SOME FASCINATING FACTS ABOUT OUR INGREDIENTS
But first, let’s define a few words that get thrown around a lot these days in advertisements for health and beauty products.
FATTY ACIDS — (aka essential fatty acids). The body can synthesize most of the fats it needs from the diet. However, two essential fatty acids, linolenic and linoleic acid, cannot be synthesized in the body and must be obtained from food. These basic fats, found in plant foods, are used to build specialized fats called omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids are important in the normal functioning of all tissues of the body. Deficiencies in fatty acids lead to numerous unwanted conditions, including dryness of the skin.
ANTIOXIDANTS — are chemicals (both naturally occurring and man-made) that can prevent or slow cell damage. An antioxidant is actually not a substance; it's a behavior. Any compound that can donate electrons and counteract free radicals has antioxidant properties.
FREE RADICALS — You are going to have to read a little science here. But don’t worry, we think we’ve made it understandable.
As you may remember from some long ago (or recent) science class:
Atoms tend to complete their outer shells by sharing electrons with other atoms. This binds these atoms together and you have a stable molecule as a result. Now, normally bonds don’t split in a way that leaves a molecule with an odd, unpaired electron. But when they do, the results are called free radicals.
Free radicals are very unstable and react quickly with other compounds, because they are always trying to grab an electron to re-gain their stable state. And they are most likely to try to steal that electron from the closest molecule. Then there goes the chain reaction. Each newly made free radical goes in search of an electron from its closest neighbor, etc... What we then end up with is a damaged cell.
Environmental factors such as pollution, radiation, any sort of poisons can create free radicals. The combatant to free radicals are antioxidants. If your body is low on antioxidants, or if it is just overwhelmed by the amount of toxins being aimed at it, then cell damage can occur.
What does this have to do with our skin? Everything. We don’t want a bunch of cascading free radicals mowing through our healthy skin cells, creating damage that makes our skin look old and wrinkled.
COLLAGEN — is a fibrous protein that provides the supportive structure for tissues in the body. Basically it holds everything together and without it our bodies would literally fall apart. As you grow older collagen diminishes, resulting in loose, saggy, wrinkled skin. It works with Elastin to provide strength and firmness to the skin.
ELASTIN — helps skin to return to its original position when it is poked or pinched, stretched or contracted. It’s a protein in the body with very elastic (think rubber bands) quality.
SEBUM — is an oily substance secreted by the sebaceous glands. Ideally it makes the skin waterproof thereby protecting it from drying out. However, too much of anything is not good. And too much sebum makes for oily skin, blemishes and acne.
EPIDERMIS — is the outer layer of the skin that renews itself. Scientists seem to disagree on how often it does so, but it would appear on average to renew itself every month. Great news for us.
INGREDIENTS
ARGAN OIL — is prized for its ability to promote a healthy vibrant quality to the skin. Rich in vitamin E, essential fatty acids, sebum regulating properties and lots of antioxidants (remember antioxidants vs free radicals). Argan oil can promote healthy skin hydration and skin elasticity, and that can help to maintain a firm smooth, blemish-free complexion.
BEESWAX — forms a light barrier on your skin that not only prevents loss of moisture but does so without clogging your pores. Did you know that scientists have found honey and beeswax that are thousands of years old and are still fresh and edible? There is a reason that beeswax has been used for thousands of years in skin care.
COCONUT OIL — is a great moisturizer. When rubbed into the skin, the rich natural fats are easily absorbed and penetrate deeply to plump up your cells helping to maintain a smooth, soft, healthy and youthful appearance.
EMULSIFYING WAX — A vegetable based wax used in our formulation of the lighter day cream. Sold to us by a certified organic, non-gmo manufacturer.
EVENING PRIMROSE OIL — is high in vitamins and minerals. As a source of fatty acids, it promotes healthy skin by restoring moisture and helping to maintain skin elasticity. Soothing Evening Primrose oil is perfect for promoting age-defying skin care.
GLYCERIN — is a humectant (a substance that attracts moisture to the skin). So it leaves your skin hydrated; and it has the added benefit that it can increase the solubility of the other ingredients, making them more easily absorbed by the skin.
HONEY — is naturally antibacterial, so it's great for helping skin appear smooth and blemish free. It is full of antioxidants, extremely moisturizing and soothing to the skin. Plus honey helps to open up pores, making them easy to cleanse. A perfect addition to an exfoliating cleanser.
