The largest manufacturer of aloe vera in the world
Operating in over 150 countries
Avoiding the use of herbicides and pesticides
Guaranteed aloe quality
Over 9.5 million Forever Business Owners
A variety of awards
Forever’s key to success is a commitment to quality and purity. The products start with 100% inner leaf gel, delicately adding just enough other ingredients to produce outstanding products.
Forever is so confident in the quality of its products that we offer a complete 60-day money-back guarantee.
As the leaves shift to their golden hues and we begin reaching for our winter coats, it's safe to say that autumn has arrived. While most people will think about changing up their wardrobe to accommod...
As the leaves shift to their golden hues and we begin reaching for our winter coats, it's safe to say that autumn has arrived. While most people will think about changing up their wardrobe to accommodate the colder weather, we often forget the impact this change has on our skin. Our skin reacts differently to various temperatures, which is vital to remember when looking at our current skincare routines.
Everyone's skin is different, but the fundamentals of good skincare will be the same for everyone.
Here are our tips for great skin during transitional seasons:
With the summer having ended, we find ourselves back in our normal routines of work and home life. Many of us have done the initial DX4 and found it really helped to reset and refocus our mi...
With the summer having ended, we find ourselves back in our normal routines of work and home life. Many of us have done the initial DX4 and found it really helped to reset and refocus our mindsets, goals, and priorities. But the DX4 isn't meant for just a onetime experience, but for something that can assist us several times a year. One way to take the DX4 to a new level is to plan a personal retreat.
As a certified wellness coach, I have been taking personal retreats since I was in my 20’s from one to four times a year. It was a new idea for me—to go away for a few nights and set aside time to process my life and career in an uninterrupted way. After my first time, I was hooked, and I have made it part of my rhythm during the various seasons each year.
My husband actually introduced me to the concept as he had found a retreat centre in his hometown that was a respite from the big city life. It offered a place that presented a serene, quiet environment plus your own room that was away from the distractions of daily living. Though email didn’t exist at the time, I started taking these retreats as it was a place away from work and normal demands like laundry. And everywhere I have lived since, I have always managed to find a place that I could get away to, even if it was for one night. Some have been free, like a friend’s house who had an extra guest room, some were places like an inexpensive Airbnb with a nice view, while others have been actual retreat centres. I’ve even done a few at home during the day but made sure to create boundaries such as no electronics (phone, social media, TV) and no household chores, but I have to admit that getting away is a lot easier and more enjoyable! The purpose of all of them is to be free of my normal distractions and get out of my environment so I can focus on personal growth and processing.
Forever’s new DX4 system, which aims to help you create a personal reset holistically, is an ideal partner for a personal retreat.
Tips for a personal retreat to help you create a time to ‘reset, rejuvenate and renew’:
Forever’s DX4 body balancing system has been designed to help you become more aware of your body, encouraging you to be more present while you eat, move and go about your day. A few weeks back I took...
Forever’s DX4 body balancing system has been designed to help you become more aware of your body, encouraging you to be more present while you eat, move and go about your day. A few weeks back I took this opportunity to hit pause, to reflect and decide what aspects of my nutritional lifestyle could use some tweaking having returned from an indulgent and full-on 10 days in Italy for my daughter’s wedding. I decided to view it as a home-based mini-retreat, and a time to focus, re-set, break some habits and develop a more mindful approach to my nutrition.
So, a month on how am I doing? Have I gone back to my old ways or are there habits I’ve held onto?
Those of you who read my earlier blogs documenting my experience will remember that I had set some goals around hydration and eating more mindfully. I have held onto both of these good habits and have even adopted some others along the way. I have never been a big one to drink water. I think I quipped in an earlier blog that I thought I might have been drowned as a witch in a previous life as I seemed to be unable to drink a glass of water without choking. What is interesting is that I have managed to make water both more interesting (by adding a slice of fresh orange to my water jug) and in fact seem to have developed a thirst for water so that I am quite naturally consuming more. I am definitely more in tune with my body’s signals, my tendency would always been to have reached for a snack confusing dehydration with being hungry. I am now aware of my thirst and giving my body what it actually needs not what I think it needs. This is revolutionary for me. As a consequence, I have more energy. Recently I did a 6.30am yoga class, played 18 holes of golf and still had energy for an evening of doubles tennis. Whilst I might have done this in the past, I would have really paid the price the next day but on this occasion I found I woke the next day with no obvious signs of fatigue, rising at the same hour and feeling just as energised.
The mindfulness aspect has been particularly powerful for me. I no longer eat on the move, and sit down to eat giving my food my full attention. This has paid dividends. I am eating more slowly and because of this, chewing my food more thoroughly (our digestion starts in the mouth and many nutritionists would advise that the simplest way to support our digestion is to chew our food more). While this may make me sound like a ruminating bovine the added plus is that I am enjoying my food more, am more aware of the flavours and feel more satisfied as a result. No more finishing at break neck speed with the thought ‘what could I eat now?’ wafting across the screen of my mind.
I have also introduced an almost daily yoga practice in the mornings which has really impacted me in a positive way. This has happened quite organically and I have simply felt drawn to do this to replace my gym workouts. It’s early days and but I have more clarity and am hoping that it will start to ripple into better sleeping. What I am most pleased about however is how my relationship with food has changed, I don’t beat myself up if I make less than healthy choices but I am finding the frequency of those choices has decreased and I have a genuine desire to fuel my body and mind more healthily, and that is definitely a shift that has come as a result of four days of DX4. Would I do it again? Absolutely, it has far exceeded my initial expectations, and I’m delighted to have held onto some good habits as a result.
With International Women’s Day just around the corner, we interviewed a particularly inspiring woman who just so happens to be our Forever Living Ambassador! Jill Scott, recently awarded an MBE, is a...
With International Women’s Day just around the corner, we interviewed a particularly inspiring woman who just so happens to be our Forever Living Ambassador!
Jill Scott, recently awarded an MBE, is a professional football player for England and Manchester City who has seen her fair share of challenges over the years. Curious to know how she’s overcome these challenges, as well as what keeps her focused and motivated, we sat down with Jill to get an understanding of who her own inspirations are and why she believes everyone should have a great role model to look up to.
Who inspired you to play football?
I always say that I never really made the decision to play football, I just always had a football at my feet. My family were always so supportive which I am really grateful for, and when I told my mum at 7 or 8 that I wanted to be a footballer she was probably thinking to herself ‘well, how is that going to happen?’ but she never let me give up on my dream.
When you were nine years old, you were told you weren’t allowed to continue playing on the boys’ team. What made you want to continue playing and how did you manage?
