This year The Body Shop launched a new skincare collection called Roots of Strength. This line is meant to help firm and shape mature skin with a three-step process which includes a Firming Shaping Essence Lotion ($22 CAD), a Firming Shaping Serum ($42 CAD), and a Firming Shaping Cream ($34 CAD). Let’s take a look at these new products…
Roots of Strength™ skincare is our high-performing firming and shaping range. We’ve joined forces with nature to create a three-step anti-ageing routine to help restore your skin’s strength, so that skin feels more plump, firmer and denser, as if reshaped. Inspired by the roots used to boost immunity in traditional Chinese medicine, our Roots of Strength™ range is infused with three root extracts: ginger, ginseng and rucus root.
Ingredients
For those interested, click on the boxes below to see what goes into these products.
sii|h, Propylene Glycol h|solv, Dipropylene Glycol solv|vc, Butylene Glycol h|solv 1, Phenoxyethanol pres, Peg-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil emu|surf, Arginine sii, Chlorphenesin pres|amic, Peg-20 h|solv, Salicylic Acid 
exf|aacne|so, Ruscus Aculeatus Root Extract so, Sodium Hyaluronate sii|h, Xanthan Gum vc, Parfum / Fragrance 
perf, Phospholipids sii|emo, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract / Ginger Root Extract aox|so, Disodium Edta chel|vc, Adenosine cci, Panax Ginseng Root Extract aox|emo, Glycine Soja Oil / Soybean Oil emo, Tocopherol aox|vit 2 2, Limonene perf|solv, Citral perf, Linalool perf, Geraniol perf, Citric Acid exf|buffHover the mouse / tap over an ingredient for short explanation. Read more about these ingredients on INCIDecoder.
Ingredient source: official website
sii|h, Dicaprylyl Carbonate emo, Alcohol Denat. amic|solv, Acacia Senegal Gum, Glyceryl Stearate emo|emu, Mannose h, Microcrystalline Cellulose vc, Benzyl Alcohol pres, Zea Mays Starch / Corn Starch vc, Glycine Soja Oil / Soybean Oil emo, Carrageenan vc, Parfum / Fragrance perf, Arginine sii, Salicylic Acid exf|aacne|so, Cellulose Gum vc, Ruscus Aculeatus Root Extract so, Sodium Hyaluronate sii|h, Xanthan Gum vc, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract / Ginger Root Extract aox|so, Phospholipids sii|emo, Adenosine cci, Panax Ginseng Root Extract aox|emo, Limonene perf|solv, Linalool perf, Citral perf, Tocopherol aox|vit 2 2, Geraniol perf, Citronellol perf, Citric Acid exf|buffHover the mouse / tap over an ingredient for short explanation. Read more about these ingredients on INCIDecoder.
Ingredient source: official website
sii|h, Dicaprylyl Ether emo|solv, Butylene Glycol h|solv 1, Isopropyl Isostearate emo 5, Cetyl Alcohol emo|emu|vc 2 2, Behenyl Alcohol emo|vc, Poloxamer 338 emu|surf, Stearic Acid emu|emo|vc 2, Palmitic Acid sii|emo|emu 2, Phospholipids sii|emo, Parfum / Fragrance perf, Disodium Stearoyl Glutamate surf, Caprylyl Glycol h|emo, Sodium Hydroxide buff, Peg-100 Stearate surf|emu 1, Salicylic Acid exf|aacne|so, Chlorphenesin pres|amic, Panax Ginseng Root Extract aox|emo, Acrylonitrile/Methyl Methacrylate/Vinylidene Chloride Copolymer, Peg-12 Dimethicone, Polysilicone-11, Cetearyl Glucoside emu|surf, Ruscus Aculeatus Root Extract so, Sodium Hyaluronate sii|h, Pentylene Glycol solv|h, Secale Cereale Seed Extract / Rye Seed Extract abrasive/scrub, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract / Ginger Root Extract aox|so, Disodium Edta chel|vc, Adenosine cci, Myristic Acid surf|emu|perf 3, Isobutane, T-Butyl Alcohol perf|solv, Limonene perf|solv, Linalool perf, Citral perf, Geraniol perf, Tocopherol aox|vit 2 2, Citronellol perf, Bht aox|pres, Citric Acid exf|buffHover the mouse / tap over an ingredient for short explanation. Read more about these ingredients on INCIDecoder.
