Other Ingredients
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
This antibacterial agent might be best known for its skin-soothing benefits. It also offers natural sun protection, helping to protect the skin from UV damage. Aloe contains aloin, which is thought to block up to 30% of UV rays when applied generously to the skin. As a natural source of salicylic acid, aloe also offers skin lightening benefits.
Dimethicone
This is a silicone oil derived from naturally occurring silica that boosts the function of the skin barrier by locking in moisture and protecting skin from environmental factors.
Palmaria Palmata Extract
An extract of red seaweed, Palmaria Palmata, has been proven in various medical studies to reduce skin pigmentation for a brighter, more even-toned complexion.
Titanium Dioxide - CI 77891
This naturally occurring oxide of titanium acts as a sunscreen, helping to block UVA and UVB and prevent further sun damage to the skin.
Silica
This anti-aging mineral is a major component of collagen. It is thought to improve skin elasticity and firmness as well as reduce skin inflammation when applied externally.
Mica
Mica is a natural silicate mineral that helps give the skin a luminous glow.
Beta-Glucans
Beta-glucans offer various anti-aging and healing benefits and have been proven to reduce the appearance of scarring after surgery. They also promote the turnover of healthy, new skin by stimulating collagen production and promoting the health of macrophages, the cells responsible for destroying dead or mutated skin cells.
Beta-glucans also have the proven ability to penetrate the epidermis to reach the dermis, the middle layer of skin, making them useful for delivering other nutrients into the dermis. Beta-glucans are currently of interest as a possible non-invasive alternative to Botox.
Source: 2005, Dr. Pillai, International Federation of Societies of Cosmetic Chemists.
Camellia Sinensis or Green Tea Leaf Extract
Green tea extract helps to reduce skin redness and acts as a powerful anti-inflammatory with a series of potent antioxidants that fight free radical damage. One antioxidant in green tea, “Epigallocatechin Gallate” is 200 times more powerful than vitamin E for fighting free radicals and is easily absorbed by the skin.
Using green tea extract helps promote collagen production for improved skin firmness and elasticity. Plus, it contains Methylxanthines, which stimulate the skin’s microcirculation and help provide a healthy skin tone. Green tea extract also boosts the skin's natural defenses against UV rays.
Vitis Vinifera or Grape Seed Extract
High in antioxidants, especially bioflavonoids, grape seed extract has antioxidant properties that are much more powerful than vitamins C and E. It is also useful for fighting free radicals and for maintaining capillary health, offering powerful protection against the breakdown of collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid. Together, the three make up much of the cellular matrix and support the capillaries.
When the capillaries are strong, they stretch to allow red blood cells through tight spaces, while preventing fluids in the blood to leak out. When they are weak, blood can pool and create inflammation. Grape seed extract has also been shown to treat edema, or swelling.
Vaccinium Myrtillus or Bilberry Extract
Bilberry extract contains plant pigments called anthocyanosides that have powerful antioxidant properties, as well as vitamin C. Together they scavenge for free radicals and help skin maintain elasticity with a healthy collagen and elastin matrix. Often used in the treatment of vascular and vision disorders, bilberry extract is known to improve blood circulation.
Silybum Marianum or Milk Thistle Extract
The active ingredient in milk thistle extract is called silymarin. It is made up of three bioflavonoids, silybin, silydianin, and silychristin, extracted from the fruit, seeds and leaves of the milk thistle plant. These bioflavonoids have high antioxidant activity. Milk thistle also smoothes and softens the skin and acts as an anti-inflammatory.
Pinus Pinaster Bark or Maritime Pine Extract
This extract is an excellent source of flavonoids, catechins, proanthocyanidins and phenolic acids, all of which act as powerful antioxidants. Maritime Pine extract is a natural antioxidant and anti-inflammatory that works to protect the skin from harmful free radicals, boost the immune system, and strengthen blood vessel walls and capillaries. Pine bark extract has been used topically to heal wounds and other skin conditions for centuries.
Pinus Pinaster Bark (Maritime Pine) Extract
An excellent source of flavonoids, catechins, proanthocyanidins, and phenoloic acids – all of which act as powerful antioxidants. Maritime Pine extract is a natural antioxidant and anti-inflammatory that works to protect the skin from harmful free radicals, boost the immune system, and strengthen blood vessel walls and capillaries. Pine bark extract has been used topically to heal wounds and other skin conditions for centuries.
Ginkgo Biloba Extract
This extract works as a vasodilator to increase circulation and improve sebaceous secretions, the skin's lubricant produced by tiny sebaceous glands. It helps improve tissue irrigation and activate cell metabolism by increasing glucose and oxygen uptake by the cells. Ginkgo Biloba is an anti-inflammatory, anti-allergenic and antioxidant. It stimulates the fibroblasts to produce collagen and helps strengthen extracellular fibronectin.
Tocopheryl Acetate
This synthetic form of vitamin E acts as a penetration enhancer that alters the skin structure to allow other ingredients to penetrate deeper. It supplements the skin's own naturally occurring sodium lactate to provide added moisturization and skin conditioning.
Sodium lactate
Sodium lactate is a humectant and exfoliant that also balances a product's pH. It is one part of the Natural Moisturizing Factor (NMF) and helps renew skin cells. Sodium lactate prevents pigmentation in the skin and is often found in skin whitening products. It has antioxidant properties, as well.
