I’d like to advocate a bit of light thievery. In your own home of course. Because I’ve realised that the products I’m buying for my kids are a far cry from the Matey bubble bath that I grew up with in the eighties. OK, seventies. Shhhh.

These days, kid’s formulas pay as much – if not more – attention to quality ingredients and avoidance of harsh chemicals. The fragrances are more natural and the tacky packaging is a thing of the past too.

Here are my top five products for the little ones. And me…

First up is a delicious bath soak from Childs Farm called Clean Calm and Collected Bubble Bath for Sweet Dreams (£4.69). The tangerine oil scent is so good – and Childs Farm make a donation to The Riding for the Disabled Association for every (very reasonably priced) bottle purchased.

Post bath, I’ve been reaching for Hip Peas Curl Tamer (£13.95) which is every bit as good as adult curl products I’ve tried, for half the price (again, a proportion of which goes to charity). And I don’t feel that guilty about this one as neither of my children have hair that’s quite as curly as mine.

For skin, I keep going back to this baby oil even though my baby is now a toddler. It’s Cowshed’s Baby Cow Organics Rich Massage Oil (£12.50) and I love the way it is super-soothing on the kids’ eczema prone skin, but does some serious moisture locking on my own dry bits.

This little set of rescue slaves from Purepotions (£16.99) isn’t strictly for kids but I got them with the nippers in mind, and now I can’t keep my hands off them. The salves are: lavender, arnica, tea tree and calendula and comfrey, and cover off everything from burns and spots to grazes and bruises – all par for the course when you are wrestling children all day.

Finally, something to pinch from the older children – in my case, my teenage stepdaughter who is trying out some new skincare for her troublesome skin (which I’ll be telling you about soon). But can I let her get all the use out of Skin Glow Exfoliating Face Wash (£12) from the Elemis Fresh Skin range for young skin? I think not. £12 for this gentle-but-invigorating peachy little number: I’ll have a piece of that action, thanks…

Don’t forget to have a little peak at Balmain Hair Tips and ensure your on trend this AW13.