Review and Green Giveaway #5 - Nutriganics Organic Skin Care from The Body Shop!

*** Post Update - Since writing this post, I am now an independent consultant for Neal's Yard Remedies/NYR Organic Skin Care and Cosmetics ***

We're going to celebrate Columbus Day and the Canadian Thanksgiving the Green, Organic Way!

We have an amazing giveaway lined up!  On Columbus Day/Canadian Thanksgiving, one lucky Green Organic reader will win an awesome gift pack from The Body Shop's new certified organic NUTRIGANICS skin care line! 

Like many of the products that have made The Body Shop products unique and loved by many, the Nutriganics line features "Community Trade" all-natural ingredients, like babassu nuts -- sourced from Brazil. What makes the Nutriganics line special is the use of organic ingredients; earning this French-made line of skin care the "ECOCERT" organic cosmetic certification. 

The Body Shop generously provided me with several samples of their new line to try out.  I admit, I've been a skin care product addict for many years.  I've always had dozens of half-used bottles of lotions, cleansers, and other skin treatments lining my bathroom and vanity (but I do eventually use them up) ;)  So, when The Body Shop told me about this fantastic line, using organic ingredients, I couldn't wait for the package to arrive!  This is what I got to try out:

• Nutriganics Smoothing Day Cream
• Nutriganics Smoothing Night Cream
• Nutriganics Smoothing Serum
• Nutriganics Smoothing Eye Cream
• Nutriganics Foaming Facial Wash
• Nutriganics Refreshing Toner

The ingredient lists are bursting with fruit oils and flower extracts.  Not a paraben or artificial fragrance to be found.  All of the samples I tried smelled amazingly soft, light, and refreshing.   I'm Asian, in my early 30's, and have combination skin.  My T-zone does get oily during the day, as it always has, but I HAVE to put on moisturizer after I wash my face.  In my twenties, I used a lot of  "oil-free" skin care products, to try to avoid the occasional breakout, but ever since becoming a mom, my skin has been noticeably drier, and "oil-free" products just don't cut it anymore.  So, even with my crazy skin, I was very pleased with all of the Nutriganics products I received from The Body Shop.  I found the Day and Night creams absorbed quite well, and the Day cream worked just fine under my makeup.  The eye cream is very soothing, and absolutely no irritation whatsoever for this contact-lens wearer.

My favorite cream, however, is the Smoothing Serum.  OMG!  I never thought I'd find a "natural" alternative to Estée Lauder Idealist Pore Minimizing Skin Refinisher, and I've foregone that beloved product for several years; shunning all of the artificial ingredients.  But the Nutriganics Smoothing Serum is a close substitute, and at about 1/3 the price!  I've been putting that on the drier parts of my face (mainly my cheeks) after washing, and before the day cream.  Works great!! 

I think I've also found a new favorite in the Foaming Facial Wash.  This one comes in a convenient foaming pump bottle.  Just a little bit goes a long way!  It has an amazing rich feel to it; unlike anything I've felt coming from a foaming wash.  I've been using it in the mornings, and also at the end of the day.  It does a great job of cleaning without the drying effect, and it even took off all my makeup cleanly.  The toner is also an amazing product.  I haven't been much of a toner fan most of my life, as most are so drying and burn my cheeks; or they are too gentle and don't do anything.  The Nutriganics Refreshing Toner is one that actually does work for me.  I tried taking off my makeup, after a long day at work, and it did a wonderful job, and really did leave my skin feeling refreshed, and not all alcohol-stung and dried-out.  I didn't have to apply moisturizer after the toner.  Amazing! :)

The packaging is all in convenient plastic pump bottles that are readily recyclable. And after four days of a strict regime of nothing but Nutriganics products on my face, I really do notice that my skin is softer, and my pores aren't so noticeable.  Thank you, Nutriganics and The Body Shop!

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Thank you to everyone who entered! This giveaway has come to a close. Please click here to see the results of our Random.org drawing and to congratulate our winner!

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Now here's your chance to win your very own Nutriganics products!  The Body Shop will be awarding one winner with all seven of the Nutriganics products; a prize pack worth $138 USD! 

Please be sure to read the complete rules:

To enter this contest, first visit TheBodyShop-USA.com and check out their wonderful line of products. Then, come back here and please leave a comment below, letting our readers know what product at The Body Shop you'd really like to try. Please be sure to leave your e-mail address, so I may contact you if you're the lucky winner.

For additional entries, please first leave a comment about a product you'd like to try from The Body Shop, and then do any of the following, for a maximum of 22 (twenty-two!) total entries in this giveaway contest [please be sure to come back and leave a follow-up comment for each of these completed tasks, in order to be counted as an additional entry]:

• Read the "About Us" on The Body Shop's website, and tell us one way that The Body Shop gives back to our planet, and its people.
• Follow this blog with either our RSS feed, or with Google Friend Connect, by clicking the button on the right-hand column of this blog (or if you are already, leave a comment telling me so)
• Follow this blog on FaceBook with NetworkedBlogs by clicking the link, or on the button on the right-hand column of this blog (or if you are already, leave a comment telling me so)
• Follow me on Twitter @greenorganicmom (or if you are already, leave a comment telling me so)
• Display our Green Organic Mama badge on your blog
• Blog about this giveaway (and paste a direct link to your blog post in your comment)
  

• FOR BONUS ENTRIES: Earn up to one additional BONUS entry each day, between now and 5:00PM EST on October 12, 2009, by Retweeting this giveaway daily! Remember to come back and leave a comment and a copy of your new Retweet each day, in order for your daily Retweet to be counted. [Maximum of one bonus Retweet entry each day, for a maximum of 15 for the length of the contest.]
  

By entering this contest, you have read and understand the rules and fine print of this contest:

1. Contest ends Monday, October 12th, 2009 at 5:00PM EST
2. Contest open to U.S. residents, and Canadian residents
3. Giveaway prize consists of one (1) Nutriganics skin care product prize package by The Body Shop, consisting of one (1) each of the following, to be awarded to one (1) randomly selected winner:
• Nutriganics Smoothing Day Cream
• Nutriganics Smoothing Night Cream
• Nutriganics Smoothing Serum
• Nutriganics Smoothing Eye Cream
• Nutriganics Foaming Facial Wash
• Nutriganics Refreshing Toner
• Nutriganics Smoothing Mask
4. One (1) winner shall be chosen from the pool of valid comment entries, using Random.org
   
5. Winner will be contacted via e-mail, and will provide a U.S. or Canadian mailing address, which will then be provided to the giveaway sponsor, The Body Shop, for the purpose of directly mailing one giveaway prize to the winner.
6. If Winner does not respond via e-mail within 48 hours of the prize drawing, another winner will be selected via Random.org, and new winner will be awarded the prize package.
7. Approximate retail value of the prize pack: $138.00 USD.
8. The Body Shop reserves the right to modify the prize package offering and quantities.
9. Winner will be announced here on this blog, and on Twitter, and on FaceBook.
10. No promotional consideration was paid for this post.

Good luck to everyone!! :)

Click here to be taken to the comments form to place your entry/entries.