Alvin Connor’s ingredients for sweet success

Ever since Alvin Connor was established in October 2002, it has had the expressed remit of being 'better for your health and better for the environment'.

And the business, which is based in the Liverpool suburb of Speke, has today positioned itself as one of the country’s leading eco-friendly body care product manufacturers.

Alvin Connor’s range includes hypoallergenic, anti-bacterial, natural crystal deodorant products - which aim to keep users free from body odour ‘in the most holistic way’.

These have been named the best 'crystal deodorant’ in a survey carried out by a leading Sunday newspaper and won plaudits in other national magazines.

Down the intervening years, it has also complemented these deodorants, which remain its most popular line, by producing a range of bath soaks as well as ‘foot scrubs’ and 'body polishes' -which are both gentle exfoliators.

All of the products are handmade by Alvin Connor’s 10 staff.

While the method used to produce them is a ‘trade secret’, each of them uses naturally occurring ‘crystalline’ deposits to ensure their effectiveness in combating body odour.

Founder and managing director Alvin Cooney said that he established the company after seeing a gap in the market for an eco-friendly range of body care products.

Mr Cooney said: “Our environmentally friendly products do not contain volatile organic compounds or ozone depleting gases.

“They are not tested on animals nor do they contain any ingredients derived from animals.

“What's more, our products are excellent value for money, some of them lasting up to a year - plus, they won't leave a white residue on your clothing.

“Body and foot odour is caused by perspiration coming into contact with bacteria on your skin.

“Our products work by preventing the build up of odour-causing bacteria.

“When you apply Alvin Connor deodorant products you leave a layer of natural crystal salts on your skin - these salts provide a hostile environment to bacteria which prevents the odour.”

Prior to establishing the company, Mr Cooney was involved with various business projects in the UK and Ireland.

A major reason why the firm’s natural crystal deodorants have proved successful is because they offer an alternative to mainstream deodorants and anti-perspirants.

Mr Cooney adds: “I think that people are increasingly conscious of living in the most holistic way possible - and that is why they opt for our products.

“Our range is made using totally natural ingredients - and in addition to the unscented bath soaks we also offer a rose and lavender versions.

“Each of our products are handmade and none of them has been tested on animals - both of which are becoming increasingly important to customers.

“I know that our employees also take pride in the fact that they are manufacturing a natural product which is loved by customers as well as being kind to the environment.”

Alvin Connor’s products are not only proving successful in the UK - where they are becoming universally available through independent whole food shops.

They are also becoming increasingly popular overseas with regular exports to European countries including Sweden, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, France, Italy, Turkey and Cyprus.

And the business has ambitions to ultimately take the Alvin Connor brand across the world.

Mr Cooney adds: “We now have a network of distributors in Europe - and this is constantly increasing.

“A great deal of the success we’ve enjoyed has been through word of mouth... people have used our products, told their friends about them and potential customers have subsequently gone into shops trying to buy them.

“The ethos of the company - ‘better for your health and better for the environment’ - strikes a chord both with people in the UK and Ireland as well as other countries around the world.

“It’s my intention to roll-out the range globally - and ensure that everyone has the opportunity to enjoy our products.”