Ingredients in Skincare

Humectants

Humectants are a hydrophilic (water-loving) family of ingredients. They can also be known as disodium acetyl glucosamine phosphate or saccharide isomerate and are able to attract water towards them via charges between the molecules. They are therefore brilliant hydrators, and are able to plump out fine lines and wrinkles via surface hydration to provide an anti-ageing effect.

Ferulic Acid

Ferulic Acid

Ferulic acid is a naturally occurring acid found in plants, such as bran. It is used in skincare for its antioxidant properties, meaning it can neutralise free radicals before they can cause any cellular damage. It has also been shown to stabilise Vitamins C and E when used in combination, resulting in a boost in their efficacy vs being used without the addition of Ferulic acid.

Sage Extract

Sage Extract

Sage is a plant extract, naturally high in antioxidants which offer the skin protection from free radical damage. Sage has additional anti-inflammatory benefits which helps to soothe skin which is prone to redness.

Cinnamon Bark

Cinnamomum Zeylanicum Bark Extract

Cinnamon bark, also known as cinnamomum zeylanicum bark extract, acts as a natural antibacterial to help prevent the growth of acne-causing bacteria. It is also thought to regulate sebum production to prevent pores from becoming blocked. As it is a plant extract, it is naturally high in antioxidants which offer the skin protection against free radical damage.

Ginkgo Biloba

Ginkgo Biloba is a tree native to Asia, one of the oldest plant species on the planet, and rich in flavonoids and terpenoids. These provide powerful antioxidant protection, reducing potential damage caused by reactive free radicals. Studies have also shown Ginkgo Biloba to provide skin-smoothing and hydrating properties.

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.

Meadowfoam Seed Oil

Meadowfoam seed oil is a luxurious and lightweight oil derived from the seeds of the meadowfoam plant (Limnanthes alba). In skincare, it is used for its excellent moisturizing, nourishing, and skin-protecting properties.

Red Algae

Red Algae

Algae is an incredibly interesting natural ingredient source. It is essentially an underwater plant, designed to get its food from sunlight, much like any other plants, although from much more challenging conditions. 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.

Tomato Stem Cells

Tomato Stem Cells

Stem cells occur naturally within plants to help regenerate cells after stress or injury, and studies show this can encourage similar regenerating mechanisms in human skin. Tomato stem cells provide antioxidant protection to protect against free radicals, as well as acting as a chelating agent to sequester heavy metals which could result in damage, so overall this ingredient has great protective properties.

Palmitoyl Oligopeptide

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 pentapeptide, palmitoyl tetrapeptide, palmitoyl tripeptide, palmitoyl tetrapeptide, pentapeptide, sh-oligopeptide, tetrapeptide and copper palmitoyl heptapeptide.

Feverfew Extract

Feverfew has been used in ancient medicine for centuries to treat everything from headaches, constipation, vertigo, worms, spasms & arthritis. One of the oil-soluble flavonoids, Tanetin, has been shown to modulate inflammatory responses in the body, whilst other flavonoids provide antioxidant protection.

Sacred Lotus Flower Extract

Sacred Lotus Flower Extract

This natural plant extract has been shown to have multi-functional benefits, targeting both pigmentation and wrinkles. Studies have shown the extract to be effective at inhibiting tyrosinase, an enzyme involved in producing the pigment melanin in the skin, helping to reduce the appearance of dark spots. It has also been shown to help firm the skin, by slowing the rate at which elastin, an important protein for skin firmness, is degraded.

Resveratrol

Vitis Vinifera

Resveratrol is a family of ingredients also known as vitis vinifera (organic, cold pressed concord grape) seed oil, vitis vinifera (grape) flower cell extract, vitis vinifera (grape) fruit extract, vitis vinifera (grape) seed extract, vitis vinifera seed extract or vitis vinifera (organic). Most famously found in the skin of red grapes, but also occurring naturally in peanuts and certain fruits such as blueberries and cranberries. It is included in skincare for its powerful antioxidant abilities. Research shows it can protect against free radicals, as well as oxidative damage caused by UV.

Argan Oil

Argania Spinosa (Argan) Kernel Oil

Argan oil is derived from the nut of the Argan tree which grows in Morocco, it is naturally high in Vitamin E and fatty acids, which work to nourish the skin, protect the natural lipid barrier and provide antioxidant protection against free radicals.

Safflower Seed Oil

Safflower Seed Oil

Safflower Seed Oil is derived from the seeds of the safflower plant (Carthamus tinctorius). In skincare, it is used for its moisturizing, soothing, and skin-nourishing properties.