It’s been a while since I’ve written a blog post, mostly because I’m 39 weeks pregnant; amongst the morning sickness and preparation for Christmas, reducing my workload and getting everything ready for our new arrival, time has felt limited. It feels good to be writing again though, and I’m grateful for all my wonderful followers who take the time to read my posts. I thought now, just before the New Year, would be a good time to publish this post. I’m personally looking ahead to more ways I can live a more ethical life with the products I use and making day to day changes to reduce waste.
After my last post about moving towards becoming a more mindful consumer, I was approached by Green People asking if I’d like to try some of their organic skincare range. This came at a great time for me, as a bit of pampering goes a long way when you’re pregnant with so many changes happening with my body, including my skin. Before I accepted, I wanted to find out more about the brand, as I am only willing to try products that fit with my principles in using natural and cruelty free products. After some research, I decided Green People are indeed in line with my own principles.
Green People started back in 1994 with a mother’s inspiration; founder Charlotte Vøhtz’s drive to create truly organic skin care began when her young daughter Sandra was battling multiple skin allergies and eczema. She searched the high street for natural products that would be gentle on Sandra’s sensitive skin but found that many so-called natural skin care brands used almost entirely synthetic ingredients. In fact you only need to have less than 1% natural or organic ingredients in the formulation to call it ‘natural’.
Charlotte says, “From that moment, I realised that we all are children of the chemical age and that man-made chemicals found everywhere, combined with changing dietary habits, profoundly affect us all”.
“After years of product research and development, Green People was founded in 1997. From the very beginning Charlotte’s principles meant that product performance and ethical practice were never sacrificed for profit. A close working relationship was built with product manufacturers in Europe to create the initial product range; a relationship which still exists to this day.
With a promise to never use aggressive ingredients or synthetic chemicals such as sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS), parabens, phthalates, petrochemicals, alcohol (ethanol) or synthetic fragrances or colourants, and to never test on animals, Green People was born”.
This is great news for me, not only for my own skincare, but as a mother-to-be, to find a brand that cares deeply about the ingredients and methods they use to produce their products. Giving me confidence when choosing the best products for me and our new baby.
I was sent their Nightly Rituals Starter Pack, Gentle Cleanse & Make-up Remover, Day Solution Cream SPF15 and the Fruit Scrub Exfoliator.
I’m not the best at keeping up with skincare routines. I do, however, use natural products on my face during the day, and rarely wear make-up unless I’m going out somewhere. However, I’ve never really had a nighttime routine, so I was looking forward to using the Nightly Rituals products (which includes a rejuvenating eye cream, Vita Min Fix 24-hour cream and Fruitful Nights Night Cream) to see what difference they might make.
Usually I prefer to use a foaming face wash in the morning, as I feel much more refreshed when using water with a cleanser. When I first received the Gentle Cleanse & Make-Up Remover, I wasn’t convinced as it was more like a cream and I have found these too heavy for my skin in the past. However, recommended use is to apply and then rinse with warm water which suits me. I was pleasantly surprised when I first used it, as it left my face feeling soft and refreshed, without any residue. It also smelt gorgeous and felt like a good quality, indulgent product. The cleanser’s main ingredients are shea butter, calendula and rose geranium, and is suitable for all skin types.
I then gave the Fruit Scrub Exfoliator a try whilst in the shower. This one smelt so good I could have eaten it! With bamboo, orange blossom and hibiscus, I loved using this product and it really left me feeling like I had a glow to start my day. A gentle scrub of the skin in the morning makes all the difference for me, it helps wake me up and gives my skin a boost.
In fact, my favourite products from those sent to me were the fruit based products; Fruit Scrub Exfoliator and Fruitful Nights Night Cream. I keep the nighttime products on my bedside table to remind me to use them. I have forgotten a couple of times, but often just before I go off to sleep, I’ll grab the eye cream and usually the night cream and apply. As I write this it is December, so winter has taken hold and with it has brought a horrible cold, chapped lips and a sore nose! The eye and night cream felt so hydrating, like I was giving my skin a drink of water. Applying these products at night made me feel like I was really looking after myself and giving my skin some nourishment after a long day. The recommendation for the Nightly Rituals pack is the night cream first, to rejuvenate the skin and even-out texture and minimise wrinkles (key ingredients are rosehip, hibiscus and pineapple), then the Vita Min Fix cream, a 24-hour anti-ageing moisturiser to boost skin hydration and reduce wrinkles (key ingredients are evening primrose, avocado and seaweed). Finally, the eye cream, a soothing anti-ageing eye cream to reduce wrinkles and nourish delicate skin (key ingredients are avocado, seaweed and baicalin).
I’ve also found the Day Solution Cream great for during the day; it’s a nice light cream that absorbs into my skin easily and has the added benefit of an SPF of 15.
I’ve been using the products for almost a month now, and what I’m noticing is that I’m slowly getting into a routine of using them at night too. It’s become part of a lovely evening ritual when I go to bed. I snuggle up, read a good book, and sit in bed and apply the products whilst taking in their lovely feel and aroma. I love that Green People use such an array of natural ingredients, full of naturally occurring goodness from Mother Earth.
My skin is looking more radiant than it has for a while, which surprises me as I’ve been so run down with a cold, and I thought I might get more blemishes when pregnant. I’m 43, and do feel confident enough to go out without any make up on, particularly when out and about in our village, seeing friends at the pub.
But, I think it is important to look after our skin, particularly as we get older. I’ve been really impressed with the Green People products, and would definitely replenish my supplies once used up. However, they seem to be lasting, so the extra investment would be worth it. That’s one thing I look for in slightly more expensive products, that they last me a month or two. As these are good quality, you really don’t need much to make them go a long way.
You can find out more about Green People’s natural skincare range here, along with other products.
These products were kindly gifted. I will only work with brands that I believe in and would willingly pay for myself. I have not been paid for this post, all thoughts and opinions are my own.