Get back to nature with botanical beauties that are blissfully free from chemicals

Nature is jam-packed full of skin and hair-boosting ingredients - and, as a beauty writer, I am intrigued to learn as much as I can about all of them. Don't get me wrong, I'll try any kind of beauty product - I road test hundreds of all kinds of products for Weekend - but personally, wherever I can, I'll swap in a botanical, natural-based beauty buy.

Such is my interest in botanicals, herbs and plants that I recently enrolled in a beginners herbalist course (theherbalhub.com) and I can't wait to delve into the green world of healing botanicals, and learn the ancient art of using what Mother Nature gave us so abundantly.

The botanical beauts I've listed here are some of the best I've road-tested. Most of them are rich in vitamin C - a skincare saviour. Why? It is full of antioxidants; it acts as a skincare "mop" that absorbs free radical damage to our skin. It also brightens complexions, reduces pigmentation and evens our skintone.

If you're on the lookout for a botanical summer scent that's natural, fresh, floral and zesty all at the same time - check out Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse Floral. It's actually a super-light, hydrating spray oil and smells like heaven.

The chill-maker

If the hot weather and upheaval of the past few months has you suffering from sleepless nights and interrupted sleep patterns, why not include a few calming botanicals to your night-time beauty ritual? This 100pc natural body oil is jam-packed with chill-inducing oils like lavender, vetivert and chamomile. Just apply sparingly to clean skin before bed time - you can use all over the body, but pay special attention to your feet (as our nerve endings are there and are especially susceptible to absorbing calming oils). This Works Deep Sleep Night Oil, €33 from Arnotts, Boots, Space NK and pharmacies nationwide

Spot the difference

Research has shown that the third-biggest beauty concern is dark spots (ie sun spots, acne marks and melasma). If you don't fancy using retinol - why not try a botanical-based ingredient to help fade hyperpigmentation? Viniferine is a natural extract that has been proven effective for this issue. Viniferine comes from grapevines and has been proven to correct and prevent all types of dark spots - by regulating the enzyme responsible for excessive melanin production. It's a best-seller for a reason - in fact, one of these gems is sold every 30 seconds globally! Caudalie Vinosource, €49.50 from pharmacies nationwide

Botanical glow-maker

Sunday Riley is a skincare brand that should be on your radar if you're looking for effective, natural skincare. This latest addition to their range is a supercharged blend of golden turmeric oil (radiance-boosting ingredient), evening primrose oil, ginger, neroli and vitamin A-rich red raspberry seed oil. Unlike some vitamin C products, which only treat the upper levels of skin, this has oil-soluble vitamin C which reaches the deepest levels of our skin. A total glow maker! I've been road-testing for a few weeks and think you'll love it. Just massage two to three drops into face, neck and décolletage. This can be blended or layered with any other of your face products. Sunday Riley CEO Glow Vitamin C + Tumeric Oil, from €39-€78, Arnotts, Brown Thomas and cultbeauty.co.uk

Pep up those peepers

Anyone who suffers from eye circles and bags can testify that there's actually very little that can really help (especially with the hereditary type) but studies have shown that eye products with vitamin C can assist (caffeine is another eye-brightening ingredient). This new botanical eye cream goes straight to work to revive tired peepers by reducing puffiness and helping to brighten and hydrate our eye area. It contains antioxidant-rich vitamin C (to reduce dark circles and brighten) and skin-plumping hyaluronic acid, rosehip oil and aloe vera juice to help cool and refresh eyes. I think you'll especially love the very jazzy ceramic wand applicator with this product; it helps to reduce the appearance of puffiness - quickly. Pop this in the fridge to amp up the cooling, de-puffing power of this beaut. Trilogy Vitamin C Revitalising Eye Gel, €25.95, from pharmacies and health stores nationwide

Handy helper

We're all suffering from dry, cracked, crunchy hands at the moment - due to all the extra hand hygiene and washing over the last few months. If you fancy indulging yourself with a hydrating handy helper that smells like fresh, zesty, citrusy summer, this is worth checking out. It is jam-packed with mandarin, grapeseed oil, shea buttter and vitamin C. I love a beauty multi-tasker, and this is a 3-in-1 hand treatment that also nourishes and protects hands, nails, and cuticles. Made with natural ingredients, this dries quickly and doesn't leave hands greasy or slimy feeling. Gorgeous. I love this so much I also invested in the body lotion too. Yon-Ka Crème Mains, €22 from skin salons nationwide, theskinnerd.com and millies.ie

Unisex day cream

Quince fruit comes from the same family as apples and pears, and is a great natural skin hydrator - encouraging it to retain moisture balance. This is a popular unisex skin cream that's suitable for normal, dry and sensitive faces. This gem uses quince wax and seed extract, jojoba, beeswax and witch hazel. This is a botancial best-seller for both men and women and is free from all synthetic preservatives, fragrances, colours, dyes and petroleum-derived synthetics. (Note that this product is very fresh and has no preservatives so just be aware this lasts around three months). Dr. Hauschka Quince Day Cream, €28.95 from pharmacies and health stores nationwide

Rose cleanser

This new range from Nuxe uses only a small number of ingredients - over 95pc of which are of botanical origin. The star ingredient in these vegan formulas is rose floral water (rosa damascena). This botanical hydrator is super gentle and a great option for sensitive faces. I've road-tested a few options in this range and the standout product for me is this micellar water - a great botanical multi-tasker. It removes make-up; eye make-up, hydrates and cools skin all at the same time. Lovely. Nuxe Very Rose 3-in-1 Micellar Water, €16.99 from pharmacies nationwide