Ingredients in Skincare

Caffeine

Caffeine, derived from the coffee plant, is used in skincare as an antioxidant and a vasoconstricting agent. Its antioxidant properties help to protect against free radicals, neutralising them before they can cause damage to the skin cells. Its vasoconstricting abilities make it good for draining water retention from around the eye area, to reduce puff, and for reducing skin redness by constricting the capillaries whose dilation visually increases skin redness by passing blood closer to the skin’s surface.

Avene Thermal Water

Avene Thermal Water

Avene thermal spring water is sourced from a natural spring in France. It spends 50 years travelling to this spring through mountainous rock, and contains the minerals calcium, magnesium and silica, which are particularly good for sensitive skin due to their soothing properties.

Shea Butter

Shea Butter

Shea butter is high in fatty acids and vitamins, so works to support the natural lipid barrier of the skin, reducing water loss via the epidermis to keep skin soft, smooth and moisturised.

Kojic Acid

Kojic acid is produced naturally in a number of plant species, such as mushrooms, and is also a by-product of the fermentation process of soy and rice wine. It is used in cosmetics for its ability to target hyperpigmentation, and works by inhibiting the enzyme tyrosinase, which is involved in producing the pigment in our skin, known as melanin. A reduction in the activity of this enzyme helps to minimise the overproduction of melanin, and help reduce areas of hyperpigmentation.

Avocado Ferment

Avocado ferment is used for its nourishing, moisturizing, and skin-conditioning properties, offering benefits for the skin.

Carnosine

Carnosine is a peptide used in skincare as an antioxidant and a soothing agent. Research also shows this also has an effect against glycation (a process which accelerates ageing).

Bilberry Extract

Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract

Bilberry extract is derived from the fruit of the bilberry plant, a close relative of the blueberry. It is used in skincare for its antioxidant properties and potential benefits for improving the appearance of the skin. It is rich in beneficial compounds, including antioxidants, vitamins, and polyphenols.

Isoleucine

Isoleucine

A branch-chained, essential amino acid that can be found in things like almond, cashew or soy protein. In skincare, it is used in moisturising products and is found to be good for skin barrier defence. Amino acids are a class of ingredients. They can also be found on ingredients lists as acetyl glucosamine,acetyl tyrosinamide, alanine, arginine hcl, histidine, arginine pca, leucine, lysine, phenylalanine, proline, serine, taurine, threonine and valine and yeast amino acids.

Bakuchiol

Psoralea Corylifolia Seed Oil

Bakuchiol has been dubbed as ‘nature’s retinol’ due to its ability to achieve some of the same skin benefits (without the side effects). Studies have shown this plant active, when used twice daily, to result in visible improvements in wrinkle depth, skin smoothness, elasticity & uneven skin tone.

Copper PCA

Copper PCA

A skin-conditioning agent which is also thought to help firm the skin and stimulate collagen synthesis.

Bifida Ferment Lysate

Bifida Ferment Lysate

Bifida Ferment Lysate is probiotic ingredient produced derived from the yeast produced during the fermentation of the bacterial strain, Bifida. It has been shown to have positive effects on the skin microbiome (the ecosystem of bacteria on the surface), supporting the growth of beneficial bacteria, and suppressing the growth of harmful bacteria. Bifida ferment lysate sits in a class of probiotic ingredients which can be found on ingredients lists as lactobacillus ferment, and lactococcus ferment lysate.

Safflower Seed Oil

Safflower Seed Oil

Safflower Seed Oil is derived from the seeds of the safflower plant (Carthamus tinctorius). In skincare, it is used for its moisturizing, soothing, and skin-nourishing properties.

Apple Polyphenols

Apple Polyphenols

Apple (like most plants), contains polyphenols, which are compounds with strong antioxidant properties, meaning they are able to protect skin from free radical damage.

Yerba Mate Extract

Yerba Mate Extract

Yerba Mate Extract is derived from the leaves of the Ilex paraguariensis plant, native to South America. In skincare, it is used for its potential antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and skin-soothing properties. It contains various natural compounds, including polyphenols, xanthines (such as caffeine), and vitamins, which contribute to its skincare benefits.

Sugar Cane Extract

Saccharum Officinarum (Sugar Cane) Extract

Sugar Cane extract is a natural ingredient that works as a humectant when applied to the skin, meaning it draws water molecules towards it, plumping & hydrating the area. It is also the natural plant from which glycolic acid is derived, so it is thought to have some degree of exfoliating & brightening action, although there is currently insufficient research proving this.