Review: LUSH Alcohol-free versions

Although LUSH provide products for the Middle East markets that do not contain alcoholic ingrediants, they do not do this in UK. So I was pleasantly surprised when I was contacted about LUSH introducing seven alcoholic-free alternatives to a selection of their limited edition Winter range.

Note the ‘limited’. The products will only be available until January 2014, and in addition to this you will only be able to order online.

So be quick if you want to try them out!

LUSH state that the although these products usually contain cognac oil, gin or sake, the alcohol-free versions are the same price and quality, and will be clearly marked as alcohol free.

So which products are available alcohol free?

• Buche de Noel cleansing roll
• Noriko soap
• Mr Punch soap
• Ponche shower gel
• Golden Wonder bath ballistic
• Celebrate hand and body lotion
• Ocean Salt face and body scrub (this is actually available all year round in an alcohol free version!)

I’ve always been wary about putting different products on my face, as my skin is fairly sensitive. However, I have had no problems using the cleanser and the scrub.

The scrub is a cleansing lime, coconut and sea salt scrub; also containing lemon and grapefruit juices, fresh avacado and violet leaf. It smells gorgeous and refreshing, leaving my face feeling fresh and cool. The first time I used it I did feel as though it had left my skin a bit tight and dry, but having used it a few more times I haven’t experienced that again; just a refreshed feeling.

The cleanser contains ground almonds, dried cranberries, fresh satsumas, almond oil and cocoa butter. LUSH state that it helps lock in moisture and keep the skin soft against the cold.It does make my face feel soft and clean, however I am not keen on the smell. It almost smells like marzipan and I hate marzipan. Having said that it is bearable, for me it just needs a bit of a more refreshing fragrance.

If you love citrus smells then the shower gel is for you.It is inspired by the Mexican fruit punch made from seasonal fruits such as oranges, plums, cinnamon and vanilla. It really does wake you up with its fresh burst of orange first thing in the morning.

I suffer from dry skin often, and the body lotion has helped combat that, although admittedly not as well as a massage bar I have previously used. I used it before bed and all I could smell while trying to sleep was oranges, making me crave them! It contains Brazilian orange oil and lime oil to tone the skin, and cocoa butter and almond oil to replenish and moisturise your skin.

I haven’t had a chance to try the bath ballistic yet so will update the post once I have. Although if the smell is anything to go by I will love it! It is fragranced with sweet orange oil and lime oil and also contains soluble gold stars…..just waiting for a chance to have a relaxing bath before I test it out!!