Northern Ireland Trading Standards is advising consumers to purchase cosmetics direct from the manufacturer and from reputable stores after counterfeit make up was discovered in a shopping complex. Please note that this does not concern Green People products.

Read full news story about counterfeit cosmetics.

5th August 2010

Study investigates phthalates link with testicular cancer

Researchers are investigating the possibility that exposure to phthalates by pregnant women may lead to testicular cancer in male offspring.

Read full news story about phthalates.

30th July 2010

Green People wins 2 Ethical Living Awards

Green People has won two 2010 Ethical Living Magazine Awards, furthering its collection of award-winning organic skin care products.

Read full news story about the Ethical Living Awards.

20th July 2010

Household cleaning products linked with breast cancer risk

US research has shown that there may be a link between the frequent use of household cleaners and air fresheners and a greater chance of developing breast cancer.

Read full news story about household cleaning products.

16th July 2010

31% of teenagers never use sun cream

Research by a cancer charity has found that around a third of teenagers never use sun cream in the UK, despite the risks posed by UV rays.

Read full news story about teenagers and the sun.

2nd July 2010

Ethical values drive 30% of shoppers

A new survey has revealed that 30% of shoppers would be tempted to try a new product if it was ethically sourced.

Read full news story about ethical shopping.

17th June 2010

2 in 3 wish to avoid GM ingredients

A new study has come out showing that 2 in 3 families wish to avoid genetically modified (GM) ingredients in their food.

Read full news story about GM ingredients.

8th June 2010

More men dying from preventable skin cancer

Men are being urged to look after their skin by Cancer Research UK after they found that twice as many men are dying from malignant melanoma now than in the 1970s.

Read full news story about men and malignant melanoma.

2nd June 2010

Survey shows huge support for natural skin care

Research from natural beauty expert Janey Lee Grace found that women care more about natural ingredients than using a famous skin care brand.

Read full news story about this natural skin care survey.

18th May 2010

Pesticide link with ADHD in children

A recent study of children has revealed a possible link between pesticide residues and the condition ADHD.

Read full news story about organophosphate pesticides and ADHD.

10th May 2010

Apply more sunscreen instead of higher SPF, say experts

Consumers are being advised to apply sunscreen generously this summer rather than choose an ultra-high SPF lotion.

Read full news story about getting the most out of your sunscreen.

7th May 2010

Parents reminded about sun care for children's eyes

As summer approaches, parents are being encouraged to protect their children from UV rays by ensuring their little ones use sunglasses as well as sun lotion.

Read full news story about sun care for children.

30th April 2010

Women buying male grooming products

Women are responsible for around half of all male grooming products sold, say retail researchers. Sales of men’s skin care products have shot up in recent years, with items such as moisturiser, eye cream and face scrubs becoming increasingly popular.

Read full news story about why women are buying male grooming products.

21st April 2010

Women's skin care shopping habits revealed

A new skin care survey has revealed that the majority of women buy beauty products that never get used, whilst others go years without updating their skin care regime.

Read full news story about women's skin care shopping habits.

15th April 2010

Concerns over hand wash ingredient Triclosan

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) believes that there are “valid concerns” about the safety of Triclosan, an antibacterial chemical used in hand washes, toothpaste, deodorant, kitchen cleaners and many other goods.

Read full news story about health concerns over Triclosan.

9th April 2010

Multi-purpose skin care

Beauty products used to only perform one job at a time. However, the last couple of years has seen an explosion in the number of multi-tasking skin care products available.

Read full news story about multi-purpose skin care.

1st April 2010

Green People donates to Penny Brohn

Green People is delighted to announce that it has donated another £4,062 to Penny Brohn Cancer Care.

Read full news story about our recent donation to Penny Brohn .

21st March 2010

Is your make-up fresh and safe?

According to new research, 89% of women aren’t aware of how long they can keep their cosmetics after opening.

Read full news story about keeping your make-up fresh and safe .

16th March 2010

Green People wins Natural Health Beauty Awards

Green People’s organic skin care products have received a host of beauty awards from Natural Health magazine.

Read full news story about Green People's award success at the Natural Health Beauty Awards .

14th March 10

Green People put forward for 'Best Organic Product' award

Green People has been nominated as a contender for the 'Best Organic Product' category of the 2010 Style Beauty Awards.

Hosted by The Times, the Style Beauty Awards consider votes for a huge range of categories, from 'Best Mascara' to 'Best Anti ageing Product', as well as two categories for organic brands.

Green People has been put forward for one of these, and we'd love to have your vote. You can also nominate us in any other category by selecting the 'other' option.

Vote for us at the 2010 Style Beauty Awards now.

19th February 10

Kabuki brush joins Green People's organic makeup range

We are delighted to announce the introduction of a super-soft Kabuki brush to our organic makeup range.

It is ideal for applying our pressed mineral powders, which come in three shades - Honey, Caramel and Maple - to give beautiful, even coverage.

The Kabuki brush is 100% animal free and has also been made without toxic glues and formaldehyde.

A common problem with makeup brushes is that they shed their hairs quickly but ours is made to stand the test of time.

See the new Green People Kabuki brush now.

12th February 10

Come and see us at The Baby Show

Green People organic baby brand, Organic Babies, will be present at The Baby Show next weekend. Please do come and visit!

Taking place at London's ExCel arena between 19th and 21st February 2010, it will feature all the big names in the baby world.

Organic Babies will be there alongside the organic baby product specialists Mum's The Word.

Look out for our shared stand as we'll be offering a super 20% discount on all of our organic baby range. We'll also be on hand to offer product advice to aid you in your choice of skin care for your baby.

See our range of organic baby products now.

29th January 10

Makeup bacteria advice for women

Women are being advised to clear out old makeup, after it emerged that one in four are still using cosmetics over 4 years old.

Makeup can gather bacteria colonies over time, especially if the applicator comes into contact with the skin and is then placed back with the product.

A skin care expert commented: “In most cases, once a product is past its use-by date you’ll end up with something that looks and smells ‘off’, is unpleasant to use and no longer effective.

“The worst scenario is that you could develop a nasty rash or infection if the product has been contaminated with bacteria,” he warned.

Further research found that some of the most commonly found bacteria in makeup are those which can cause eye infections like conjunctivitis and staphylococcus.

Beauty experts also recommend clearing out old makeup and skin care products every 6 months to ensure that your cosmetics collection stays fresh.

Green People’s new organic makeup range can be kept for three years unopened, as long as it is confined to a cool, dark cupboard. After opening, the organic mascara and natural lipsticks should be used within 6 months, whilst the eyeshadow palette, mineral foundations and concealer have 12 months.

Here are some tips to help to keep your makeup safe and bacteria free:

Wash your foundation sponge or brush after each use to stop bacteria growing.
Cleanse and condition your makeup brush once a week
Avoid ‘pumping’ your mascara, which pushes air into the tube
Don’t leave the lid off your lipstick – or any of your makeup for that matter!

18th January 10

Call for chemical mixes to be considered

The Council of the EU is calling for the European Commission to look at the legislation on the toxicity of chemical mixes.

Some mixes of chemicals produce a synergistic effect; that is, when mixed, they combine to produce greater toxicity than they would when each constituent chemical is examined in isolation.

However, the current legislation does not take account of this and only looks at the risk of individual chemicals.

A spokesperson for the University of London School of Pharmacy said: “The usual chemical-by-chemical assessment runs the danger of underestimating risk.

“Individually, the chemicals don’t provoke measurable effects at very low levels, but when you combine them you can get a significant mixture effect.”

He went on to give the example of a particular fungicide that is known to have some endocrine-disrupting effects but appears to be within safety limits. However, as the testing does not take into account similar effects from other pesticides, the effects may be underestimated.

He hopes that there may be a quicker way of determining how chemicals interact than testing all of the millions of possible combinations. He is conducting a study to try to predict the outcomes of various combinations using modelling approaches.

This topic is one which has concerned Green People for many years and we welcome the fact that it has been raised at European levels.

We only use ingredients which we are satisfied are safe and non-toxic. See our natural skin care range now.

8th January 10

Male grooming more popular

Male grooming is becoming more and more fashionable, research from 2009 has suggested.

Men now make up one in five of those having aesthetic surgery, with male celebrities paving the way by undergoing such procedures.

However, online shopping statistics also show that many men are choosing creams and lotions over surgery. Sales have increased for natural grooming products such as men’s moisturisers, anti-ageing skin creams and face scrubs.

Beauty products, other than the essentials, used to be fairly restricted to female consumers but the past decade has seen a sharp rise in the number of men looking after their appearance.

Green People’s organic men’s skin care range, Organic Homme, was launched several years ago now and has proved to be very popular with our male customers.

30th December 09

Ethical shopping on the increase

More and more people are making ethical choices in the shops, according to new research from the Co-op Bank.

The research, which spans the first decade of the 2000s, reveals that the number of consumers choosing ethically sourced goods and services has almost tripled in the period.

According to the report, the average family is now spending £735 a year on ethical products, compared to £241 in 1999. People are putting more towards ethical cosmetics, clothing, food and drink, while the biggest area of ethical spending is on banking services.

Another area of growth over the 2000-2009 period was in ‘green’ products for the home. With concern heightening over climate change, more people are investing in the little things – like rechargeable batteries – and the big things – like energy efficient boilers – which can contribute to reducing their carbon output.

The authors of the report believe that the ethical sector will continue to grow as we enter the new decade but warned that we will need to do more in the coming years if drastic climate change is going to be avoided.

Green People’s organic skin care is ideal for those looking to make ethical purchases. We are recommended by the Good Shopping Guide and are listed as a 'Best Buy' company by Ethical Consumer.

Many of our products are certified organic by either The Soil Association or the Organic Food Federation. Certification requires that the environment is not damaged and also that growers and producers get a fair price for their goods.

We also use some fairly traded ingredients in our skin care products, including rose oil, bergamot oil and lavender oil.

23th December 09

Natural and organic products hold popularity despite recession

Research from Mintel suggests that many people have not wavered from buying natural and organic food and drink products despite the economic situation over the last year.

40% of consumers said that they were still buying the same amount of organic products as before the recession, although a small number - 3% - said that they had had to abandon buying organic.

A spokesperson for Mintel revealed that slight shifts had taken place within the organic market, however.

The results showed that some of the most dedicated organic consumers have swapped to less expensive organic brands, whilst those who only buy organic occasionally have continued to do so.

Mintel also found that there was a lack of trust amongst consumers when it came to seeing the term “natural” and, to a lesser extent, “organic”, on produce.

It found just 33% trusted the former and 45% the latter.

This is a problem shared with the natural beauty market, with consumers seeing some skin care products being described as natural which do not actually have a high percentage of natural ingredients.

Organic is a slightly more restricted term and only those skin care products which have a truly high proportion of organic ingredients may bear the organic certification symbols of The Soil Association, Organic Food Federation and EcoCert.

Green People has over 70 organic body care products with organic certification from the above bodies, including its brand new natural and organic mineral make up range.

8th December 09

Synthetic musks found in umbilical cord blood

Research from America has revealed the many chemicals to which babies are exposed, with 232 contaminants found in umbilical cord blood samples.

Seven out of the ten samples revealed synthetic musks to be present. These emulate the scent of natural musks and make up a great deal of the base used in perfumes today.

Very little research has been done into the safety of synthetic musks but what there has been has given rise to some concerns. They have been linked with hormonal disruption and toxicity to aquatic life.

Unfortunately it is difficult to determine which products contain musks as manufacturers do not have to list the individual components of their perfumes. They are thus normally found under the catch-all term “fragrance” or “parfum”.

A better alternative is to choose natural skin care products and cleaning products which clearly state exactly what their fragrance is made from. Green People offers full disclosure of all of its ingredients so you know exactly what you are putting on your skin.

See our natural skin care products now.

2nd December 09

Green People launches natural mineral make up range

Green People is very excited to unveil a selection of new natural mineral make up: nine certified natural and organic cosmetics which support your skin’s health and beauty.

Not only are they suitable for people with normal, combination or oily skin, but these products can also be used by those with sensitive skin or eczema, psoriasis, rosacea and acne.

Our natural mineral make up sits on top of the skin, hiding blemishes and fine lines while allowing the skin to breathe, but not causing irritation or clogging the pores.

The range comprises:

- The Eco Eye Collection, a set of four natural mineral eyeshadows
- Pressed Mineral Powders with SPF15 in Honey, Caramel and Maple shades
- Volumising Mascara, a natural mascara in black
- Natural Concealer, in nude
- Eco Lipsticks in Candyfloss, Cinnamon and Cherry

Browse our natural mineral make up now.

25th November 09

Canadian government pushes for phthalate ban

The Canadian Government is pushing for some types of phthalates to be banned from toys and baby products.

Phthalates are a group of chemicals which are thought to cause developmental and reproductive problems. Increased feminisation and genital birth defects have both been linked with exposure to phthalates, yet they are still used in a wide range of applications.

In the home, they are found in flexible plastic packaging, footwear, stationery, soft vinyl children’s toys and baby bibs. It is their use in the last two contexts which the Canadian Government has decided to try to tackle.

It has proposed that six phthalates – DHEP, DINP, DBP, BBP, DNOP, DIDP – should be banned from children’s toys and baby care products.

The Canadian Minister of Health said: “These regulations are another measure this Government is taking to help ensure that products intended for children are safe. This is part of our overall efforts to ensure that families have confidence in the quality and safety of what they buy.”