I just didn’t take no for an answer. I was quite a defiant child, so there was no way that I wouldn’t play. I am still a bit like that now, if I want to do something then I am doing it, and I think as an athlete you have to have that side to you. I wouldn’t like to think of it as selfish, but I think you have got to have that determination. I always knew that this is what I wanted to do, so when things looked like they were going to stop me; for example there being no girls teams for me to play for, and the boys giving you a bit of grief for playing football, I kind of just took it on the chin and looked for another option. So, I think that is the main thing: never take no for an answer.
Were there any other setbacks you overcame and how?
I think as I have got older, I have learned not to overthink things. Sometimes things can happen and you think ‘this is the worst thing in the world’ because this is your reality, but I think in the grand scheme of things, if you sit back and think about things logically, then 9 times out of 10 you can come up with a solution, so I do try to be a positive thinker. I am not saying that I don’t have days when I get down, but I just always try and think about the solution rather than the problem.
Who is your female role model?
A lot of young girls now are able to have female role models, especially in sport and football, whereas when I was younger, I didn’t really have any female role models that were footballers, because it wasn’t as popular as it was now.
My role models were actually athletes: Kelly Holmes and Paula Radcliff, because I admire the dedication that they give to the sport, it’s incredible. Then watching Kelly Holmes win the double in the Olympics – that was a great moment for women in sport, so they are my inspiration.
Do you think it’s important for young women to have female role models in football?
Growing up, my role model in football was David Beckham - I just loved how he was a role model away from the pitch as well as on it, and I think that is something that I have always tried to be as well. When I am not playing, I’m making sure I am kind to people and someone they can look up to. I think as long as people have a role model, it doesn’t matter what their gender is. If it is someone that they look up to, see things that they aspire to be like, and to better themselves when they grow older, it doesn’t matter what sex they are.
Your soccer camps allow girls to express themselves and achieve their dreams – why was this so important to you to set these up?
When I was younger, I was the only girl and there would be about 30 boys, so you firstly had to overcome that, and try to prove yourself as a girl footballer. Then once you have overcome that, you can finally enjoy it. I set up a Soccer Camp for some girls and one of the parents said ‘she is just so much more confident now that she is here playing football with all the other girls, we have seen another side to her’. I think that is what made me keep he camp as girls only, but I think in the future, I would like to maybe coach boys as well as and girls. But it just felt right that I set this up for girls at this moment in time, because I wanted to give them more confidence; some girls weren’t even wanting to play football, but then when they knew that the camps were girls only and they could play and make new friends, it gave them a bit of confidence.
Do you have any other plans to expand what you are doing with the soccer camps?
I would love to expand them. At the minute it is just a matter of timing. I ran a couple of Soccer Camps over the half term, and I really enjoyed them – I probably enjoy them as much as the kids actually – and it’s just about passing on what I know. I have done quite a lot in my career and have learned a lot of lessons along the way so I think if I can just pass on little bits of advice that can help them in any way then it is a really rewarding thing to do. When I come away from those camps, I do feel really fulfilled with how the day has gone so there will definitely be plans to extend them in the future.
Do you see yourself as a role model for the girls you teach?
I don’t see it in that way, I still feel like that seven-year-old girl that loved to play football, I have just got a bit bigger and older, and it is still weird now. People ask for pictures and autographs and you get messages saying that you are inspirational, and it does feel surreal, but I will always give my time to everyone. I once read a quote that said: ‘always aim to inspire before you expire’ so I live by that, and I always try to be a role model every day.
Can you tell us a bit more about your MBE?
I haven’t collected it yet; I go middle of March to collect it and I think I am still in shock about it. It was a really nice Christmas present to hear that I was going to be getting one and to see some of the names that are going to be there. I went down to Westminster and met some of the people that are being awarded with these MBE and there were famous names, and there were also people with incredible stories. One of the women there was getting hers for getting girls into sport, and really going out of her way to put in the hours, even when no one was watching, just because she had this real passion to get girls into sports. So it was nice to meet her, because I suppose I am just the product of someone taking a chance on me when I was younger and I think listening to peoples’ stories was incredible. But it was a dead proud moment and I know my family are dead proud too.
You mentioned about meeting a lot of people with inspiring stories, you yourself are really inspiring, so how do you stay so down to earth?
I don’t really think about it like that to be honest. I would like to think that when people meet me, they think that I am very down to earth. I have done a few adverts recently for big brands, so people recognise me a little bit more, but I never think of myself as being bigger than anyone else. I think one thing is that I have got a lot of friends who work in different jobs, like in hospitals and work a 12 hour shift, seeing people that have had accidents and are poorly, and they are the people that should be getting the recognition, really whereas I just kick a ball around. We have so many incredible people that do amazing jobs out there that go unnoticed that I think they deserve more than they get, so that is what keeps me grounded.
We’ve teamed up with Jill Scott to launch a competition for International Women’s Day. Tell us in the comments below or on our social media channels which lady in your life inspires you, and most importantly, why they’re such an inspiration for the chance to win two of our Infinite By Forever Advanced Skincare Systems (one for you and one for the special lady in your life) as well as a luxurious spa day package for two AND a signed Jill Scott football shirt!
Winter can be tough on your skin. We don’t just miss the sunshine because it makes everything look good – the lack of sunshine can make our skin tone feel dull, and all that cold wind and rain can le...
Winter can be tough on your skin. We don’t just miss the sunshine because it makes everything look good – the lack of sunshine can make our skin tone feel dull, and all that cold wind and rain can leave us with dried out, flaky skin.
That’s where a solid skincare routine can come in to help combat some of those issues. Morning and night, day in, day out, looking after your skin is important. Follow this process for the ultimate look-better-feel-better routine…
As the frantic festive season comes to an abrupt end, we brace ourselves for the usual onslaught of cliché New Year’s resolutions which undoubtedly feature some sort of ‘get fit’ pledge. However, desp...
As the frantic festive season comes to an abrupt end, we brace ourselves for the usual onslaught of cliché New Year’s resolutions which undoubtedly feature some sort of ‘get fit’ pledge. However, despite our good intentions only 8%* of us will actually achieve the goals we set in January.
Structure – The programme provides clear direction to help you stay focused on what you want to achieve. Start with the C9 to kick-start your new healthy lifestyle before moving on to a programme of your choice from F15 – this is designed to help you create positive changes for life.
Feel-good factor – The abundance of nutritious food and exercise within the programme will undoubtedly increase your serotonin levels, helping to boost your mood and regulate your sleep cycle.
Increased confidence – Seeing the results that you desire will have a huge impact on your self-confidence and will leave you feeling amazing!
Sociable – The programme is the perfect plan to embark on with a friend. You will be more likely to stick to it if you keep each other accountable and it will give you both a competitive edge, making it extra motivational.
Overall health – Most fitness professionals will tell you that the main benefit of being healthy is how great it makes you feel and that looking good is a welcome side-effect. Eating a healthy diet and taking regular exercise will massively impact your overall health for the better.
Education – This programme will educate you on both nutrition and exercise in order to lay the foundations of life-long good habits.
