Because I am reasonably active — insuring for the future to counter balance my sedentary job, I endure circuit training, step and aerobic classes every week — I have never felt much troubled by the state of my legs. My thighs and bottom have remained roughly the same shape and dimension for the past 20 years or so, even if other bits of me haven't.

But recently I've noticed some alarming, tell-tale signs of change. They may be invisible to the naked (and generous) eye of others, but they haven't escaped my critical, close-up scrutiny: uneven texture, slight dimpling... Arghhh! It would seem that while I have been busy ensuring that crows feet and frown lines don't appear before their time (ooh, what shall we say.... 70?) my legs have been busy getting on with the nasty business of ageing all by themselves, unhindered in their progress by powerful lotions or potions. Exercise alone, it would seem, is not enough to prevent the march of time.

I know that even the slimmest, loveliest, richest women can also succumb to such imperfections, but that's no consolation frankly, so I'm happy to give anything (safe and painless) a go, that might help.
Having used Priori's CoffeBerry® moisturiser and liked it, I'm interested to try their new CoffeeBerry® Slimming Complex (£49.50 - 180ml) which, despite the somewhat scientific-sounding name and purposeful packaging, is actually 91.1% natural. (Having previously never heard of coffeeberry as a beauty ingredient, it was interesting and gratifying to see the plant recently during a visit to the Eden Project and learn about its health benefits — an "ah ha" moment).

Another of nature's "super foods" coffeeberry fruit extract has powerful anti-oxidant properties to fight the free radicals that contribute to skin ageing. But the complex also contains also contains caffeine which is a natural slimming agent, as well as a natural mineral peptide, pullulan (a natural polysaccaride) and lactic acid which work together to reduce excess fluid, fatty deposits and tissue circumference and smooth the skin. Clinical trials have apparently shown positive results — reduced thigh circumference of an average of about half an inch after eight weeks.

Like the CoffeeBerry face product, the Slimming Body Complex has a fruity smell with just a hint of coffee and, as instructed I spend 30 seconds or so, twice a day, massaging it into my legs, from hip to knee. It absorbs rapidly and, as it isn't a moisturiser, I've been following up with a body cream for good measure. It hasn't been two months yet, so too early to say whether my thighs are any slimmer, but I'll settle for a smoother, softer skin tone, which I am beginning to detect.

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