In the UK, there are no such plans for the banning of certain phthalates in children’s products but Green People would strongly support any such motion. We ensure that all of our natural skin care products are packaged in phthalate-free bottles in order to avoid the issue of phthalates leaching into the product.

See our phthalate-free natural skin care range now.

9th November 09

New EU report warns of chemical effect on boys

A report from Denmark has revealed the serious effects of hormone-disrupting chemicals commonly found in skin care products and other household items.

In recent years, it has been observed that more babies are being born female – a trend seen in countries including the UK, Japan and the US.

It is usual that there are 106 boys born for every 100 girls but this proportion has been changing. It has been suggested that as many as 250,000 babies who were statistically expected to be boys, were indeed girls.

It has been suggested that hormone-disrupting chemicals can affect the development of baby boys whilst still in the womb, causing demasculinsation at around 8-12 weeks.

This startling effect has been accompanied by feminisation of males, with testicular problems, low sperm count and other genital problems on the increase.

The report, carried out in Denmark, suggests that whilst individual chemicals are being recognised as having oestrogen-like properties, their cumulative action – known as the “cocktail effect” – has not been properly investigated.

The chemicals identified by research to have these hormone-disrupting effects are used in many everyday products, with parabens used as preservatives in many brands of cosmetics, whilst phthalates are present in some rubber boots, PVC products and soft toys. Some pesticides have also been recognised to have so-called “gender-bending” properties.

The report stated: “The amounts that two-year olds absorb from the parabens propylparaben and butylparaben can constitute a risk for oestrogen-like disruptions of the endocrine system. This contribution originates predominantly from cosmetic products such as oil-based creams, moisturising creams, lotions and sunscreen.”

The new report into the effect of these chemicals on children is to be discussed at the EU level, with regulatory action expected before Christmas.

Green People’s cosmetics, sun lotions and other body care products are made without parabens and contained within phthalate-free packaging because we are aware of the possible consequences that using these ingredients can have.

Browse through our huge range of paraben-free products now.

23rd October 09

Green Beauty Bible Winners Again!

Green People has once again featured in the Green Beauty Bible, with an impressive 7 products triumphing in the “Tried and Tested” section.

The second edition of this wonderful guide to natural skin care has been eagerly awaited by beauty bible fans, with new featured products and updated comments from testers.

Here are some of the comments from Green Beauty Bible testers who tried Green People products:

Body Bliss

‘Top marks for this lovely light rose-smelling cream which sank in instantly; my skin felt immediately smoother’ • ‘really nice product with a feel of luxury – no greasiness after use’ • ’Ten plus! Adored this soft smooth and deliciously scented cream; my legs are prone to dry scaly patches and there was a definite improvement after a week; at last I have smooth shiny skin.’

Aloe Vera Deodorant

‘Ten out of ten – it kept me fresh and dry through a night out’ • ‘I stayed fresh all day and didn’t feel that this was going to have any adverse health effects’ • ‘I sweated on a long walk but didn’t feel sticky or smelly’ • ‘I was sceptical, but am now a convert’.

Self Tan Lotion

The only self-tanner I have used that did not smell like one – hooray! Nice, fresh smell from the tube and when drying’ • ‘I used it before going to bed and my skin had a gentle sun-kissed glow in the morning; it was a very realistic colour – not at all orangey – which needed topping up after two to three days’ • ‘I love the natural formula, the no animal testing policy, and that it supports the Penny Brohn Cancer Care centre’.

See all of our Green Beauty Bible award-winning products now.

16th October 09

UK consumers still opting for ethical shopping

Despite the financial troubles of the past year, UK consumers are continuing to lead the way in ethical shopping, a new report has found.

A market research survey revealed that 41% of British consumers have purchased ethical products. This figure beats mainland Europe countries such as Germany (34%), France (31%) and Spain (12%).

This suggests that UK consumers value the environmental, fair trade or welfare benefits conveyed by ethical products more than mainland Europeans.

This preference for buying ethical is surprising given another finding by the same research organisation: that the number of consumers who feel the impact of their shopping choices makes a difference has almost halved in the last two years.

Just 23% of consumers now feel that making ethical purchases can help the environment, compared to 44% two years ago.

A spokesperson for the organisation which carried out the research commented: “Our shoppers want ‘value for values’ – and that has held up during the recession.”

She went on to suggest that customers’ confidence in their shopping habits making a difference could be regained by retailers being more open about the source of their products.

Green People believes that choosing products with certified organic ingredients is a great way of assuring ethical sourcing.

This is because organic certification is not granted to farms which grow ingredients using unethical practices. It also means that the native flora and fauna of the area cannot be affected detrimentally, promoting sustainability and preventing environmental damage.

Many of Green People’s natural skin care products contain so many certified organic ingredients that they themselves can be certified as organic. However, this isn’t always possible with some ingredients, which simply can’t be found certified organic.

We try to get these from fairly traded sources instead, where workers are guaranteed a fair wage. You can see which ingredients in a product are fairly traded by looking for the ^ symbol in the ingredients list.

Our ethical, organic Christmas gifts make wonderful presents for ethical or eco-minded people – they are a real joy to use and can be recycled once they are finished.

8th October 09

Professor calls for action on environmental childhood diseases

An American professor has spoken out at a health summit on the topic of childhood diseases and chemicals in the environment.

The Mount Sinai School of Medicine chairman revealed that environmental chemicals were thought to be linked to rising rates of birth defects, neuro-developmental disorders and asthma in children.

“The environment is a powerful determinant of human health, and there is no group more vulnerable or susceptible to adverse influences in the environment than kids,” he explained.

He referred to several studies carried out by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) that have found certain chemicals to be present in newborns and breast milk.

He also said that there are up to 3,000 chemicals currently being used in large volumes and many of these are found in adults’ blood and urine.

He estimated the cost of chronic childhood diseases caused by these chemicals to be close to $55 billion a year and called for improved testing, as less than half of the 3,000 being used have public toxicity profiles.

At Green People we firmly believe that some of the synthetic chemicals in common use are harmful to our bodies, which is why we make organic and natural skin care products without these chemicals.

2nd October 09

Concerns over lead in lipsticks

Researchers in America have been looking into the issue of lead levels in lipstick after concerns were raised that they could be too high.

In the study, carried out by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), traces of lead were indeed found in lipsticks. The concentrations of lead ranged from 0.09 to 3.06 ppm – levels which the FDA considers to be acceptable.

However, the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics (CSC) spoke out over the results, saying that the upper limit of lead levels was much higher than when tested two years ago.

In 2007, the CSC research found the highest level of lead in lipstick to be just 0.65 ppm – a vast difference from the 3.06 ppm recorded in the more recent FDA study.

In their reply to the FDA findings, the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics urged the FDA to put in place maximum levels at which lead can be found in lipstick, as currently no standard exists.

In its statement, a Boston University professor of paediatrics and public health explained why lead in lipstick is a problem.

“Lead is a proven neurotoxin that can cause learning, language and behavioral problems such as lowered IQ, reduced school performance and increased aggression. Pregnant women are particularly vulnerable to lead exposure, because lead easily crosses the placenta and enters the fetal brain where it can interfere with normal development.”

The CSC report also revealed that lead builds up in the body and the frequent application of lipstick can lead to significant levels of exposure.

Green People is concerned about the chemicals to which people are unwittingly exposed through their cosmetics and believes that all cosmetic brands should be doing their utmost to minimise the levels of toxins present in their products.

Green People sells a range of organic cosmetics, including natural lipsticks and a spot cover which can also be mixed with moisturiser for a natural foundation.

24th September 09

Green People supports ethical fashion

Green People has teamed up with the Ethical Fashion Forum (EFF) to offer support for new ethical designers. EFF aims to support and promote sustainable practices, raise awareness and provide the tools and resources needed to reduce environmental damage and raise standards in the fashion industry.

With the ever-expanding ethical fashion industry, help is always needed to ensure designers can get the support they need to turn their innovative designs into a successful fashion label. With the help of the Ethical Fashion Forum and their new Innovation Project they hope to be able to do just that.

Green People has donated £5000 sponsorship for their Innovation Project and hope to help support the 2009 winners in developing their labels.

This year’s winners are:

Lalesso
Their ideology is centred on combining East African heritage with current trends. As well as being responsible for the workshop team, Lalesso also tries to involve the community in as many ways as possible.

Mia
MIA has combined second hand clothes purchased from local markets with traditional Malawian textiles to create contemporary women’s wear. One important element is MIA’s commitment to avoiding the waste of disposable fashion culture and embracing what is in our ‘wardrobes’ to reinvent it.

Henrietta Ludgate
By using the fleece and tweed produced by crofters from villages in the Highlands of Scotland, Henrietta Ludgate supports the crofters and the skills and traditions that they embody.

Mark Liu
Pioneering the “Zero Waste Fashion” cutting process which saves 15% more material, Mark Liu has also researched the use of organic fabrics, water based pigments and bio- plastics in the creation of his designs.

Look out for more news from these brilliant designers in the near future as we keep you updated on their progress.

16th September 09

'Innovative' award for Baby Foaming Cleanser

Yet another of our Organic Babies range has received a TIPS award! This time it is the Baby Foaming Cleanser, one of the newest members of the range.

It received the ‘Innovative’ Award in recent Baby Wipe testing after it impressed many of the testers with its many uses. It can be used for cleansing hands, faces and bottoms and also for cleaning high chairs, toys and other baby products.

Here are some of the lovely comments that the testers made:

• Knowing the ingredients were pure and free from harmful ingredients
• It is effective without being harsh
• Very easy to use with one hand because of the pump dispenser
• Lovely! Soft, smooth dries quickly and leaves skin soft, no residue
• It didn’t bother his skin and he is prone to nappy rash
• I didn’t think it would work so well on nappy changes so I was very pleased
• Me and my partner used it on our hands and found it very good
• Far and away exceeded my expectations, am impressed with its cleansing powers!

Our natural baby cleanser was also described as a ‘handy addition to a baby bag” and “easy to dispense even with one hand (very handy with a wriggly baby to deal with).”

1st September 09

Green People sponsors final of Miss Earth 2009

Green People has helped to judge the final of the Miss Earth competition after signing up as one of the sponsors of the event.

Miss Earth is an annual event which aims to find the eco-friendliest beauty queens of four countries of the UK, who then qualify to appear in the Miss Earth World competition.

As sponsors, Green People members Sue Losson and Charlotte Dockreay were invited to judge the final of Miss Earth UK.

Miss Earth

Over the two day event, the entrants went through a gruelling process of being interviewed by the panel of finalists, speaking about the eco projects they have been involved in and designing fashion outfits from recyclable materials.

In the end, the Miss Earth winners were announced as:

Kirsty Nichol – Miss England 2009
Sarah Finlay – Miss Scotland 2009
Dominique Dyer – Miss Wales 2009
Kayleigh O’Reilly – Miss Northern Ireland 2009

As well as helping decide on the winners, Green People presented the winning girls with hampers filled with Oy! teenage skin care products and provided natural beauty advice to members of the audience.

25th August 09

More men shopping online for skin care products

Men now outnumber women when it comes to buying skin care products online, according to new research.

The finding was part of a wider survey of online shopping habits, which sees men outspending women by over £650, on average.

As well as male skin care products, men spent more than woman on furniture, holidays, entertainment products and technical goods. Women, on the other hand, exceed men’s spend on clothing such as jeans and shoes.

Consumer behaviour specialists believe that shopping online suits men’s preference for fast and efficient service, whilst many women prefer to confer with friends when deciding on purchases – not always possible when browsing the net.

It appears that the number of men shopping via the computer will continue to rise, with 40% of those surveyed saying that they are looking to do most of their shopping online in the future.

Green People has always found its range of natural skin care products for men to be very popular online, in particular the No. 2 Shave Now shaving gel and No. 9 Stay Cool men’s deodorant.

However, it is our newly-released Limited Edition Moisturise & Go that has been the hit of the year. This natural men’s moisturiser has exceeded all expectations and is amongst the top sellers of the range.

19th August 09

Essential oils show promise as natural pesticides

Certain essential oils could replace conventional pesticides as a natural form of insect control, scientists have revealed.

The researchers, from the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, say that the essential oils of rosemary, clove, mint and thyme have properties which could make them useful as pesticides for farmers.

It was discovered that when the herbs were mixed and diluted in water, they helped to protect crops by both killing and deterring pests.

There are limitations, however; essential oils can break down quickly when exposed to sunlight so frequent re-application is necessary. In addition, they need to be more concentrated than non-natural pesticides in order to be effective enough.

If found to be practical, these natural pesticides would offer farmers an eco-friendly alternative to some of the synthetic chemicals currently in common use in agriculture.

At Green People, we utilise essential oils in our organic skin care products as we are well aware of their remarkable properties. For example, we use mint, rosemary, clove and thyme – the essential oils mentioned in this study – in our range of natural deodorants for their anti-microbial action.

We are delighted to see this evidence for the use of essential oils in farming as we are very concerned about the effect of current pesticides on both the environment and on humans.

13th August 09

Survey shows sun cream habits lacking

57% of people never use sun cream when at home in the UK, according to a new survey.

4,000 Brits were questioned about their sun bathing and sun safe habits as part of the study, which ultimately revealed that many people do not take enough care in the sun.