HYALURONIC ACID — isn’t what the words convey, it doesn’t strip away your skin, in fact it isn’t harsh at all. Quite the contrary, it is a moisture binding ingredient (humectant) that helps to keep skin plump and hydrated, more like a baby’s skin.
Hyaluronic acid occurs naturally in the human body. It’s present in large amounts in the spaces between skin cells, where it provides moisture, plumpness, firmness and suppleness to the skin. As one grows older those amounts lessen, hence aging skin that appears, loose, saggy and wrinkled.
Applied topically, it helps to maintain hydration, elasticity and may even promote skin strength against damage from harmful UV rays. And if that isn’t enough, Hyaluronic acid is one ingredient that works across the board. Every skin type, even oily, can benefit.
JASMINE OIL — has many healthful qualities for maintaining beautiful skin. It helps with the formation of collagen and promotes desirable skin tone. Basically it’s all around good for all types of skin and skin conditions, and it smells amazing.
JOJOBA OIL — this multi-purpose oil both cleanses and moisturizes the skin at the same time. And it is helpful on everything from dry, aging skin - to oily, clogged pores and acne.
LAVENDER OIL — when it comes to promoting healthy and vibrant skin, this is the queen of essential oils.
NATURAL PRESERVATIVE — consisting of; phenoxyethanol: created by treating phenol [an organic compound that is an antiseptic and disinfectant] with ethylene oxide [an organic compound that is a bactericidal, fungicidal, and sporicidal disinfectant]. caprylyl glycol: a humectant and skin conditioning agent [derived from plants] that functions as a stabilizer, has been shown to increase the antimicrobial activity of other preservatives, and lends moisturization, emollience and wetting properties to many cosmetic solutions. sorbic acid: derived from the berries of the mountain ash tree, and is used in the formulation of facial and eye makeup products due to its ability to prevent spoilage caused by yeasts, fungis and molds, as well as some other bacterias.
PEPPERMINT OIL — when we say that Peppermint oil has a calming effect we mean that all across the boards. Who doesn’t want the appearance of calm, healthy skin and lips?
POMEGRANATE SEED OIL — a rich, nutritious oil, that contains high levels of anti-oxidants. It helps to maintain the balance of moisture and elasticity to your skin, with all the beauty benefits of of youthful, healthy skin.
ROSE OIL — has been shown to help maintain the correct moisture level in your cells, therefore it can be helpful for maintaining beautiful skin as the years go by. Rose oil additionally is great for sensitive skin.
SEA SALT — is full of vitamins and minerals that are necessary for nourishing your skin cells, resulting in the maintenance of your beautiful skin. It can promote proper blood circulation throughout the surface of your skin while keeping those pores clean and healthy. Enjoy healthy, soft, smooth skin.
STEARIC ACID — is a vegetable based emulsifier from the same organic manufacturer as our emulsifying wax, and is used in the formulation of our lighter day cream.
SUGAR—is a natural humectant (it draws moisture from the environment into the skin). So products with sugar may actually help hydrate your skin and keep moisture within. Sugar is also a natural source of glycolic acid (glycolic acid helps to penetrate the skin and break down the “glue” that bonds skin cells, encouraging cell turnover and generating fresher, younger-looking skin). A sugar-based exfoliator is perfect for sun damaged or aging skin.
SUNFLOWER OIL & SUNFLOWER LECITHIN — Sunflower oil is very high in essential fatty acids and helps to moisturize, and condition the skin – promotes your bodies correct production of collagen (good for making skin soft and youthful while appearing to diminish wrinkles) Sunflower oil is also high in Vitamin E, so gives you all the benefits of that powerful vitamin. Copper naturally occurs in sunflower oil, and has been found to play a role in skin regeneration. Sunflower oil is known to be one of the most moisturizing oils.
VITAMIN C — overexposure to ultraviolet radiation and environmental pollutants can accelerate skin aging by degrading the skins collagen. Vitamin C is an essential component in maintaining the body’s production of collagen and is also a potent antioxidant. Nourishing your skin with Vitamin C applied topically (in a cream) may help maintain healthy, youthful-looking skin.
VITAMIN E — is a natural antioxidant that promotes the circulation of blood to the skin, nourishing the cells. It can benefit the skin by helping it retain its natural moisture content, promoting skin that appears healthy, fresh and youthful.
WITCH HAZEL — extracted from the hamamelis tree using natural plant-based ethyl alcohol. Antiseptic, astringent, antiviral and antibacterial. It is cool, soothing to the skin and great as a toner, especially when mixed with the nourishing qualities of rose oil.