notebooks with years of experience in the beauty industry, Lucy Russell has won awards for Miss Eco Glam’s Best Cleanser in 2008, and this year has received Winner of Best Organic Facial Skincare Product from the Natural & Organic Awards 2009. Which is no easy feat.

The Lucy Russell Organic product range are handmade by Lucy herself. And her products come with two great seals of approval: first of all, the products are all 98% organic and one of the only skin care sellers to be certified by the Soil Association; and Lucy Russell products also make sure they use FSC Mixed Sources to produce their paper for receipts, labels and brochures – which is a fantastic touch of eco-awareness.

And their ingrediant’s policy is really something to take a look at too:

“The highest quality organic ingredients in real amounts!
The highest quality natural-source Vitamin E
No animal derived ingredients (except organic beeswax)
No genetically engineered or modified ingredients
No animal testing
No parabens
No petrol-chemicals
No alcohol”

As you can see, you can be sure when you’re putting this stuff on your face that there are no chemical nasties in it. For instance, parabens are often used synthetically in beauty products to reduce the effects of bacteria and spoilage but can cause skin reactions, and, quite worryingly, have been found in traces in several studies concerned with breast cancer. So with her hands-on, only natural approach, you can be sure to trust Lucy.

So much so, in fact, that her Rose Toner has been raised to eco-acclaim and awarded the Winner of Best Organic Facial Skincare 2009. The toner, which is 100% organically produced, is designed to cool and soothe mature and delicate skin. A mix of pure Organic Rosewater and Organic Persian Rose essential oil, it is an effective alternative to synthetic and commercial products, and comes with an eco-approval rather than a boutique price-tag. Lucy’s website says:

“The Rose Toner is such a versatile product. It tones, cools and calms your skin. It is wonderful to use during pregnancy because of its gentle soothing properties and beautiful feminine fragrance which also make it great to use during the menopause if you suffer with hot flushes – I have clients who swear by it!” She continues:

“It is extremely gentle and fine to use on children and babies over 6 months especially during the hot weather when you’re trying to keep them cool. You can keep it in the fridge to enhance it’s cooling properties.”

Lucy Russell Organics offers beauty in every sense of the word – subtle, orignal and environmentally aware – they’re a must have for your bathroom cabinet this year.

Click here to see a full listing of Lucy Russel Organics prices and products.