One finding of the study was the mistaken belief that staying out in the sun in the UK is less damaging to our skin than being out in the sun whilst abroad.

However, even when abroad, 30% of the study participants revealed that they would neglect to wear any sun cream on the last day of their holiday in order to get a better tan.

A dermatologist from Hope Hospital, Manchester, discussed of the results of the survey, saying: “People simply fail to appreciate the strength of the sun, whether abroad or in the UK, and are putting themselves at greater risk of sun damage and skin cancer.”

He recommended using sun creams with at least SPF15 protection all over the body when out in the sun together with higher SPF sun creams on exposed areas like the face, shoulders, ears and lower legs.

He also suggested regularly using SPF moisturiser on the face, neck and back of the hands in order to avoid premature ageing caused by the sun’s UV rays.

Green People offers natural sun creams which are very gentle on the skin and which are also free from the pore-clogging ingredients which can lead to conditions like prickly heat.

5th August 09

Sunbed risk upgraded

The International Agency for Research on Cancer has upgraded the risk of sunbeds, saying conclusively that they are “carcinogenic to humans”.

The IARC had previously marked sunbeds as a probable cause of cancer but their new standing means that they are now in the highest category of risk, along with smoking and asbestos.

What prompted the upgrade was a piece of new research which identified the use of sunbeds before the age of 30 as increasing the risk of melanoma by 75%. In addition, sunbeds have been linked with melanoma of the eye.

A spokesperson for Cancer Research UK said: “The link between sunbeds and skin cancer has been convincingly shown in a number of scientific studies now and so we are very pleased that IARC have upgraded sunbeds to the highest risk category.

“This backs up Cancer Reseach UK’s advice to avoid sunbeds completely for cosmetic purposes.”

With the risks of sunbeds becoming more apparent, it is likely that ex-sunbed users will be looking to self tans in order to give themselves a bronzed look.

For those interested in using an organic self tan, Green People has the Self Tan Lotion for all-over use and the Soft Glow Gradual Tan for a gentler facial glow.

20th July 09

Higher pesticide risk for children under 7

Researchers have found that children under seven are more vulnerable to the effects of pesticides than previously realised.

The study, which was carried out by scientists from the University of Berkeley in California, found that below seven years, children have lower levels of a certain enzyme needed in the body’s defence against toxic pesticides.

The enzyme, paraoxonase, helps to break down and neutralise organophosphate pesticides. These are known for their toxic effects on the nervous system, and research has suggested that they could be responsible for lowered IQ levels in children exposed to them whilst in the womb.

Previously, it was believed that by age two, children have paraoxonase levels similar to those of adults. However, this new research reveals that it is not until age seven that these levels are reached.

In addition, it was found that children were not equal in their ability to break down pesticides; genetics appears to play a part in the effectiveness of their paraoxonase enzymes.

At Green People, we use organically grown ingredients in our natural skin care products wherever possible as we are concerned about the effects that pesticides can have on the body.

We have created special organic body care ranges for babies and children which are mild on the skin and made with a high percentage of organic ingredients. See our Organic Babies and Organic Children products now.

8th July 09

Pesticide decision reversed in Court of Appeal

Georgina Downs, who won a landmark victory over pesticides in crop spraying, has had the decision overturned in the Court of Appeal.

In November 2008, the 35-year-old, from West Sussex, won a case against the Government regarding the risk to rural residents from crop-spraying. Read the original news story.

The judge at the time said that she had produced “solid evidence” that residents and bystanders had not been protected from pesticides in use and ordered a review of spraying policies.

However, the Court of Appeal has now overturned that decision, finding in favour of DEFRA (The Department of Farming and Rural Affairs).

Ms Downs has branded the decision “the most bizarre and inaccurate Judgment to have ever come out of the Court of Appeal”.

She claims that the Court of Appeal did not consider the evidence that she had presented to the original hearing but instead relied on an older report released by the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution.

The Soil Association, one of the UK’s organic farming and certification bodies, has spoken out in support of Ms Downs’ case.

The policy directory for The Soil Association commented: “Whatever the court of appeal says, the fact is UK regulation of pesticide spraying does not take into account the safety of schools or families living next to sprayed fields.

“Before today’s judgment, the National Farmers Union had admitted that farmers will have to take more care of the wellbeing of their neighbours, whatever the courts decide.

“The best way farmers can do this is to move to farming systems that don’t require dangerous chemicals to produce our food.”

2nd July 09

Environmental factors recognised as causing cancer

The European Commission has officially acknowledged that tackling environmental factors can help to prevent cancer.

Previously, the focus has been on changing people’s lifestyles to reduce their risk of cancer but this move has opened up new possibilities in cutting cancer rates.

It may mean that new policies on pesticides, air pollution and other toxin exposures could be developed on the basis of these factors’ cancer-causing properties.

This news has been welcome by many, including the Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL), a network of not-for-profit organisations.

A HEAL spokesperson commented: “As individuals, we have very limited choice about the quality of the air we breathe, the water we drink and the level of chemical contamination in our indoor and outdoor environments.”

She continued: “We hope to help the new European Partnership Against Cancer make…progress on wider environmental prevention by making all our…environments cleanser and safer.”

Green People has long believed that chemicals in the environment can cause ill health and it is this belief which fuels our expanding range of organic body care products.

We are delighted to hear that the European Commission has now recognised environmental factors as being a threat to our health and hope to see them take bold steps in this area.

23rd June 09

Volunteers wanted for BBC2 natural health series

Green People has been contacted by the makers of a natural health series which is looking for participants to feature on the BBC 2 programme.

“Grow Your Own Drugs” will investigate whether plant-based remedies can be effective in resolving complaints such as itchy eyes, a blocked nose and sinusitis.

If you think you might like to take part, email juliet.redden@silverriver.tv or call 0207 307 2740 with detailed information about the type of condition from which you suffer.

18th June 09

Canadian Government pushes for phthalate ban

The Canadian Government is pushing for some types of phthalates to be banned from toys and baby products.

It has proposed that six phthalates – DHEP, DINP, DBP, BBP, DNOP, DIDP – should be banned from children’s toys and baby care products.

See our phthalate-free natural skin care range now.

12th June 09

Green People at The Allergy Show

Come to The Allergy Show this weekend 12-14th June and meet the Green People team!

The Allergy Show is being held at Olympia in London and covers all aspects of living with an allergy, whether it is related to toiletries, food, fragrances, flowers, pets or anything else.

Green People’s organic skin care products are developed with allergies in mind. We choose mild, gentle and natural ingredients which are unlikely to cause reactions and are kind to sensitive skin. They may also be suitable for those with eczema, psoriasis and other skin conditions.

We are offering discounts on lots of our gorgeous organic skin care products, as well as the children’s organic sun lotions and more!

These great offers, together with the advice our team can offer on looking after your skin naturally, make it a must to stop by the Green People stand.

5th June 09

Chemical toxicity profiling discussed at ToxCast summit

The first ToxCast meeting has been held in America to discuss the identification of chemicals which have toxic effects on the major functions of the human body.

ToxCast is a research programme organised by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to determine how best to go about organising the testing large numbers of chemicals for toxicity.

It hopes to improve on conventional toxicity testing methods by profiling environmental chemicals for their toxic effects on the body, focusing on how these interact with the existing cells and chemicals within.

The first ToxCast meeting marks the end of phase 1 of the project and the scientists involved will now be working on the further testing and expansion of their proposed toxin profiling method.

The next phase is expected to take several years but it is hoped that the research will be successful in revolutionising the way toxins are evaluated and profiled.

27th May 09

Alcohol-free mouthwash provides good alternative

The issue of alcohol in mouthwash has hit the headlines again after a mass recall of one of the main brands of mouthwash, albeit on an unrelated matter.

The Mail has published details on some of the mouthwashes with the highest alcohol content – over 26% in some cases; twice as much as an average bottle of wine.

Whilst manufacturers of alcohol mouthwashes say that their products do not pose the same risks as alcohol beverages as they are not swallowed, research has shown that there may be other problems.

Australian research from earlier in 2009 showed that there may be a link between alcohol in mouthwashes and an increased risk of oral cancer.

The professor behind the research has revealed that when this alcohol is broken down inside the body, “its first breakdown product is acetaldehyde, a known human carcinogen.”

On top of this, he also believes that alcohol may make the cells in the mouth more susceptible to cancer-causing chemicals.

The Mail’s write-up on the subject suggested the use of alcohol-free mouthwashes offer almost as much breath freshening as their alcoholic alternatives and also do not have such a drying effect on the mouth.

21st May 09

Researchers monitor themselves for chemicals

A pair of environmentalists discovered their bodies contained high levels of chemicals including phthalates, mercury and triclosan as a result of using everyday products.

The two, who are part of the leadership of the organisation Environmental Defence, decided to spend a weekend testing to see how the use of normal products around the house would affect their bodies. They then documented this in their book, ‘Slow Death by Rubber Duck.’

They tried to live as normally as possible during their experiment to try to capture an accurate picture of how chemicals affect everyone in their everyday lives.

To test some of the most common types of chemical exposure, they spent time in a room with a plug-in air freshener and stain-resistant furnishings, as well as using typical amounts of personal care products.

They discovered that levels of the phthalate most commonly used in body care products went up by over 20 times during testing, whilst mercury levels exceeded the amount at which it is a cause for concern after one of the researchers ate three tuna meals in 48 hours.

The most dramatic discovery was that of the levels of Triclosan after the use of personal care products, however. It went up by a factor of 2,900 in just two days. However, it must be noted that the researcher who was tested for Triclosan does normally make efforts to avoid it so it started off from a lower than average level.

Whilst the effects that these chemicals have on the body are not entirely understood and may not be as harmful as feared by some, this study is quite a spectacular demonstration of the chemicals which enter our bodies on a daily basis.

Green People offers a wide range of organic skin care products which do not contain phthalates or Triclosan, helping you to look after yourself and your family without the use of unnecessary chemicals.

16th May 09

Green People features in The Times Beauty Awards 2009

Green People has come in as runner up for “Best Organic Brand” in The Times Beauty Awards 2009.

Thousands of people took part in voting to select winners of The Times’ Beauty Awards and at Green People we are delighted that so many chose us to be their “Best Organic Brand”.

The Times featured Green People with the comment:

“Coming in a close second [in the “Best Organic Brand” category] was one of our favourites, Green People, the ever-growing Soil Association-certified skincare brand. Don’t be put off by its basic packaging, the body oil feels as luxurious as silk.”

Are you new to Green People? Explore our organic body care categories or see our Organic Starter Collection.

11th May 09

Organic Young skin care has arrived!

We are excited to introduce you to our brand new Organic Young skin care range, also known as Oy!

Sandra, once the little girl who inspired her mum to found Green People, is now sweet 16 and has been helping with the development of this fantastic certified organic teenage skin care range. It isn’t just for teens though; pre-teens and 20-somethings will also find that these products are super for their skin.

Comprising 6 formulations especially developed for young skin, Organic Young is a great solution for teenagers with sensitive skin or who are concerned about the chemicals in ordinary skin care products.

Oy! products contain pure, natural ingredients selected for their effectiveness on teenage skin. Willow Bark, for example, features for its help in fighting bacteria on the skin, whilst Green Tea provides antioxidants and reduces inflammation. Whever possible, the ingredients we use are fairly traded too!

All of the Organic Young skin care range is ultra-gentle and suitable for those with sensitive skin.

Our organic products do not contain any of the gunk or junk sometimes used by mainstream teenage skin care brands because we think that natural and organic ingredients are safer and even more effective for teen skin.

Check out our gorgeous Organic Young skin care products now by clicking the links below.

Oy! Cleanse & Moisturise
Oy! Anti-Bac Foaming Face Wash
Oy! Peel Off Face Mask
Oy! Soft Glow Gradual Tan
Oy! Face the Sun SPF15

11th May 09

French agency warns against phthalates

Medical devices containing a certain type of phthalate should be avoided, says AFSSAPS, a French agency.

Medical professionals should instead look to use phthalate-free products in certain procedures in order to afford as much protection as possible to patients.

It is thought that DEHP, the phthalate in question, may be one of a number of chemicals that is suspected to have carcinogenic, mutagenic or reprotoxic properties.

The French government has been looking at the possibility that such chemicals could be behind trends such as falling fertility rates and increased incidence of testicular cancer.

The move has been welcomed by French healthcare organisations who are seeking the development of safer alternatives to phthalate products.

Phthalates are used in a wide range of products, not just medical devices. They can be found in perfumes, liquid soap, moisturiser and other skin care products.

They are also used in some forms of plastic cosmetic packaging to keep it soft and pliable and to prevent brittleness. There is a fear that phthalates can migrate from the packaging into the product itself.

Green People specialises in phthalate-free products and has a wide range of organic skin care, hair care and body care products which do not contain this family of chemicals. Our packaging is also free from phthalates.

See our phthalate-free products now.

29th April 09

Phthalates and pesticides found inside homes

Scientists have found a number of harmful chemicals, including the banned pesticide DDT, inside 52 US homes whilst researching household exposure to chemicals.

The study was carried out by researchers aiming to discover the chemicals which are present in our homes and the concentrations at which they exist. This understanding will form the basis for future research into the effects of chemicals – by themselves and in combination with others – on our health.

The results showed that 586 separate chemicals were found in the 52 homes over a 30-day period. 27 of these were organochlorine pesticides, with the broken down form of DDT being found in 90% of homes.

