Ingredients Glossary
Purified Water - water that is physically processed to remove impurities using reverse osmosis, carbon filtration, ultraviolet oxidation, the combination of the above processes enable to produce water of such high purity that its trace contaminants are measured in parts per billion (ppb) or parts per trillion (ppt).
Cranberry Seed Oil – Cranberry seed oil is relatively new to the skin care industry but has received a lot of recognition for its unique natural balance of omega 3, 6 & 9 not found in any other oil and high content of natural antioxidants. This exceptional oil aids in the absorption and utilization of essential fatty acids in the skin and is said to moisturize the skin like no other oil. The oil is rich in tocophrols (vitamin E), is light and non-greasy on the skin and easily penetrates the skin. Use cranberry seed oil may aid in the relief of itchy, scaly, irritated skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis. Cranberry seed oil is the most unsaturated oil on the market, meaning that it has the most moisturizing properties of any oil. The oil is unique, because when combined with its naturally high antioxidant properties, it is a stable oil with astounding properties. Cranberry seed oil is the only oil with a naturally balanced 1:1 Omega3 and Omega6 profile. This type of profile is critically important for absorption and utilization of essential fatty acids in the skin. Research has shown that high concentration of Omega3 feed your skin. But when combined with a balanced Omega6 profile, the absorption and utilization of omega3 is dramatically enhanced. There is not a single other oil on the market that can provide a 1:1 balanced Omega profile. Antioxidants are the main ammunition that you can provide your body to minimize the attack on your body. Antioxidant supplements, and food rich in antioxidants such as blueberry, cranberry, strawberry, grape, and raspberry, all provide your body with important defense mechanisms. Research is suggesting that cancers are initiated by these free-radicals that overpowers and mutates the cell. Antioxidants that you eat can make it to the skin, but the skin is one organ that is constantly bombarded by free-radical pollution. Skin ‘ages’ upon continued exposure of free radicals produced by the sun, environment, and pollution. Skin that is protected from the elements will remain younger and more beautiful. As opposed to hiding our faces, we can utilize skin care products that naturally protect our skin by putting a powerful barrier between the skin and the elements. The importance of Omega-3 nutrition for healthy skin cannot be overemphasized, but is rarely highlighted. The body cannot produce Omega-3 essential fatty acids, so they must be supplied by other means. The importance of Omega3 nutrition is becoming vitally important. Recent research estimates that 24% of the population has deficiencies in Omega-3 nutrition, and that a majority of breast cancer biopsies report Omega-3 defiency in the tissue. Skin deficiencies have also been recorded, with links to atopic dermitis skin problems like eczema.
Coconut Oil – high quality expeller pressed and steam distilled refined, pure and uncontaminated. Coconut oil is excellent as a skin moisturiser, can also help in healing Keratosis pilaris by moisturising the affected area.
Marine Collagen - Collagen in our skin is excessively damaged by a number of external factors like UV rays, smoking, impaired glucose metabolism, chlorinated water, free radicals, inflammation, irritation and others. Its structure becomes distorted, leading to poor skin texture, wrinkles and other imperfections. Most components of the skin, including collagen, undergo continuous turnover. New collagen is continually produced and recycled throughout life. At a younger age the synthesis of collagen predominates, however, the degradation of collagen picks up speed after teen age years. To keep our skin's collagen in balance, after certain age, we can benefit from steps to boost collagen synthesis and reduce its degradation. Considering that collagen type I and III are predominate in the skin, the agents and treatments shown to stimulate the synthesis of these types are particularly promising. Marine Collagen whose capacity to stimulate both type I and III collagen has been shown in a number of studies. It will help accelerate collagen synthesis and elastin collagen thickening, encourage skin renewal and reduce skin muscle contraction. In another word it help increase elasticity, as well as tighten and smooth out wrinkles.
Jojoba Oil - replenishes the lipid bilayer of the skin to help make it smoother. Balancing & soothing properties, rich in Vitamin E, and is excellent for dry skin.
Lavender Water - tones and purifies the skin with astringent and antibacterial properties that help to cleanse and tighten pores.
Rosewater - tones and softens dry skin, and the natural acids from rosewater help to renew cells and brighten dull skin. Made from the steam left behind after the distillation of the essential oil. Used in cosmetics since the 10th century.
Chamomile Water - is soothing and helps to calm skin inflammation leaving skin soft and smooth, and toned
Sucrose cocoate - A cleansing agent and emollient (an ingredient that helps to balance or maintain moisture levels). It is a gentle cleanser, which is non-drying but still effectively removes dirt and makeup. Sugar beet and coconut oil derived.
Glyceryl cocoate -derived from coconut oil. A gentle cleanser & emulsifier.
Cocamidopropyl hydroxyl sultaine - natural conditioning booster derived from coconut
Korean Ginseng extract - Tonifying, Stimulant, Regenerating
Green Tea extract - Stimulant, Radical Scavenger, Vitamin P, Astringent. 20x stronger than Vitamin E. Soothing and moisturizing. Protects and revitalizes the skin.