Increased productivity – Exercising regularly can help you to feel more alert and increase your ability to concentrate for longer periods of time.
Learn the importance of goal-setting – Having both a long-term and short-term vision will help you to stay on track with the programme and keep you motivated.
Good for your mental health – Regular exercise can boost your mood if you have depression & reduce your risk of stress, dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.*
Face masks have been around for a long time. We’ve all seen one before, whether that’s in shops, in films or on social media. Perhaps you’d assumed that the face mask had already had its heyday? Well...
Face masks have been around for a long time. We’ve all seen one before, whether that’s in shops, in films or on social media. Perhaps you’d assumed that the face mask had already had its heyday? Well that is absolutely not the case. In fact, we are seeing incredible growth in the market for face masks and it’s still growing.
The numbers behind the face mask boom
The UK face mask industry is growing every year. The UK buyer base is thought to be 6.1 million customers, which is around 10% of the population. This number increased by 1.1 million between August 2017 and August 2018 alone. Kantar Worldpanel have also suggested that face masks are the fastest growing format in facial skincare this year.
This boost is not all due to female buyers though, with 43% more men buying masks in the last year. The male face mask market is now worth 5.7 million and this is likely to grow as more men take an interest in skincare.
It’s also interesting to note that the average spend per consumer is increasing year on year as well. This year, average spend increased by 94p to an average annual spend of £5.14. It is worth noting here, that face masks can vary heavily on price, with the lower end of the market costing around £1 and the higher end upwards of £20 per mask. The differences in price will most likely reflect the quality of the masks, however the variations could also be due to the types of masks consumers are buying.
Lots of choice for face masks
There are so many different types of face masks that it can be hard to know which type to choose. The more traditional type is a clay or gel mask. With these, you rub the mask onto your face and leave for the recommended time. To remove, you either wash off with water or, if the mask dries as you wear it, peel it off. Our Sonya Refining Gel Mask could be considered an example of a gel mask, however it is specifically designed to be worn overnight as opposed to most other gel or clay masks which are only designed to be worn for around 20 minutes.
The newest trend in face masks is the sheet mask. Originating in Korea, these face masks have really gained popularity over the last few years especially. They look exactly as they sound: you take the mask out of the packaging, unfold it and place it over your face like a sheet. Sheet masks can be made out of lots of different materials from foil, to cotton, to bio-cellulose fibres. Essentially, these masks create a barrier over your skin, so that the ingredients can get to work without burden from the outside world. Therefore, if you’re thinking of using a sheet mask, it’s very important to consider the ingredients you’re putting onto your skin.
Forever’s Aloe Bio-Cellulose Mask
A bio-cellulose sheet mask is made from natural fibres that are 1,000 times thinner than human hair. Not only does this mean that the masks are bio-degradable and compostable, but, due to their superfine fibres, they can also reach areas of your skin that other masks cannot reach. Forever’s Aloe Bio-Cellulose Mask also fuses pure aloe and seagrass with the bio-cellulose fibres to soothe, soften and condition skin.
This environmentally-friendly mask has also been enriched by a moisturising serum of green tea and horse chestnut that rejuvenates dull skin by combatting the signs of ageing and reducing the appearance of redness. Once you are finished with the mask, there’s no need to rinse like you would with a clay or gel mask, simply remove and massage any excess serum into your skin. And, if there’s any serum left in the packet, don’t just throw it out! You can apply the serum to any part of the body, so why not give the rest of your skin a treat?
With all of the innovation and new face mask products available, it’s no wonder that this area of skincare is growing so rapidly, and our Aloe Bio-Cellulose Mask is a truly unique product in this market.
Have you tried the Aloe Bio-Cellulose Mask yet? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
The world of skincare is constantly evolving. Sometimes it feels like every week we are offered some new miracle product, a new saviour of the skin. However, everybody’s skin is different and what wor...
The world of skincare is constantly evolving. Sometimes it feels like every week we are offered some new miracle product, a new saviour of the skin. However, everybody’s skin is different and what works for others, may not always work for you. So, it can be hard to tell whether these new miracle products will truly help with your skin woes. Well, we are here to tell you, that if you have combination or oily skin, gel-based skincare is one trend that you can really get behind.
What is gel-based skincare?
Gels are not exactly a new invention in skincare; they’ve been around for at least the last few years, becoming especially prevalent within the last year. One of the main elements that differentiates gels from other skincare products is that they are usually oil-free.
Cream moisturisers will generally contain oil as they are often designed for deeper hydration, and this can sometimes mean that they sit on the surface of the skin a bit longer while they are absorbed. In contrast, gel moisturisers are often water-based, and this helps them to absorb into the skin much quicker. Other gel skincare products can have similar results, leaving the skin feeling refreshed, rather than weighed down.
Three types of skin
You may be surprised to learn that there are only three skin types: oily, dry and combination. Perhaps you’ve heard people refer to their skin as normal before? Well, ‘normal’ skin doesn’t exist. This is simply a marketing term, and your ‘normal-skinned’ friends actually have combination skin.
Combination skin can be oily, dry, both or neither, and as such, often it can be hard to find skincare products to suit all the different areas of the skin. This is where gel skincare comes in. For oily or combination skin especially, gel-based skincare is great as the absence of oil in the formulas means no excess oil is being added to the skin.
Gel moisturisers - lightweight and easily absorbed
How many times have you put on moisturiser and then had to wait ages for it to dry before you can finish the rest of your morning routine? And, if you apply makeup afterwards, have you ever found that although your skin feels hydrated, your makeup starts to slip part way through the day? Most likely those experiences took place while you were using a cream-based moisturiser, so perhaps it’s time to give gel a go.
Gel moisturisers are easily absorbed by the skin, making them a great base for your makeup. They don’t sit on top of the skin like some creams would, they simply leave you with gorgeous, hydrated skin that feels clean and rejuvenated. Plus, there’s no waiting around for your skin to dry after applying, so you can get straight on to the next step in your beauty regime.
Revolutionary gel-based formulas
The benefits of gel-based skincare can stretch further than just lightweight and oil-free formulas. Our Sonya Daily Skincare uses a revolutionary gel-based carrier in each of its four products, and as well as fast absorption and gorgeously hydrated skin, this gel carrier also provides some benefits specific to the Sonya range.
Our Sonya Illuminating Gel contains a range of carefully selected Asian botanicals which help to brighten the skin. These botanicals would naturally separate from each other in a petri dish, but the gel allows them to bond together. Then, once applied to the skin, they disperse to wherever they are needed most. In addition, the gel in our Sonya Refreshing Gel Cleanser helps to cleanse the face without stripping the skin of its natural oils. This means that when you wash with the cleanser, your face is left feeling refreshed and clean, rather than dry and tight.
