Ingredients in Skincare

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.

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.

Milk Thistle Extract

Milk thistle extract is derived from the seeds of the milk thistle plant (Silybum marianum). In skincare, it is used for its potential antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and skin-protecting properties.

Copper Heptapeptide-14 Pantothenate

It encapsulates copper peptides and reduces wrinkles. It helps gene expression of collagen & elastin and increases elasticity. 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, 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.

Boerhavia Diffusa Root Extract

Brassica Oleracea Capitata

Boerhavia Diffusa Root Extract is derived from the root of the Boerhavia Diffusa plant, also known as Punarnava. It is used in skincare for its potential soothing, anti-inflammatory, and skin-conditioning properties.

Glycerin

Glycerin is a humectant present in all natural lipids. It works to attract water molecules towards it, plumping & hydrating the applied area, resulting in smooth, soft, hydrated skin. It is one of the most widely used humectants in skincare, due to its high performance and broad availability (making it very cost-effective). Recent research has shown that its ability to penetrate the layers of the skin is superior to that of low molecular weight hyaluronic acid, making it a brilliant choice for overall skin hydration, and suitable for all skin types.

Prickly Pear Extract

Prickly Pear Extract

Prickly pear is a cactus native to Mexico, and is used in skincare for its soothing and hydrating properties. It is also known as hydrolyzed opuntia ficus indica flower extract and opuntia ficus-indica fruit extract.

Marshmallow Root

Marshmallow root is extracted from the Althea plant, native to Northern Africa, Europe and Western Asia, and is rich in polysaccharides and flavonoids. The polysaccharides provide natural humectant benefits, meaning this attracts water-molecules to plump and hydrate the area. The flavonoids provide antioxidant protection from free radicals, as well as anti-inflammatory benefits, by modulating inflammatory responses within the body.

Sodium Lactate

Sodium lactate is in a class of ingredients that can be found on ingredients lists as natural moisturising factors, sodium PCA or trehalose.

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.

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.

Quercetin

Quercetin

Quercetin is a naturally occurring bioflavonoid found in fruits and vegetables such as kale, onion, tomatoes and berries. It is used in skincare for its antioxidant abilities, meaning it can neutralise free radicals before they cause any damage to the skin. Studies also show Quercetin to have anti-inflammatory effects, and an ability to protect the skin against aggressors such as UV, histamine and toxic chemicals. It is also believed to support the skin barrier functioning, reducing water-loss via the skin to improve hydration levels in the epidermis.

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.

Retinaldehyde

Retinaldehyde

Retinaldehyde (RetinAl) is a part of the vitamin A family of ingredients and is the most potent cosmetic retinoid. As with most retinoids, retinal must be converted to retinoic acid, the active form of vitamin A, in order to work. However, compared to retinol which undergoes 2 conversion steps to retinoic acid, retinal undergoes only one conversion, making it more potent/effective than retinol. Retinaldehyde is also unique in comparison to other retinoids in that it has antibacterial properties, alongside all other properties of retinoids. This means that you get the smoother, firmer, and more even skin tone that retinoids provide with the additional bonus of antibacterial properties for people with acne. It is part of a family of ingredients also found on ingredients lists as encapsulated retinaldehyde, hydroxypinacolone retinoate, retinol, retinyl palmitate, retinyl propionate and retinyl retinoate (8x more powerful than retinol).

Coconut Oil

Cocos Nucifera Oil

Coconut oil, also known as cocos nucifera (coconut) oil, is naturally rich in fat-soluble Vitamins A & E, which provide antioxidant benefits, as well as supporting the skin barrier by reducing TEWL and therefore retaining moisture levels within the epidermis.