The hype surrounding the American cosmetic brand Forever Living has always, for me, been a bit of a conundrum. I’ve bought their products, I’ve tried their nutritional supplements, I’ve completed their Clean 9 detox (involving mild starvation and the drinking of aloe vera gel…..I think most people would lose weight doing this, don’t you?) and somehow, I’m not won over.
OK, so there are certain elements of the brand and some products I do like. But would I recommend them and if so, which ones? Would I say they’re better than the next best market equivalent? Would I say they’re good value for money?
These, my dears, are the questions I’m going to do my best to answer in this blog.
1. Forever BRIGHT Tooth Gel
Let’s start with the tooth paste, I mean gel, and let’s start with the most obvious observation being- it’s green. And I don’t mean tooth paste green, minty turquoise or Tiffany & Co green. I mean a rich, leafy, aloe vera green. Then, along with this intense, plant-esque colour comes an equally intense taste. A taste that results in my face scrunching up slightly as if I had just drank a wheatgrass shot (…or an aloe vera gel shot for that matter- neither of which I dream about). It’s un-toothpastely taste and it’s rich green hue didn’t exactly make me look forward to cleaning my teeth before leaving the house in the morning or after my last cuppa of an evening.
So… why do people love the stuff?
Well, we can’t knock the fact that this non-fluoride formula contains all natural ingredients including bee propolis – proven to have antibiotic, antiseptic and antiviral properties- and, you guessed it, aloe vera. The aloe vera qualities eliminates oral bacteria and supposedly helps to soothe inflamed gums and support the healing of mild infections in the mouth. What’s more, unlike most toothpastes, this tooth ‘gel’ is non-abrasive, and at the end of the day, it does what it says on the tube- cleans teeth!
Alright then, let’s hear it- how much does it cost?
Well, this designer tooth gel is marketed on the Forever Living website for just a smidge under £6. Two pence under to be exact. Some would argue that this price is a bit extortionate while others would argue it’s justifiable. I, on the other hand, wanted to see what toothpastes are out there that are made up of comparable components and offer resembling benefits but with one glaring difference – it’s price.
Well, after a bit of reading around I discovered two products on par with Forever’s tooth gel, containing ingredients alike. So, for the same money -here you have it- you could benefit from not one but TWO products. The first being an aloe vera based Dr Organic Toothpaste for just over £2, the second being a plant based Aloedent Mouthwash for under £4. Thats 450ml worth of goods for the same price as your Forever BRIGHT gel.
2. Forever Aloe Scrub
I generally don’t like scrubs. I’ve used facial scrubs, ingrown hair exfoliators, acne fighting micro-bead face washes and I’m either left with irritated, raw and inflamed skin or I find they haven’t made any difference whatsoever.
Now, this is where you think I’m going to say “but not this one”. Well, I hate to say it but it was no different from the rest. It did make my skin feel slightly smoother but for £14.99 I want my skin to feel ultra hydrated, glowing, baby’s-bottom-soft and 100% rejuvenated.
Dare I say it, my mum uses a scrub and, after telling her about this blog, she has given it to me to use as a comparison. That scrub is Queen Helene. Now, for someone who hasn’t had a good experience with scrubs, this one was a keeper.
Not only did it calm my skin and deliver smooth results but I could buy five Queen Helene scrubs for the same price as one Forever Living scrub. Also, like the branded stuff, it contains Aloe Vera and Jojoba Oil. It soothes and comforts the skin but without the tightness. (Aha- You’re welcome)
3. Aloe Heat Lotion
It doesn’t lie. It definitely produces heat. A lot of it too. So much so that I had to wash it off within minutes. Mild and warm swiftly transformed into stinging and hot. Sounds like I’m slaying them again, I know, but just hear me out.
Albeit my experience was that of an uncomfortable one and I really started to lose all hope for the brand…. the lotion did, somehow, manage to relieve some of the pain in my back. And that’s in just a few minutes before I hastily washed the lotion off.
The emollient contains deep heating agents making it a perfect solution for soothing aches and soreness after a workout. Looking back, I think the intense stinging sensation I experienced was simply due to my own lack of exposure with heating serums of this kind. Suprisingly, I would definitely recommend this product but I would strongly advise that you only apply a very thin layer and give it a chance and not rush to washing it off like I did. Bare with it and I’m sure you too could be pleasantly surprised. It’s price, again, is a bit on the high side at £12.73 for 118ml. But for this one, believe it or not, I think I’d say it’s worth it.
4. Aloe Moisturising Lotion
A thin, unperfumed lotion, containing jojoba oil, collagen, elastin and the obvious element- aloe vera. This lotion left my skin feeling soft and I actually ended up using it a lot as a primer. It wasn’t too heavy, was fast absorbing and really helped my makeup to last longer. Yes this is still Anna writing. I know, I know. I’m swaying over to the branded side. But, you know what- this stuff was actually really good. The main pro for me was that it didn’t make my skin feel greasy or suffocated which is how a lot of primers and creams can do.
However, the dilemma once again is the cost. Matching the price of it’s Forever Living peer, the heating gel, to grab one of these lotions you’re looking a £12.73.
There really are no other negative factors to bring up regarding this product other than it’s four times more expensive than the usual moisturiser.
I do really like this product but if you’re anything like me and find this a bit on the costly side of the spectrum then here are two similar products (the latter being another ‘go-to’ moisturiser of mine) both of which are aloe vera focussed and both of which are at least 75% cheaper than the one I’ve just reviewed.
Vaseline Intensive Care Aloe Soothe Lotion 250ml, £1.95
Garnier Aloe Vera Intense 7 Day Moistuising Lotion 400ml, £2.50
So there we have it. My thoughts on four of Forever Living’s top selling products. Overall, They are good products, there’s no denying that. They’re cruelty free, loaded with natural, scientifically proved, beneficial ingredients.
The tooth gel, although I wasn’t a huge fan, did open my eyes to a whole new world of natural, plant based oral hygiene products. The heat gel and the moisturiser, on the other hand, I really liked. I’m just not sure I’d justify over £25 for two tubes of product.
My verdict is that they’re all slightly overpriced but I think you’ve got the gist of that already. The main purpose of this blog is to encourage y’all not to be fooled by the hype that often follows big name brands and to do your research.
If you’re not particularly bothered by the price tags on Forever Living lotions, creams and gels and you also find they work really well for you then go for it, buy it, use it and celebrate it. But DON’T buy it because it’s a brand and because the sales people tell you it’s amazing. Just remember, there are other brands, potentially more local ones, making similar products for far less dolla.
Now that’s something you should let sink in.
Hopefully you can take something from this post and feel free to share with me your own thoughts on Forever Living and their products or other products for that matter.
Thanks for reading and make sure you’re following the blog for more posts like this.
Anna Vitality x
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