For those with combination or oily skin, the benefits of gel skincare are plentiful, and our Sonya Daily Skincare products, with their revolutionary gel-based carrier, can help balance the normal fluctuations in combination skin.
What are your thoughts on gel-based skincare? Has it worked for you in the past or would you like to give it a try? Let us know in the comments!
No doubt you’ve heard countless times from your parents and medical professionals that your immune system is important. Even if it’s never been mentioned outright, it’s been inferred. We all generall...
No doubt you’ve heard countless times from your parents and medical professionals that your immune system is important. Even if it’s never been mentioned outright, it’s been inferred. We all generally have an idea of what the immune system does – it fights infections and illnesses for us – but we may not have an in-depth understanding of exactly how it works and what it’s doing for us day-to-day.
How does the immune system actually work?
Your immune system recognises every cell that makes up your body. If it finds anything it doesn’t recognise, it attacks it. Sometimes it can get this wrong and attack harmless pollen particles (causing hay fever) or donated blood or organs. However, in general your immune system will be pretty good at this.
Your immune system can be divided up into two parts: innate response and acquired response. The innate response is the part that decides whether something is friend or foe. If it decides on foe, it tries to flush out the invader and this is generally what makes you feel feverish or snotty. The acquired response acts when the invaders have been recognised. It identifies which cells in your body can kill the invaders and then sends them in, much like a SWAT team. There are lots of claims online that things like getting more sleep, taking supplements and drinking more water can help to improve your immune system, but often, robust evidence for these quick-fixes can be hard to find. So, what does work?
A healthy lifestyle is your first line of defence
The best method for maintaining a healthy immune system is to keep yourself healthy by eating a balanced diet and getting regular exercise. A varied diet will ensure you are getting all the vitamins and minerals your body needs in order to stay healthy. Certain vitamins and minerals contribute to the normal function of the immune system, including copper, folate, iron, selenium, vitamin A, vitamin B12, vitamin B6, vitamin C, vitamin D and zinc. Some will be more helpful here than others, but that’s why a balanced diet is the best option here, as you’ll get a bit of everything.
Getting regular exercise is important for your immune system because it increases the activity of helpful immune cells in your body. Improving your circulation and getting your heart beating more sends these cells out to patrol the body, looking for potential problems. The NHS notes that adults between 19 and 64 require both aerobic and strength exercises. They recommend at least 150 minutes of aerobic activity per week, in addition to separate strength exercises. Whilst both types of activity are important for general wellbeing, which is also important for your immune system, it’s the aerobic activity that will really get those immune cells moving about.
Your microbiota is on your side
We have mentioned in another of our blogs that cultivating the good bacteria in your gut is essential to your overall health and wellbeing, but how does this relate to the immune system? Well, the microbiota in your gut can help to defend you from infection in more ways than one. For one thing, they take up space in your gut, so it’s difficult for disease-causing bugs to find anywhere to establish themselves. They also secrete toxic proteins that kill off potential infections, and, finally, they regulate the signals of our innate response (the one that flushes out invaders). Some scientists have suggested that the reason why you and your friend may react differently to the same infection is down to a difference in microbiota. One way to complement your microbiota is to take Forever Active Pro-B. It’s the perfect high-quality friendly bacteria supplement to assist with your diet and lifestyle goals.
Vaccinations can help prevent problems
We mentioned earlier that the acquired response identifies cells within the body that can attack and kill invaders, well, often this process can take a few days or longer to complete. Vaccines work by introducing your acquired response to harmless versions of the infection, so that your body produces antibodies and learns how to fight it. This way, if you ever come into contact with the disease again, your immune system knows how to fight it and acts a lot quicker.
It’s clear that there’s no quick fix for boosting your immune system. The only real answer is to eat well, exercise regularly, look after your microbiome and make sure you have the correct vaccinations. Not so surprising when you think about it, is it?
What’s the silliest quick fix you’ve heard for boosting your immune system? Let us know in the comments below.
Many of us consider our gut to be simply an automated food processing system that, at best, does little more than digest our food and at worst, is the source of discomfort and illness. But have you ev...
Many of us consider our gut to be simply an automated food processing system that, at best, does little more than digest our food and at worst, is the source of discomfort and illness. But have you ever considered that your intestine is your largest organ? Its average length is greater than the width of a tennis court and its surface area is approximately 200 times the surface area of your skin. So why is our gut health so important? There is increasing emerging evidence that the size and complexity of our gut plays a vital role in more than just nutrient absorption; it’s also connected to our immune system, mental health and general wellbeing.
Nutrient absorption – we are what we absorb, not just what we eat
Taking the food we eat and processing it so that we can absorb and utilise the nutrients is the most obvious role of our gut. Having been broken down by the acidic stomach, the majority of nutrient absorption takes place in our small intestine, but this absorption varies between 10-90% depending upon the health of our intestine.
Three ways to increase nutrient absorption:
Drink a glass of water 30 minutes before each meal. This will prime the digestive system
Chew your food for longer. This will boost the digestion process and food will taste better
Avoid caffeine and alcohol whilst eating
Exercise regularly
Vary your diet with lots of nutrient dense vegetables and berries
Avoid refined sugar and processed food.
There may be over 400 species of aloe plant found in dry regions throughout the world, but there is only one species that has been recognised for being particularly beneficial to humans and animals –...
There may be over 400 species of aloe plant found in dry regions throughout the world, but there is only one species that has been recognised for being particularly beneficial to humans and animals – Aloe Barbadensis. This type of aloe is known for its natural soothing, cooling and moisturising abilities, and although it looks like a cactus, this succulent is actually part of the lily family and related to onions, garlic and asparagus.
The history of aloe vera
The aloe vera plant has been known and used for centuries for its health, beauty, medicinal and skincare properties. The name ‘aloe’ derives from the Arabic word ‘alloeh’, meaning ‘shining bitter substance’, while ‘vera’ in Latin means ‘true’. Aloe vera originated in the Arabian Peninsula, where it evolved in a dry climate to form incredibly succulent properties. Today, aloe vera is one of the most popular supplements sold in Europe and for good reason, in fact humans have been recording the benefits of this plant for centuries. There are examples of aloe vera in Egyptian tombs, the Bible and in famous ancient Greek, Roman, Chinese and Indian herbals texts. Also, many Eastern women have used aloe vera as a beauty secret for decades; the beauty and strength of Cleopatra is the stuff of legends!
Aloe vera the plant
The aloe vera plant is one of the most studied herbs in the natural products category. Once an adult aloe vera plant reaches maturity, its height will be around 30 inches.
The aloe vera plant is made of essentially four different components: rind, sap, mucilage and parenchyma gel. The rind is a waxy outer layer that acts as protection and it is fifteen cells thick. Just inside the rind is a fluid called sap, this is neither sweet nor particularly sticky and it’s actually quite bitter. Below the sap is mucilage containing acemannan – acemannan carries beneficial properties relating to immune health – and this layer is usually filleted to reveal inner gel known as the parenchyma, a clear, gel-like substance. The gel part gives the plant the ability to hold moisture for a very long period of time.
