Reviewing Tropic Skincare vs Liz Earle

I have been meaning to write this post for months!!  I took a look at Tropic Skincare quite a few years ago, really liked it but didn't keep using it (I will explain why further on).  And in the couple of years I have been visiting Wendy at The Wendy House, I have been meaning to try it again - Wendy is a Tropic Ambassador!  And during Lockdown1 I was able to do just that with a personal gift* from Wendy of the Skin Discovery Kit.  But I have used Liz Earle forever.  I started using Liz Earle when it really was just Liz and her iconic Cleanse and Polish started winning every award going.  But I do remember Susie Ma (founder of Tropic Skincare) on The Apprentice in 2011 and I saw her at one of the home shows in the early days of Tropic.

Then last week I had a back massage and facial (using Tropic products) at No 21 Beauty Within and it gave me the extra push I needed to write this post.  I've done a Liz Earle vs Tropic comparison review as it seems they do directly compete and often someone might do as I have, swap from Liz Earle to Tropic, or be looking at doing so.

Tropic Skincare 'Skin Discovery Kit' plus Super Greens and Cleansing Body Pebble

Natural skincare

Is natural better?  Well not necessarily.  But it is a huge trend and beauty is heading far more towards natural.  For me personally it is not essential, the product has to work (like the natural deodorant I favour) and it has to smell nice and the packaging needs to look good in my bathroom.  From doing a little bit of research it does seem to be that even the experts are divided and in the end it comes down to personal choice and finding a product that works for you and that you love.  Even 'natural' can be toxic so my advice would be not to get too caught up in the for and against.

Both Tropic Skincare and Liz Earle sit in the 'natural' camp although if you wanted to analyse it further there are still differences with one being possibly more natural than the other.  If you are serious about natural vs synthetic then there is an app called Think Dirty that you can use to research products further.

My biggest barrier when deciding to go the Tropic route was always availability - it needs to be ordered online or via an Ambassador rather than just walking into John Lewis and getting advice.  I have been walking past the Liz Earle counter in my local John Lewis for years and stopping to chat to my friend who works there, topping up on my skincare when needed and getting free products via their very generous loyalty scheme.  With Tropic I can't just run into John Lewis when I realise I have run out.  But it easier than I thought!

I asked Wendy why Tropic isn't available to buy on the High Street.  She explained that any product that goes into a retailer needs to have a long shelf life.  Tropic is all natural with very few preservatives and therefore has a much shorter shelf life.  It is freshly made in their own kitchens and has BBE dates of between 6 to 18 months.  And so they went the Ambassador route, selling via a network of independent traders.

And one of the reasons why Tropic does not offer samples is their commitment to being eco-friendly and reducing the amount of plastic that ends up in landfill.  How many samples do we all have sitting around in bathroom cabinets gathering dust and languishing without ever being used.  And if we do use them, how out of date are they?  I had a good sort out during the first lockdown, used up my more recent samples and threw lots away!  Now I vow to use them immediately if I do get any or say no thank you!  Incidentally Liz Earle do not go over the top with samples and the ones I do get are actually very useful for travel and often come with a free muslin cloth so i think both Tropic and Liz Earle have a similar approach.

I also found out that Tropic offer an excellent sustainable 'loyalty' option - basically collect any five empty Tropic containers and return them for one new product from a selection, you can read the details on this link - Tropic refills and empty product returns.  Tropic also offer a 30-day money-back guarantee if you are unhappy with any product for any reason.

My bath board is from The White Company, similar linked below.

How do Tropic and Liz Earle compare on cost?

I did a very quick and simple comparison, I really wasn't going to get too involved.  My conclusion - about the same!  I noticed that some products are more expensive at Tropic but then the bottles are slightly bigger.  Or that you can't really compare like with like so for example the new Liz Earle Skin Repair Moisturiser is £23 for 50 ml, and the Tropic Skin Feast Moisturiser is £24 for 50 ml.  But I was using the higher end luxury Liz Earle Superskin Moisturiser at £42 for 50 ml.    And the iconic Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish with two cotton cloths is £17 for 100 ml but the Tropic Smoothing Cleanser is £18 for 120 ml with one cloth.  So really impossible to compare ... it is personal preference.

My hero product from Tropic, I really do love the cleansing body pebble

Your Liz Earle Daily Routine or Tropic ABC Skincare

Let's look just at the basics then.
Cleanse.  Tone.  Moisturise.  The 3-Step Skin Routine.
Both Liz Earle and Tropic offer very similar.

I have to say the Discovery Kit from Tropic Skincare has really lasted well and it came in a lovely natural cotton bag with the addition of a Rainforest Dew.  And I really did genuinely love all the products.  The Tropic Smoothing Cleanser is just as good as the Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish.  I prefer the bamboo face cloth from Tropic, it just feels more substantial and washes well, again just a personal view.  I do love the special edition scents that Liz Earle do throughout the year and the option to buy the different size bottles in their cleanse and polish range.

