Editor's choice: NOPEX 2024

Editor Rosie Greenaway rounds up eye-catching products from her tour of the show floor at NOPEX and shares what most impressed her about each one.

Lucid Snack Bars

Lucid Functional Mushrooms & Adaptogen Bars blend 1,000mg of lion's mane and reishi with calming ashwagandha and energizing maca to ‘support both body and mind in a natural, balanced way’.

Vegan and high in protein and fibre, the bars are available in four flavour options: Banana Bread, Cookie Dough, Peanut Butter & Jelly and Chocolate Hazelnut.

“Mushrooms and adaptogens are dominating market trends and Lucid’s bars speak directly to that, giving consumers function in their afternoon snacks. They’re not overly sweet, nor do they taste of mushrooms. Bravo Lucid.” — Rosie Greenaway, editor.

The MenoMocktail

Launching this month, KooKoo’s MenoMocktail is a peri-menopause and menopause supplement which supports hormone balance and cognitive and psychological function in women who are feeling ‘forgetful, moody and tired AF’.

The straight-talking brand designed the blend of vitamins, minerals, nootropics and adaptogens to be enjoyed as a drink, marketing the product alongside the philosophy that ‘it’s time to change the midlife sh*t-show into a midlife shindig’.

“I always sit up and listen to brands with say-it-like-it-is marketing. KooKoo’s approach reminds me of Faace (the brand behind Menopause Faace Mask) because it communicates in a very human, relatable way while catering to an important and often overlooked market: menopausal and peri-menopausal women. The MenoMocktail will be a hit, I’m sure.” — Rosie Greenaway, editor.

From Grandmas’ Gardens

The ‘healthy snack that gives back’, From Grandmas’ Gardens is a range of premium Gently Dried Pineapple and Gently Dried Mangoes, produced by women in rural Uganda. Sponsored by non-profit Reach the Children, Grandmas’ Gardens is a community charity project which supports women financially to help feed and educate their grandchildren, and empowers them with tools and knowledge for sustainable growth.

Committed to natural, sustainable farming methods which ‘honour the land, people and planet’, From Grandmas’ Gardens plans to release further tropical fruits, nuts and medleys in 2025.

“The story of these dried fruit products instantly drew me in. Social enterprises are becoming more and more popular with ethical shoppers, so the meaning behind From Grandmas’ Gardens will surely resonate with UK consumers. Plus, they’re mouthwateringly delicious.” — Rosie Greenaway, editor

UpCircle Home Mist

UpCircle has unveiled its new uplifting Home Mist, containing a ‘soothing blend’ of lavender and eucalyptus alongside zesty lemongrass and upcycled grapefruit water to bring a calming, long-lasting fragrance to homes and soft furnishings.

“Saving waste from the food and drink industry and turning it into a household spray is genius, particularly since it actually delivers on its promise of long-lasting fragrance. Since NOPEX I’ve been spritzing my home daily and I’m impressed at the difference it has made, especially with a dog in the house.” — Rosie Greenaway, editor.

Contouring Face Care

Weleda’s new Blue Gentian & Edelweiss Contouring Face Care range is the brands’ ‘most scientifically advanced innovation in 100 years’. Containing a unique patent-pending formulation — Collagen+ Active Complex — the age-resilient skincare line claims to ‘measurably and visible counter the signs of skin ageing’ by boosting collagen, reducing deep wrinkles and bringing greater definition to facial contours with organic plant oils, butters and waxes.

The NATRUE-certified collection includes fast-absorbing Contouring Day Cream; hydrating Contouring Night Cream; cell-renewing Contouring Face Serum; and revitalizing Contouring Eye & Lip Cream. All products offer protection from anthocyanin-rich blue gentian and antioxidant edelweiss, organically cultivated in the Swiss Alps.

“If Weleda’s age-resilient range is even half as effective as Skin Food, we’ll have a new cult beauty favourite on our shelves in no time. The Contouring Face Serum melts into the skin beautifully and the delicate aromas of blue gentian and edelweiss transport you straight to Alpine bliss.” — Rosie Greenaway, editor

Dr Funk Drinks

Function is the cornerstone of this flavoursome carbonated drinks range from Dr Funk, with each of the four variants built around one essential mineral (zinc, magnesium, calcium or selenium) plus vitamins C, D3, B6 and B12, along with niacin and biotin.

The range comprises: Immune - Lemon & Elderflower; Vital - Mango & Violet; Balance - Berry & Rose; and Fortify - Peach & Jasmine.

“Refreshing, functional and delicious. The Peach & Jasmine kept me coming back for more. It’s the sort of range I’d like to see in more hospitality settings, offering non-drinkers a health-boosting and much more appealing alternative to sugary ginger beer.” — Rosie Greenaway

The Powder Shampoo

Containing no water within its formulation and no plastic in its packaging, The Powder Shampoo offers a range of hair and body washes in 100g aluminium bottles and 20g miniatures for travel, both suitable for the brand’s 100g Paper Refill Pouch.

The range includes Energising Day Body Foam Wash (to awaken the senses) and Relaxing Night Body Foam Wash (to unwind the mind), along with Invigorating & Stimulating Shampoo for Thinning Hair and Exfoliating & Balancing Shampoo for Dandruff Flakes.

A line for pets will follow later this year.

“I have a lot of time for powder shower products, having travelled with them on numerous occasions. The range smells great and targets specific common concerns such as limp hair and flaky scalps.” — Rosie Greenaway, editor

Fhirst Lemon Lime

The newest flavour in the gut-loving Fhirst Living Soda range is Lemon Lime, pitched as a ‘healthier alternative to current lemon lime soft drinks on the market’. Landing in time to maximize summer sales opportunities, each can of ‘guilt-free’ soda delivers two billion living probiotic cultures and 5g of prebiotic plant fibre with added zinc.

“Lemon Lime is a brilliant addition to Fhirst’s existing line-up. It’s really going to hit the spot when summer arrives.” — Rosie Greenaway, editor

Nudums: nothing but fruit

From Vegums comes the new plant-based probiotic gummy, Nudums. The Yummy Appleberry flavoured gummies ‘redefine gut health’ by combining the nutritional benefits of apples, cherries, strawberries, raspberries and blackberries with probiotics. With no added sugar or preservatives, each gummy offers one billion live cultures, housed in plastic-free packaging.

“I know many people struggle to swallow capsules, particularly if they’re on a heavy medication or supplements regime, so gummies like Nudums can provide welcome relief. With public understanding of gut health growing I have no doubt these will be popular.” — Rosie Greenaway, editor

Potato starch packaging

Ben & Anna presents a ‘world-first’ in deodorant packaging: Poly Potato Deodorant Creams. Made from potato starch, natural fibres and paper, the spherical containers will begin to decompose a few weeks after being composted in soil. The brand offers two vegan variants, both made with nourishing shea butter: fragranced Love Me and unscented Green Balance for sensitive skin.

“On Ben & Anna’s stand I was shown a vase of decomposing deodorant cases, and seeing for myself how quickly they break down in soil really helped illustrate the beauty of this packaging innovation. It will work well for consumers who don’t have space for a huge composting unit.” — Rosie Greenaway, editor

By Rosie Greenaway, editor