Scientists have identified more than 75 active nutrients in the leaf gel and these compounds work synergistically to provide soothing and therapeutic benefits. These compounds include amino acids, enzymes, lignin, saponins, anthraquinones, minerals, vitamins, fatty acids and salicylic acids.
Harvesting and the production of aloe vera
If aloe vera leaves are harvested by hand, the plant itself will not be destroyed as only the outer leaves will be separated from the plant. About every two months, three-to-four leaves of an aloe plant can be taken but the rest must remain to ensure that the same plant can be repeatedly harvested over a period of eight-to-ten years.
Once the aloe has been harvested, it can be used to produce aloe-based products including skincare and drinks. There are many different aloe juices and gels on the market, and taste and purity can depend upon what part of the aloe leaf is used. Aloe vera juice is often made from the whole leaf, including the outer leaf that contains a bitter yellow substance known as aloin. The best ingredient to look out for is pure inner leaf gel as this carries the most benefits and is purer in taste. By cutting away the outer leaf, you are removing most of the yellowish aloin substance making the gel pleasant, healthy, and safe for consumption.
Benefits of aloe vera
Below are some of the most well-known benefits of aloe:
It’s great for shiny glowing skin, hair and nails.
Aloe vera is very succulent meaning it’s perfect as a soothing digestive aid for gastrointestinal health.
It carries cleansing and purifying properties.
It promotes health and wellbeing.
It helps support immune function.
Aloe supports skin health.
Eight essential amino acids are found in aloe vera.
According to M.D. Lauren Fine, a board-certified dermatologist at Chicago Cosmetic Surgery and Dermatology, aloe vera can help improve skin health.
Forever is so excited to announce that we have welcomed a new UK F.I.T. Ambassador to the team! He won the rugby World Cup, was awarded with an MBE for his services to the sport and is an active anti-...
Forever is so excited to announce that we have welcomed a new UK F.I.T. Ambassador to the team! He won the rugby World Cup, was awarded with an MBE for his services to the sport and is an active anti-bullying campaigner. Ben Cohen is a former England rugby star who has achieved phenomenal success in the sporting world. However, his life hasn’t always been plain sailing and he has had to overcome many obstacles in both his personal and professional life.
Kate Hodge, Forever UK’s Editor, recently caught up with Ben to talk about his talent for rugby, the importance of mindset, his love for Forever products and more! This exclusive and candid interview can be found in the latest copy of Aloe Matters (issue seventeen), available to buy here.
During this interview, Ben reveals how he got into rugby by accident at the tender age of twelve after watching his friend play and being asked by the games teacher to make up numbers! This was his first ever game of rugby, and one which he really enjoyed. From this, he went on to play junior rugby for Northampton Old Scouts RFC and as a result went on to play for Northampton Saints, win the Heineken Cup and then successfully secured a place on the England squad!
Like all successful sportsmen and women, Ben has a strong understanding of the importance of mindset and revealed that the winning mentality is all about detail. He explains that knowing your game and your own strengths and weaknesses is vital and can make you indestructible. Ben’s strong work ethic also helped to shape his mindset during the height of his career and stresses that nothing comes easily, and you should work hard at everything you do.
Ben’s wisdom, success and dedication make him the perfect fit for Forever and we are delighted to have him on board! When asked why he decided to become a Forever F.I.T. Ambassador, his reply was simple: “I’m doing it because I love the products!”
Below are some interesting facts about Ben you may not know…
Ben played rugby for England during the 2003 World Cup. The final, England verses Australia, was won by England, 20-17.
Ben has three daughters: twins Harriette and Isabelle (aged 9) and Milena (aged 1).
Ben’s uncle, George Cohen, played for the England football team in the 1966 World Cup.
Ben is clinically deaf and has 53% hearing loss in each ear.
Tragically, in November 2000, Ben’s dad, Peter Cohen, was fatally assaulted whilst protecting someone else.
As a young child, Ben lived in Spain and when they moved back to the UK his date of birth was recorded incorrectly. He ended up being in the school year above the one he should have been.
In March 2016, Ben won Channel 4’s series ‘The Jump’.
Ben took part in the 2013 series of Strictly Come Dancing.
Ben has completed the C9 five times in total.
Ben is passionate about putting a stop to bullying, particularly homophobia.
Ben played rugby for over twenty years before retiring in 2011.
As we all know, ageing is an inevitable process that we cannot stop, slow down or pause – it is a fact of life whether we like it or not. In modern day society, we have become fixated on the ageing pr...
As we all know, ageing is an inevitable process that we cannot stop, slow down or pause – it is a fact of life whether we like it or not. In modern day society, we have become fixated on the ageing process from a cosmetic point of view since most people associate youth with looking and feeling better. One survey*, carried out by the Anti-Ageing Health and Beauty Show, found that wrinkles and loss of skin elasticity were among the top anti-ageing concerns amongst British women. Although the process of ageing cannot be controlled, we now know that we can help to prevent the visible signs of ageing thanks to the evolution of science. Using the best of both science and natural ingredients, Forever has created an innovative range of advanced skincare that focuses on the issue of ageing skin. Infinite by Forever is our new line of skincare which uses peptides, natural minerals, botanicals and desert plants which work synergistically with the key ingredient of aloe, to increase its efficacy and benefits.
One of the key findings of research into skincare has found that hydration is vital in helping skin to appear younger and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Picture your skin as a juicy plum: moisturised, taut and smooth. This fruit represents young, healthy skin. However, as we age, our skin loses moisture faster. Add in environmental factors like pollution and the sun and our skin loses elasticity, lustre and firmness. Dry, ageing skin appears dull and is more prone to wrinkles and fine lines – just like a plum that’s been stripped of its moisture. Whilst we can’t turn back the hands of time, we can restore skin’s moisture balance, stimulate healthy collagen levels and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles – making your skin appear more like a freshly picked plum!
This fruit analogy explains how the hydrating ingredients in Forever’s anti-ageing products help skin to appear radiant and youthful. Whilst topical products are key to caring for your skin, we also know that to deliver a truly powerful skincare regime, we need to combat ageing from the inside out. Forever’s first ever beauty supplement, Firming Complex, contains a proprietary blend of French melon concentrate, biotin, phytoceramides, Vitamin C and marine collagen. Taking collagen orally has been shown to reduce the appearance in the depth of facial wrinkles and increase skin’s bounce, flexibility and hydration. The role of biotin is also important as it contributes to the maintenance of normal skin. Added to this, Vitamin C contributes to the normal collagen formation for the normal function of skin.