The two pesticides found in the greatest concentrations were Diazinon and Chlorpyrifos. Both were found in every single home, despite being banned for household use, and are believed to carry some risk to human health. One study recently found that children exposed to Chlorpyrifos in the womb had an increased risk of ADHD and mental delays by age 3.

As well as pesticides, a class of chemicals known as phthalates were found to be present in their air in “very large concentrations” in the homes. It is believed that the most contact with phthalates comes from personal care products such as shampoos and skin creams but this study shows that breathing them in could also be another source of exposure.

Phthalates are thought to be connected with developmental and reproductive problems in both humans and animals. Recent research showed that mothers who are exposed to phthalates while pregnant with baby boys have a greater chance of their child suffering hypospadias (a genital condition).

Whilst further research needs to be conducted in order for us to be certain about the effects of all these chemicals, the study outlined here shows the degree to which they have entered our homes.

Green People is concerned about the toxic effects of some chemicals and as a result does not use any which have questionable effects, such as phthalates. We are also against the use of harmful pesticides, which is why we specialise in organic skin care products.

View our phthalate-free organic skin care range now.

23rd April 09

UK fails to ban pesticides linked with bee deaths

The Secretary of State for the Environment has turned down appeals from The Soil Association for a ban on neocotinoids, the group of pesticides thought to be connected with the demise of the honey bee.

The UK bee population tumbled by 30% in the winter of 2007/2008 and the winter of 2008 saw British honey run out by Christmas.

There are now concerns about the pollination of orchards and field crops for food production, as well as rare plants growing in the wild.

The Secretary of State for the Environment said: “Aristotle identified bees as the most hard working of insects, and with one in three mouthfuls coming from insect-pollinated crops, we need to support bees and other pollinators.”

She then announced that there would be £10m going to fund research into the collapse of the bee population.

However, The Soil Association points out that this may not be enough when neocotinoid chemicals – which are banned in France, Germany, Italy and Slovenia – are still being used on British fields.

The Soil Association Policy Director commented: “While new funding and new research are welcome, it will not help if the Government ignores existing scientific evidence that has led other countries to ban chemicals known to kill bees.

“The Government prefers to blame ‘very wet weather’ and poor management by ‘less experienced beekeepers’ than to face their own responsibility to control bee-killing chemicals that have been used on up to 1.5 million acres of farmland in the UK.

Bees are particularly susceptible to neocotinoids and are believed to suffer disorientation and confusion when exposed to them. These effects prevent their colony from working effectively and may eventually lead to the entire collapse of the colony, without which the bees cannot function.

Green People does not support the use of harmful pesticides due to the effects on the natural environment and also on people. We believe that organic skin care products are preferable because they are made from plants grown without the use of such chemicals.

See our organic skin care range now.

17th April 09

BBC highlights large increase in allergies

The BBC is raising awareness of allergies with a week of features on the subject.

It revealed that the number of people suffering allergies is on the increase, with the percentage of the population affected thought to be up from 15% to 40%. The range of allergies is very wide, ranging from hayfever to skin product allergies and even reactions to fruit and vegetables.

Multiple allergies are one particular area where a rise is being observed and where certain trends are becoming apparent.

For example, eczema and nut allergies often go hand in hand. One allergy specialist speaking to the BBC said that it is “unusual” to have nut allergy without eczema too. He went on to explain this may be because peanut allergens can pass through the broken skin and “invade” the body, provoking an immune response.

The BBC has also highlighted what people can do to reduce their allergic reactions to products in the home. In short video clips, found here, it shows some simple measures that can be taken around the home to help with controlling allergies.

In the bathroom, it recommends avoiding harsh cleaning fluids and choosing more natural solutions such as lemon juice and white vinegar instead. The clip also reveals that fragrances and preservatives found in many beauty products can be irritating to sensitive skin and advises making careful choices when shopping for cosmetics.

One of the most common explanations for the increase in allergies is the “hygiene hypothesis”. This suggests that keeping our children in overly-clean environments and not allowing them to be exposed to bacteria when young could mean that they develop sensitivities as they grow up.

Green People offers a range of natural skin care products which many people with allergies can use as they do not contain any harsh chemicals. We have a special range of fragrance-free products called “Organic Base” which are particularly suited to those with very sensitive skin as they are so mild and gentle.

We also have fragrance-free sun lotions for children and adults as mainstream sunscreens are a common source of skin irritation.

9th April 09

Green People SLS-free toothpaste helps mouth ulcer sufferer

The Mail on Sunday has featured Green People’s Mint Toothpaste after it helped one of its readers with her mouth ulcers.

The woman had switched to using the organic, SLS-free toothpaste after suffering from severe recurrent mouth ulcers.

She said: “I had mouth ulcers for eight weeks, 37 at one point, but within three days of using SLS-free toothpaste my mouth was back to normal.”

SLS stands for Sodium Lauryl Sulphate, a chemical used in many toothpastes to make them foam. Unfortunately, it has also been linked with skin irritation and mouth ulcers.

If you suffer from mouth ulcers, you may wish to try our organic dental care range too. All of our toothpastes are SLS free and our mouthwashes do not contain alcohol so are very gentle on the mouth.

See our SLS-free Mint Toothpaste and the rest of our dental care range.

3rd April 09

Green People wins Natural Health Beauty awards!

Green People’s organic skin care and hair care products have once again entered the spotlight after winning two Natural Health Beauty awards.

We are pleased to announce that our Fruit Scrub, a delightfully fruity natural exfoliator, was named “Best Facial Exfoliator 2009”. This is a sentiment with which our customers seem to agree; here are a few of their recent comments.

“Your Fruit Scrub is just the best product, organic, natural or otherwise. Beats them all hands down.”

“I love the facial scrub. It always makes my skin feel very clean and clear, real sparkle.”

The “Best Conditioner” title, on the other hand, went to our Intensive Repair Conditioner, which is designed for coloured, damaged and treated hair. Here is what our customers have to say:

“I love your Intensive Repair Conditioner, my hair feels so soft after using it and it smells gorgeous!”

“My skin is sensitive and I have psoriasis – but naughtily cannot resist hair colour so I use your Intensive Repair Shampoo and Conditioner and have done for ages – it’s fabulous for my locks.”

23rd March 09

Visit Green People at the Vitality Show!

Come and meet the Green People team in person at the Vitality Show at Earls Court this March 26-29th!

We’ll be on stand B750 with lots of our gorgeous organic skin care range to tempt and treat you.

Whether you are looking for a chemical-free sunscreen, a luxurious natural face cream or other kinds of organic skin care products, we’ll be able to help you find those which are best for you.

There will be some extra-special offers available too so don’t miss out!

Even if you aren’t shopping for organic skin care at the Vitality Show and just need some advice, stop by and say hi to us at stand B750 – we’ll be happy to help.

21st March 09

42% increase in eczema cases

Research has shown that the number of people with eczema increased by an astonishing 42% between 2001 and 2005.

The study, which examined GP records across England, revealed that one in nine people had eczema at some point.

One of the authors of the study commented: “What’s quite striking is the very high proportion of people who are getting eczema, it’s an incredibly common disorder.”

He went on to say that it is believed that eczema is a precursor to other allergic conditions, like asthma and hayfever.

The researchers believe that eczema is in part a genetic condition but the rise is likely to be linked with environmental factors, specifically the use of soaps and detergents and frequency of bathing.

A spokesperson for the National Eczema Society also commented on the increased use of soaps and detergents from an early age, explaining that they have a degreasing effect on the skin.

Green People’s organic baby care products do not contain harsh, drying ingredients which could irritate young, delicate skin. Instead, we use gentle, natural ingredients like chamomile, aloe vera and hemp seed oil to soothe and protect.

View our Organic Babies range, which includes organic baby wash and natural baby salve.

18th March 09

Visit Green People at the first Brighton Vegan Fayre

Green People will be exhibiting at the Brighton Vegan Fayre on the Saturday 21st March 2009 and we would love it if you dropped by.

The venue will be The Brighton Centre, which holds around 140 stalls so there will be plenty to look at – make sure to take plenty of bags with you to hold all that shopping!

As well as the stalls the Brighton Vegan Fayre boasts a number of bands playing live, a children’s area and plenty of cafes and restaurants.

11th March 09

Aluminium antiperspirants linked with benign breast lumps

The Mail has revealed research that aluminium in antiperspirants may be connected to benign lumps in the underarm and breast area.

The Journal of Applied Toxicology published an article which reveals a high concentration of aluminium to be present in some breast lumps.

The authors of the report believe it is unlikely that it came from a dietary source and aluminium in antiperspirants, which blocks skin pores to stop sweat escaping, has been cited as a possible cause.

A Reading University researcher has also revealed results possible pointing to the same cause in her research, which examined the composition of breast lumps. She found that cysts in the armpits contain 25 times more aluminium than is present in normal blood samples.

She commented: “We don’t know what the mechanism involved might be, but this might be a wake-up call about the risks of anti-perspirants. Either women should stop using them or they manufacturers should look at ways of reformulating their products.”

Green People does not offer any antiperspirants as we do not believe that the effects of aluminium can be beneficial. Instead, we offer effective natural and organic deodorants which are free from pore-clogging aluminium.

Our natural deodorants are also free from parabens, alcohol and artificial fragrances.

5th March 09

Green People to sponsor ethical Student Union event

Green People is delighted to be sponsoring the Daisy Green Ethical Extravaganza which is taking place at Newcastle University's Students Union on 12 March.

Raising funds for dansfundforburns.org, the event will demonstrate how great fashion doesn't have to be fast!

There will be fashion shows, advice from eco-fashionistas and plenty of stalls selling organic beauty products – from Green People of course – as well as high quality clothes, handbags, jewellery and home accessories.

2nd March 09

Fluoride to be added to city's water against residents' wishes

It has been revealed that Southampton residents will have fluoride added to their water despite almost more than 7 in 10 being against the move.

The suggestion of water fluoridation first came up after it was found that dental health in the Southampton area is below the national average, with children experiencing particularly high rates of tooth decay.

Before any decisions were made on the matter, the city’s Primary Care Trust announced a three month consultation period to gather residents’ opinions, which ran from July 2008.

During the consultation, 10,000 residents were surveyed and 72% were found to be against the move to add fluoride to drinking water.

A residents’ action group, Hampshire Against Fluoridation, was also formed to fight the proposal, as so many did not agree with it.

However, it has now been announced that despite the clear public opinion on the matter, fluoride will indeed be added to drinking water, increasing the natural rate of 0.08 parts per million to 1 part per million.

The Primary Care Trust commented: “We are very pleased that following an extensive public consultation, SCHSA [the South Central Strategic Health Authority] has decided to introduce a water fluoridation scheme.”

Members of the the Hampshire Against Fluoridation campaign have been left fuming, however.

The chairman of the campaign group commented: “I think it is absolutely disgraceful, they have refused to listen to all the evidence we have given them.

“They have ignored the will of the people – 72% didn’t want it and yet they are still going to do it. It is deeply unethical.”

The group is now considering taking legal action to prevent the fluoridation going ahead.

See our earlier news story for more information on why water fluoridation is so controversial. You can also view our fluoride-free toothpastes if you are looking to avoid the chemical.

24th February 09

Paraben-free shower gels grow in popularity!

Research has shown that more and more people are choosing showers over baths, and paraben-free shower products are sitting in their showers.

There are two main reasons that showers are becoming increasingly popular. They are quick – perfect for those who don’t have time to lie around in the bath – and they save water – ideal for those people looking to lead greener lifestyles.

According to marketingmagazine.co.uk, one of the largest growth areas in new shower products is in paraben-free shower gels. Parabens are a family of chemicals used to preserve many shampoos, body washes and other personal care products and laboratory tests have shown some parabens to have weak hormone-like action.

With an increasing number of consumers looking to avoid chemicals such as these in their skin care products, it is only natural that they look to paraben-free shower gels, such as those from Green People, to keep their skin clean but free from chemicals.

The research also highlights other areas of growth in personal care products as being for travel-size shower gels (ideal for post-workout washes at the gym) and liquid soaps instead of bars.

Green People has a wide range of paraben-free products – enough for you to fill your entire bathroom cabinet in fact! But to start with, take a look at our paraben-free shower gels now.

13th February 09

Triple Action Cellulite Lotion wins Beauty Award!

Green People’s organic cellulite lotion has been named as one of the winners in the Cellulite Creams category of the Celebs Beauty Awards.

According to the Awards write up, every tester noticed some improvement in their cellulite when using our Triple Action Cellulite Lotion.

Here is what three of the Celebs Beauty Awards’ testers had to say about this natural cellulite cream:

“My cellulite was significantly better – my legs showed the most difference. My skin became lovely and soft too.” Ursula Hughes, Conwy

“My skin was much nicer and less bumpy after the first week.” Jane Smith, Berks

“After three weeks my skin looked less dimply, and by the end of the month my thighs were slimmer.” Ann Probert, Cheshire

Want to see how effective it is for yourself? Buy our organic cellulite lotion now.

3rd February 09

Packaging chemicals may play part in lowering fertility

New research has shown a possible link between perfluorinated chemicals (PFCs) and lowered female fertility.

The study, carried out by the University of California Los Angeles, found that women who have a higher level of PFCs in their blood appear to find it harder to get pregnant.

PFCs are found in many items around the home, from frying pans to anti-ageing cosmetics.

