Can You Defy Age?

Can you Defy Age? Writers  Martin Donovan and David Koepp, of the 90’s classic Death Becomes Her certainly thought you could. Meryl Streep and Goldie Hawn are rivals for the affections of Bruce Willis’ Ernest, and they use an immortality treatment to out do the other. Sounds far-fetched? Well, when you can get a botox injection in your lunch break and breaking news is when a celebrity hasn’t had a face-lift, then it’s not so far from the truth.

Thankfully, Green People have developed a natural, organic, anti-aging range, Age Defy+, designed to improve our skin’s complexion and tone. They state “60% of what you put on your skin my enter your bloodstream!” and warn that “it is actually worse to put toxins on your skin than to eat them” Why? Because “your liver breaks down harmful toxins in your food, but chemicals applied to your skin can pass directly into your bloodstream.”

Now, I have dry sensitive skin, as a child I suffered from eczema and today there are several popular anti-aging serums I can’t use, as they leave my skin red and puffy. Green People were kind enough to send me their Age Defy+ Renew & Radiate Gift Pack to try. I’ve been using it for the past 4 weeks:

Routine

• # Twice a week I would wash my face and neck with Soft Buff Skin Exfoliator (the remaining time I used my normal cleanser)
• # Morning – I moisturised my face and neck using Hydrate & Renew Serum, and then I followed with Cell Enrich Facial Oil.
• # Evening – I just used the Cell Enrich Facial Oil.

The Products

Soft Buff Exfoliator (£19.95 for 30ml)

The key ingredients are Pineapple and Bamboo Stem extract to remove dead skin cells and Bentonite Clay to unblock congested pores. The exfoliator has enough grit to feel like it’s removing your dead skin cells without being too harsh. My sensitive skin was never red after using it, instead it felt clean and comfortable.

Hydrate & Renew Serum (£34.95 for 30ml)

This product contains the wonder ingredient Beech Bud extract known as the “Everlasting Youth Tree” when this product was tested a “10% wrinkle reduction was observed.” The serum glided easily onto the skin, just taking a few seconds to sink in. Surprisingly it felt very refreshing and light, despite being an intense moisturiser. I really liked the wonderful aroma of Geranium and Lavender.

Cell Enrich Facial Oil (£29.95 for 30ml)

Contains Rosehip oil to promote cell regeneration, and Perilla and Blackcurrent Seed oil rich in antioxidants to increase skin elasticity. The combination of the serum and oil created a good base for my foundation, which went on easily and without any residue. Like the serum, the oil is infused with Lavender and Geranium and so was wonderfully relaxing to put on before bed. I had to be careful about the amount of oil I used, as initially I ended up with a couple of spots. When I reduced the amount to one pump, my skin cleared and it easily covered my face and neck.

The Evidence

Green People have studied the Beech Bud extract in the Hydrate & Renew Serum. 20 women took part in the study over 4 weeks, and the reduction in wrinkles was measured using image analysis and replica skin prints. From a scientific perspective, though, it would be impossible to ever do a real clinical trial on an anti aging products. There are too many confounding factors involved; lifestyle, skin type and diet to name a few. Additionally, the aim is to make the skin look younger and the ultimate evidence of a randomised trial comparing those who do and don’t use the cream over several years is practically infeasible. Instead we have to rely on experience, our own and those creating the products we buy.

The Verdict

The main difference I noticed was to my neck. Where previously I had started to look a little bird like, the lines were certainly less visible after using these products. Thankfully, I had no redness or soreness on my face. As for value for money, you can spend a pretty sum on anti aging products and these are certainly very reasonably priced. The facial oil I received was only 5ml and it lasted for 3 weeks, therefore a whole bottle would easily last 4 months. I would certainly consider including these products into my daily skincare regime.