Ingredients in Skincare

Bisabolol

Bisabolol

Bisabolol is a naturally-occurring active found in the chamomile plant, although it can also be created synthetically. Its key properties are as an anti-inflammatory and soothing agent, with some studies also showing it to have a brightening effect on the skin. Bisabolol is a rich source of panthenol (vitamin B5), which acts as a humectant, meaning it draws water molecules towards it to plump and hydrate the area. Studies have also shown that bisabolol can enhance the penetration of other actives into the skin, so is great when used in combination with other actives designed to work at the basal layer of the epidermis, or in fact the dermis.

Green Tea

Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract

Green Tea is a natural plant extract, rich in polyphenols, also known as catechins. Green Tea is particularly high in the catechin Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), which is a powerful antioxidant, meaning it can neutralise free radicals to prevent them causing damage within the skin.

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.

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.

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.

Willow Herb Extract

Willow Herb Extract

A botanical extract used for its antioxidant and skin-soothing abilities.

Cucumber Extract

Cucumis Sativus (Cucumber) Fruit Extract

Cucumber extract, also known as cucumis sativus (cucumber) fruit extract, cucumis sativus or cucumber fruit extract, provides natural antioxidant protection against free radicals. It is comprised of 95% water, plus small concentrations of ascorbic acid (vitamin c), caffeic acid (an antioxidant), fatty acids and silica (mineral required for healthy skin, hair & nails).

Mandelic Acid

Mandelic Acid

Mandelic acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA), derived from bitter almonds. AHAs work by dissolving the keratin binding the outermost layer of skin cells, speeding up the skin’s natural exfoliation process. This leads to smoother, brighter, clearer skin, whilst reducing skin discolouration & fine lines/wrinkles with continued use. Mandelic acid has a larger molecular weight vs. other acids in the AHA category. It is twice the molecular weight of glycolic acid for example (the smallest AHA on the market), so it tends to be better tolerated than smaller AHAs, which penetrate the skin much faster. Research also shows that mandelic acid is particularly effective at improving some forms of pigmentation, compared with other AHAs.

Mushroom Extract

Mushroom extracts are derived from various types of mushrooms, such as shiitake, reishi, and chaga. In skincare, they are used for their potential anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and skin-soothing properties. Studies have shown that compounds from specific mushroom types can inhibit tyrosinase activity (an enzyme involved in melanin synthesis), which in turn visibly minimises areas of hyperpigmentation. Mushroom extract is a class of ingredients also known by fomes officinalis (mushroom) extract, fomes officinalis (mushroom) extract and polyporus umbellatus (mushroom) extract.

Glycolic Acid

Glycolic acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA), derived from sugar cane. AHAs work by dissolving the keratin binding the outermost layer of skin cells, speeding up the skin’s natural exfoliation process. This leads to smoother, brighter, clearer skin, whilst reducing skin discolouration & fine lines/wrinkles with continued use. Glycolic acid has the smallest molecular weight of all the AHAs, meaning it can penetrate the skin quickest, producing the fastest results, but also most likely to cause skin sensitivity, so it is best for those with fairly tolerant skin types.

Essential Lipids

The outer layer of the skin, the stratum corneum, has a multilamellar structure (essentially a fine membrane), made up of lipids (fats), to form a non-permeable barrier. This keeps water inside the skin, and acts as the first defense against external aggressors. Using lipids in skincare helps to support the natural skin barrier, preventing water-loss to keep skin hydrated and balanced. Essential lipids are a class of ingredients also known as caprooyl phytosphingosine, caprooyl sphingosine, cholesterol, glycolipids, glycoproteins, glycosphingolipids, lecithin, linoleic acid, linolenic acid, phospholipids and phytosphingosine.

Natural Moisturising Factors

They are a substance produced by the body, made up of minerals, lactate, urea, amino acids & humectants, which coats the surface skin cells to keep them moisturised. NMF increases the skin’s ability to retain moisture, which results in more hydrated, plump, smoother skin. Natural moisturising factor (NMF) are a class of ingredients that can also be known by sodium lactate, sodium pca and trehalose.

Zinc

Zinc

It is known to regulate sebum production, as well as inhibit the growth of the C. Acnes bacteria to improve acne symptoms. Zinc is a family of ingredients also known as zinc gluconate, zinc pca, zinc sulfate and zinc sulphate.

Apple Stem Cells

Malus Domestica Fruit Cell Culture Extract

Apple stem cells, also known as malus domestica fruit cell culture extract, occur naturally within plants to help regenerate cells after stress or injury, and studies show this can encourage similar regenerating mechanisms in human skin. Apple stem cells have been shown to increase synthesis of collagen & elastin to achieve visible anti-ageing results in the skin.

Algae Exopolysaccharides

Algae Exopolysaccharides

Exopolysaccharides (EPS) are phytochemicals produced by Algae to protect from external stressors: UV radiation, oxidation (from free radicals) and temperature, so these provide skin-protecting benefits in skincare. Being a polysaccharide, this also offers humectant qualities, meaning it can draw water to it, plumping & hydrating the area it is applied to. It is in the class of Algae Extract which also include ahnfeltia concinna extract, alaria esculenta extract, 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.