In an age where fifty is the new forty, people are feeling younger than ever before and they want their appearance to reflect this. What are your main anti-ageing concerns and have you tried our new Infinite by Forever range yet? We would love to hear from you so please post your comments below.
*http://www.onlinebeautyworld.com/Anti-Ageing%20Health%20&%20Beauty%20Show%20Survey%202014.pdf
Kate Lewis is no stranger to the world of health and beauty, having previously worked for global cosmetic giants including the likes of Estée Lauder and Benefit cosmetics. Kate is a qualified beauty t...
Kate Lewis is no stranger to the world of health and beauty, having previously worked for global cosmetic giants including the likes of Estée Lauder and Benefit cosmetics. Kate is a qualified beauty therapist (NVQ level 2 and 3), holds an HND in theatrical and media makeup and she has worked at Forever as a Product Specialist for just over two years. As part of her role, Kate is based in Business Owner Support and responds to all product enquiry emails and calls. She liaises with the Home Office for support and information from their product development team and she assists the Marketing Department from time to time with product based videos and articles.
Marine Mask by Forever Living
I’m a huge fan of face masks as they are such a great way to indulge in a well-deserved pamper. The everyday stresses of modern life can often leave our skin looking dull and feeling dehydrated, and I find that the best way to combat these environmental factors is to use a mask that focuses on hydrating and soothing the skin.
The Forever Marine Mask is fantastic as it provides a deep-cleansing experience whilst balancing the skin’s texture. I love the fact that it contains natural sea minerals such as sea kelp and algae. Sea minerals are well known for their soothing properties and are ideal to help calm blemishes and sensitive skin. It also has the super moisturising and conditioning properties of aloe vera, honey and cucumber extract – an incredible combination which smells amazing too!
How to apply the Marine Mask
The great thing about the Forever Marine Mask is that it is already mixed and can be applied directly onto clean, dry skin.
I apply this mask twice a week to my face when I feel like my skin needs a treat. The best way to apply the mask is to squeeze a generous amount of the mask onto the back of your hand, then apply a thick layer to the entire face avoiding the delicate eye area, lips and eyebrows. It is extremely easy-to-use and will leave your skin feeling refreshed and revitalised.
Once it has been applied to the skin, simply lie down and relax; leave the mask to dry for 15-20 minutes before gently removing it with a warm facial cloth and rinsing thoroughly. Pat the skin dry with a clean towel.
N.B The Forever Marine Mask contains ingredients produced by honeybees but otherwise it does not contain animal-derived ingredients.
Forever UK is excited to announce the launch of new innovative products to enhance its already impeccable range. The new products, officially launched at Forever’s 2017 Global Rally in Dubai, will soo...
Forever UK is excited to announce the launch of new innovative products to enhance its already impeccable range. The new products, officially launched at Forever’s 2017 Global Rally in Dubai, will soon be available to buy in the UK, so stay tuned for more information! In the meantime, explore Forever’s new products here.
The new products fall across three popular product categories: skincare, sports and weight management.
WHEN I WAKE UP… My alarm goes off at 7am and I always start the day with Forever Freedom while I prepare my breakfast shake of oats, banana, Forever Bee Honey, Forever Lite Ultra and water. I have th...
WHEN I WAKE UP…
My alarm goes off at 7am and I always start the day with Forever Freedom while I prepare my breakfast shake of oats, banana, Forever Bee Honey, Forever Lite Ultra and water. I have this shake after my first training session of the morning as it helps me to recover and refuel. I also have my Argi+ ready to take before and during my training session; I generally do one hour of cardio and swimming in the mornings to set me up for the day ahead.
WHEN I WAKE UP… I have team training sessions most mornings so I wake up between 6:00am and 6:30am before starting my day. I like to get some supplements in my system as quickly as possible so the f...
WHEN I WAKE UP…
I have team training sessions most mornings so I wake up between 6:00am and 6:30am before starting my day. I like to get some supplements in my system as quickly as possible so the first thing I reach for is Forever Arctic Sea and Forever Daily – I take these with a big shot of Forever Freedom. Then it’s time for some food! I will usually have some porridge with chopped up banana or blueberries mixed in, and sometimes I’ll add a scoop of Forever Lite Ultra. Once fuelled up I quickly get dressed and hop into the car to head to basketball practice. Practice will usually last from 8 ‘til 10am and whilst walking to practice I always have my Argi+ bottle filled with water and an Argi+* sachet to help energize me throughout my training session.
Forever’s iconic yellow and brown bottle has become synonymous with aloe vera, and rightfully so – after all, Forever Aloe Vera Gel contains 99.7% stabilised aloe! For almost forty years we have been...
Forever’s iconic yellow and brown bottle has become synonymous with aloe vera, and rightfully so – after all, Forever Aloe Vera Gel contains 99.7% stabilised aloe! For almost forty years we have been at the cutting edge of aloe production and we believe our patented stabilisation process sets us apart from the rest. In fact, we are so confident in the quality of our aloe that our Forever Business Owners can offer their customers an unconditional sixty day money back guarantee if they aren’t completely satisfied with the products. Here at Forever Living, we’ve always known that aloe vera is a pretty incredible plant, but a recent report from Expert Market Research has shown that the world’s love for aloe is also growing at a rapid rate. In fact, the global aloe vera market is predicted to reach $728 million by 2021.The same report also named Forever Living as being one of the top players in the supply of aloe, which comes as no surprise considering Forever Living produces over 60% of the world’s commercially grown aloe vera – now that’s a lot of aloe!
WHEN I WAKE UP… I am woken by my seven month old daughter Mila (short for Milena) at around 7am each morning. We go downstairs and I give her a bottle of milk before she has a play with her toys. I h...
WHEN I WAKE UP…
I am woken by my seven month old daughter Mila (short for Milena) at around 7am each morning. We go downstairs and I give her a bottle of milk before she has a play with her toys. I have a glass of water, some Forever Aloe Vera Gel and a glass of Forever Pomesteen Power before breakfast to set me up for the day ahead. My partner Ben and his daughters get up half an hour later to begin getting ready for school. Mornings in our household revolve around the children and making sure they are all sorted for the day.
WHEN I WAKE UP... My alarm goes off bright and early at 6:30am and I always start my day with a shot of Forever Aloe Vera Gel and various supplements. I take a cuppa upstairs to my wife Lindsey and w...
WHEN I WAKE UP...
My alarm goes off bright and early at 6:30am and I always start my day with a shot of Forever Aloe Vera Gel and various supplements. I take a cuppa upstairs to my wife Lindsey and wake my two sons for school. We then head downstairs and share a light breakfast together. Whilst the rest of the household are getting dressed, I take twenty minutes to myself to clear my thoughts, remind myself of my goals and write down my list of priorities before finishing off with a short meditation session. Lindsey and I take it in turns to do the school run and then it’s one hour of exercise followed by a Forever Lite Ultra shake.
