The Body Shop Edelweiss Range Sample Review

 

I've always been a fan of  The Body Shop's Founder Dame Anita Roddick, she pioneered the way in cruelty free skincare and paved the way for ethical sourcing of ingredients. Most recently, The Body Shop's best selling range Drops Of Youth™, has been re-branded and 're-charged' to the Edelweiss range. The reason for this change was to continue the ethos of not promoting 'anti-aging' ingredients. Yes, you heard that correctly. Dame Anita Roddick says 'if you didn't want to get wrinkles you should have stopped smiling years ago'. Personally, I think this is a breath of fresh air to hear, especially as I am constantly surrounded in the beauty editorial business, of women continually trying to prevent aging by way of anti-wrinkle injections, fillers etc. 

For fans of the Drops Of Youth™, please don't be worried. The Edelweiss collection has the same ingredients but with the key focus being on the Edelweiss flower. You can read more on The Body Shop website (link below) however, in brief this amazing tiny flower has more anti-oxidant properties than retinol. The flower thrives in the mountains where wind, sun etc is at it's most aggressive. This flower manages to protect itself against the harsh weather elements by producing leontopodic acid, a powerful anti-oxidant. The Body Shop harvest this flower and extracts the leontopodic acid, to give our skin similar protection from it's products.

Edelweiss Cleansing Concentrate 100ml £12

Ideal for all skin types, this light gel cleanser emulsifies into a gentle, creamy lather once mixed with water. You only need a tiny amount, as once massaged into the skin spreads lightly into the face. It's formula works well with all skin types from oily to dry, and leaves skin feeling fresh without any tightness. It works deeply to remove all impurities, makeup and pollution so your face is feeling refreshed and clean. 

As well as Edelweiss, other ingredients include:-

• Cocamidopropyl Betaine - an natural ingredient derived from coconuts that helps lather, without any harsh chemicals often found in lathering products. 
• Erythritol - often used as a sweetener, in skin care this helps keep the skin feeling smooth.
• Coconut Acid - skin hydrating and moisturising. 
• Citric Acid - exfoliating, helps to maintain even skin tone and deeply cleansing.

Edelweiss Liquid Peel 100ml £18

This gentle exfoliator is recommended to use 2-3 times per week (although I think once a week is enough), and ensures that skin is kept clear from bacteria and pollution build up. Pores look more refined and blackheads are kept at a minimum, as the product works by sloughing away dead skin cells and removing every speck of grime. A small amount massaged onto the face transforms from a light liquid into 'beads' of skin build up that are simply rinsed away.

Again with the key ingredient being leontopodic acid, a more potent and powerful ingredient that retinol, this is ideal for anyone with dull, sallow and dehydrated skin. It not only gives radiance to the skin but prepares the skin, by leaving it receptive to serums and moisturisers. Some with very sensitive skin, may find it tingles as it does contain alcohol however, it is kinder on the skin than the harsher, facial scrubs.  For those with oily/normal/dry skin types it's an essential addition to clearer, more even-toned skin.

Edelweiss Intense Smoothing Cream 50ml £28

Out of the products I've reviewed from this range, the Intense Smoothing Cream is my favourite. It's light enough so that it doesn't leave that greasy film, yet sinks in easily so my dry skin felt instant nourished and comforted. You only need a small pea sized amount to cover the face and neck, and  rather than massaging in, simply press and pat onto the skin. It's packed full of active ingredients to aid good skin health such as:-

• Shea Butter - contains essential fatty acids to help nourish the skin, and reduce inflammation. Ideal for acne rosacea and sensitive skin that needs restoring and calming. 
• Sunflower Seed Oil - non pore clogging, this oil contains high levels of vitamin E, oleic and linoleic acid, powerful anti-oxidants and incredibly nourishing. Helps soothe the skin and ideal for those with eczema. 
• Squalene - helps maintain a youthful complexion by boosting collagen production. 
• Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil - prevents sun spots, helps soothe inflamed skin, protects the skin from UV damage and also gives a barrier to the skin from pollution.

All of the products mentioned are vegan, cruelty free and have an incredibly light scent, almost unscented. They won't irritate the skin and, as always I've checked the reviews from other customers and the range is a huge hit with testimonials such as 'I would give it more than 5 stars if I could'. You can check out the range here at www.thebodyshop.com