Ingredient Glossary
Updated: Aug 13
We’ve put together a glossary of ingredients for your reference so you may educate yourself on what is used to make a skincare product and what benefits each one has. We’ll be updating this section over time, and will also be highlighting which products contain these ingredients, so check back often!
A
Alfalfa-Vitamin, mineral and amino acid concentrated botanical. Contains soothing and hydrating allantoin and flavonoids, which scavenge free radicals. Alfalfa improves facial wrinkles by stimulating fibrillin-1 production, which increases the elasticity of connective tissue. Alfalfa is enzymatically broken down, producing oligosaccharides that support the synthesis of collagen type 1, inhibit MMPs, and mimics and activates retinoic-like activity.
Aloe- best known for its anti-inflammatory properties. It is extremely hydrating with plenty of Amino Acids and Antioxidants. Rich in vitamins and minerals.
Allantoin-naturally found in the body, it is anti-inflammatory, reduces irritation, sensitivity and reactivity. Allantoin is a mildly keratolytic botanical that encourages desquamation while stimulating new cell regeneration. It locks in moisture to replenish hydration, absorbs UV spectrum-protecting the cell's DNA and accelerates wound healing.
Arbutin- is a natural form of hydroquinone derived from plants such as bearberry, blueberry, mulberry and cranberry. It has similar mechanism as hydroquinone with better safety profile.
Azelaic Acid-On acne, it works on overactive melanocytes but does not affect normal pigment on the skin.
B
Beta-Glucan- protects and repairs skin's immune function. Stimulates Langerhans cells and promotes healing.
E
Ethyl Ascorbic Acid- This is a water and oil soluble vitamin C in a bioavailable form that is readily absorbed. Ethyl ascorbic acid is antioxidant, brightens the skin and inhibits tyrosinase, boosts collagen synthesis, increases fibroblast proliferation, supports wound healing, reduces inflammation, helps "recycle" vitamin E, smooths rough texture, decreases photo-damage and diminishes the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
G
Glutamic Acid-Amino Acid that is used for protein synthesis. It boosts hydration and enhances vasodilation.
Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs)-are water-binding mucopolysaccharides that help support structural collagen and elastin fibers. Increases turgidity and hydration levels.
Glutathione-is an antioxidant that inhibits pigment production. It can be enhanced with Vitamin C or E but it is difficult to be absorb in to cells by itself.
Green Tea Extract- a powerful antioxidant to fight free-radicals. A natural defender against an environmental stressor. Green Tea helps with the appearance of fine line, wrinkles, and maintain healthy skin.
H
Halidrys Siliquosa Extract- type of brown algae that regulates skin pigmentation at several levels of the melanogenesis cascade. Antioxidant and Anti-inflammatory.
Hexapeptide-11-Signaling peptide that upregulates genes that respond to stress, control extracellular matric function and influence growth factors. It increases elasticity and skin firmness and improves healing mechanisms within the skin.
Histidine-is an essential Amino Acid that hydrates and soothes the skin. Histidine is known for its anti-inflammatory properties. Ideal for Sensitive skin types.
Honey-A sweetener that has moisturizing and anti-bacterial benefits.
Hyaluronic Acid- Humectant that helps skin retain water. A glycosaminoglycan and polysaccharide that is part of the extracellular matrix. Hygroscopic molecule that penetrates and binds water to replenish and maintain hydration levels in the dermis. HA improves elasticity and topically forms a film that plumps and softens fine lines and wrinkles.
J
Jojoba Oil- Assist with inflammation, softens, and hydrates. It mimics the skin's natural sebum.
K
Kelp-One of the highest sources of minerals, vitamins and essential amino acids. Kelp’s trace minerals are in bioavailable forms the body can readily absorb and use. Pulls in and helps to retain moisture. Photo protective.
Kojic Acid- This antioxidant works by breaking down the pigment in the skin and preventing its production. It is a chelation (binding) agent that suppresses melanin production and brightens the skin. It inhibits tyrosine formation. (For some-it can cause skin irritation.)