DURING THE DAY…
Mid-morning to lunchtime is spent making new contacts and following up existing prospects for our Forever business. I will also put aside twenty minutes to schedule my key social media activity. I tend to take around forty-five minutes for lunch and then spend my afternoons meeting prospects for one-to-one sessions, Business Presentations (BPs) or planning meetings with my team. We finish work for the day at around 3:30pm so we can collect the boys from school and take them to after school sporting activities. I also take my second shake of the day around this time.
A TYPICAL EVENING…
We have a light evening meal sat down as a family. Our evenings are usually flexible but tend to involve at least an hour’s admin work each night on the computer and there is usually a BP or launch event going on, along with our rolling training webinar which we host on a Sunday night. I then do five minutes of back and core-strength exercises last thing at night, but ideally I’m in bed by 11pm for a few minutes reading.
THIS NEVER CHANGES…
My week is very structured but each day feels different. I change my workouts every four weeks and because we are meeting and working with different people all the time, I never get bored. The beginning and end to my days are like book ends and never change, but the middle of it can vary greatly. The only physical ailment I have suffered with over the years is my lower back so I always finish the day with my back stretches and core exercises.
Exercise is something that never changes in the sense that I always train six times a week regardless of whether or not I’m on holiday, and from a nutritional point of view I remain very consistent with three main meals and two shakes a day.
MY MOST MEMORABLE FOREVER MOMENT…
Getting a call from Forever’s home office asking if I’d consider becoming one of Forever’s Global F.I.T. Ambassadors!
As our awareness of the importance of healthy eating and exercise increases, consumers often find themselves bombarded with mountains of information that can often be overwhelming and difficult to dig...
As our awareness of the importance of healthy eating and exercise increases, consumers often find themselves bombarded with mountains of information that can often be overwhelming and difficult to digest (excuse the pun!).
If you would like to give your health a kick-start but are unsure of where to start, take a look at our ten simple food and drink swaps below. Whether you crave sugary treats or carb-laden comfort food, here are some ideas for making a more nutritious choice:
Use herbs and spices for flavouring instead of salt. Since too much salt can cause fluid retention and high blood pressure, switching to herbs and spices to jazz up your food is a much healthier option. With a vast amount of herbs and spices on offer, you are bound to find some winning combinations and it can be great fun experimenting and getting creative in the kitchen.
Swap sugary cereals for porridge. For a breakfast of champions, ditch the sugary cereals and create a bowl of delicious goodness instead. Use some plain, rolled oats with coconut or almond milk and scatter some mixed berries over the top for added yumminess and a phytonutrient-rich boost.
Use spiralised vegetables for spaghetti instead of pasta. Whilst whole-wheat pasta is great, white pasta is stripped of most of the nutrients during processing. Spiralising vegetables offers a good alternative if you would prefer a lighter meal and ensures you are getting one of your five a day.
Use avocado instead of mayonnaise. Next time you’re tempted to slather your sandwiches in mayo, reach for the avocado instead. It has the same deliciously creamy taste and texture as mayonnaise, but it’s packed with omega-3 and good fatty acids rather than unhealthy sugars and fats.
Trade fizzy drinks and squash for water. We all know how important it is to stay hydrated but there really is nothing better than good old H2O. Fizzy drinks and squash may quench your thirst, but they also contain an abundance of sugar and artificial chemicals! If you find plain water doesn’t do enough to tantalise your taste buds, then trying livening it up with a slice of lemon or a handful of berries.
Swap fruit yoghurt for plain yoghurt. Yoghurt is an excellent source of protein, calcium and vitamin B12, but flavoured yogurts often contain high amounts of sugar so stick to the plain stuff for a far healthier snack. Live yoghurt can also be beneficial for gut health, due to the abundance of ‘friendly bacteria’ which makes it one of nature’s finest probiotics.
Switch milk chocolate and sweet treats for dark chocolate (at least 70% cocoa). Not all chocolate is created equal. Raw cocoa is actually highly nutritious and contains high levels of iron, magnesium and antioxidants. Dark chocolate has a higher percentage of cocoa solids than milk chocolate and contains much less added sugar. Just a few squares of dark chocolate is enough to satisfy most people’s sweet tooth due to its rich and intense flavour.
Put a different spin on your daily brew. Tea and coffee are an integral part of daily life for most Brits, but consider swapping to herbal tea for a healthier alternative. Teas which are caffeine free and don’t contain any calories, provide a comforting substitute for your regular cuppa. Time to put the kettle on!
Trade your French fries for baked sweet potato fries. We all know that chips aren’t good for us due to the high levels of salt and saturated fats they contain. But what do you do when you are craving this fast-food favourite? Bake your own sweet potato fries instead! Sweet potatoes are loaded with vitamins A, B and C, are low in calories and provide you with slow-release energy to keep you going for longer.
Use mashed cauliflower instead of dough for your pizza crust. Although pizza is an all-time favourite, it is also high in calories and saturated fats. Make your own healthier version using cauliflower for the crust and get a good dose of vitamins too, including vitamin C, K and B6.
The most wonderful time of the year may be over, but January brings with it a whole new wave of excitement. The idea of having a clean slate ahead of you is an incredibly liberating and satisfying th...
The most wonderful time of the year may be over, but January brings with it a whole new wave of excitement. The idea of having a clean slate ahead of you is an incredibly liberating and satisfying thought and provides the perfect opportunity to focus on adopting a positive mindset.
“The mind is everything. What you think you become.” – Guatama Buddha
Never underestimate the power of your own mind and its unique ability to create your own happiness and success. Mental health benefits of a positive mindset include being less stressed, happier and being more likely to find the motivation needed to achieve your goals.
According to the Mayo Clinic*, positive thinking can have a significant effect on our physiological wellbeing too and can include the following health benefits:
Increased life span
Greater resistance to the common cold
Better physical wellbeing
Reduced risk of death from cardiovascular disease
Smile! It may sound simple, but smiling releases feel-good hormones like endorphins which will make you feel amazing.
Practice positive affirmations on a daily basis. Write down a quote or instruction to yourself that features encouraging and motivational words, and read it aloud in the mirror every morning. You will be amazed at how great it makes you feel and how well-equipped you are to tackle the day ahead.
Attitudes are contagious. It’s very difficult to be negative around a positive person, so surround yourself with the right type of people and notice the difference it makes to your own mood. You may also find that people start being attracted to you and your positive vibes, which in turn will boost your self-confidence and make everything seem brighter.
Schedule in fun. Open up anyone’s diary and you are bound to see a multitude of meetings, appointments and conference calls – but what about ‘play’? Allocating some time to relax or simply do something you enjoy is essential to your inner happiness and overall wellbeing.
Did you know that Forever Living was recently named as one of the key companies responsible for the growth within the global aloe vera market? According to a press release based on a report...
Did you know that Forever Living was recently named as one of the key companies responsible for the growth within the global aloe vera market?
