Explore breakdowns of the skincare ingredients featured in our personalised Renude routines. Learn their benefits, functions, and who they're suitable for.
Nymphaea Caerulea
Blue lotus is typically used in skincare for its moisturising properties. As with most plant extracts, it also demonstrates antioxidant abilities, so is able to help protect skin against free radical damage.
Licochalcone A is a naturally occurring compound found in the root extract of the licorice plant (Glycyrrhiza glabra). It is used in skincare for its potential anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and skin-soothing properties.
Ascorbic Acid
Part of the Vitamin C family of ingredients, L-ascorbic acid is Vitamin C in its purest form, and the active form required by the body to result in the many skin skin benefits of Vitamin C. The issue with L-ascorbic acid is in the delivery, as it is very unstable in water, and needs a pH 4 or below for it to penetrate the skin. That being said, when it can be stabilised in a formula and is able to penetrate the skin, it provides the highest potency of any form of Vitamin C currently available. Vitamin C can also be found on ingredients lists as ascorbyl glucoside, ascorbyl palmitate, ethyl ascorbic acid, l-ascorbic acid, magnesium ascorbyl phosphate, sodium ascorbyl phosphate and tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate.
Ferulic Acid
Ferulic acid is a naturally occurring acid found in plants, such as bran. It is used in skincare for its antioxidant properties, meaning it can neutralise free radicals before they can cause any cellular damage. It has also been shown to stabilise Vitamins C and E when used in combination, resulting in a boost in their efficacy vs being used without the addition of Ferulic acid.
Alteromonas Ferment Extract
Alteromonas Ferment Extract is a polysaccharide excreted by the gram-negative bacteria, Alteromonas macleodii which grows in deep sea waters. Due to its polysaccharide (carbohydrate) structure, it acts as a humectant, drawing water molecules towards it to plump and hydrate the applied area. Studies have also shown this ingredient to have soothing properties against chemical & mechanical irritants, so is a great active for calming symptoms of sensitive skin. It is in the class of Algae Extract which also include ahnfeltia concinna extract, alaria esculenta extract, algae exopolysaccharides, 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.
Naringenin chalcone is a flavonoid compound derived from citrus fruits, particularly grapefruits. In skincare, it is used for its potential antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and skin-brightening properties.
Carnitine is a naturally occurring amino acid derivative found in the body. In skincare, L-Carnitine is used for its potential skin-soothing, antioxidant, and revitalizing properties.
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.
Kola seed extract is derived from the seeds of the kola nut tree, and is used in skincare for its potential skin-toning, and antioxidant properties.
Feverfew has been used in ancient medicine for centuries to treat everything from headaches, constipation, vertigo, worms, spasms & arthritis. One of the oil-soluble flavonoids, Tanetin, has been shown to modulate inflammatory responses in the body, whilst other flavonoids provide antioxidant protection.
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.
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 HCL
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.
Cabbage Leaf Extract is a natural extract rich in flavonoids and anthocyanins. Flavonoids are plant polyphenols which offer antioxidant protection against reactive free radicals. Anthocyanins are substances produced by the plant in nature to protect against environmental stressors: UV radiation, oxidation & temperature. Studies have also shown that Cabbage Leaf extract provides anti-inflammatory benefits when applied topically to the skin.
Zinc PCA
Zinc PCA is a component of the skin’s natural moisturising factor (NMF), which acts as a humectant to draw water to it, and when synthesized with zinc, it can actually improve the efficacy of zinc, by making it more bioavailable and easily-absorbed. Studies have also shown that zinc PCA can inhibit the activity of destructive enzymes within the skin, therefore providing a protective, anti-ageing mechanism to the skin. Zinc is a family of ingredients that can also be found on ingredients lists as zinc gluconate, zinc sulfate and zinc sulphate.
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