WHEN you think of algae, you imagine gunk on a pond. But the marine organism is cultivated for its unique oil, packed with omega-3 fatty acids – good for the eyes, heart and brain.
While fish oil also supplies this, algae oil is a plant-based alternative. We trialled products packed with omega-3, while our beauty expert tests gradual tans to subtly bronze you.
VIRIDIAN VEGAN EPA & DHA OIL: If you don’t like the flavour of fish oils or you are veggie or vegan, this is the one for you.
It contains natural orange oil, so the taste isn’t unpleasant, and just a few drops a day are all you need.
It is gluten-free and great if you are allergic to fish.
£21.80 for 30ml, viridian-nutrition.com.
WILEY’S FINEST WILD ALASKAN FISH OIL: This is a traditional fish oil packed with omega-3 as well as omega-7 and vitamins A and D.
You can’t miss the fishiness but after taking a teaspoon daily, I noticed my nails getting stronger.
It is infused with orange, which I wasn’t keen on, that is a small price to pay.
£17.99 for 250ml, wileysfinest.co.uk.
HOLLAND & BARRETT OMEGA-3 FISH OIL: These capsules are an alternative for those who dislike the taste of fish oil.
Take three daily with meals.
No oily taste but I found the capsules hard to digest.
£13.99 for 100 capsules, hollandandbarrett.com.
BUDGET – Palmers cocoa butter natural bronze body lotion, £5.69, 250ml, superdrug.com: I noticed a nice glow after just one application.
The cocoa scent is strong but, unfortunately, the tell-tale fake tan smell did build up with more applications.
Left some streaky patches over my ankles and hands. Still a decent option.
MID – Bondi sands everyday gradual tanning foam, £12.99, 270ml, feelunique.com: Enriched with aloe vera, it has a pleasant scent of cocoa butter.
Easy to apply using a mitt and dried within a few minutes. The colour was bronze, not orange, and gave a natural-looking tan without any streaks.
Depth of colour is buildable depending on your personal preference.
LUXURY – Bali body gradual tan, £21.95, 200ml, uk.balibodyco.com: Enriched with nourishing oils, it promises to bronze, smooth and hydrate with each application.
Absorbed well and dried instantly.
Tan developed after just four hours but I left it on overnight – and had a deep, natural-looking glow that was streak-free. My new go-to.
