Alex McPherson is a pharmacist who has worked hard to create a range of skincare which uses Australian botanical extracts and active ingredients.
The brand is Evergreen Skincare, and we were lucky enough to have a chat with Alex about the products and how it all came together –
What makes your brand different?
Our range is created and made in Australia, specifically for skin exposed to Australian elements. We use the principle that Australian native plants have adapted to survive and thrive in the extreme environment, providing exceptionally rich sources of antioxidants and nutrients – one plant in particular, the Kakadu plum, has been found to contain the highest known concentration of vitamin C of any plant source in the world.
We have combined Australian botanical extracts with active ingredients clinically proven to work, using two approaches to target the signs of premature ageing seen with repeated exposure to daily Australian lifestyle and environmental conditions.
Where did the name come from?
An evergreen plant is one that has leaves in all four seasons, it is always green. The name was chosen to symbolise nature and youth. My maiden name was Green, so it was also a little bit of a play on words in that I will always be a Green at heart! My sister in law, Nikki, who is my business partner, now has the surname Green also.
What is your background and how did it all come together?
My background is in pharmacy – I qualified as a pharmacist from Monash University eighteen years ago. I have since worked in hospital, retail and compounding pharmacies in Australia and the UK. I love compounding – formulating products that are not available commercially, and after the birth of my twins, Guy and Claudia (now 4 years old) I decided to take a different direction and began looking into the development of the skin care range.
Who is Evergreen Skincare designed for?
Our first range, Australian Botanicals, has been designed for women 35-55, who are interested in looking after their health and appearance. We use Australian botanicals and some of the latest active ingredients to help reverse signs of ageing seen in this group such as fine lines and wrinkles (particularly around the crow’s feet region, forehead and mouth), loss of skin tone and elasticity, age spots, sagginess, dry or dehydrated skin and a general loss of radiance.
What is the stand out product in the range?
I love using all the products in the range! A lot of time has been taken with the formulating so that each product not only has a purpose but will feel great to use. The hero product for our range would be the Multi Active Perfecting Cream – this cream has ingredients that increase hydration and improve the skin’s barrier to reduce water loss, increase firmness and tone, reduce pore size, reduce redness and UV sun spots, and reduce wrinkles around the forehead and crow’s feet areas. It also contains microspheres which scatter the light and soften or blur wrinkles, creating a ‘soft focus’ effect.
What’s next for the brand?
We are in the process of formulating a sunscreen – this is the perfect complement to the Australian Botanical range, and is a vital part of the daily skin care routine to help prevent and minimise UV induced damage leading to photoageing. We have also begun work on an Exotics range which is designed for 18-35 year olds.
If you could choose one celebrity to use your products, who would it be?
Cathy Freeman – world sportswoman of the year, and is the ambassador for a range of charities such as the Australian Indigenous Education Foundation and the Cottage by the Sea.
How do you decide which products should be added to the range?
We first did a survey on what products our potential consumers would use. We found that most people used a moisturiser and a cleanser, so these products were first, and then incorporated the other five products – there is something for everyone in this range.
Where can we buy this range?
The range is sold at our on-line store, www.evergreenskincare.com.au
What does being a woman mean to you?
Being a woman has given me the chance to experience many different situations and emotions. Some of these are life-changing, uplifting and inspiring, some challenging and others can be small day to day things that fill the heart with happiness and love, such as seeing your child smile at you shyly when they notice you watching.
Women seem to have an inner strength and determination to get through life’s difficulties and problems, no matter how large or overwhelming, while still giving of themselves to others. It is fantastic that today’s women have the ability to choose their own paths in life, whether that is focusing on a career, business, family, or a combination – this is a gift I appreciate.
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Hi, I’m Anna the Editor of Beauty and Lace.