Ingredients in Skincare

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.

Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate

Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate

Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate (SAP) is a gentle and water-soluble form of Vitamin C. It is more stable for use in skincare than pure ascorbic acid. Vitamin C can also be found on ingredients lists as ascorbic acid, ascorbyl glucoside, ascorbyl palmitate, ethyl ascorbic acid, l-ascorbic acid, magnesium ascorbyl phosphate and tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate.

Probiotics

Probiotics

Probiotics can be defined as living bacteria which are good for the skin, and are useful to include in skincare formulations in order to populate a healthy microbiome (the ecosystem of bacteria on the skin). A diverse breadth in the strains of bacteria living on the skin results in a healthy microbiome, and some early research has linked certain imbalances in this microbiome to skin conditions such as acne, eczema and psoriasis. Probiotics are a class of ingredients which can be found on ingredients lists as bifida ferment lysate, lactobacillus ferment, and lactococcus ferment lysate.

Saccharomyces Cerevisiae (Yeast) Extract

Saccharomyces Cerevisiae (Yeast) Extract

Yeast extract (e.g. Saccharomyces Cerevisiae) is used in skincare for its benefits as a moisturising and soothing agent. It has strong antioxidant properties to protect against free radical damage and its fermented nature means it also functions as a prebiotic on the skin (meaning it acts as a food source for beneficial skin bacteria to thrive). Prebiotics are in a class of ingredients that can be found on ingredients lists as alpha-glucan oligosaccharide, fructooligosaccharides, lactobacillus extract filtrate and rhamnose.

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.

Silk Protein

Silk Protein

Silk Protein is a natural protein derived from silkworm cocoons. In skincare, it is used for its potential moisturizing, softening, and conditioning properties.

Yeast Amino Acids

Yeast Amino Acids

Yeast amino acids help to stimulate the skin’s cellular renewal, soothe skin, and increase oxygen flow to skin cells. It is also believed that yeast amino acids can stimulate collagen production. 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 yeast amino acids.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Snow Mushroom Extract

Tremella Fuciformis

Snow Mushroom Extract, also known as Tremella fuciformis extract, is derived from the snow mushroom, a gelatinous mushroom with hydrating properties. In skincare, it is used for its potential moisturizing, plumping, and skin-soothing benefits.

Sea Buckthorn Water

Sea Buckthorn Water

Sea buckthorn is a natural plant extract which contains a high concentration of vitamin c, and polyphenols, which provide antioxidant protection against free radicals.

Caffeic Acid

Caffeic acid is a powerful naturally-occurring antioxidant found in most plants. It is able to protect the skin by neutralising damage-causing free radicals. Studies have also shown this ingredient to also have an anti-inflammatory effect within the skin, which can have a beneficial effect on acne, redness and preventing premature ageing.