Krameria Trianda Root-Antibacterial and antifungal. Astringent that contains powerful OPC antioxidants, inhibits elastase and is photoprotective.
L
Laminaria Digitata Extract-a type of brown seaweed that contains high levels of antioxidant vitamins and phenolic compounds, amino acids and trace minerals. A polysaccharide which is hygroscopic in nature-it draws water form the environment and helps to restore moisture levels in the skin.
Lavender- calms and softens skin's appearance by replenishing moisture
Licorice Root (Glabridin or Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate)-A natural alternative to hydroquinone. Licorice Extract is non-toxic. Licorice extract inhibits pigmentation and helps even skin tone. It can also diminish irritation and redness due to its anti-inflammatory properties.
Lysine-stimulates collagen production. Builds and toughens the surface of the skin.
M
Mulberry (Morus Alba Bark)-a powerful skin brightener, melanin inhibitor and free radical scavenger.
N
Niacinamide-is a form of Vitamin B3 which inhibits the transfer of pigment to the skin's upper layer . It can reduce acne, increase skin moisture and its anti-inflammatory.
P
Passion Flower Extract-Calm and soothe the skin, rich in Omega 6, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant-rich, essential fatty acids.
Pomegranate Extract-
Probiotics-
Palmitoyl Tripeptide 1-a messenger peptide that helps restore underlying structures and visibly improves photo damage, stimulates and replenish skin matrix, collagen and glycosaminoglycans to help fill, plump, firm, thicken, improve elasticity, and refine the texture & tone of the skin.
Palmitoyl Tripeptide 7 (Rigin)-works in synergy with Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, These amino acid sequences help restore the integrity of the dermis and suppress the interleukin messengers that trigger inflammation. In conjuction with Palmitoyl Tripeptide 1, this peptide also helps stimulate glycosamingylcans, hyaluronic acid and collagen in the dermal matrix-strengthening and supporting the underlying structures. This peptide improves firmness, reduces pigmentation and reactivity while rejuvenating the skin.
Pumpkin Seed Oil (Cucurbita Pepo Seed Oil)-Pumpkin oil is wound healing and an anti-in flammatory that mediates the inflammatory pathways in acute and chronic conditions. Pumpkin oil is comprised of omega-6 and omega-9 fatty acids, phytosterols, tocopherols, carotenoids, as wells as the minerals potassium, magnesium & phosphorus. Squalene reduces oxidative damage and protect against lipid per-oxidation. This oil is antioxidant, replenishing, protective and helps restore barrier lipids and hydration in the skin.
R
Roman Chamomile-Contains over 120 bioactive compounds, including antioxidant phenolic flavonoids and terpenoids. It penetrates easily and has skin soothing and antioxidant benefits.
S
Sarsaparilla- Detoxifying agent, rich in flavonoids, plant sterols and saponins. Plant sterols have a similar structure to cholesterol, and are an important component of the epidermal layer and contributor to healthy skin.
Shea Butter (Butyrospermum Parkii Butter) A triglyceride and fatty acid concentrated botanical. Stearic acid and oleic fatty acids seal in moisture and prevent water loss, reduce skin irritation, soften wrinkles and smooth rough texture. Commonly used to address dry skin, reactive or inflamed skins and in the treatment of burns, eczema and psoriasis. Shea is wound healing, antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and offers some natural UV protection. It also contains bioactives, including: phytosterols, triterpenes and tocopherols.
Sunflower seed oil- Nourishing and conditioning oil for skin. Provides moisture and protective layer to the skin, rich in oleic acids, contains high content of Vitamin A, D, and E.
T
Tumeric Root-boosts immunity, softens skin, antioxidant, extremely hydrating, photo protective.
W
White Tea Extract-boots levels of antioxidant defense enzymes such as superoxide dismustase (SOD).