According to a press release based on a report from Expert Market Research, the global aloe vera market is predicted to reach $728 million by 2021. The market has been growing at a healthy pace for the past decade and much of its success is down to the benefits experienced by consumers as they use aloe-based skincare and drink aloe-based gels or beverages. The report also states that “…a number of scientific studies conducted by various institutes regarding the benefits of aloe vera has also build-up the confidence in consumers about the usage of aloe vera products…” These statistics are very encouraging to Forever Living, our customers and independent Forever Business Owners, and we look forward to seeing how Forever Living develops over the coming years. We always knew that aloe was an amazing plant, but it’s exciting to see that consumers are also recognising that it can play an essential role in their daily routines!
Shakes are an ideal form of liquid nutrition to keep you going in-between meals, and they can taste pretty amazing too! Here are a few of our favourite Forever Lite Ultra shake recipes. Chocolate R...
Shakes are an ideal form of liquid nutrition to keep you going in-between meals, and they can taste pretty amazing too! Here are a few of our favourite Forever Lite Ultra shake recipes.
236ml unsweetened coconut milk
130g fresh or frozen raspberries
3.7g cocoa powder
15g almond butter
17g cacoa nibs ( optional topping)
4-6 ice cubes
1 scoop vanilla Forever Lite Ultra
236ml unsweetened coconut milk
125g fat-free plain Greek yoghurt
77g cherries
4g ginger
7g Forever Bee Honey
4-6 ice cubes
Nutritious – shakes can provide the perfect start to the day and keep you going until lunch, provided they are loaded with nutrient-dense ingredients.
Workout fuel – Why not add some Argi+ to your shake for an added dose of nutrition? Agri+ contains vitamin C which contributes to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue – giving you a great boost before or during a workout.
Recovery – the ideal reload after a gruelling exercise session since protein contributes to the growth and maintenance of muscle mass.
Quick and easy – ideal for people who are constantly on the go with busy lifestyles.
Versatile – Whether you are watching your calorie intake or trying to gain weight, a shake is the perfect meal or snack.
The hipster style seemed to dominate the male scene last year, but if you’re thinking of attending a Christmas or New Year’s Eve party this year you should definitely ditch the drainpipes, top-knot an...
The hipster style seemed to dominate the male scene last year, but if you’re thinking of attending a Christmas or New Year’s Eve party this year you should definitely ditch the drainpipes, top-knot and statement beard for an image that’s a little more polished. Follow our step-by-step guide to male grooming and you’ll rock up to your party looking super smooth!
Keep your tie classy – it’s the first thing people notice. The tip of your tie should end at your beltline.
Jacket length is also important: too long will make your legs look short but too short will make you look a bit boxy. Your jacket should cover the top of both your front zipper and your bottom.
Ensure you expose the cuffs of your shirt under the sleeves of your jacket by at least half an inch.
If you’re a little bigger round the middle, a pocket handkerchief will draw people’s attention upwards towards your face and chest.
Always unbutton your jacket before you go to sit down.
Get your trouser length correct. The hem should hit the top of your shoes; if they bunch they are too long!
Accessorise with shiny shoes and a nice watch.
An American laboratory has recently found that some store-branded aloe gel being sold across many national retailers, including Wal-Mart, contains no evidence of aloe vera at all despite them listing...
An American laboratory has recently found that some store-branded aloe gel being sold across many national retailers, including Wal-Mart, contains no evidence of aloe vera at all despite them listing aloe vera as either the number one or number two ingredient after water.
Aloe vera has been used for its healing properties throughout history and is still just as popular amongst modern-day consumers. However, it seems that some retailers are exploiting the public’s desire for aloe by supplying them with fake goods. The shocking discovery was made by Bloomberg News who hired a lab to carry out aloe testing on a selection of products. The four gels that underwent this testing were Wal-Mart’s ‘Equate Aloe After Sun Gel with pure aloe vera’, Target’s ‘Up & Up Aloe Vera Gel with pure aloe vera’, CVS’ ‘Aftersun Aloe Vera Moisturizing Gel’ and Walgreen’s ‘Alcohol Free Aloe Vera Body Gel’. Samples of these products were tested for aloe’s three chemical markers – acemannan, malic acid and glucose – but all were found to be absent from each product except for Walgreen’s gel, which contained just one of these markers (malic acid). In the other three samples, a cheaper food additive called maltodextrin was found which is sometimes used to imitate aloe. Astonishingly, none of the samples contained lactic acid which is also a key component used to indicate the presence of degraded aloe vera. The lack of acemannan in all four of the tested products is of particular concern, since it is this component that gives aloe vera its beneficial properties according to Jane Wilson, Executive Director of the International Aloe Science Council. Despite these findings, all four of the retailers in question either declined to comment or denied any wrongdoing. Several law firms have since filed lawsuits against the retailers after further testing failed to find aloe in the company’s private-label products. They’re seeking class-action status and restitution for all the customers who were misled.
The International Aloe Science Council (IASC) represents the aloe industry and was formed in the 1980s to offer an independent certification programme to ensure both the quantity and quality of aloe vera in consumer products. IASC has a strong code of ethics and carries out a strict inspection and testing programme on aloe-based products to ensure the industry is running ethically; therefore consumers should always look for aloe products certified by IASC when making a purchase. We are proud to announce that Forever’s Aloe Vera Gel exceeded IASC’s high standards and the majority of Forever’s products have also been awarded with its Seal of Approval.
Forever is extremely proud of its products and the company is passionate about aloe vera; we even patented aloe’s stabilisation process so that it can remain pure and be used as the foundation ingredient across our product range. We are the world’s largest grower, manufacturer and distributor of aloe vera products and we control everything from the fields to the factory. We’re involved in research and development, as well as the packing, shipping and distribution phases. It takes three years for a plant to mature, and once ready, the leaf is hand-picked, transported, washed and filleted. The raw materials can vary based on the method of harvest, the climate, season and storage conditions. Therefore, to minimise these variations and to ensure the quality of our aloe, all the leaves are processed and packed for shipping to our manufacturing facilities within hours of harvest. Minutes after filleting, the raw gel is stabilised through a patented process which preserves the nutritional compounds and seals in its natural potency. Forever holds a number of accreditations that relate to the quality of its products and we follow a strict testing regime on every product before it reaches the consumer. In total our manufacturing plant, Aloe Vera of America, performs over 1.5 million quality tests per year. We offer retail customers a sixty-day money-back guarantee if they are not satisfied with the product, and less than 0.5% of our product comes back to us under this money-back guarantee. Such high quality creates demand and last year we sold 1,465,309 bottles of Forever Aloe Vera Gel – now that’s incredible!
If you recognise the potential in the business opportunity or just want to find out more information then please get in touch. Fill out the fields below and I will contact you as soon as possible.