Ingredient source: official website
Scent
Before I go on about the products I’ll talk about their scents since they all share a similar scent. I find that the Essence Lotion smells more like ginger with a hint of floral and spicy elements. The Serum smells more like incense (I need to develop my scent repertoire so I can be more specific). And the Cream is kind of a mix of the Essence Lotion and the Serum.
The overall scent is a bit on the strong side so if you have an aversion or intolerance to strong scents then these products may not be for you.
The scent also feels mature without being granny-ish.
The very first time I tried these products was just before I tucked my daughter in for the night. When I gave her a hug and a kiss she immediately said “What’s that smell, mommy? It smells good!” And she’s mentioned many times since that she likes the smell of my products (she’s two weeks shy from turning four).
Roots of Strength Firming Shaping Essence Lotion
Infused with root extracts, this refreshing and lightweight daily essence lotion combines the lightweight freshness of water with the comfort of a moisturizing gel. Your skin is instantly replenished with moisture and comfort. Your skin’s texture looks refined and firmer as if reshaped. Use after cleansing to activate your skin before using a serum.
This is the first part of the process after you’re done cleaning your face. This essence is clear and has the consistency of a light oil. It gets absorbed really well by the skin. I’ve tried applying this essence both with a cotton pad and just using my hands, and both methods work well. The first time I used my hands I thought for sure that I would have an oily residue left after rinsing them, but to my surprise, I did not; it rinsed off really well with water.
This essence gives a much needed first level of hydration to my skin after I’ve cleaned it because most cleansers leave my face feeling a bit dry and tight.
Roots of Strength Firming Shaping Serum
With a lightweight silky texture, this firming and shaping* serum leaves skin feeling smoother and refined. Taking inspiration from nature, the formula is infused with three root extracts, including ginger from Madagascar. Wrinkles appear less visible and signs of aging reduced. From your jawline to every contour, skin feels moisturized, smoother, plumper and firmer. Use daily as part of your three step Roots of Strength™ regime. *Skin feels more plumped, firmer and denser, as if re-shaped.
This serum is heavier than the lotion and actually moisturizes really well. It glides easily across the skin and is absorbed well. I only use a little bit because this in combination with the Cream makes for a lot of moisturization and it’s too much if I go too heavy with either one.
Roots of Strength Firming Shaping Cream
Unveil your skin’s strength with this rich firming and shaping* cream, enriched with nature’s root extracts. Rich yet non-greasy, skin feels comfortably moisturized, firmer and denser. Fine lines appear reduced and skin feels strengthened. Use as the final step of your Roots of Strength™ skincare routine. *Skin feels more plumped, firmer and denser, as if re-shaped.
This cream is definitely on the heavy side and I really don’t use a lot. I have combination skin so I don’t want anything TOO heavy on my face, but I also have dehydrated skin so I still need a good dose of hydration. In the morning I use a very little amount, just enough to say that I can spread it all over my face, but really just a little bit. At night I use a wee bit more, but not much.
Honestly, if you have oily skin you could skip this cream and just add a bit more Serum instead.
Final Thoughts
I’ve mentioned in previous face care reviews that I don’t often see results/improvements in my skin when switching to new products because I always use anti-ageing products. That being said, after about a week and a half of using these products I DID notice an improvement in my skin’s look! The main area of difference was my forehead where the dynamic wrinkles were slightly diminished, and overall my skin just looked plumper. And I’m happy to say that it has remained that way!
It’s hard to only recommend one product from this collection because I’ve been using all three at the same time, so I can’t really say if one is more effective than the others. That being said, if your current routine is just cleansing & moisturizing, then I’d add in the Essence Lotion and/or the Serum depending on how much you want to spend, and depending on your skin type. If you have oily skin then I’d start with the Essence Lotion, and if you have dry to normal skin then I’d start with the Serum. For combo skin (like me), either would be ok.
Also, these products don’t have SPF so make sure you add a sunblock after using these products. Protect that sweet face of yours!
Will you be picking up one (or all) of these products?
– Chantal 🙂
