Ingredients in Skincare

Ahnfeltia Concinna Extract

Ahnfeltia Concinna Extract

Ahnfeltia concinna extract, or red marine algae extract, is an algae which provides skin soothing and antioxidant properties for the skin. Being a polysaccharide, it is also an excellent thickener when used in formulations a has great humectant properties, able to draw and bind water to the areas it is applied. It is in the class of Algae Extract which also include, alaria esculenta extract, algae exopolysaccharides, algae extract, algin, alteromonas ferment extract, ascophyllum nodosum extract, asparagopsis armata extract, chlorella protothecoides, chlorella vulgaris extract, dunaliella salina (green algae) extract, hydrolyzed f-fucoidan, laminaria ochroleuca (kelp) extract, macrocystis pyrifera (kelp) extract, and marine extract.

Ginkgo Biloba

Ginkgo Biloba is a tree native to Asia, one of the oldest plant species on the planet, and rich in flavonoids and terpenoids. These provide powerful antioxidant protection, reducing potential damage caused by reactive free radicals. Studies have also shown Ginkgo Biloba to provide skin-smoothing and hydrating properties.

Arginine/Lysine Polypeptide

Arginine/Lysine Polypeptide

Arginine/lysine polypeptide is a skin care ingredient that slows down aging processes in the skin and boosts regeneration. It is in a class of ingredients also found on ingredients lists as acetyl hexapeptide, acetyl tetrapeptide, acetylarginyltryptophyl diphenylglycine, azelaoyl bis-dipeptide, copper heptapeptide-14 pantothenate, dipeptide, dipeptide diaminobutyroyl benzylamide diacetate, ferric hexapeptide, heptapeptide-15, palmitate, myristol hexapeptide, myristol pentapeptide, myristoyl nonapeptide, myristoyl pentapeptide, oligopeptide, palmitoyl tripeptide, palmitoyl decapeptide, palmitoyl heptapeptide, palmitoyl hexapeptide, palmitoyl nonapeptide, palmitoyl oligopeptide, palmitoyl pentapeptide, palmitoyl tetrapeptide, palmitoyl tripeptide, palmitoyl tetrapeptide, pentapeptide, sh-oligopeptide, tetrapeptide and copper palmitoyl heptapeptide.

White Tea

Camellia Sinensis (White Tea) Leaf Extract

White tea, also known as camellia sinensis (white tea) leaf extract, is a potent antioxidant, so is able to help protect against free radical damage. It is also thought to have anti-ageing properties by inhibiting the action of collagen and elastin-degrading enzymes in the skin.

Sacred Lotus Flower Extract

Sacred Lotus Flower Extract

This natural plant extract has been shown to have multi-functional benefits, targeting both pigmentation and wrinkles. Studies have shown the extract to be effective at inhibiting tyrosinase, an enzyme involved in producing the pigment melanin in the skin, helping to reduce the appearance of dark spots. It has also been shown to help firm the skin, by slowing the rate at which elastin, an important protein for skin firmness, is degraded.

Ectoin

Ectoin

Ectoin is an emollient used in skincare to help maintain moisture balance in the skin. New research shows it may also be able to protect against certain environmental aggressors, such as pollutants and UV. This is believed to be down to its antioxidant properties, as well as the ability to protect skin from dehydration from the surrounding environment.

Tranexamic Acid

Tranexamic Acid

Tranexamic acid is a synthetic derivative of the amino acid lysine, which is used in skincare to treat hyperpigmentation & post-inflammatory acne scarring. Studies have shown this to be as effective as the gold standard prescription ingredient hydroquinone, without any of the associated irritation, based on a panel with medium-toned skin (50 women of Iranian descent). It is believed to work by suppressing some of the mechanisms in the skin, which lead to the production of excess melanin.

Marshmallow Root

Marshmallow root is extracted from the Althea plant, native to Northern Africa, Europe and Western Asia, and is rich in polysaccharides and flavonoids. The polysaccharides provide natural humectant benefits, meaning this attracts water-molecules to plump and hydrate the area. The flavonoids provide antioxidant protection from free radicals, as well as anti-inflammatory benefits, by modulating inflammatory responses within the body.

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.

Urea

Urea is humectant ingredient found in the skin’s natural moisturising factor (NMF), making up around 7-8% of the total composition. Its humectant properties mean it can bind to water molecules in the atmosphere, drawing them to it, and in turn plumping and hydrating the skin. Research also shows that Urea has a mild exfoliating action on the skin, encouraging the removal of dead cells which results in smoother, healthier, more hydrated skin.

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.

Copper PCA

Copper PCA

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

Evening Primrose Oil

Evening Primrose Oil

Evening primrose oil is derived from the seeds of the Oenothera biennis plant. It is naturally rich in omega-6, which provides anti-inflammatory benefits, as well as supports the skin's natural lipid barrier. Evening primrose oil also acts as an antioxidant to offer protection against free radical damage.

Tasmanian Pepperberry Extract

Tasmanian Pepperberry Extract

This natural berry is high in antioxidants, to help protect against free radical damage, and also has anti-inflammatory properties to soothe and calm.

Milk Thistle Extract

Milk thistle extract is derived from the seeds of the milk thistle plant (Silybum marianum). In skincare, it is used for its potential antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and skin-protecting properties.