britain's best-kept secret; How do English roses stay so rosy.(Liz Earle's organic beauty products)

Byline: Sarah Brown

There is something about a beauty secret that women-even those who claim not to wear makeup or engage in fervent age-fighting-cannot resist. What's the best eye cream? The reason certain people are suddenly looking so good (and the name of their dermatologist)? The next Black Satin (before it hits stores, and everyone in the world's toes)? Beauty secrets from faraway places-which are inherently harder-earned-

are particularly precious currency. So when literally everyone I know in London started casually dropping the name Liz Earle (from my estimate, there is not a stylish, plugged-in person in the United Kingdom not using her skin care), I listened. And when the actual Liz Earle called out of the blue and invited me to lunch, I asked, Would today be too soon?

Earle has terrific skin (predictably), a warm smile, and easy charm. She instantly impresses as sensible and down-to-earth, and the few gentle lines on her forehead-which indicate that there is no Botox in her 42-year-old face-are, frankly, refreshing. A former beauty editor and U.K. television presenter, not to mention the author of more than 30 books on subjects from the power of antioxidants to nutrition, she started her line eleven years ago because she believed she could make better products.

By better, Earle means straightforward skin care fueled by unusually high concentrations of antioxidants and botanicals (hence her company name, Liz Earle Naturally Active Skincare) yet "gentle enough to use on a newborn." The premise, and appeal, behind her line is simplicity. For example, she makes only one cleanser-the wildly popular Cleanse and Polish-and one toner (the beloved

Instant Boost Skin Tonic) for all skin types. "If you get it right, you can really narrow it down," says Earle. ...