After using the Tropic Discovery Kit for a couple of weeks I decided to swap to the Tropic Skin Feast Moisturiser permanently.  The cheaper skin repair from Liz Earle hasn't had good reviews and the Superskin is very expensive.  I felt that the Tropic option offered a really good value alternative.  It comes in a pretty pump pack and delivers just the right amount each time.

I am not a big toner user!  I am sure skincare experts will tell me I really should.  I have the toner from Liz Earle in the spray version but often forget to use it.  Oops!  The Tropic Vitamin Toner is easy to use and benefits include refining the appearance of pores, a brighter and smoother complexion and instant hydration, it is very refreshing.

Wendy gave me a bonus sample with my Tropic Discovery Kit and I got to try out the award winning Super Greens Nutrient Boost Oil.  Created to boost your skin's natural defences, the shot of healthy greens is packed with vitamins and nutrients that help fight the effects of everyday pollution.  Effective at reducing redness as well as calming irritated, sensitive or blemished skin.  I have to say I really loved this oil, I loved the fragrance, I loved the luxury feel of it and I was quite disappointed when it ran out.  I may invest in a full size one!

Also included in the kit was a small Rainforest Dew Hydration Serum which is a soothing, lightweight serum, packed with super-hydrating plant extracts to leave skin with a dewy, youthful bounce.  I could so benefit from a youthful bounce at the moment - anyone else feeling exhausted?  But yes I really liked this one too.

Not in the kit but I really do love the Tropic Cleansing Body Pebble, it is only £8, lasts ages, lathers up really well, is very moisturising with a gentle exfoliating action for all over body washing and hands and I notice from the online reviews it can be used for hair too!  Great gift, you can also buy a 'pebble pouch' for £3.50.  Pop your pebble in, use it to wash and exfoliate

Tropic Skincare Discovery Kit plus Cleansing Body Pebble

A Tropic Facial

This was a super lovely facial and I was very impressed with the performance of the products during my 45 minute back massage and facial at No 21 Beauty Within in Lane End.  Jane used the full Tropic ABC routine and additional serums on my skin and I felt relaxed, clean and glowing afterwards.  

Tropic ABC Skincare Kit Review

Is there a winner?!

No!  It is never that simple.  Cost wise about the same.  I did make the permanent move to the Tropic Skin Feast Moisturiser of course.  The toner I will carry on with the Tropic one while I still have a supply.  The cleanser, well when I run out of the Tropic Smoothing Cleanser I still have an unopened bottle of cleanse and polish to use up so I will decide after that.  

So maybe it comes down to looks?  Which packaging do I prefer?!  The Liz Earle pastel colours work really well in my main bathroom, less so in my newly decorated en-suite, in there the Tropic simple cream and grey is the winner!

I am not terribly loyal to any one beauty brand to be honest.  My fallback for many many years has been to stick with Liz Earle for reasons explained above.  But if I buy my Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation and I get a free gift then I am very happy to use up those products for a while!  I am not a big buyer of beauty products although blogging has allowed me to try a few more as I do get sent products to try out from time to time. 
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Just a final thought ... Liz Earle Skincare was founded in 1995 by Liz and her friend Kim.  In 2010 it was sold to Avon and then in 2015 to Walgreens, a global pharmaceutical company.  I personally prefer to support the smaller, founder led businesses with a more personal touch.  Liz is no longer involved in the business so maybe for me Tropic does have the edge.

How to buy Tropic Skincare

Tropic has become more and more popular and you must know someone who is an Ambassador.  I am reassured it is not 'multi-level marketing or pyramid selling' and the Ambassadors I know do seem to genuinely love the products and stick with the brand for the long haul.

You can order online direct with Tropic Skincare (and not go via an Ambassador), delivery is £3.50 or free if you spend over £30.

Or you can contact your Ambassador directly and if you are nearby you can collect for free - many of the Ambassadors keep a stock of the most popular products so if you do need something urgently the chances are you can pick up the same day.

Or you can order with your Ambassador via their personal online link, again delivery is free if you spend over £30.

Wendy's Tropic Shop can be found here!

Above: My bath board is from The White Company (no longer available) but you can buy similar here.  I love the scented candles from The White Company and especially the White Lavender for a relaxing bedtime.  Luxury bamboo face cloths can be purchased here.

Before I go, a few other products that I hear mentioned lots - the Sun Drops Gradual Tanning Facial Serum is highly rated, as is the all-round skin saviour Tamanu Balm (I have one of these and use it for lots of skin needs, burns, breakouts, dryness).  Wendy rates the Nail Nectar having tried it out during lockdown when unable to get to the nail salon.  I also think their gift kits look really lovely. 

Love from
Michelle xx

Loved this blog post, now read - Why you should always wear a facial SPF | and the importance of a good skincare routine

Disclaimer​: Wendy kindly gave me the discovery kit as a personal gift to thank me for some help I had given her at The Wendy House.   This post contains affiliate links.

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