However, more research must be done before confirmation of the link can be established. Indeed, the exact nature of the possible link has yet to be confirmed; it could be that obese women consume more PFCs through packaged food, and the obesity may be the reason for lowered fertility.

One of the scientists involved in the study commented: “We are waiting for further studies to replicate our findings in order to discover whether PFCs should be added to the list of risk factors for infertility.”

Green People’s organic skin care products do not contain PFCs, either in the packaging or in the skin creams. We use natural ingredients wherever possible to create organic products that are pure, safe and effective.

View our organic skin care products now.

26th January 09

Launch day for 2 Green People websites!

Today we celebrate the re-launch of our newly-designed websites OrganicBabies.com and OrganicChildren.com.

As well as being a showcase for our gorgeous organic baby products and natural children’s range, these websites are crammed with lots of information to help parents give their little ones a natural start in life.

With friendly advice pages about everything from breastfeeding to treating cradle cap and how to handle eczema and allergies, this expanding website is the ideal resource for organic families.

There is also plenty of information about the chemicals used in baby skin care products and those you should be on the lookout for – vital knowledge for any new parent!

20th Jan 09

Effects of river chemicals worse than feared

A new group of chemicals has been found to be affecting the fertility river fish in the UK and may also be a threat to human reproductive abilities.

Anti-androgens, which are used in cancer treatments and pesticides, were discovered by scientists in 30 different rivers in the UK.

Only small quantities of anti-androgens are needed in order to affect male human fertility, making this a particularly worrying chemical to be present in many of our waterways.

Other chemicals, such as oestrogen from the contraceptive pill and phthalates, have also been found in UK rivers. However while oestrogen may affect the reproductive abilities of fish, small quantities have not yet been proven to have a similar effect on humans.

Nevertheless it is a concerning matter, as the combination of these chemicals could be having a serious effect on the breeding capabilities of many native species.

One of the scientists involved in the anti-androgen research commented: “We have identified a new group of chemicals in our study on fish, but do not know where they are coming from.

“A principal aim of our work is now to identify the sources of these pollutants and work with regulators and relevant industry to test the effects of a mixture of these chemicals and…help protect environmental health.”

Green People products are so gentle that they can be used in sensitive environments without negative impact. They do not contain phthalates or any other hormone-mimicking chemicals.

15th Jan 09

Consumers urged to consider alcohol-free mouthwash

Consumers should consider using alcohol-free mouthwash after it was found that mouthwashes with alcohol may be linked with a higher risk of oral cancer.

An Australian scientist believes that the high concentration of alcohol in mouthwashes could make swilling an even bigger danger than drinking wine or beer.

It is thought that the ethanol found in mouthwashes may help other carcinogenic substances, such as nicotine, to filter through the lining of the mouth.

The scientist behind the findings said: “We see people with oral cancer who have no other risk factors than the use of alcohol-containing mouthwash, so what we’ve done in this study is review all the evidence that’s out there.”

He drew attention to one large study which had found that use of alcohol mouthwash on a daily basis had links to cancers of the head and neck. The findings showed that smokers taking part in the study suffered a particularly heightened risk of these diseases.

“We believe there should be warnings. If it was a facial cream that had the effect of reducing acne but had a four-to-five fold increased risk of skin cancer, no one would be recommending it.”

He went on to recommend that consumers use alcohol-free mouthwash instead, as well as calling for mouthwash containing alcohol to be available only on prescription.

However, further research is needed before a definite link between alcohol in mouthwash and oral cancer can be made.

6th Jan 09

Scientists find chemical pollution in homes

US scientists investigating indoor pollution have found a wide range of potentially dangerous chemicals, including DDT, in a study of air and dust in private homes.

Researchers from Silent Spring Institute undertook testing in 120 Cape Cod houses for 89 particular chemicals which are believed to interfere with human hormones and thus have a negative effect on health.

These chemicals included phthalates, which are suspected to cause male reproductive problems and are found in some body care products, and the banned pesticide DDT.

Shockingly, the scientists found that 65% of homes contained DDT – despite the fact it was banned over 30 years ago – whilst over 90% revealed the presence of phthalates.

Out of the 89 chemicals which were tested for, 67 were found to be present in either air or dust, many of which had not been discovered in previous indoor pollution tests. Houses averaged 19 of the selected chemicals in their air and 26 in dust.

One of the researchers said: “Not enough is known about the potential health risks from exposure to these chemicals. Part of the problem is that we tend to study chemicals that are regulated – and we regulate chemicals that are studied.

“One of our goals with this study has been to try to expand the universe of chemicals that receive regulatory attention.”

Chemical free skin care is the central principle behind Green People and we focus on creating organic body care products free from phthalates, parabens and other potentially harmful synthetic chemicals.

View our chemical-free skin care range now.

24th December 08

Chemicals affecting males across many species

Environmental group ChemTrust is drawing attention to the fact that chemicals such as phthalates and pesticides are having a serious effect on the males of many different species.

The organisation, which is dedicated to protecting humans and wildlife from harmful chemicals, has produced a report highlighting the wide range of species which appear to have been affected by toxic chemicals in the environment.

It reveals that male otters, polar bears, eland, peregrine falcons, cod, cane toads and flounder are all showing symptoms of feminisation – and there are many more species like them.

Affected male mammals, such as otters, seem to be commonly suffering from undescended genitals, whilst the male fish and birds have started creating egg yolk protein, which is normally confined to females.

The director of ChemTrust commented: “Urgent action is needed to control gender bending chemicals, and more resources are needed for monitoring wildlife. Man-made chemicals are clearly damaging the basic male tool-kit.

“If wildlife populations crash, it will be too late. Unless enough males contribute to the next generation, there is a real threat to animal populations in the long term.”

Green People’s organic skin care products do not contain phthalates and come from plants grown without the use of these so-called “gender-bending” pesticides.

15th December 08

Hairspray exposure linked with birth defects

UK scientists have discovered that exposure to hairspray in the workplace whilst pregnant may increase the chance of a certain birth defect.

Around 900 women took part in the study, which was carried out by Imperial College London. Half of these had babies with hypospadias, a condition affecting the urinary tract, whilst the others did not.

When asked about their workplace environment, twice the number of mums whose babies were affected by the deformity said that they had been exposed to high levels of hairspray whilst pregnant.

Scientists believe that this correlation could be due to phthalates, which are chemicals that have possible hormone-mimicking properties. However, the results of this study are not enough to prove the link, as other lifestyle factors could be involved.

The professor who ran the study commented: “Women shouldn’t be alarmed. This study adds a bit more evidence to the general picture about these chemicals but more research will be needed to demonstrate that the link exists.

“Pregnant women will need to make their own choices about whether or not to avoid these kinds of exposures.”

All of Green People’s organic skin and hair care products are free from phthalates.

1st December 08

VAT rate cut means cheaper organic body care products

Green People has cut the prices of all its organic body care products in line with the recent change in VAT rates.

You will find that everything from organic deodorants to dental care and from natural shampoos to skin care is now cheaper. For some low-value products the reduction is as little as a few pence but on larger orders the savings can add up to several pounds.

What’s more, we rounded down the new prices of our Limited Edition organic Christmas gifts, meaning that they are all 99p cheaper.

With discounts all round, now is definitely the time to do your organic Christmas shopping at Green People!

20th November 08

UK insect numbers plummeting

The Invertebrate Conservation Trust, also known as Buglife, has warned that there has been a sharp drop in the UK’s insect population which could have serious implications for the future.

The plight of bees has already made headlines this year, with colony collapse disorder, pesticides and other factors believed to be behind the massive fall in numbers. The fact that British honey is due to run out by Christmas this year is a clear indicator of the severity of the population loss.

However, it is not just bees which are suffering declines. It is a pattern seen across many of the insects which reside in the UK, such as butterflies, moths and mayflies. Other species which have in the past been common in Britain, such as ladybirds and some beetles, are also facing longterm decline.

A spokesperson for Buglife commented: “Insects are fundamental to the fabric of life, and if we start to tear that fabric apart, the consequences for all of the services that are provided from ecosystems will be severe.”

You can read more about the issues surrounding the UK’s falling insect population in the Independent. Read the article now.

14th November 08

Success for pesticide campaigner at High Court

A Sussex woman has seen success at the High Court in her case against the pesticide policy of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

For the past seven years Georgina Downs has been campaigning for the right of rural communities to be protected from the chemicals being used on nearby fields. As things stand, farmers can spray pesticides on any part of their farmland without giving warning or any information about the chemicals to those who live in the vicinity.

However, as was mentioned in the High Court’s ruling, even bees have more rights than humans in this regard. Farmers must inform nearby beekeepers of upcoming use of harmful pesticides whereas they have no such duty to local residents.

Ms Downs has suffered ill health for many years which she firmly believes is linked to the use of pesticides in the fields which border her home and she produced “solid evidence” of the harmful effects of these chemicals on many other people in her High Court battle.

The High Court judge in the case ruled that there must be a judicial review of DEFRA’s policy on pesticides.

You can read more about Georgina Downs’ campaign at www.pesticidescampaign.co.uk.

Green People is not comfortable with the use of some of the chemicals used in pesticides and uses organically-grown plants in its skin care products wherever possible.

31st October 08

Green People donates eco-friendly products to epic voyagers

Phoenicia

Over the course of the next year a team of international sailors are attempting to recreate the first circumnavigation of Africa in a replica 600 BC Phoenician ship. ‘Phoenicia’ set off from Syria in August and the crew, having successfully completed the first leg, are now in the Sudan.

The 17,000 mile voyage around Africa is estimated to take one year to complete and will include a final leg to bring the ship up the Thames to London.

Green People has donated a range of its natural products to the voyagers, including eco-friendly and organic sun lotions, body washes, shampoos and after sun.

Expedition Leader Philip Beale said: “The Phoenicia team feel privileged to have the support of Green People. The expedition aims to be as green as possible and using environmentally sensitive products is a great way to add to our philosophy whilst keeping the crew protected from the sun and wind as we circumnavigate Africa.”

The sailing team will be using their voyage to promote crucial clean water initiatives in Africa, such as the Global Water Fund, and will even be helping dig wells whilst they are in port.

To find out more about Phoenicia visit http://www.phoenicia.org.uk/.

25th October 08

"Best Buy" endorsement for Green People products

Ethical Consumer magazine has awarded its esteemed “Best Buy” logo to a range of Green People’s organic toiletries.

The magazine rates products and companies on factors such as human and animal rights, environmental impact, sustainability and politics. It then awards “Best Buy” status to those who get the highest scores for each category in order to mark their exceptional ethical standing.

Green People received the “Best Buy” recommendation in four of the health and beauty categories:

- Sun lotions (for our organic SPF15 sun lotion)
- Lipstick
- Toothpaste
- Shampoo

In its explanation of the ratings, Ethical Consumer praised Green People for avoiding toxic ingredients such as parabens and aklylphenol ethoxylates, and instead using natural and certified organic ingredients wherever possible. It also commends Green People’s policy of not testing its products on animals nor using ingredients which have been tested on animals.

17th October 08

Mobile phone use causing skin allergies

Scientists have discovered that some people may be suffering skin allergies on their face and ears because they are reacting to nickel on their mobile phones.

The researchers, from Brown University on Rhode Island, found that 10 out of the 22 phones they tested had nickel in.

One of the scientists commented: “The menu buttons, decorative logos on the headsets and the metallic frames around the liquid crystal display (LCD) screens were the most common sites [for nickel].”

Nickel allergy is one of the most common skin allergies and people are often sensitised to it by their jewellery. It is normally characterised by itchy, red rashes which are confined to the area that has come into contact with the nickel.

A spokesman for the British Association of Dermatologists explained that nickel in mobiles was most likely to affect those who used their phone regularly or for extended periods.

He continued: “In mobile phone dermatitis, the rash would typically occur on the cheek or ear, depending on where the metal part of the phone comes into contact with the skin.

“In theory it could even occur on the fingers if you spend a lot of time texting on metal menu buttons.”

Those who have experienced nickel skin allergies in the past are advised to choose mobile phones which do not contain nickel or use a hands free kit instead.

13th October 08

Sonia Dham wins special award at green beauty event!

Sonia Dham

We are delighted to announce that Sonia Dham won the WWF Charity Award at the Miss Earth UK competition.

Sonia went up against 47 other eco-beauties in the grand final of the contest and was recognised for her tremendous charity efforts with the WWF Charity Award.

Green People has been Sonia’s sponsor from the start of this green beauty competition and we are incredibly proud of her achievement.

Well done Sonia!

20th Sept 08

Fish could reduce eczema in babies

Researchers from Sweden have discovered that there seems to be a correlation between fish as part of a baby’s diet and a reduced chance of getting eczema.

The study, which involved 17,000 infants, showed that those who had been fed fish before the age of nine months were 25% less likely to have eczema.

The scientists suggested that this could be down to the presence of omega-3 fatty acids in some fish. However, this may not be the reason, as even children fed white fish appeared to have a reduced rate of eczema.

They also searched for links with other dietary and lifestyle factors, such as breast-feeding and the introduction of dairy products, but did not find any reduction in eczema rates.

Their main finding, however, was that genetics has the largest part to play in determining whether a child develops eczema. The study showed that having a sibling or a mother with eczema saw babies’ chances of getting eczema double.

