MULTI-CORRECTIVE HYDRATION SERUM
Aqua
Humble distilled H2O is essential for skin hydration. When combined with humectants such as hyaluronic acid and glycerin, water stays on the skin, to help soften and plump.
Glycerin
Vegetable-derived glycerin is used to attract and trap water, contributing to a better "skin feel" and making products more spreadable in cosmetic formulas. Glycerin effectively hydrates the skin and is not to be overlooked as a key addition in formulas developed to hydrate the skin.
Hibiscus
Contains naturally occurring alpha-hydroxy-acids (AHAs), including pyruvic acid. Since pyruvic acid is rapidly absorbed by the skin, it works well to reduce sebum production, stimulate collagen production and exfoliate the skin. Together, these properties stimulate cell turnover without the irritation and burning sensation typically associated with AHA use. Hibiscus extract helps to stimulate collagen production and even out the skin tone, while simultaneously reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and helping to prevent the formation of acne. Finally, hibiscus extract is hygroscopic, meaning that it attracts and holds water molecules to effectively moisturize the skin.
Kigelia
Kigelia extract, from the fruit of the African sausage tree, helps plump up and tighten the skin, reduce the appearance of wrinkles and lines, and freshen tired, dull-looking skin. This rich, healing extract is filled with antioxidants, which help protect the skin from environmental stressors and premature ageing, and also exhibit antimicrobial activity.
Witch Hazel
Witch hazel is a well-known natural astringent that helps to tone and tighten the skin. It also minimizes the appearance of pores while soothing and calming irritated skin.
Devils'Claw
The roots of this wild-crafted Namib desert plant contain powerful phytochemicals to help calm irritated skin and reduce redness.v
Licorice
A powerful skin-brightening agent derived from the root of the plant Glycyrrhizin glabra (licorice). Helps reduce the appearance of dark spots and acne scars due to its ability to help reduce melanin production in the skin. It also exhibits anti-inflammatory activity.
Caviar Lime
Provides gentle exfoliation of the skin due to the naturally occurring alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) found in caviar lime (Microcitrus Australasica) fruit, which is native to Australia. Caviar Lime extract helps brighten the skin, minimize the appearance of pores and leave the skin feeling soft and renewed. Caviar lime's mechanism of action is unique in that it promotes the skin’s own natural exfoliating process; caviar lime penetrates keratinocytes (the most common cell found on the outermost layer of skin) and causes calcium ions to flow in the keratinocytes, kickstarting the skin's natural exfoliation process. In other words, caviar lime works in harmony with the skin's own natural mechanisms, providing a subtle yet highly effective approach to exfoliation.
Pomegranate
Pomegranate extract is a powerful antioxidant that soothes and protects the skin from environmental stressors.
Sage
Sage Leaf Extract helps calm irritated skin and has been suggested to help improve the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and dark spots.
Salix Nigra (Willow) Bark
Since willow bark is a natural source of salicylic acid (a beta-hydroxy-acid or BHA), it is oil soluble, allowing the salicylic acid to penetrate the skin and dissolve pore-clogging oils by means of exfoliation. This helps minimize the appearance of pores and keep breakouts at bay without the irritation typically associated with BHA. Willow bark extract also exhibits antimicrobial activity.
Cassia Angustifolia Seed Polysaccharide
Also known as "botanical hyaluronic acid," cassia angustifolia seed polysaccharide is an extract from the senna plant that can hold 1000X its weight in water. It binds water molecules together in the skin, preventing their loss through evaporation, giving the skin a plump, hydrated look. Some even how that it outperforms hyaluronic acid as a skin hydrator.
Hyaluronic Acid
Vegan hyaluronic acid (specifically sodium hyaluronate) is a highly effective moisturizing agent. It can hold 1,000 times its weight in water, making it a potent moisturizing agent which works at the cellular level to moisturize and plump up the skin.
Bulbine
In the same family as aloe vera, bulbine leaf juice has a soothing, calming effect when applied topically. It also enhances skin hydration, by improving moisture retention through stimulation of specific protein receptors in the skin responsible for water transport.
Honeysuckle
A natural preservative derived from honeysuckle flowers; prevents microbial growth and ensures that water-based cosmetic formulas are effective, stable and safe to use for their entire shelf life.
Green Tea
Naturally rich in a group of chemicals called catechins, green tea extract exhibits exceptional anti-oxidant activity and has also been shown to exhibit anti-microbial activity.
Xanthan Gum
Xanthan gum is a natural product derived from the fermentation of sugars by the bacterium Xanthomonas campestris. It is used to stabilize cosmetic emulsions, ensuring that the oil and water phase of cosmetics do not separate and that the formula is stable for the length of the product's intended shelf life. Xanthan gum is also used to modify the thickness of cosmetic formulations.
Sodium Phytate
Derived from rice, sodium phytate is a natural chelating agent which binds metal ions in the water fraction of cosmetic formulations. Sodium phytate is essential in keeping cosmetics formulations fresh, safe and functional; it starves potentially contaminating micro-organisms of the metal ions they require to grow.