Ingredients in Skincare

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.

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.

Arginine PCA

Arginine PCA

Arginine is an amino acid that can be found in food sources such as almonds and chocolate. Arginine is an essential amino acid that the body cannot produce on its own. It is often referred to as the ‘master amino acid’ and has a number of benefits to skin health. Amino acids are a class of ingredients. They can also be found on ingredients lists as acetyl glucosamine, acetyl tyrosinamide, alanine, arginine hcl, arginine pca, glycine, histidine, isoleucine, lysine, phenylalanine, proline, serine, taurine, threonine and valine and yeast amino acids.

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.

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.

Jojoba Beads

Jojoba beads are spherical exfoliating particles made from jojoba oil, a natural liquid wax obtained from the seeds of the jojoba plant (Simmondsia chinensis). These beads are used in skincare for their gentle exfoliating and skin-smoothing properties.

Sesame Seed Oil

Sesame Seed Oil

Sesame Oil is a vegetable oil derived from sesame seeds (Sesamum indicum). In skincare, it is used for its moisturizing, antioxidant, and skin-nourishing properties.

Palmitoyl Glycine

Palmitoyl Glycine

A key amino acid in the formation of collagen, this ingredient works to increase microcirculation, improving oxygen flow to the skin, as well as reducing inflammation to result in firmer skin and reduced wrinkle visibility.

Soybean Extract

Bacillus/Folic Acid/Soybean Ferment Extract

Soybean extract is used in skincare for its powerful antioxidant potential. It is able to protect the skin from free radical damage. Research has also shown this extract to be able to visibly even out skin tone, and reduce the visible signs of ageing.

Sunflower Oil

Helianthus Annuus

Sunflower oil is a rich natural source of Vitamin E, a skin-moisturising antioxidant. This oil is also rich in linoleic acid (Omega 6), an essential fatty acid which works to nourish the skin, support the natural barrier, and provide some anti-inflammatory benefits.

Sweet Almond Oil

Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil

Sweet Almond Oil is naturally rich in fat-soluble Vitamins A & E, which provide antioxidant benefits. This oil is naturally high in Omega 3 fatty acids, which cannot be produced naturally in the body, but offer anti-inflammatory benefits.

Copper PCA

Copper PCA

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

Prebiotics

Prebiotics, can be classed as a food source that encourages the growth of good bacteria on the skin. The microbiome (the ecosystem of bacteria on the skin) is a relatively new discovery and we are learning that this is linked to many different aspects of our health, mood and appearance. Prebiotics are a class of ingredients which can be found on ingredients lists as alpha-glucan oligosaccharide, fructooligosaccharides, lactobacillus extract filtrate, rhamnose and saccharomyces cerevisiae (yeast) extract.

Tea Tree Oil

Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Leaf Oil

Tea tree oil is an essential oil extracted from the Melaleuca alternifolia plant, native to Australia. Tea tree leaf oil is known to have antibacterial qualities, the mechanism for this is not completely understood, but research shows that it could be due to an ability to damage the bacterial cell wall. It also has anti-inflammatory effects, due to its content of terpen-4-ol, which studies have shown reduces inflammation in the skin when applied topically. These functions make it a great ingredient for the use in acne treatments, both to kill C. acnes bacteria, but also reduce the associated inflammation.