The National Eczema Society backed the scientists’ findings on the importance that genetics had to play. It also urged parents of children with a high chance of developing eczema to avoid using harsh skin care products and instead choose detergent-free products.

Green People’s Organic Babies range is extra gentle and is suitable for those who may be prone to eczema.

11th Sept 08

Scientists link chemicals with childhood obesity

A team of researchers from Spain has discovered that exposure to certain chemicals in the womb can give babies a much higher chance of becoming obese later in their childhood.

The study, carried out on 403 children on the Spanish island of Menorca, found that babies who carried the highest levels of the pesticide hexachlorobenzene had double the chance of obesity at age six than those with the lowest levels.

The chemical has since been banned, but the wider implications of the findings – that chemical exposure in the womb can dramatically increase the likelihood of obesity – may mean that we are coming close to answering why the number of obese children has quadrupled in the past 30 years.

One expert in the field commented: “This is very important. It is the first good study of the effects on the foetus. Its conclusions are not surprising…but it firmly links such chemicals to the biggest challenge facing public health today.”

Previous studies which were carried out on animals have suggested that two types of chemicals common in everyday life also may cause offspring to become obese as they grow up.

Found in many shampoos and beauty products, phthalates are used to make plastic packaging more flexible. However, this family of chemicals was one of those found to cause offspring obesity in the experiments on animals.

At Green People, we intentionally avoid the use of phthalates in all of our natural skin, hair and body care products as we like to keep them as pure, natural and safe as possible.

3rd Sept 08

Roz makes it to Hawaii!

Roz arrives in Hawaii

Roz Savage, amazing ocean rower and environmental campaigner, has completed the first leg of her journey across the Pacific.

She set out from San Francisco on May 25th and, after 2,324 miles and 99 days at sea, rowed her way into Waikiki Yacht Club, Honolulu on September 1st for a well-earned rest.

This isn’t Roz’s first achievement on the seas; in 2006 she successfully made her way across the Atlantic Ocean despite multiple setbacks and challenges.

Roz is using her seafaring missions to highlight the effect plastic is having on the oceans. On her recent journey she passed close to the horrific ‘Great Pacific Garbage Patch’, an area the size of Texas where ocean currents funnel many million bits of plastic waste, having a devastating effect on the marine eco-system.

At Green People we much admire Roz’s determination to complete her epic journeys across the oceans of the Earth, and have been delighted to support her by giving her a supply of our organic sun creams, natural body washes and rescue salves.

We congratulate her on reaching her first destination and wish her the best of luck for when she tackles the next two stages, from Hawaii to Tuvalu and then from Tuvalu to Australia.

Read Roz’s blog.

27th August 08

Perfumed toiletries warning for pregnant ladies

Pregnant women are being encouraged to choose unscented skin creams and perfume-free toiletries by researchers from Edinburgh University.

The scientists made the recommendation in light of a recent study on rats, the findings of which seem to suggest that perfumed products may affect the reproductive abilities of the foetus.

The research revealed that chemicals in scented skin care products and other toiletries, especially those applied between 8 and 12 weeks into the pregnancy, may negatively effect later sperm production.

One of the researchers commented: “There are lots of compounds in perfumes that we know in higher concentrations have the potential to have biological effects so it is just being ultra safe to say that by avoiding them your baby isn’t at risk.”

He went on: “If you are planning to become pregnant you should change your lifestyle. Those lifestyle things don’t necessarily mean you are going to cause terrible harm to your baby, but by avoiding them you are going to have a positive effect.”

However, as yet the findings are confined to tests carried out on animals and further evidence is needed before the researchers can be certain about whether perfumed products can affect human babies in the same way.

Green People’s organic skin or hair care products are all perfume-free as many of the compounds which make up perfumes are certainly not natural and are a common cause of allergy. Instead, most Green People products use essential oils to give them their scent, as well as some of their efficacy. View all of Green People’s perfume-free products.

We do also have a special range of No Scent toiletries, known as Organic Base, which includes no essential oils and is practically scentless. This is ideal for those who have extremely sensitive skin and those who avoid scented personal care products. It includes no scent skin creams, a shampoo, conditioner, shower wash, deodorant and liquid soap.

15th August 08

Sonia Dham reaches Miss Earth UK grand final

Sonia and Dar

We are pleased to announce that green beauty queen Sonia Dham has been successful in her bid to reach the grand final of Miss Earth UK 2008.

She beat some excellent opposition to come 2nd in the regional stages of the competition, and she is pictured with celebrity hairstylist Dar receiving flowers at the Greater London pageant in London.

Her success means that she has now been awarded a direct place in the grand final, which is to be held on Saturday 30th August 2008. In part, the winner is chosen by a public vote so we are once again asking for your support in helping Sonia to become Miss Earth UK 2008.

You can either text the words Sonia Dham to 84205 or call 0901 656 1570 and key in Sonia’s unique code 35.

Sonia has been working hard in helping environmental charities and tree planting schemes as part of her qualification for the finals, and we are delighted to be her sponsor and wish her all the best!

You can find out more about Miss Earth UK by going to http://www.missearthuk.co.uk/.

12th August 08

No. 1 Ethical Health & Beauty Site 2008!

Nigel's Eco Store

We are proud to announce Green People’s success in the 2008 Green Web Awards, which were organised by Nigel’s Eco Store.

The Green Web Awards were created with the aim of recognising the achievements of websites which spread awareness and promote environmental issues.

There were a number of categories, including Green Travel/Eco Tourism, Online Campaigns, Green Energy Sites and Ethical Fashion, but it was the Ethical Health & Beauty Sites in which Green People triumphed with a number 1 vote.

Our website showcases a wide range of quality natural skin and hair care products, with an upfront list of ingredients for each together with vegan/vegetarian status. It also has lots of advice and information for consumers concerned about the effects of chemicals on their skin.

The winning sites were voted for by leading eco-bloggers and green social media junkies, including Bonnie Alter from www.treehugger.com, Adam Vaughan from www.smartplanet.com and Ed Gillespie from www.futerra.co.uk.

4th August 08

Green People proud to sponsor solo rowing first

Sarah Outen

In Spring 2009 Sarah Outen will row solo from Western Australia to Mauritius in a bid to become the first woman, and youngest and fastest person, to make the crossing.

Sarah says “A biologist and outdoor enthusiast, I love the creatures to be found at sea and want to encourage others to appreciate them, too. After all, what we love, we save. My journey will be a green one, as far as possible, and aims to encourage responsible stewardship of our planet, especially of the blue stuff.”

In true green style Green People are proud to be sponsoring Sarah on yet another of her momentous ocean voyages. Sarah approached us to use Green People on her voyage as all our products are kind to the environment and most importantly safe for marine life.

In the build up to the main event Sarah has been training in Gran Caneria and putting our organic sun lotions to the test “The suncream and after-sun were brilliant - that after sun is sooo silky and cooling when you get in the pink!”

We will have regular updates from Sarah as she prepares for and then makes her voyage. Green People offer their full support and lots of luck for the hectic time ahead.

Read more about her adventures at www.sarahouten.co.uk

28th July 08

Indian farming villages affected by crop chemicals

Scotland on Sunday has reported on how the widespread use of chemicals on crops is seriously compromising the health of Indian farmers and their families.

Whole villages in certain regions of the Punjab are feeling the effects, with a range of illnesses being attributed to the intensive use of pesticides and fertilisers in the effort for the area to become self-sufficient in terms of food production.

According to the newspaper, doctors have linked high levels of Urea, a commonly-used fertiliser, with serious muscular disorders in four children from one particular village. Research by an Indian university also discovered that pesticides are also causing DNA damage in farmers, with likely damaging consequences to their health.

As well as using legal chemicals, some farms are also believed to be using readily-available pesticides and fertilisers which are known to be toxic. The impact on nearby communities is still somewhat unknown, but is likely to be significant as these chemicals contaminate the sources of drinking water.

There is now a movement growing in India for organic farming methods to be used instead of the chemicals which they have been relying on for many years. Those in favour argue that as well as being better for the people, organic farming enriches the soil, giving hope for improved harvests. Those against believe non-organic farming is the only way they can feed the growing population.

However, as one Indian doctor was quoted as saying, “What are you achieving by feeding people at the cost of their health?”

20th July 08

Study shows sofa chemical caused allergic skin reactions

A study from a Swedish research team has revealed that a gas emitted by an anti-mould chemical in sofas was the cause of skin problems in people across the UK and other European countries.

Earlier this year, the news broke that sofas imported from China were the likely reason behind around a number of people suddenly developing skin disorders such as eczema, rashes and even apparent chemical burns.

A dermatologist from Malmö University Hospital has now investigated the cause more closely. He found that chemical sachets within the sofas, filled with an anti-mould agent called dimethyl fumarate, were giving off a toxic gas.

The gas then passed through the sofa and through clothing, and, over a period of time, caused people to become hypersensitised and exhibit allergic reactions. Unfortunately, the sensitivity will remain for the rest of the person’s life and may extend to other similar chemicals, raising the chance of further allergic skin reactions.

Those who believe they may have been affected by the sofas can take a patch test to see if they have developed a sensitivity to the chemical.

It is thought that around 100,000 sofas containing the sachets were sold in the UK in 2006/2007, and approximately 1.5% of owners have now started litigation against the stores which sold the furniture.

9th July 08

Green People's organic sun lotions make news

Green People’s hugely popular organic SPF15 sun lotion with tan accelerator has received a double mention in Healthy & Organic Living magazine’s August issue.

In one article, the magazine published statistics about sunscreens, such as the fact that 85% of the 1,014 sunscreen products tested by the Environmental Working Group offered inadequate sun protection or had safety issues, and 35g of suncream is needed to cover an adult’s body sufficiently.

This article also mentioned that Green People’s SPF15 sun lotion utilises a safe physical barrier to UVA radiation and was the best sun cream tested by Ethiscore, scoring an impressive 16 out of 20. Read more about Ethiscore.

Healthy & Organic Living magazine also had a tried and tested feature in this issue, in which the same organic sun lotion was reviewed. It had a very positive impact on the reviewers, with comments including “Rubbed in well leaving no white residue. No hint of synthetic chemicals”. It was summed up as “a top class product.”

View the organic sun lotion which attracted all this attention.

30 June 08

Southampton residents to comment on water fluoridation

People living in the Southampton area are to get the chance to air their views on whether fluoride should be added to their water supply.

The consultation period, which was announced by the Public Health Director for Southampton Primary Care Trust, is to commence in July 2008 and run for three months.

The move comes after research revealed that Southampton had a particularly low level of oral health, with 42% of children showing tooth decay before the age of 5. Residents currently have no fluoride added to their water and natural levels are not high enough to provide any dental benefits.

The Director of Southampton PCT is in favour of the move to add fluoride water supplies, commenting: “Everyone drinking fluoridated water – including children, adults and the elderly – will begin to benefit as soon as fluoridation is started and measurable benefits would be apparent in about five years.”

However, his views are not shared by all Southampton residents, and there is a campaign group, ‘Hampshire Against Fluoridation’, which is actively fighting the move.

A spokesperson for the group claims that “…non-fluoridated Hampshire is…one of the best areas in England [for dental health]” and is urging authorities to use education, rather than fluoride, to reduce rates of tooth decay in the region.

He explained his position against the move, saying: "In the short term, fluoridated water might show slight benefits but that is only because it has an effect on the tooth's surface. It is of no help when it goes into the body.”

He went on to cite a number of medical conditions, including brittle bones and hypersensitive reactions, which have been linked with the ingestion of too much fluoride.

Green People has a range of fluoride-free toothpastes for those who prefer not to use the chemical. View these natural toothpastes now.

26 June 08

Regional voting approaches for budding Miss Earth

Sonya Dham

We are excited to announce that the time is almost upon us to vote in the regional Miss England Earth 2008 competition, and our vote is with Sonia Dham!

As reported on the 11th April, Green People is supporting Sonia in her bid to become the UK’s first winner of the worldwide ‘Beauties for a Cause’ competition. However, she must first qualify through the regional stage by winning a public vote.

We believe she is a worthy winner and would love to see her go through. If you would like to show your support for her too, please vote using the below details:

You can either text the words Sonia Dham to 84205 or vote on a landline by calling 0901 656 1572 and key in Sonia’s unique code 02

If you would like to keep up to date with her progress in the competition, please visit www.missearthuk.co.uk where a link to the live voting results will be added to the regional pages.

Vote details
All voters must be over 18 and have the permission of the bill payer.
60p plus standard network charge.
Voting helpline 08704 541 000 open Monday-Friday during office hours
Leave one space between the first and last names. The application is not case sensitive so lower or upper case is OK.

Lines will open Tuesday 1st July 2008 at 12.00 noon
Lines will close Monday 14th July 2008 at 9.00 PM

17 June 08

Researchers discover power of natural antioxidants

A recent study by Portuguese scientists has revealed that natural extracts have a better preservative effect than their commercial counterparts.

The efficacy of grape and olive extracts was put to the test against several types of bacteria and two types of yeast, and compared with three non-natural antioxidants. It was found that grape extract did the best, outperforming the commercial chemicals in all experiments, whilst the olive extract did particularly well against the yeast.

The researchers believe that the natural antioxidants did so much better because they are still combined with other plant compounds, whilst the commercial antioxidants had been isolated from other natural components.

The researchers are now looking at the possible application of these natural extracts for the food industry.

