Ingredients in Skincare

Alaria Esculenta Extract

Alaria Esculenta Extract

A type of edible brown algae, harvested from waters bordering Europe and Ireland, and rich in amino acids, minerals and antioxidants. When used in skin care, it hydrates, soothes, and imparts the appearance and feel of firmness in the skin. The combined properties of the ingredient results in plump and hydrated skin, and reduced signs of ageing. It is in the class of Algae Extract which also include ahnfeltia concinna 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.

Vitamin B5

Vitamin B5 is a humectant, meaning it can draw water molecules to it, hydrating and plumping the area it has been applied to. It also supports the natural lipid barrier of the skin, by encouraging the production of a precursor to fatty acids & sphingolipids, both of which are essential parts of the skin barrier. This mechanism helps to moisturise the skin by reducing trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL), therefore retaining more moisture within the skin. This also helps to reduce inflammation in dry or broken skin, as an intact skin barrier will prevent potential irritants from getting into the epidermis. Vitamin B5 is a family of ingredients also known as calcium pantothenate, calcium pantothenate (vitamin b5), d-panthenol, pantothenic acid, panthenol, and panthenyl triacetate.

Glyceryl Glucoside

Glyceryl Glucoside is used in skincare for its hydrating abilities. It works by stimulating the production of Aquaporin 3, a natural substance found in the epidermis to regulate the movement of water between cells. An increased level of Aquaporin 3 in the skin results in improved hydration throughout the surface, and deeper layers, of the skin.

Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide

Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide

Alpha-glucan oligosaccharide is in a class of prebiotic ingredients also found on ingredients lists as Fructooligosaccharides, lactobacillus extract filtrate, rhamnose and saccharomyces cerevisiae (yeast) extract. Prebiotics are a class of ingredients which can be found on ingredients lists as fructooligosaccharides, lactobacillus extract filtrate, rhamnose and saccharomyces cerevisiae (yeast) extract.

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.

Symsitive

Symsitive

This active has been designed specifically to soothe sensitive skin. Research from its manufacturer shows that 3 minutes after application, it can alleviate stinging by 78% and burning by 80%. It works by increasing the skin’s tolerance threshold to regulate the reaction response.

Perfluorodecalin

Perfluorodecalin

Perfluorodecalin is a synthetic active, used in skincare to dissolve and deliver oxygen into the skin. A lack of oxygen in the skin can cause unwanted bacteria to populate, for example in conditions like acne and rosacea. Adding extra oxygen into the skin, creates a hostile environment for these anaerobic (oxygen-hating) bacteria to survive.

Chamomile Extract

Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract

Chamomile, also known as chamomilla recutita (matricaria) flower extract, contains high levels of naturally-occurring compounds called terpenoids, the most famous being bisabolol. Bisabolol is known for its soothing properties, so including Chamomile extract in skincare can also provide this benefit.

Algin

Algin

Algin, also known as sodium alginate, is a large sugar molecule/polysaccharide that is used as a gelling agent in cosmetics, and is derived from brown seaweed. It is used in cosmetics for its hydrating and soothing properties, and in formulations as a binding and thickening agent. It is in the class of Algae Extract which also include ahnfeltia concinna extract, alaria esculenta extract, algae exopolysaccharides, 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.

Acetylarginyltryptophyl Diphenylglycine

Acetylarginyltryptophyl Diphenylglycine

Acetylarginyltryptophyl Diphenylglycine is a synthetic tetrapeptide used in skincare for its firming abilities. It works by inhibiting the enzyme elastase, which breaks down elastin in the skin (the protein responsible for skin firmness and elasticity). This reduction in elastase allows for higher levels of elastin in the skin, which in turn leads to skin that looks firmer, tighter and restructured. It is in a class of ingredients also found on ingredients lists as acetyl hexapeptide, acetyl tetrapeptide, arginine/lysine polypeptide, 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.

Endothelyol

Endothelyol

Endothelyol is used in skincare to target redness and rosacea. It provides a soothing effect by regulating inflammatory processes in the skin, as well as reducing visible redness via encouraging microcirculation (blood flow in the capillaries). It has been proven to reduce rosacea symptoms after 28 days daily use.

Adenosine

Adenosine

Adenosine is a well-researched anti-ageing and soothing ingredient. It is produced naturally in the body, but can also be derived from yeast. It works by stimulating the skin's own collagen production process, to reduce the appearance of wrinkles. It also has anti-inflammatory and barrier repair benefits, so is a fantastic multi-functional skincare ingredient.

Algae Extract

Algae Extract

It is essentially an underwater plant, designed to get its food from sunlight, much like any other plants, although from much more challenging conditions. In all its forms it acts as a powerful antioxidant, protecting from free radical damage, as well as being able to hydrate the skin and deliver naturally-occurring vitamins into the skin. Algaes are a class of ingredients, many of which can be used in skincare. Variants of algae used in skincare are ahnfeltia concinna extract, alaria esculenta extract, algae exopolysaccharides, algin, alteromonas ferment extract, ascophyllum nodosum extract, asparagopsis armata extract, chlorella protothecoides, chlorella protothecoides oil (oleic acid), chlorella vulgaris extract, dunaliella salina (green algae) extract, hydrolysed algin, hydrolyzed f-fucoidan, laminaria ochroleuca (kelp) extract, laminaria ochroleuca extract. macrocystis pyrifera (kelp) extract, and marine extract

Acai Extract

Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract

Acai is a plant ingredient which can also be referred to by its botanical name, euterpe oleracea. It displays potent antioxidant abilities, meaning it is able to protect skin against free radical damage.

Azelaic Acid

Azelaic Acid

Azelaic acid is found naturally in grains such as barley, wheat and rye, but can also be produced commercially in the lab. It has several benefits in skincare including as an anti-inflammatory, with evidence showing great results in treating rosacea symptoms (swelling & redness) via this mechanism. Azelaic also has an anti-blemish activity - firstly, it is an antibacterial which works to kill acne-causing bacteria, P.Acnes. Secondly, it prevents pores becoming blocked by the skin’s natural shedding process, which makes it harder for this bacteria to populate inside the pore to cause a blemish (it needs an oxygen-free environment to thrive). Studies have also shown azelaic acid to inhibit melanogenesis (production of melanin), so also has benefits in treating hyperpigmentation and post-inflammatory acne scarring. It has good skin tolerability, so can be used to treat more sensitive skin types in concentrations of around 10%. It is a family of ingredients, the other ingredient including Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate.