THE A-Z OF SKINCARE INGREDIENTS

Aloe Vera

You may be familiar with Aloe Vera already, especially if you’ve spent a little bit too long in the sun and used its hydrating gel to soothe your burning skin afterwards! 

Acai Berry

Acai is a type of berry that is full of antioxidants that help with blemishes, UV damage and ageing!

Argan Oil

Argan Oil has become a cult beauty product over time because of its high fatty acid contents, antioxidants and anti-inflammatories.  These properties help to repair damage skin and even help breakouts.

Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs)

AHAs are known as chemical exfoliators which are beneficial to the skin as they negate from the use of harsh scrubs which can scratch the surface of delicate and sensitive skin.

We use AHAs which are derived from organic sugars, such as Glycolic Acid from sugar cane which we use in our Liquid Radiance Glycolic Toner and our Miracle Mask.

Baobab

A large source of vitamin C, Baobab is an African superfruit which helps to promote healthy, glowing skin and helps to reduce frizzy hair.  

Bakuchiol

Bakuchiol is a natural alternative to retinol. It is found in the seeds and leaves of the plant psoralea corylifolia in the Indian subcontinent. It stimulates the production of collagen helping to reduce the appearance of ageing. When it comes to skincare, Bakuchiol works as a retinoid analogue. This means that it mimics the effect of retinol such as stimulating cell turnover, evening the skin tone and texture whilst acting a lot gentler than traditional retinol.

Coconut

We all know that Coconut Oil is used in skin and hair products to help nourish and hydrate - but what about the natural peptides?  These help to protect the skin’s collagen fibres and help to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines.  

Ellagic Acid

Ellagic Acid is a micronutrient found in fruits and vegetables.  It is known for its antioxidant properties and can protect against free radicals to aid anti-ageing.  Ellagic Acid prevents inflammation and collagen breakdown that causes wrinkles. We use Ellagic Acid to promote cell turnover and strengthen the cell membrane to limit water loss.

Flower Water

We use two main types of flower water in our products.  Orange Blossom Water to soothe and calm the skin, and Rosewater to control excess oil and tone the skin, and both create subtle floral fragrances in the products. 

Goji Berry

These small red berries have a range of amazing properties from antioxidant benefits to anti-inflammatory qualities. This means that Goji Berries can help with anti-ageing, prevent UV damage, and help aid breakouts.  

Hyaluronic Acid

Hyaluronic Acid is a molecule with a gel like consistently which exists naturally in our bodies.  It is mainly known for its hydrating qualities, but can help with ageing, wound healing, and even sun damage repair.

Isoamyl Laurate

Isoamyl Laurate is a natural alternative to silicone.  We use plant based Isoamyl Laurate for its velvet like texture, moisturising qualities and its protective properties.  It can create a film over the skin or hair which acts as a protective layer to protect from external environmental damages.  

Jojoba

Jojoba Oil is deprived naturally from the Jojoba plant and is the closest botanical match to our skin’s natural oil.  This means that it is able to restore, nourish and maintain healthy skin, and is naturally full of antioxidants, omegas and vitamins.  

Kaolin

Kaolin is a natural clay that can be used to absorb impurities and excess moisture and also detoxify the skin.  

Lingonberry

Lingonberry is often used in Scandinavian cuisine for jams and compotes.  But it’s just as good for your skin. Rich in essential fatty acids, and vitamin E - they can help to reduce skin damage, improve skin’s elasticity and also promote hydration.

Monoi 

Tahitian Monoi Oil is a tropical, delicately scented natural oil packed with vitamin E.  It is highly beneficial to both the hair and the skin as it boasts both moisturising and soothing properties.  

Moringa

Moringa seed oil is full of vitamins, minerals and huge amounts of antioxidants.  It has amazing qualities that help with hydration, anti ageing and soothing the skin.  The most impressive quality is perhaps how Moringa Extracts work to support skin with its antioxidant defences, preventing further damage and supporting already inflamed skin. It effectively stops pollution sticking to the skin!

Mica

Mica is a naturally occurring mineral dust. It has reflective properties so helps to provide a shimmery effect when used in products.

Maca

Maca is a plant that is mainly grown in Central Peru.  It is known to stimulate cell renewal, reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and increase skin luminosity and radiance.  

Nigella Oil

Nigella Oil is another name for Black Seed Oil.  This contains thymoquinone, which is an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compound.  Nigella Oil is also an anti-bacterial which carries nourishing properties making it great for facial oils and serums to protect and hydrate skin.

Orange Essential Oil

Orange Essential Oil is often used in aromatherapy because its scent has an uplifting yet relaxing effect that helps to reduce heart rate and create calmness.  Orange Essential Oil is often used in skincare as it improves the texture of skin by radiance and smoothness - and reducing any signs of acne or other skin conditions.   

Papaya Extract

Papaya hosts a whole load of different skin benefits.  In fact, the papain contained in papaya is a natural chemical exfoliant meaning that it is a great addition to products like face masks as it gently removes dead skin cells without rubbing and irritating the skin.  Not only is it a natural exfoliator but it is also fantastic at nourishing the skin and leaving it smooth and moisturised.  

 

Prickly Pear

Prickly Pear is a type of Cacti found in Central and South America that has developed to retain moisture, protect and detoxify skin.  It is rich in fatty acids and is full of vitamins A, C, E and K alongside calcium, antioxidants, betalains (natural antioxidants) and Linoleic acid.  

Rosehip Oil

Rosehip seed oil contains high levels of essential fatty acids like linoleic acid. These work to strengthen and reinforce the skin barrier, which helps to lock in moisture and contains nourishing ingredients. Additionally, it keeps out external pollutants, keeping damage away from the deeper layers of your skin.

Sacha Inchi

Sacha Inchi is another superfood that can be used in your skincare!  It’s often used in products as it is clinically proven to improve facial firmness, reduce wrinkle volume and smooth the skin.  

Tuberose Plant Cells

Tuberose has a number of qualities that work well in your skincare  products, including anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, hydrating and stimulating properties.

Vanilla Extract

We are all familiar with Vanilla Extract and its amazing scent - but we’re perhaps not so familiar with its skincare benefits.  The antibacterial properties of Vanilla Extract mean that it works great for the treatment of acne as it can cleanse your skin and remove dirt that may be clogging pores.  Vanilla is also a great source of vitamin B which means that it protects your skin from environmental damage.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is an essential vitamin, meaning that your body cannot produce it, although it can be found in lots of fruits and vegetables such as oranges, broccoli, kale and spinach. Vitamin C holds lots of skin benefits. It promotes collagen production leading to firmer and younger looking skin and helps to even out skin tone, making your skin look brighter.

Willow Bark

Willow Bark is where we source our Salicylic Acid from.  This ingredient unclogs pores and works as an anti inflammatory agent.  It breaks down the bonds between dead skin cells, allowing them to be removed instead of sticking to the face. At the same time, it works as a surface exfoliant, helping your face to shed the dead layers of skin that can lead to clogged pores in the future.

Xanthan Gum

Unlike the other ingredients on this list, Xanthan Gum is not an active ingredient in skincare.  Although it is meant to have moisturising qualities, Xanthan Gum is normally used as a binder to combine all the ingredients of one product together - it also has the ability to increase the viscosity of liquids its added to for optimal texture.  

Ylang Ylang

Ylang Ylang is an essential oil which can provide relief from stress, anxiety and depression, whilst maintaining healthy skin.  Ylang Ylang is known to regulate the oil production in skin and hair as well as soothing inflammation and irritation. It can also enhance circulation which can result in new growth.

Zinc

It may sound a bit strange to include Zinc in your skincare routine.  But it can actually aid in healing the skin and can prevent acne by aiding the regulation of oil being produced by the skin.