Ingredients in Skincare

Indian Gooseberry

Indian gooseberry (also known as amla) has one of the highest concentrations of any fruit, of antioxidants such as gallic acid and quercetin. Studies have also shown this fruit to have great results in reducing signs of sensitivity and redness.

Licochalcone A

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.

Horse Chestnut

Aesculus Hippocastanum Seed Extract

Horse Chestnut has powerful antioxidant properties, is able to soothe irritated skin, and has also been shown in some studies to have benefits in strengthening the blood vessels to reduce visible redness.

Maltobionic Acid

Maltobionic acid is a non-irritating poly hydroxy acid (PHA) derived from natural sugars. PHAs provide a gentle exfoliation of the skin, encouraging dead cells to be shed from the surface, and new cells to be produced in the basal layer of the epidermis. This process leads to smoother, less congested & more radiant skin, whilst reducing discolouration & fine lines to provide visible anti-ageing results. Maltobionic acid is also an antioxidant, protecting skin from harmful effects of free radicals within the body, as well as inhibiting specific enzymes which lead to degradation of our skin proteins, so this mechanism keeps skin more youthful. Maltobionic acid also has humectant qualities, meaning it is able to draw water molecules to it, plumping & hydrating the area which it is applied. It was patented in 2000 by Neostrata, as one of their ‘Bionic acids’. Maltobionic acid is in a class of polyhydroxy acid ingredients also known by gluconolactone and lactobionic acid.

Neurophroline

An incredibly innovative ingredient, Neurophroline is derived from the Wild Indigo plant and has multiple skin benefits. It has been shown to breakdown cortisol, a stress hormone which has many negative effects on the skin. It also triggers the release of a calming neuropeptide to reduce stress in the skin. Through these mechanisms, it has been shown to achieve a visible improvement in skin tone in as little as 2 weeks.

Oligopeptide

Oligopeptides are short chains of amino acids that can mimic the natural DNA structure and interfere with the ageing process. It is in a class of ingredients also found on ingredients lists as acetylarginyltryptophyl diphenylglycine, 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, 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.

Kola Seed Extract

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.

Ethylhexyl Salicylate

Ethylhexyl Salicylate

Ethylhexyl Salicylate is a synthetic UV filter used in sun care products to protect against UVB radiation to offer SPF protection to the skin. Other ingredients in the class of synthetic UV filters include bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine, butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane, ethylhexyl triazone, homosalate, octinoxate, octisalate, octocrylene and triazine diethyl butamidotriazone.

Magnesium Sulfate

Magnesium Sulfate is an inorganic salt, also referred to as Epsom salt. It is used in skincare as an anti-inflammatory ingredient, specifically helping in reducing inflammation associated with acne.

Turmeric Root Extract

Turmeric Root Extract

Turmeric is known for its powerful anti-inflammatory properties, which help to soothe and calm skin irritation. It also has antioxidant properties to help protect against free radical damage.

Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate

Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate

Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate (HPR) is a part of the vitamin A family of ingredients, and is classed as an ester of retinoic acid. This means it is able to bind directly with the retinoic acid receptors in our body, without the need for conversion first (a process all retinol derivatives undergo, which typically reduces their potency). Hydroxypinacolone retinoate is part of a family of ingredients also found on ingredients lists as retinol, retinaldehyde, Retinoic acid (aka tretinoin), encapsulated retinaldehyde, retinyl palmitate, retinyl propionate or retinyl retinoate (8x more powerful than retinol).

Porphyridium Cruentum Extract

Porphyridium Cruentum Extract

A type of red algae rich in polysaccharides, which helps to retain moisture and hydrate the skin. This ingredient has a smoothing effect and is very well tolerated by all skin types. The extract of red algae helps to enhance skin elasticity, which results in a reduction of lines and wrinkles. 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, marine extract, parachlorella beijerinckii exopolysaccharides, parachlorella beijerinckii exopolysaccharides, plankton extract, pseudoalteromonas exopolysaccharides, tripleurospermum maritimum extract, vibrio alginolyticus ferment filtrate, chlorella protothecoides oil

L-Ascorbic Acid

L-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 ascorbic acid, ascorbyl glucoside, ascorbyl palmitate, ethyl ascorbic acid, magnesium ascorbyl phosphate, sodium ascorbyl phosphate and tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate.

Golden-Eye Grass Complex

An antioxidant and anti-inflammatory plant extract which has been shown to balance the pH of the skin, keeping the natural lipid barrier functioning at its best and therefore providing protection against environmental stressors.

Dunaliella Salina (Green Algae) Extract

Dunaliella Salina (Green Algae) Extract

A natural source of Vitamin B12, it’s also a rich source of beta-carotene, and conveys potent antioxidant benefits that can benefit skin. It is in the class of Algae Extract which also include ahnfeltia concinna extract, alaria esculenta extract, algae exopolysaccharides, algin, alteromonas ferment extract, alteromonas ferment extract, ascophyllum nodosum extract, asparagopsis armata extract, chlorella protothecoides, chlorella vulgaris extract, hydrolyzed f-fucoidan, laminaria ochroleuca (kelp) extract, macrocystis pyrifera (kelp) extract, and marine extract.