Ingredients in Skincare

Chondrus Crispus

Algae

Algae is an incredibly interesting natural ingredient source. There are many types of algae (kelp, laminaria, microalgae) but in general 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. 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, vibrio alginolyticus ferment filtrate, dunaliella salina (green algae) extract, hydrolyzed f-fucoidan, laminaria ochroleuca (kelp) extract, macrocystis pyrifera (kelp) extract, marine extract, parachlorella beijerinckii exopolysaccharides, padina pavonica thallus extract, plankton extract, porphyridium cruentum extract, pseudoalteromonas exopolysaccharides, tripleurospermum maritimum extract, chlorella protothecoides oil and chlorella protothecoides oil.

Octisalate

Ethylhexyl Salicylate

Octisalate/Octyl Salicylate is a synthetic UV filter used in sun care products to provide protection against UVB wavelengths of 290-320 nm, with a peak absorbance at 306 nm. Other ingredients in the class of synthetic UV filters include bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine, butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane, ethylhexyl salicylate, ethylhexyl triazone, homosalate, octinoxate, octocrylene and triazine diethyl butamidotriazone.

Sulfur

Sulfur

Sulfur used in skincare works to reduce blemishes. It does this by acting as an antibacterial to kill off the bacteria which causes acne, and also works to dry out the area, absorbing any excess sebum. It works best for blackheads and whiteheads, and is typically better for sensitive skin types than some other blemish-fighting ingredients.

Taurine

Taurine

In skin care, taurine is a powerful form of anti-fatigue. When applied topically, taurine re-energises skin to minimise the signs of fatigue whilst helping with rehydration. 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, threonine and valine and yeast amino acids.

Octinoxate

Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate

Octinoxate/Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate is a synthetic UV filter used in sun care products to provide protection against UVB light. Other ingredients in the class of synthetic UV filters include bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine, butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane, ethylhexyl salicylate, ethylhexyl triazone, homosalate, octisalate, octocrylene and triazine diethyl butamidotriazone.

Fomes Officinalis (Mushroom) Extract

Fomes Officinalis (Mushroom) Extract

Fomes officinalis is in a class of ingredients also known as mushroom extract and polyporus umbellatus (mushroom) extract

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).

Palmitoyl Pentapeptide

Many peptides function as anti-ageing ingredients in skincare, due to their ability to fit specific receptors in the body to trigger anti-ageing responses. This includes mechanisms like collagen production, cell regeneration or even blocking muscle contractions to smooth expression lines. Peptides are made up of amino acids, and are unique in shape, with a huge variety available to target specific responses in the body. It is from a class of ingredients also found on ingredients lists as acetyl hexapeptide, acetyl tetrapeptide, acetylarginyltryptophyl diphenylglycine, 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 tetrapeptide, palmitoyl tripeptide, palmitoyl tetrapeptide, pentapeptide, sh-oligopeptide, tetrapeptide and copper palmitoyl heptapeptide.

Fernblock

Fernblock

Known as FernBlock, this is a patented active from Heliocare, developed alongside Harvard medical school. It is derived from a tropical fern native to South America, and works by protecting against UVB-induced sunburn, as well as protecting against UVA and Infrared wavelengths. The active is also able to support cell renewal and protect from cumulative damage caused by sun exposure (such as ageing and DNA damage). It is an antioxidant, protecting against free radicals, and has been shown to boost production of collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid in the skin.

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)

Dipeptide

Dipeptide is an anti-ageing peptide, which facilitates the skin’s healing process and makes the skin firmer. It is in a class of ingredients also found on ingredients lists as acetyl hexapeptide, acetyl tetrapeptide, acetylarginyltryptophyl diphenylglycine, arginine/lysine polypeptide, azelaoyl bis-dipeptide, copper heptapeptide-14 pantothenate, 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.

Retinyl Retinoate

Retinyl Retinoate (8X More Powerful Than Retinol)

Retinyl retinoate is a part of the vitamin A family of ingredients, which combines retinol with retinoic acid. Research shows that this makes it more stable in the delivery (a common problem with either active alone), as well as more potent and less irritating. It is broken down by the body in two stages - first into retinol and retinoic acid, then the retinol is broken down again into retinoic acid, so essentially packing double the punch. Studies carried out comparing this to pure retinol showed significantly more effective and faster results, with comparable side effects. It is part of a family of ingredients also found on ingredients lists as encapsulated retinaldehyde, hydroxypinacolone retinoate, retinaldehyde, retinyl palmitate and retinyl propionate.

Proline

Proline

A non-essential amino acid (meaning that our body can produce it) that's also one of the major building blocks of collagen. It is thought to be able to improve wrinkles when combined with other amino acids, glycine and leucine. 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, phenylalanine, serine, taurine, threonine and valine and yeast amino acids.

Linoleic Acid

Linoleic Acid

Linoleic Acid is an Omega 6 essential fatty acid (EFA), found in many plant oils: corn, safflower & sunflower. Linoleic acid forms the fatty acid based of Ceramides EOH, EOS and EOP, which are essential for the normal functioning of the skin barrier. Applying linoleic acid topically helps to support ceramide functioning within the skin, leading to improved skin hydration and smoothness. Research also shows that sebum in acne-prone skin can be lacking in Omega 6 (with too much Omega 3), so there is evidence to suggest applying this topically can help to balance the sebum composition and in turn reduce acne lesions. Linoleic Acid is in the class of essential lipids, and can be found on ingredient lists as caprooyl phytosphingosine, caprooyl sphingosine, cholesterol, glycolipids, glycoproteins, glycosphingolipids, Lecithin, linolenic acid, phospholipids and phytosphingosine.

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.