Chamomile Flowers extract - Softening, Anti-Inflammatory
Glycerin – Glycerin is a humectant and emollient from plants. It absorbs moisture from the air, and helps retain moisture in creams and other products to keep them from drying out and hardening, and at the same time leaves skin moist and soft.
Vitamin B5 - skin conditioner, excellent scalp nutrient and hydrator
Dehydroacetic acid - Preservative found naturally in vinegar with anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties.
Potassium sorbate – It comes from sorbic acid, from fruit trees. It’s a natural source mold inhibitor. Sorbic acid is a natural raw material and potassium sorbate is its derivative. A Potassium salt version of Sorbic Acid, a polyunsaturated fat used to inhibit mold growth. It was first discovered by the French in the 1850's, having been derived from the Mountain Ash Tree. It is widely used in the food industry and few substances have had the kind of extensive, rigorous, long-term testing that Sorbic Acid and its salts have had. It has been found to be non-toxic even when taken in large quantities, and breaks down in the body into water and Carbon Dioxide in the Krebs Cycle. Many food producers use Potassium Sorbate as a natural preservative to provide freshest, taste, and safety to their products; naturally inhibit microbes, particularly mold.
Benzoin Gum - Benzoin gum is strongly antiseptic and astringent. Benzoin gum may be used externally on wounds and ulcers to tighten and disinfect the affected tissue. Benzoin gum contains variable quantities of cinnamic, benzoic and sumaresionlic acid esters, free acids (such as benzoic acid), benzaldehyde, and vanillin.
Willow Bark – contains salicylic acid. The precursor to Aspirin, anti-inflammatory properties and is able to gently exfoliate skin. Do not use if allergic to aspirin.
Sage – a refresher and tonic. It’s mild cleansing action makes it ideal for sensitive skin or scalp.
Cotton Seed extract - Smoothes, conditions, high emollient qualities.
Lavender EO - balances sebum and promotes growth of new cells, known for its use in treating cuts, burns, as well as inflamed skin.
Rosewood EO - stimulates cells and regenerates tissue for brighter even toned skin, helps fight signs of aging by smoothing wrinkles and helping to condition skin from within.
Petitgrain EO – Relaxing properties, may be helpful for skin blemishes like acne.
Carrot seed EO - to improve complexion by strengthening red blood cells, and adding tone and elasticity to skin; also helps to remove age spots and is wonderful for mature skin.
Aloe Vera Gel – soothes, hydrates, protects, and cools the skin. Promotes skin healing through regeneration of new skin cells. Very beneficial to damaged and dry, chapped or sun-exposed skin.
Meadowfoam Seed Oil / Meadowseed Oil – antioxidant, rich in essential fatty acids
Cetyl alcohol - cetyl alcohol is derived from coconut oil. It's a lubricant used to stabilize oil and water emulsifications. Cetyl alcohol is non-irritating, does not dry the skin, and is not known to complicate acne.
Vitamin E - Acts as a free radical scavenger (free radicals have been associated with skin cancer and premature skin aging due to sun exposure). Vitamin E also hinders the oxidizing process in the skin and promotes soft and supple skin. As an antioxidant it defends the skin and is helpful in reducing the appearance of scars and promotes healing. Vitamin E oil is an emollient and helps make the skin feel softer and smoother, reduces cracking and irritation. It is also said to retard the fine wrinkles caused by aging. (some experts believe antioxidants are the most vital weapons in the fight against aging.) Most of the damage of our skin is caused by a free-radical attack from smoke, pollution and UV rays. Free radicals then turn the oils of our skin rancid, which damages the collagen. Collagen is the protein fibers that serve as the building blocks of our skin. Antioxidants are used in skin care products to neutralize free radicals before they ravage the skin.
Vitamin C - nourish and as an antioxidant it helps to prevent damage from the environment
Vitamin A - to help renew cells and improve texture. Used topically, it has been shown to balance and normalize the skin and keep it clear and healthy. Soothing & hydrating properties.
Shea Butter - Moisture rich butter obtained from the nuts of the Mangifolia tree in central Africa. Due to the presence of a sizeable quantity of unsaponifiable fats, its content in vitamins and other active elements; Shea butter is in a league of it's own when it comes to soothing, moisturizing and protecting qualities. It has been shown to assist in cell regeneration & capillary circulation which helps in the healing of small wounds & skin ulcers. It has restructuring effects on the epidermis and on dry, fragile hair and has been shown to help with dermatitis, eczema, minor burns and sun burn. In the cosmetic field, this makes Shea Butter a natural asset against skin aging. It also displays a protecting role against UV rays because of its content in cinnamic acid. It has an anti-elastase characteristic which makes it a good active ingredient against stretch marks. It is very well tolerated by the skin and it does not trigger any allergic reactions.
Comfrey extract - Anti-inflammatory, emollient, soothing and moisturizing.