However, their use can go beyond this. At Green People, we use grape extract and olive leaf extract in some of our products, as well as natural antioxidants from other plants such as Green Tea and Rosemary.

View Green People’s organic beauty products now.

10 June 08

Pesticides linked with honeybee deaths

A class of pesticides has been banned in Germany after millions of honeybees were accidentally killed as an apparent result of it being incorrectly applied to crops.

The pesticides, known as neonicotinoids, were supposed to be mixed with a kind of glue which would keep them stuck to the plants. However, an error meant that this did not happen and the chemical was instead released into the air.

This coincided with the deaths of huge numbers of bees in the area. It is believed the two events were connected as build-ups of the chemical which was released, clothianidin, were found in 99% of the dead bees examined by experts.

The president of Germany’s leading beekeeping association commented: “It’s a real bee emergency. 50%-60% of the bees have died on average and some beekeepers have lost all their hives.”

This is not the first time that pesticides have been linked with bee deaths, nor the first that they have been banned on this basis. Another chemical, imidacloprid, was in France in 1999 after a third of French honeybees were wiped out, and the French have recently rejected the use of clothianidin in the country.

The honeybee population has been increasingly under threat in recent years, with the mysterious colony collapse disorder being reported by approximately one third of beekeepers across the world. Further research is being urged in order to save the important species.

2 June 08

Broccoli extract may protect skin from effects of UV rays

Weeks after researchers discovered tomatoes may provide some natural sun protection (see news of 7th May below), another study has shown that broccoli might also be a source of defence against the sun’s rays.

The research, carried out by the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore, revealed that the chemical sulforaphane seems to be particularly good at protecting the skin from the effects of UV rays.

Found in a range of vegetables but most concentrated in three day old broccoli sprouts, sulforaphane appears to boost skin cells’ natural defences to aid in reducing the damaging effects of the sun.

However, the researchers were keen to point out that this wouldn’t work in the same way as traditional sun creams and that consumers should not act on the findings.

One commented: “This is not a sunscreen because it does not absorb the ultraviolet rays of the sun. We don’t want people covering their bodies with broccoli and going to the beach. They will have no protection whatsoever.”

He continued: “It’s going to take a little while to work out how this should be applied. We would need to have a preparation rich in sulforaphane that would be easily absorbed through the skin, and this is not yet a reality.”

View Green People’s natural sun lotions.

27 May 08

Paint chemical linked with male fertility problems

Scientists believe that a chemical commonly found in paint may be linked with fertility issues in men.

Researchers from the University of Manchester and University of Sheffield teamed up to study more than 2,000 men who had known fertility problems and investigate whether the cause could be linked to chemicals in the workplace.

They discovered that exposure to propylene glycol, a solvent which can be found in anything from paints to skin care products, increased the chance of fertility problems quite dramatically.

One of the researchers from the University of Manchester commented: “We know that certain glycol ethers can affect male fertility and the use of these has reduced over the past two decades.

“However, our work suggests that they are still a workplace hazard and further work is needed to reduce such exposure.”

More positively, the research also found that many other chemicals with which workers commonly had contact had no effect on fertility levels.

Green People products do not contain propylene glycol.

20 May 08

Warnings over hair dye chemicals

Cancer Research UK is urging consumers to consider what is in their hair dye, after a study linked colouring treatments with a certain type of cancer.

The recent research which prompted this warning found that people who used dark hair dye more than nine times a year had a much heightened risk of developing a form of leukaemia.

The risk of illness due to ingredients in hair dyes is even greater for those who used to use these products in the 70s and 80s, as a number of chemicals used then have now been banned due to associated health risks.

However, a spokesperson for Cancer Research UK advised consumers not to panic about the findings.

He said: “Although this study did find a link between some types of hair dye and some types of lymphoma, this increase in risk was very small, and mainly applied to permanent hair dyes available before 1980.

“Furthermore, two years ago the EU Commission banned 22 different hair dye substances which didn’t meet its safety standards.”

A member of the Institute of Trichology also offered some comfort for consumers, explaining that modern hair dyes work over a much shorter period of time than the hair dyes of the 1970s, which were not easily washed off and carried on reacting.

Despite this reassurance, consumers are still being urged to treat hair dyes with caution and to patch test, as some of the chemicals used have been linked with allergic reactions. One such chemical is p-Phenylenediamine (PPD), which is banned in three European countries due to the severe allergic reactions which it can cause, albeit rarely.

Others include 2,4-Diaminophenol, m-Phenylenediamine and N-Phenyl-p-phenylenediamine.

13 May 08

More men buying skin care products

Whilst moisturisers, cleansers and anti-ageing creams have traditionally only been used by women, it seems that men have started catching on to the benefits of these skin care products.

Recent research from Mintel shows that it is older men in particular who have begun investing time, effort and money into their skin care routine in the past few years. Statistics suggest that £306 million per year is now being spent on male toiletries by gentlemen in their 50s and 60s alone; this is four times more than in 2002.

It is thought that this trend will continue, with Mintel predicting that the mature male skin care market will double in just two years.

As well as exploring the size of this new-found market, the researchers also investigated why more and more older men are suddenly looking to improve the condition of their skin.

The Mintel report stated: “Men in general have shown that they are much more open to using products that enhance personal appearance, including anti-ageing products. The drive to look youthful has overtaken the desire to look distinguished.”

“Almost half the men we spoke to said they feared ageing and feared being perceived by colleagues as getting older.”

Green People has a range of organic skin care products for men, known as Organic Homme. View our male skin care products now.

7 May 08

Tomatoes may provide natural sun protection

New research has suggested that regularly eating cooked tomatoes could give natural protection from the sun.

Scientists from the University of Manchester and Newcastle University believe that an antioxidant known as lycopene, which is found in high quantities in cooked tomatoes, helps to protect skin from the UV rays which can cause skin damage.

The research involved giving one set of volunteers 55g of tomato paste and 10g of olive oil each day and another group just 10g of olive oil. By the end of a three month period, the first group were found to have 33% more protection from sunburn than the control group.

The scientists were quick to point out, however, that this natural UV protection isn’t so powerful that it could replace sun lotions and urged people to consider it simply as a ‘helpful addition’ to their current sun care precautions.

As well as having improved protection from UV rays, the volunteers were also found to have higher levels of procollagen in their skin.

Professor Lesley Rhodes, of the University of Manchester, commented: “These increasing levels suggest potential reversing of the skin ageing process.”

“These weren’t huge amounts of tomato we were feeding the group. It was the sort of quantity you would easily manage if you were eating a lot of tomato-based meals,” she said.

28 Apr 08

Household chemicals affecting pets?

A study conducted in America has revealed the presence of many chemicals in pets, and at levels higher than usually found in humans.

In the research by the Environmental Working Group, a number of cats and dogs were tested for 70 chemicals, 48 of which were found to be present. These included phthalates and mercury, as well as fire-retardant and stain-resistant chemicals.
The results showed that of the 35 chemicals detected in dogs, 40% were at higher levels than in humans. Cats, on the other hand, tested positive for 46 chemicals, 96% of which were at higher levels.

Whilst there is no definitive evidence as to the effect of these chemicals on either humans or animals, some of these chemicals have been linked with cancer, hyperthyroidism, birth defects and reproductive problems. It is possible that this is why dogs have much higher rates of cancer than humans, whilst cats appear to be susceptible to thyroid problems.

So why is it that pets have such high levels of these chemicals in their blood? In part this is due to the fact that they ingest some in the process of licking their coats, but flea collars, pet shampoos, chewy plastic toys and the lining of dry pet-food bags likely also play a part. In addition, seafood-flavoured feed is thought to be a possible source of the mercury detected in pets.

Green People’s natural children’s shampoos can also be used on pets thanks to their gentle yet effective organic formulas. See our Organic Children’s range for more details.

21 Apr 08

Eczema helped by omega-3, say researchers

Research from Germany has suggested that people with eczema may benefit from an increased intake of omega-3.

The study, which was published in the British Journal of Dermatology, revealed that participants taking omega-3 tablets over an eight week period experienced an 18% improvement in their eczema.

Professor Margitta Worm, one of the authors of the study, commented: “The results of this trial are extremely interesting as the data clearly demonstrates that dietary DHA could be bioactive and may have a beneficial impact on the outcome of atopic eczema.

“These positive results will be investigated in further clinical trials to improve the management of atopic eczema which is a growing problem.”

Omega-3 is a fatty acid which naturally occurs in flax, oily fish and some nuts, and has previously been linked with a number of beneficial effects on health. Although the Western diet has meant that there has been a gradual decline in Omega-3 intake, the last few years have seen it rising in the public consciousness.

Green People’s natural dietary range includes the Organic Omega 3&6 Fuel 3:1, which helps to supplement intake of these essential fatty acids.

11 Apr 08

Green People Go Glamorous!

Green People are delighted to be sponsoring a finalist in this years Miss Earth competition.

A long standing fan of our products, Sonia Dham was selected for the final of the 2008 Miss Earth pageant earlier this year.

She commented: “I’d like to be seen as a role model that people in England could genuinely aspire and relate to. I would really like the opportunity to reach out to those less fortunate in life.”

Sonia approached Green People as a sponsor as she felt that our green ethics mirrored that of the pageant's, ‘Green People are by far the best organic brand out there; they care about you and your wellbeing. It is so refreshing to see a cosmetic company with people’s best interests in mind and being a vegetarian I am really impressed that they are producing Vegan friendly products.’
Miss Earth was itself launched with a view to reinventing and improving the beauty pageant concept for the new millennium. Seeing that so many people admired and aspired to be a beauty queen, the organisers Carousel Productions believed beauty queens would be a good and effective advocate of worthy causes, so to give life to this vision Carousel launched the MISS EARTH Beauty Pageant in 2001. For more details go to www.missearthuk.co.uk

07 Apr 08

Fears over chemical in sunscreen

An American study has found that up to 97% of the population test positively for the chemical oxybenzone, a commonly-used ingredient in sunscreen and other skin care products which has been linked with negative effects on health.

It has been suggested that there could be a connection between oxybenzone and cell damage, allergies and hormone disruption. A sister study, which was also carried out by US researchers, also put forward the possibility that the mums who had high levels of contact with the chemical during pregnancy were more likely to have underweight daughters.

The concerns over oxybenzone also extend to its effect on the skin. It is thought that when it is absorbed through the dermal layer, it can increase skin sensitivity and become a photocarcinogen.

As well as sunscreen, the researchers also found oxybenzone was present in some lip balms, lipsticks and facial moisturisers.

A US organisation, the Environmental Working Group, is critical of the lack of action that has been taken thus far on oxybenzone and is calling for a further safety review of this chemical.

It commented on its website: “The Food and Drug Administration has failed miserably in its duty to protect the public from toxic chemicals like oxybenzone in personal care products.”

As a result of the safety concerns over oxybenzone, EU regulations have been put in place which state that sunscreens which contain more than 0.5% of this ingredient must be marked accordingly. However, as long as they declare the presence of oxybenzone in their sun care products, manufacturers are free to use it as an ingredient.

Green People’s natural sunscreens and other skin care products do not contain oxybenzone. View our organic sunscreen range now.

01 Apr 08

Scientists link Parkinson’s disease with pesticides

Exposure to pesticides may lead to a greater chance of developing Parkinson’s disease, according to research published in the BMC Neurology journal.

The research, which was carried out by US scientists from two universities and the Udall Parkinson’s Disease Research Centre of Excellence, revealed that those who had used pesticides had a 1.6 greater risk of getting Parkinson’s than those who had not.

The study also revealed that people who had extended exposure to pesticides, i.e. had been exposed to them for more than 200 days across their whole lifetime, had an even greater chance of developing the disease.

Whilst the scientists say that there are likely to be a number of factors influencing the development of Parkinson’s, they believe that pesticides may be a key part of the problem.

The lead researcher involved in the study said: “I think there is very strong evidence now linking the two. What we noticed in our research was that recreational pesticide use in the home and garden was more of a source of exposure than occupational use.”

The study backs up previous research which showed that people with Parkinson’s disease were twice as likely to have used pesticides as those without.

As Green People uses organic ingredients in its natural skin and hair care products, you can be sure that they do not contain any pesticides.

26 Mar 08

Use of 1,4-dioxane in organic beauty products sparks debate

The Organic Consumers Association, an American organisation formed in 1998, has spoken out after it discovered US organic skin care brands using a petrochemical by-product in their products.

The controversy has been sparked by a chemical called 1,4-dioxane. It is sometimes found as a contaminant resulting from the ethoxylation process used to make some types of foaming ingredients and so does not need to be listed on packaging under US laws. As a result, it is unlikely that consumers are aware of the inclusion of this ingredient in their products.

The lack of notice about 1,4-dioxane in organic body care products is not the only issue that concerns the Organic Consumers Association. There have also been certain safety concerns raised about this product, which has been classified as a ‘probable human carcinogen’ by the US Environmental Protection Agency.

The Organic Consumers Association is now calling for cosmetics companies which allow the presence of 1,4-dioxane in their products to stop describing themselves as organic.

The Executive Director of the Organic Consumers Association commented: “The practice of ethoxylating ingredients or using other petroleum compounds must end for natural personal care, and that is much more outrageous in so-called ‘organics’ brand products.”

Green People does not use any ingredient that might be contaminated with 1,4-dioxane in any of its skin, body or hair care products.

