Ingredients in Skincare

Lactobionic Acid

Lactobionic 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. Lactobionic 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. Lactobionic 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’. Lactobionic acid is in a class of polyhydroxy acid ingredients also known by gluconolactone and maltobionic acid.

Mango Seed Butter

Mango seed butter, also known as mango kernel butter or mango butter, is a rich and creamy emollient derived from the seeds of the mango fruit (Mangifera indica). In skincare, it is used for its excellent moisturizing, nourishing, and skin-conditioning properties.

Valine

Valine

It's a branched chain amino acid that is claimed to enhance energy, increase endurance and aid in muscle tissue recovery and repair when taken as a supplement. In skincare, Valine helps to keep the skin hydrated and to protect against external aggressors. 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, histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, proline, serine and valine and yeast amino acids.

Retinyl Palmitate

Retinyl Palmitate

Retinyl Palmitate is a part of the vitamin A family of ingredients. It is broken down in the body to retinol, and then into retinaldehyde, then again into retinoic acid, the active form recognised by the body to trigger its skin benefits. It is part of a family of ingredients also found on ingredients lists as encapsulated retinaldehyde, hydroxypinacolone retinoate, retinaldehyde, retinol, retinyl propionate and retinyl retinoate (8x more powerful than retinol)

Azelaoyl Bis-Dipeptide

Azelaoyl Bis-Dipeptide

A synthetic peptide built around naturally-derived azelaic acid. This peptide offers brightening, antioxidant, and protective benefits. It is in a class of ingredients also found on ingredients lists as acetyl hexapeptide, acetyl tetrapeptide, acetylarginyltryptophyl diphenylglycine, arginine/lysine polypeptide, 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.

Ethyl Ascorbic Acid

Ethyl Ascorbic Acid

Part of the Vitamin C family of ingredients, L-ascorbic acid is designed to improve its stability and skin penetration abilities, to achieve optimum skin benefits. Once absorbed into the skin, the ethyl group is removed, and l-ascorbic acid is returned to its active form, where it can best support the skin to achieve visible brightening & anti-ageing results. Vitamin C can also be found on ingredients lists as ascorbic acid, ascorbyl glucoside, ascorbyl palmitate, l-ascorbic acid, magnesium ascorbyl phosphate, sodium ascorbyl phosphate and tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate.

Luffa Cylindrica Extract

Luffa Cylindrica Extract, also known as sponge gourd or loofah, is derived from the fruit of the Luffa cylindrica plant. In skincare, this extract is used for its potential exfoliating, cleansing, and skin-smoothing properties.

Lactobacillus Ferment

Lactobacillus Ferment

Lactobacillus ferment is a probiotic, with a number of skin benefits. It was first shown by Estee Lauder to protect against environmental aggressors by supporting DNA repair within the cell. It was later shown to have powerful anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects, with research indicating it being particularly beneficial for those with acne or rosacea. The manufacturer of the ingredient, Barnet, has confirmed the mechanism of this is by suppressing the growth of harmful bacteria associated with these conditions, and encouraging the diversity of growth of beneficial skin microbiota. Lactobacillus ferment sits in a class of probiotic ingredients which can be found on ingredients lists as bifida ferment lysate and lactococcus ferment lysate.

Coffee Seed Extract

Coffea Arabica (Coffee) Seed Extract

Also known as coffea arabica (coffee) seed extract, this natural extract, derived from coffee beans, is high in antioxidants so first and foremost, offers protection against free radical damage. Studies have also shown this to have restorative properties, resulting in a healthier, smoother skin feel, as well as potentially improving the skin’s ability to retain moisture.

Guarana Extract

Guarana extract is derived from the seeds of the guarana plant (Paullinia cupana), which is native to the Amazon rainforest. It is used in skincare for its potential energizing, antioxidant, and skin-conditioning properties.

Jeju Green Tea Water

Jeju green tea water works to hydrate the skin, whilst offering antioxidant protection through the high concentration of polyphenols present in the green tea.

Saskatoon Berry

Saskatoon Berry

Saskatoon Berry, also known as Amelanchier alnifolia, is a small fruit-bearing shrub native to North America. In skincare, Saskatoon Berry extract is used for its potential antioxidant and skin-nourishing properties.

Lecithin

Lecithin

Lecithin can be classed as a phospholipid, which occurs naturally in eggs, soybean, sunflower oil and corn. It contains a high concentration of fatty acids, which support the skin’s natural barrier by creating a lipid film to prevent transepidermal water loss (TEWL). Lecithin also has lipophilic & hydrophilic properties, meaning it can function as an emulsifier and skin penetration-enhancer, helping to deliver actives deeper into the skin. Lecithin is in the class of essential lipids, and can be found on ingredient lists as caprooyl phytosphingosine, caprooyl sphingosine, cholesterol, glycolipids, glycoproteins, glycosphingolipids, linoleic acid, linolenic acid, phospholipids and phytosphingosine.

EGCG

Epigallocatechin Gallate (EGCG)

EGCG is an active polyphenol, present in green tea, this compound provides powerful antioxidant protection to the skin, as well as some studies showing an ability to visibly reduce dark circles.