All-Star Ingredients Guide:
Anti-Aging or Loss of Firmness
A list of the very best in skincare
Click on any ingredient to learn more

Vitamin C

  • WHAT IT DOES:
  • -A powerhouse ingredient for brighter, tighter, and overall better-looking skin
  • -Potent antioxidant good for anti-aging (shown to be able to protect skin from oxidative damages) along with helping to reduce skin inflammation, irregular pigmentation, and promotes healthy collagen production
  • -Widely used as an add-on ingredient in skin-lightening products to correct hyperpigmentation and age spots as it interferes with pigment production and keeps inflammation at bay.

WORKS BEST IN: Lotions, creams, sun care & after sun products, makeup products

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: UK
NATURAL INGREDIENT:
No
VEGAN: Yes

vitamin A (retinol)

  • WHAT IT DOES:
  • -If there's one ingredient lauded more than any other for its wrinkle-fighting, complexion-perfecting abilities, it's vitamin A. We were talking about it in 1975, and we're still talking about it now because it works. In study after study retinol has been shown to build collagen, decrease fine lines, improve skin's texture—and fight acne. The prescription version (retinoic acid, or Retin-A) acts fastest but is pricey and can be drying; over-the-counter retinols take eight to 10 weeks to show results (compared with six weeks with a prescription version) but are paired with anti-inflammatories to calm the redness, peeling, or dryness, so new users generally don't have to suffer.
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WORKS BEST IN: Anti-aging creams, lotions, & gels. Protective creams, sun care & after sun products.

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: Germany
NATURAL INGREDIENT: No
VEGAN: Yes

glycolic acid

  • WHAT IT DOES:
  • -Glycolic acid is a naturally occurring alpha hydroxy acids (or AHAs), usually derived from sugar cane
  • -Can reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles irregular pigmentation, decreases enlarged pores and acne
  • -Very useful in exfoliating products, or in creams & lotions at a lower concentration for a more gentle acid-based peel
  • -Widely used to rejuvenate the skin by encouraging the shedding of old surface skin cells
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WORKS BEST IN: All kinds of skin care products including cleansers, toners, masks, lotions, creams and serums

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA
NATURAL INGREDIENT: Naturally derived
VEGAN: Yes

lactic acid

  • WHAT IT DOES:
  • -Lactic acid is a naturally occurring alpha hydroxy acids (or AHAs) produced by fermenting sugars, usually from sour milk
  • -Very gentle exfoliator that rejuvenate the skin by encouraging the shedding of old skin cells and is a good choice for those with sensitive skin.
  • -Can reduce the appearance of fine lines, irregular pigmentation, age spots & decreases enlarged pores
  • -Often used in creams & lotions at a lower concentration for a more gentle acid-based peel
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WORKS BEST IN: All kinds of skin care products including cleansers, toners, masks, lotions, creams and serums

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA
NATURAL INGREDIENT: Naturally derived
VEGAN: Yes

peptides

  • WHAT IT DOES:

Peptides are fragments of proteins. On their own, peptides are made up of amino acids. When amino acids are combined in certain formations they create specific peptides, and when peptides are formed in a certain way, they make specific proteins.

Proteins are the fundamental building blocks of skin. Without peptides, skin doesn’t remain intact and the result is loss of firmness, appearance of wrinkles, texture changes, and skin that doesn’t bounce back as it once did.

Think of them as air-traffic controllers for your skin. One of our skin’s most important proteins is collagen, which gives our skin its thickness. Collagen breaks down in the skin due to age, environmental factors, UV rays and stress, causing wrinkles to form. The good news is that peptides, when applied topically to the skin, can then send a signal to produce new collagen, leading to the appearance of younger, more supple skin.

  • We have a variety of different kinds of peptides, if you choose to have peptides in your product, we will advise you on which of our peptides to use:

    Anti-aging
  • -Clinically proven to increase skin compactness, reduces appearance of wrinkles, & firmness
  • -Makes the skin look firmer, younger and rejuvenated and nourished

    Lip plumper
  • -Moisturizes, plumps and minimizes fine vertical lines of the lips
  • -Keeps lip contour in shape
  • -Lip volume increased by 30% on average in clinical studies

    Eye treatments
  • -Has been shown in clinical studies to reduce significantly the appearance of dark circles & puffiness around the eyes
  • -Showed 35% reduction after 8 weeks treatment in a clinical study
  • -Regular application will make the skin look smooth, rejuvenated, and regenerated
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  • WORKS BEST IN: All kinds of skin care products including moisturizers, creams and serums

NATURAL INGREDIENT: No
VEGAN: Yes

Green Tea Extract

WHAT IT DOES:
-Green Tea Extract offers numerous benefits when it comes to skin care products. It is an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory agent and helps protect against UV radiation.

-The primary benefit of Green Tea Extract is as an antioxidant—and it is one of the more powerful antioxidants, helping protect your skin against environmental pollutants.

-Contains flavonoids which appear to boost immune responses in skin cells, making skin better able to protect itself against external toxins.

-Research also shows that the catechins in Green Tea Extract act as a sunblock and as a way to reduce signs of aging in sun-damaged skin.

-Often used in anti-aging formulas to reinforce anti-aging effects of other ingredients

-Useful for irritated skin

WORKS BEST IN: Anti-aging formulas, sun care and after-sun care products, anti-cellulite treatments and hair care products

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: Spain
NATURAL INGREDIENT:
Yes
VEGAN:
Yes

Algae Extract

    • WHAT IT DOES:
      -Algae isn’t considered a conventional beauty ingredient, but it has been used in skin care for thousands of years. It’s been dubbed a “miracle ingredient” and the “ocean’s most potent secret,” and there are even entire skin care lines and brands dedicated to using algae and other marine extracts (you’ve heard about Phytomer, Algenist, and La Mer, right?).

    • -Known for its ability to instantly hydrate and condition the skin. Upon using products containing this ingredient, you’ll notice a more supple, moisturized complexion that’s soft to the touch.

    • -Algae is also an antioxidant, meaning it protects your skin from free radicals that cause premature aging. In that sense, it’s an excellent ingredient for those who are worried about aging skin.

    -Is high in essential amino acids, proteins, and a variety of vitamins—including vitamins A, B, C, and E.

    -Skin types that benefit most from algae-infused products are dry skin, sensitive skin, and those who want to combat and prevent signs of aging.

    WORKS BEST IN: Serums, creams & lotions, cleansers, after-sun care, face & hair masks

    NATURAL INGREDIENT: Yes
    VEGAN: Yes

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HYALURONIC ACID

    • WHAT IT DOES:
      -Most powerful moisturizer, able to hold 1,000 times its weight in water. It’s also something that your body makes naturally, so its chemical composition absorbs easily into your skin. That makes hyaluronic acid serums particularly amazing for dry and mature complexions or anyone who wants to plump away fine lines and wrinkles.

    • -Excellent anti-wrinkle effects and suitable for all skin types, even acne prone skin.
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    • WORKS BEST IN: Hydrating, moisturizing creams & lotions, anti-aging & anti-wrinkle products, after sun lotions, protecting / nourishing skin care products, products for sensitive or dry skin, hydrating cleansers

    NATURAL INGREDIENT: Yes
    VEGAN: Yes

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