Australian Bodycare Tea Tree Skin Wash

Tea tree, we concede, isn't everyone's cup of - well, tea... But as an anti-bacterial, antiseptic ingredient, there's little in the natural world to rival it.  (Some trials have shown tea tree to be effective at fighting MRSA.)

This body wash, then, is fantastic for problem skins - especially breakouts on bodies (and above all, on backs).  It's so popular that it comes in whacking great bottles:  500 ml and even a litre size.

But we're rather excited about its 'double-duty' action:  as a wash for your make-up brushes.  The lather's gentle, but the tea tree works brilliantly to banish bacteria from the brushes and sponges you whisk across your face.  (Because if you don't do that regularly - particularly for creamy formulations like foundation, cream blusher etc. - then you're at higher zit-risk.)

The key is to wet the brush, add a little squirt of the Skin Wash, then smoosh the bristles until they come clean.  Rinse, rinse and rinse again, and leave to dry on a towel on a table/countertop, with brushes themselves air-drying off the edge.

Make-up professionals do this at least once a week, but we say once a month - minimum - is about right for 'home-use'.  If you find yourself lending your brushes to anyone, though, wash before you use them again.

Better safe than spotty.

UK readers find Australian Bodycare Tea Tree Skin Wash/£19.50 for 500 ml at www.salonskincare.co.uk - buy here