Marshmallow extract - reduces inflammation, soothes chapped skin and minor wounds
Sweet violet extract - Anti-inflammatory, known for treating skin condition such as eczema and rheumatism, astringent, emollient, demulcent
Irish moss extract - nourishes and protects skin from environmental elements, helps to moisturize and treat eczema and psoriasis
Xanthan gum – When the bacterium Xanathomonas campestris acts on vegetables or vegetable matter (such as beets and corn syrup) in the process of fermentation, a gum is formed—xanthan gum. Generally used as a binding agent.
Wheat germ oil - high in Vitamin E, which gives it powerful healing properties. Helpful for aging and dry skin types as well as broken capillaries. It is also an anti-scarring agent and can be used to reduce scar tissue after injury and operations. It has essential fatty acids that are natural antioxidants for the skin, helps to stimulate the skins collagen production.
Birch extract - Anti-irritant, Anti-oxidant, Astringent
Nettle extract - Firming, Toning, Mineralization, Astringent, Anti-bacterial. High in phosphates and trace minerals, very beneficial and nourishing to the scalp.
White willow bark extract - Anti-inflammatory, Keratolytic, Anti-bacterial, rich in salicin, a potent ingredient in acne treatment.
Hops extract - Anti-bacterial, Astringent, relieves Congestion. The “bitter principles” of hops exhibit antimicrobial behavior, making the ingredient an effective preservative and stabilizer. Unpleasant odor is caused by skin bacteria when we sweat. The “bitter principles” that help hops to fight odor. Hops inhibits the growth of bacteria by causing leakage in the bacterial cell membrane, which impairs bacterial function and therefore prevents odor.
Chamomile extract - Softening, Anti-inflammatory
Witch Hazel extracts - a natural astringent that helps to tighten pores and refine skin. 14% natural alcohol. Contains tannins and low amounts of saponins. Cooling to the skin. Mild anti-bacterial, making it perfect for acne & skin problems. Aids in healing. Comes from the bark and leaves of the witch hazel plant.
Amino Acid - derived from coconut, improve the skin’s ability to stay hydrated, can also help improve skin that has been scarred.
Licorice extract - Anti-bacterial, Veinotonic, Anti-inflammatory, Anti-oxidant
Calendula extract - Radical Scavenger, Anti-inflammatory. Moisturizes and calms inflamed skin.
Comfrey extract - promotes healing, protects and softens, and is anti-inflammatory. Has the ability to help heal wounds, sores and stimulates the growth of healthy tissue.
Seabuckthorn extract - Free Radical scavenger, Anti-inflammatory, Astringent, Veinotonic, high in essential fatty acids, richest herbal source of anti-oxidant vitamins A and E.
Soy Protein - which is rich in amino acids to nourish and soften and condition skin. Excellent hydrator, readily absorbed by the skin for improved texture.
Red Clover extract - Anti-inflammatory, Anti-oxidant, Cellular Regeneration. Rich in isoflavones. Benefits mature skin by reactivating cutaneous metabolism: wrinkles are smoothed, skin is better hydrated and less fragile
Rosemary extract - Anti-oxidant, Tonifying, Radical Scavenger, Anti-inflammatory, Anti-irritating, Anti-bacterial. Very effective natural preservative.
Centella Asiatica extract - Anti-inflammatory, Veinotonic, Firming
Horsetail extract - Remineralization, Activation of Enzymes, Astringent, Stimulation of Collagen and Elastin synthesis, Anti-irritant. High in silicic acid and the sulfur-rich amino acid cystine. Helps to normalize and balance the skin and scalp. Anti-bacterial & anti-fungal properties.
Rosehip Oil - A superb tissue hydrator, penetrates dry skin almost instantly to restore a much needed moisture balance. Rich in essential fatty acids. High in Vitamin C. Excellent source of anti-oxidants. One of the best oils to heal scarring. Used as a tonic for Rosaca conditions. Studies show that applying Rose Hip Oil twice a day every day for about three months reduces scar tissue, aids in tissue regeneration and helps to prevent and fade stretch marks, wrinkles & age spots. Has also been shown to improve sun damaged or burned skin.
Sea Kelp - rich in natural minerals and amino acids to strengthen and nourish skin.
Evening Primrose Oil - This natural oil is rich in essential fatty acids, especially gamma-linolenic acids, which are vital to cell functions. It acts as a natural humectant, drawing moisture to the skin. Evening primrose oil is also a potent free radical scavenger, protecting skin from pollution, sun damage and other environmental stressors. It helps skin cells regenerate, making it ideal for wrinkles and dry, damaged or aging skin. rich in essential fatty acids to nourish and strengthen skin around eye area, increasing elasticity
Jojoba Beads – made from Pure Natural Jojoba wax esters, are gentle but a very effective exfoliant that won’t cause any irritation or damage to the surface of the skin.
Olive Oil - Olive oil absorbs UV radiation and is very efficient in lowering metabolism rate of the body cells. Olive oil is soothing and healing to all skin types. It helps relieve itch, stings and bites, healing of burns, high in antioxidants, including vitamin E. These nutritional powerhouses protect against age-accelerating free radicals.