Green People are celebrating 25 years of championing organic, cruelty-free and eco-conscious skin care. How did Green People become such an iconic UK natural and organic skin care brand?
13
Apr
Nicole Walker
1994: It all began with a mother’s inspiration.
Charlotte Vøhtz’s drive to create truly natural and organic skin care began when her young daughter was battling persistent eczema. Charlotte began to scrutinise skin care labels to find out why her skin care purchases weren’t improving her daughter’s skin. She shockingly discovered that many so-called natural skin care brands used almost entirely synthetic ingredients. She would later learn that skin care products only required 0.1% natural ingredients in the formulation to label it ‘natural’.
This made Charlotte determined to find a solution, she began researching formulations, creating products and establishing Green People’s brand values.
1997: Green People was born
In 1997 the first line of products was ready to launch including a salve to soothe Alexandra’s irritated skin. Charlotte’s principles meant that performance and ethical practice weren’t ever sacrificed for profit. With a commitment to environment preservation and a promise to never use unsafe ingredients or test on animals, Green People was born.
Though product names and formulations have been tweaked over the years, the below skincare products part of Green People’s first collection continue to be their best sellers:
- Gentle Cleanse
- Organic Babies Soothing Lavender Baby Salve
- Fruitful Nights
- Vita Min Fix
- Day Solution
- Fennel & Propolis Toothpaste
- Firming Eye Serum
- Rejuvenating Eye Cream
Several hair care products have also stood the test of time, the below products were all in the original product line-up, albeit under different product names.
- Daily Aloe Shampoo
- Daily Aloe Conditioner
- Irritated Scalp Shampoo
- Irritated Scalp Conditioner
1998: Securing a stockist and first employee
Charlotte sought stockists for her products, however the concept of organic skin care was often not comprehended by retailers. They failed to realise that most so-called natural brands weren’t that natural after all. By the end of 1997, this slowly began to change. That year, Charlotte won over her first stockist- Natural Way, her local health food store.
With the business now growing Charlotte needed assistance with packing and employed Emily Sheldrake. (Emily has recently celebrated 23 years with the business and is now Senior Sales Manager). That year Green People’s rapid growth saw them move a warehouse based in Handcross.
2002: Green People set the standards
When Green People launched organic certification only applied to food and drink. There were no standards for natural and organic cosmetics. Charlotte played a key role in creating the first natural and organic cosmetic standards established by the Soil Association Health and Beauty Products Standards committee; In 2002 Green People went on to become one of the first brands to have certified organic beauty products.
Since those early days, other cosmetic certification standards have been created and Green People is proud to have been certified by ECOCERT, The Soil Association and the Organic Food Federation and as a cruelty-free brand- also verified by The Vegan Society and PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals).
2004: Demand for more products
As product demand increased, Green People added a Happy Kids range (now known as Organic Children). More subranges soon followed, including a range of home cleaning products, Organic Babies, Organic Young and Organic Homme for Men (Now Green People for Men).
Later, Green People would introduce Charlotte’s own Age Defy+ range, Nordic Roots and our pet care range allPaws.
2006: A bespoke office and warehouse
The rapidly growing business required a bigger office and more warehouse space. In 2006 Green People settled into a purpose-built eco-friendly HQ, concerted from a redundant farm building. The building situated on land which is part of the Knepp Castle Rewilding Project. The money Green People spend on rent supports this unique conservation project; The project has transformed acres of impoverished farmland into an oasis for endangered native wildlife species.
2009: Social Growth and Charity Partners
Green People posted their first tweet in 2009, since they have amassed a following of over 120,010 on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube.
Since the beginning, Green People pledged to donate 10% of their net profits to charity. Additionally, they have formed many long-standing charity partnerships over the years and have raised money from sun lotion sales for The Marine Conservation Society for over a decade!
The Ehlers Danlos Support UK has been Green People’s charity partner since 2020. In that year alone over £10,000 was raised to help run their support lines for those affected by Ehlers Danlos Syndromes.
2014: Supporting campaigns and community events
In 2014 Green People completed a company beach clean, since then the ethical business has supported many campaigns and community events, including a successful petition to ban microbeads in wash off beauty products.
2015: First office dog
Saffie the Cavapoo joined Charlotte’s family and in 2020 Green People welcomed their Managing Director’s dog, Clyde, to the company. Their furry workforce has grown throughout the years and today several office dogs help to perfect their allPaws pet care range.
2018: Perfecting packaging
Since eco-friendly packaging has become more readily available, Green People have made steps to make their packaging greener.
Firstly, products in squeezy tubes were replaced by Sugar Cane plastic tubes and compostable packaging chips made of corn starch were utilised.
By 2020 Green People launched One Balm- their first product packaged in a biodegradable pot. The Organic Children Berry Smoothie Hand Cream closely followed in 2021, Green People’s first product to be presented in 50% PCR packaging.
2020: Surviving the pandemic
The Coronavirus pandemic hit the UK in early 2020 and Green People and Green People were a go-to brand for a kind-to-skin, gentle hand wash. During this time, Green People donated over £17,000 of products to frontline workers.
2021: First wellbeing range
Working with Charlotte’s daughter, Alexandra, Green People’s first wellbeing range Alexandra Kay was launched in 2021. Alexandra very sadly suffered from a chronic condition and passed away soon after the range launched. In her memory, Green People continue to raise funds for The Ehlers Danlos Society from sales of this growing collection.
October 2021: First brick and mortar store
Charlotte fulfilled a lifelong dream and opened her first shop. Based in her hometown of Horsham, West Sussex, the shop opened on 28th October 2021. Green People hope that this will be the first store of many.
