Everybody's skin is different; different from each others and different from one decade to the next. Sometimes it even changes day to day. Age, hormone levels, weather, genetics, pollution levels and diet can all affect how our skin looks and feels. Cleansers and face washes being one of, if not the, most important components of a beauty regime (because they clean and rebalance the skin) it's vital you choose one that's most suitable for your skin type.

Product	Virtues	Active Ingredients	Skin Type Suitable for	Price Point
Rosa Fina Creamy Face Wash           by Barefoot Botanicals	Gives super clean feeling but doesn't dry face, Vegan	Rose Hip, Aloe Vera, Vitamins B5 & E	Combination Skin, Oily, Acne Prone	£16.95 (100ml)
Deep Purifying Foam             by Madara	Deep cleansing, leaves skin feeling silky, safe to remove eye make up, Vegan	St. John's Wort, Yarrow	All	£13.50 (150ml)
Lifeguard Soothing Face Wash          by SOS Barefoot Botanicals	Very gentle, leaves skin feeling moisturised	Mallow, Jojoba, Evening Primrose	Sensitive, Dry, Eczema, Psoriasis, Dermatitis	£13.95 (100ml)
Facial Cleanser       by Spiezia Organics	100% organic, deep cleansing, dissolves waterproof mascara, remove with muslin flannel	Clary Sage Clove, Coconut, Eucalyptus	All	£21.55 (50ml)
Cream Cleanser       by Trilogy	Vegan, moisturising, removes eye make up, great value	Rose Hip, Evening Primrose	Normal, Dry, Mature, Sun-damaged, Scarred, Sensitive	£20.95 (200ml)
Relax Cleanser      by Lavere Intensive System	Promote skins natural repair function, makes skin look energised, removes eye make up	Olive Oil, Sweet Almond, Shea Butter	Mature Skin (35+)	£16.50 (125ml)
Creamy Coconut Cleanser       by Essential Care	Skin conditioning, light cleanser, doubles as a light body moisturiser	Coconut, Olive Oil	Normal, Dry, Sensitive	£14.00 (150ml)
Cleansing Cream           by Dr.Hauschka	deep cleansing, maintains the pH balance, leaves skin feeling extremely smooth	Sweet Almond Oil, Calendula, Peanuts, Wheat Germ	Normal, Oily, Dry, Sensitive, Mature	£13.70 (50ml)
Gentle Cleanse       by Green People	Dissolves make up including mascara,  leaves skin soft & thoroughly cleansed	Aloe Vera, Hemp, Jojoba, Rose Geranium	All	£14.50 (200ml)
Oily & Impure Skin Cleansing Gel             by Lavera	deep cleansers, Improves circulation, contains natural anti-inflammatory ingredients	Mint, Sage, Rosemary, Tea Tree	Oily	£6.75 (75ml)

The table below will hopefully help you to easily compare and select an organic cleanser that's right for your skin as it is now.

For more information on any of the above products click on the links below:

Rosa Fina Creamy Face Wash by Barefoot Botanicals
Deep Purifying Foam by Madara
Lifeguard Soothing Face Wash by SOS by Barefoot Botanicals
Facial Cleanser by Spiezia Organics
Cream Cleanser by Trilogy
Relax Cleanser by Lavere Intensive System
Creamy Coconut Cleanser by Essential Care
Cleansing Cream by Dr.Hauschka
Gentle Cleanse by Green People
Oily & Impure Skin Cleansing Gel by Lavera

Summer evenings are coming so it's time to dust of those recipes best saved for balmy nights. Well I've just been handed a really scrumy and easy as pie (actually, it's quite a lot easier than fiddly pie) courtesy of my partner's mother Heather. Given Heaths Australian I've kept the Zucchini name as is.

This recipe is great for those that can't eat wheat or dairy. Vegans could omit the egg if they wish as it's not essential. It about 8 patties and so is good for two. It goes lovely with fresh Greek Salad and a bottle of biodynamic white... sitting in a leafy garden, in the early evening preferably.

All you need for my new favourite summer recipe is:

1 zucchini (courgette) grated
2 potatoes grated
1 onion chopped finely
1 garlic clove grated
1 cm cube of ginger grated
2 tablespoons of soya flour
1 egg
Salt and pepper to taste
2 tablespoons of olive oil

Mix all the ingredients into a large bowl. Heat pan on moderate temperature. Add oil. Add large tablespoon dollop of patty mixture into pan. Cook lightly on both sides and serve. Doesn't get much easier than that!

News just in from the Worldwatch Institute (the independent research organization for sustainable living) on the global organic agriculture industry. They say that there has been a 118% increase between 2000 and 2007 of organic agricultural land worldwide. 32.3 million hectares organics are taking up but that's still only about 1% of the total land being farmed in the world.

Wordwatch's Vital Signs 2009 report also says that the Asian organic food market is experiencing huge growth rates of 15%. China now has 2.8 million hectares of organically managed land whilst India has 1 million hectares.

We've already noticed with companies like Cadbury's buying Green & Blacks that supply chains are merging and Worldwatch confirm this adding that there is a growing trend for a highly processed organic foods.

A trend that is bound to bring further debate is that global sourcing rather than local in the organic industry is becoming prevalent - the quantity of organic products traded internationally is on the up. We'd love to hear what you have to say on this - send us you're comments and we'll share with other organic-ites.

If you were walking in the country-side and came across the blackthorn shrub (which grows wild in the UK) you would be forgiven for thinking it was a blueberry bush. The blue berries of these two plants are remarkable similar however make no mistake they are not one in the same. Where the blue berry is used in muffins and puddings the blackthorn berry is a key ingredient in sloe gin. The blackthorn berry though very bitter when young can be eaten. Used in jams or marmalades it can help to reduce indigestion and control stomach discomfort.

The blackthorn flower has other medicinal benefits. Brew the petals in boiling water for 10 minutes, strain and drink one cup in the morning and evening for a natural laxative or diuretic. Using the blackthorn leaves instead of the flower creates a soothing mouthwash to relieve a sore throat or inflamed tonsils and general oral health. Skin care products like body oils and body washes that use the herb extract of the blackthorn can improve skin tone and elasticity.

The blackthorn has strong astringent properties. Its bark can be used as a nerve tonic to soothe the body after increased stresses. Drinking water infused with the bark will have a calming effect.