17 Mar 08

Household cleaning products linked with asthma in children

Researchers from Bristol University have revealed that there may be a link with the chemicals found in household cleaning products and the development of childhood asthma.

The research, a comprehensive explanation of which was published on www.nhs.uk, followed more than 14,000 children between birth and 8 years old. Mothers were asked to report on a number of aspects of their child’s development, as well as details about their lifestyle.

Analysis of the study’s results suggests that there was a correlation between chemical use around the home and the development of transient (temporary) wheezing in children up to the age of 7 who did not appear to have a predisposition to asthma. The researchers suggest that the chemicals used around the home could increase the risk of this by as much as 41%.

One of the scientists involved in this study explained: “We think that is perhaps due to irritant effects of the chemicals on the child after birth, which may cause inflammation of the airways leading to the development of asthma.”

Whilst the study does not suggest particular chemicals which could be at fault, ‘The Mail’, which also reported on the story, cites previous research which has identified volatile organic compounds (VOCs) as being the possible cause. Found within many common household products such as air fresheners, deodorants and other aerosols, VOCs were also linked with ill-health in mothers by the Bristol University in a separate report.

Green People does not use VOCs in its Multi Surface Cleaner or any of its other products.

10 Mar 08

Common chemicals may be affecting gender development

The Mail has reported that the common chemicals of modern day living may be influencing the gender characteristics of animals, birds and even babies.

Scientists have suggested that oestrogen from HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy) and contraceptive pills could be leading to changes in male starlings’ brains. The birds, which live near a sewage plant which does not filter the hormone out of the water, have been observed singing increasingly long and diverse songs in recent years.

Whilst the extended repertoire of the starling may not seem like a very serious problem, the gravity of the consequences of chemicals on other animals is far more obvious.

The Environment Agency has shown that 25% of male roach exposed to filtered sewage in a Kent river have developed feminine characteristics, with some being so seriously affected as to produce immature eggs.

This problem is not confined to the UK, with America also reporting instances of hermaphrodisation amongst its Florida alligator and turtle populations, probably also as a result of exposure to oestrogen.

However, oestrogen is not the only chemical causing such problems. Researchers from the University of Rochester in America have discovered that pregnant women who were exposed to phthalates (chemicals commonly used in food and cosmetics packaging) are more likely to give birth to male babies that have feminised characteristics.

It has been suggested that chemicals such as these could be part of the reason that the worldwide birth rate of girls is increasing, whilst the number of boys being born is dropping.

At Green People, we ensure that our products and their packaging do not contain phthalates or any other potentially-harmful chemicals.

01 Mar 08

‘NHS is failing’ on psoriasis care

The NHS has been accused of failing to provide a consistently good level of service to those who have the skin condition psoriasis.

Research by the Royal College of Physicians and the British Association of Dermatologists found that people with psoriasis are receiving markedly differing levels of care depending on the unit they visit.

According to the survey, 20% of units had no nurses with specialist knowledge of psoriasis treatment and dermatology, whilst 33% failed to provide proper bathing facilities.

The president of the British Association of Dermatologists commented: “Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease which can have a huge physical and psychological impact. The audit has produced data clearly showing that on a national level, the NHS is failing to provide patients with the level of care they deserve.”

25 Feb 08

SLS linked with hand dermatitis in health care workers

American researchers have linked SLS (Sodium Lauryl Sulphate), a detergent used in many mainstream shampoos and hand washes, with causing irritant contact dermatitis in health care workers.

As in the UK, those working in American hospitals and clinics are required to wash their hands frequently as part of a stringent cleanliness routine. However, both countries also have a very high rate of irritant contact dermatitis amongst their health care workers.

Researchers from the American Academy of Dermatology have recently presented findings that many medical workers suffering from irritating contact dermatitis are reacting to the detergent SLS.

In the study, 100 health care workers were patch tested with three common detergents used in hand washes. The results show that 63% developed irritant contact dermatitis, and that the main determining factor was a positive reaction to SLS.

The study also found that those medical workers who washed their hands most frequently had a greater chance of developing the uncomfortable skin condition.

Dr. Nedorost, one of the researchers involved in the study, commented: “We demonstrated that some people are predisposed to skin reactions to irritant detergents, and those who do ‘wet’ work in low humidity conditions where frequent hand washing is an essential part of the job are very susceptible to hand dermatitis.”

He also went on to advise those with irritant contact dermatitis to avoid using topical steroids, as these can increase the chance of the skin being bruised or torn.

Green People does not use SLS in any of its hand washes nor any of its other products.

15 Feb 08

Research warns of potentially-harmful toxins in baby products

Research from the US has shown that some products, such as baby shampoo and baby lotion, can contain chemicals which have been linked with reproductive toxicity.

The chemical family concerned is the phthalates. These synthetic chemicals are used to stabilise fragrances in some cosmetics and beauty products and can also be used to give plastic a more flexible quality.

Unfortunately, this popular group of chemicals may have some less positive effects as well. Phthalates have been linked with causing reduced reproductive ability in animals and even causing “changes in health outcomes” in some human studies, according to paediatrician Dr. Sheela Sathyanarayana.

Research carried out by Sathyanarayana, who works at the University of Washington, found that broken down phthalate products were present in the urine of all 163 of the infants tested. In fact, 81% of the babies showed measurable traces of seven or more different phthalates.

As well as monitoring the level of phthalates in babies’ urine, the researchers also looked into what was causing this potentially-toxic presence.

Sathyanarayana explained: “We found that reported use of baby lotion, baby shampoo and baby powder was associated with increased concentrations of monethyl phthalate (MEP), monomethyl phthalate (MMP) and monoisobutyl phthalate (MIBP) in infant urine.”

All Green People products are totally phthalate-free. See our Organic Babies range for a full list of phthalate-free baby care products.

8 Feb 08

The Co-op investigates today’s main ethical issues for consumers

Extensive research from the Co-op has revealed the three main ethical issues for today’s shoppers as being animal welfare, fair trading and environmental impact.

In the consumer consultation, the Co-op arranged for more than 100,000 people to answer a four-page questionnaire on ethical shopping practices and concerns.

It found that the greatest ethical priority was animal welfare, with 21% of respondents citing this as their number one issue. This has recently been the subject of significant publicity, most notably the Channel 4 programme about the production of chickens, which was hosted by Jamie Oliver and Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall.

14% of those who filled out the questionnaire reported that their main concern was fair trade; a finding which has prompted the supermarket chain to bring all of its own-brand tea up to this ethical standard.

Climate change was well down the list of concerns, with just 4% saying that it was their main ethical issue when shopping. However, it is clear that the environment has not been forgotten about, with other ecological issues such as excessive packaging and the use of pesticides apparently taking precedence for many people.

A spokesperson for the Co-op explained why so few people are prioritising the high-profile issue of climate change when shopping.

He commented: “[Consumers] may believe they are powerless on climate change. People can choose to buy Fairtrade or Freedom Food labels, but there is no carbon label yet. We think shoppers see climate change as an issue for corporations and governments.”

Green People has long placed much importance on issues such as these and is committed to doing business in the most ethical way possible. It does not use any animal-tested ingredients in its organic skin or hair care products, and ensures that packaging is kept to a minimum. In addition, a number of ingredients which are used in its products, such as cinnamon oil and cornmint oil, are fairly-traded.

Feb 08

Green People tops children’s bath reviews at mumandworking.co.uk

Green People’s Children’s Bath and Shower Gel was given the best “Tried and Tested” review by the Mumandworking website.

The lavender-scented natural bubble bath and shower gel triumphed over products from Neal’s Yard Remedies and the Maclaren Beginning range to be the testers’ favourite children’s bath product.

It was praised for its ‘clear and informative’ packaging, as well as smelling lovely and being good value for money. Two of the three reviewers gave it a five star rating, whilst all three recommended it to other mums.

Read the full review at www.mumandworking.co.uk

25 Jan 08

Nail bars using 'potentially harmful' fake nail glue

Nail salons across the UK are still using a type of glue which could cause harm to consumers, an MP has warned.

Methyl methacrylate, a substance which is also used in the creation of certain types of plastic, is used in some nail glues because it is cheap. However, it has also been found to have damaging effects on nails and skin.

When a glue containing methyl methacrylate sets, the fake will adhere to the real nail very tightly. This can make removal extremely difficult and if the nail gets caught on something, the whole nail can be ripped off.

The implications of extra-strong nail glue has even been seen in hospital admissions, with one Birmingham hospital revealing in 2005 that it was seeing six patients a week who had had their real nails torn off by fake ones.

As well as making fake nails hard to remove, this chemical can also cause damage to the real nail and skin below, leaving deep grooves in the nail bed and weak, brittle nails.

Use of methyl methacrylate was banned in some American states as long ago as 1974 but it is still legal is the UK; something about which MP Phyllis Starkey is concerned

She commented: “A constituent has drawn my attention to the fact that the proliferation of nail bars with staff who are not properly qualified is leading to, in particular, problems resulting from the use of methyl methacrylate to attach nail extensions.

“This issue is of great importance to women in my constituency and throughout the country, and it would be helpful to have a debate about its public health aspects as soon as possible.”

Health and safety experts quoted on the BBC recommend that consumers who are looking to visit a nail salon avoid those with particularly low prices and those who appear secretive about their acrylic brands. They also advise people to ask questions when they visit a new nail bar, and to walk away if they are not satisfied.

Jan/Feb 08

Ethical Consumer Magazines Best Buy Guide

Starting the year off with a bang, Green People were thrilled to come out tops in the Jan/Feb issue of Ethical Consumer Magazines Best Buy Guide. Our top selling organic & fluoride free formulations were measured against toothpaste industry giants and fellow 'green' companies achieving an incredible top ranking 'ethiscore' of 16 out of 20. Click here to see our full dental care range

01 Dec 07

7 TIPS Awards for Green People’s Organic Babies range

Green People’s Organic Babies range has won seven 2007 TIPS Awards, with four baby skin care products being ‘Highly Commended’ and another two being classed as being the ‘Best Eco Friendly’ product in their category.

The TIPS Awards are the brainchild of midwife Sharon Trotter, who has been working with breastfeeding mums for the past twenty years. A published author of tips and advice on breastfeeding, she also has an interest in neonatal skincare and has done plenty of research on the subject.

Her 2007 study involved the wide-scale testing of 52 baby skin care products from 11 manufacturers, including Green People’s Organic Babies range.

The results for Green People were as follows:

Mum & Baby Moisturiser – Highly Commended
Baby Wash Lavender – Highly Commended
Soothe & Calm Baby Balm – Highly Commended
Baby Salve Lavender – Highly Commended
Baby Wash Chamomile – Commended
Spearmint Toothpaste – Best Eco Friendly Toothpaste
Mandarin Toothpaste – Best Eco Friendly Toothpaste

To read more about the 2007 TIPS Awards for baby skin care, please visit www.tipslimited.com

15 Mar 07

Winners of Natural Health and Beauty Magazine

Natural Health & Beauty magazine readers voted Green People Sun Lotions the Best!
Natural Health and Beauty quoted
"If you’re going to trust a range to protect your skin from the sun then this is the one."

1 Mar 07

Green People customers help charity "Cherish Uganda"

The Wood family (Lucy, Finlay and their 3 young children) have taken the noble decision to live in Uganda for 2 years while they work for ‘Cherish Uganda’ creating a village community for up to 200 orphans who are living with HIV and AIDS.

Anti-retro-viral (ARV) treatment in Uganda is only given to HIV+ children who are in a stable environment with a good diet. Orphanages - the one place that might provide a solution to these abandoned children - will not take such children, leaving these orphans to face certain death. The goal of ‘Cherish Uganda’ is to establish stable homes for deprived children and provide them with the medical, physical emotional and holistic care they need.

Each home will be built in the local, vernacular style, with a safe water supply, able to accommodate no more than 6 boys and 6 girls plus the house ‘parents’ , with plenty of secure open space. Within the village homes organic food –meat, vegetables and fruit - from the village farm will be provided, carefully selected to meet daily vitamins and other essential nutritional inputs.

Lucy Wood, who grew up in West Sussex, the home of Green People, requested our help in providing her family with natural, organic sun lotions to protect them from the strong African sunlight.

We are delighted to support the Woods and have donated 2 years supply of sun lotions to keep them happy and healthy during their two year stint in Uganda.

We wish them the very best of luck!

Breast cancer may be linked to mother's childhood Chemical exposure in past generations could affect present ones, scientists say

By Douglas Fischer

New thinking on the causes of breast cancer suggests the disease's origins may be found not in anything a woman has done, but in what her mother — and possibly her grandmother — did before her.

The findings further suggest that tiny exposure to hormone-like industrial chemicals early in life can have profound effects not just later in adulthood, but in future generations as well.

Taken as a whole, said scientists gathered today for a conference on early environmental exposures and their link to breast cancer, the research simultaneously offers hope and despair: It points the way to potential new cures while highlighting how little we understand of a pollution pervasive in our bodies and environment.

"We are inducing certain genetic sequences that later on make the animal more susceptible to cancer," said Dr. Jose Russo, director of the Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia, where some of this research is being done.

"This is not a humongous dose where you kill the animal. These are levels found in the environment, but are enough to change the (genetic) expression," he said.

The current thinking on breast cancer is fairly straightforward: The earlier a girl hits puberty, the greater her odds of getting breast cancer later in life. Scientists generally agree that diet,