All-Star Ingredients Guide:
Dryness
A list of the very best in skincare
Click on any ingredient to learn more
All-Star Ingredients Guide:
Dryness
A list of the very best in skincare
Click on any ingredient to learn more
WHAT IT DOES:
-Aloe is rich in vitamins. It has polysaccharides that give hydrating, anti-inflammatory benefits and allow for aloe to give a protective barrier on the skin. Aloe also has phytosterols which help to soothe itchiness and irritation while also giving protection to prevent TEWL (trans-epidermal water loss.) Aloe vera gel has bioactive compounds in the plant that are rich in vitamins A, B , C, D and E as well as minerals like magnesium, potassium and zinc. These are all thought to aid in the 'healing' benefits of aloe.
-Potent moisturizer, invigorating and soothing agent, can be used to reduce skin irritation and inflammations such as acne and eczema
-Has been shown to improve the appearance of aging and dry skin
WORKS BEST IN: All skin care products for dry skin, soothing creams & lotions, sun care and after-sun products
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA
NATURAL INGREDIENT: Yes
VEGAN: Yes
WHAT IT DOES:
-Shea butter has high concentrations of fatty acids and vitamins make shea butter an ideal cosmetic ingredient for softening skin. Shea butter also has anti-inflammatory and healing properties. Using shea butter on your body, especially your face, can condition, tone, and soothe your skin.
-Anti inflammatory and healing: shea butter has been proven to have extensive anti-inflammatory properties. Redness and swelling on your face may be calmed by applying shea butter products. Shea butter’s fatty acid and vitamin K concentration also helps your body to heal faster when your skin barrier has been compromised.
-Highly moisturizing: Shea butter’s consistency help your skin to absorb it when it melts at room temperature. The rich tree nut oils in shea butter can soak into your skin, creating a smooth and soft barrier that seals in moisture. This moisturizing effect can last several hours, unlike some other moisturizers that wear off after one hour or less.
-Anti aging: Shea butter has high levels of oleic, linoleic, and stearic acids. These acids are an effective ingredient to combating oxidative stress, which is the effect the environmental toxins have on your skin cells. This helps your skin to have a healthy turnover of new cells, and also supports the structure and tightness of your skin. The vitamin E in shea butter also helps protect your skin from the UV rays of the sun, although you can’t skip sunscreen just because you use shea butter on your face.
WORKS BEST IN: Lotions, creams, sun care & after sun products, facial moisturizers, body butter, ointments
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: West Africa
NATURAL INGREDIENT: Yes
VEGAN: Yes
-Squalene is a colorless poly-unsaturated hydrocarbon liquid that’s found naturally in many animals and plants, including human sebum. Yes, the word ‘sebum’ sounds gross, but it’s incredibly important to your skin. Essentially, it’s one of the many natural lipids your body produces to lubricate and protect your skin. (It’s estimated to make up about 10 to 12 percent of your skin’s oil.) It’s commonly harvested from plant sources like olives, wheat germ oil, and rice bran. Our squalene is 100% plant based.
-Squalene is used in skincare products as a highly-effective moisturizer and natural antioxidant. Historically, it’s been used in the medical field to treat wounds and skin problems.
-Squalene is a natural emollient, which means it lock moisture into your skins which helps prevent fine lines, and ease dry patches.
WORKS BEST IN: Skin creams, lotions, acne friendly products, and lip care
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA
NATURAL INGREDIENT: Yes
VEGAN: Yes
-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
WORKS BEST IN: Lotions, creams, nourishing skincare products, body washes, shampoos, baby products, sun care & after sun products, bath oils, facial cleansers
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA
NATURAL INGREDIENT: Yes
VEGAN: Yes
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: Morocco
NATURAL INGREDIENT: Yes
VEGAN: Yes
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: Italy, Spain, US
NATURAL INGREDIENT: Yes
VEGAN: Yes
NATURAL INGREDIENT: Yes
VEGAN: Yes
Sensitivity
Click on any ingredient to learn more
-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
WHAT IT DOES:
-Healing Skin: Products that incorporate licorice extract have effectively treated skin disorders such as rosacea, eczema, psoriasis and dermatitis as it is highly anti-inflammatory.
-Fading Dark Spots/Lightening Skin: Consistent use of licorice extract over time has been known to fade dark spots and blemishes, and lighten skin. It can also reverse darkening of scars, which are fibrous skin tissues that remain when an injury hasn't completely healed. Licorice extract is also a good natural substitute for hydroquinone, which causes adverse reactions in some users. An ingredient called glabridin helps reduce uneven skin darkening -- also known as hyper pigmentation -- caused by exposure to the sun's ultraviolet rays. Glabridin is an active ingredient containing five flavonoids that act to depigment, or lighten, skin while blocking an enzyme that causes damaged skin to darken.
-Anti-acne: Potent antioxidants in licorice extract fight skin-damaging free radicals. Licochalcone, another ingredient in licorice, helps to regulate the skin's oil production, making it useful in anti-acne skin-care regimens, as some zit outbreaks are the result of pores being clogged by overly active oil glands.
-Contains glycyrrhetic acid and flavinoids that have antioxidant and regenerative properties
WORKS BEST IN: Creams, lotions, and skin-lightening products
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA
NATURAL INGREDIENT: Yes
VEGAN: Yes
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
WHAT IT DOES:
-Aloe is rich in vitamins. It has polysaccharides that give hydrating, anti-inflammatory benefits and allow for aloe to give a protective barrier on the skin. Aloe also has phytosterols which help to soothe itchiness and irritation while also giving protection to prevent TEWL (trans-epidermal water loss.) Aloe vera gel has bioactive compounds in the plant that are rich in vitamins A, B , C, D and E as well as minerals like magnesium, potassium and zinc. These are all thought to aid in the 'healing' benefits of aloe.
-Potent moisturizer, invigorating and soothing agent, can be used to reduce skin irritation and inflammations such as acne and eczema
-Has been shown to improve the appearance of aging and dry skin
WORKS BEST IN: All skin care products for dry skin, soothing creams & lotions, sun care and after-sun products
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA
NATURAL INGREDIENT: Yes
VEGAN: Yes
NATURAL INGREDIENT: Yes
VEGAN: Yes
WHAT IT DOES:
-Shea butter has high concentrations of fatty acids and vitamins make shea butter an ideal cosmetic ingredient for softening skin. Shea butter also has anti-inflammatory and healing properties. Using shea butter on your body, especially your face, can condition, tone, and soothe your skin.
-Anti inflammatory and healing: shea butter has been proven to have extensive anti-inflammatory properties. Redness and swelling on your face may be calmed by applying shea butter products. Shea butter’s fatty acid and vitamin K concentration also helps your body to heal faster when your skin barrier has been compromised.
-Highly moisturizing: Shea butter’s consistency help your skin to absorb it when it melts at room temperature. The rich tree nut oils in shea butter can soak into your skin, creating a smooth and soft barrier that seals in moisture. This moisturizing effect can last several hours, unlike some other moisturizers that wear off after one hour or less.
-Anti aging: Shea butter has high levels of oleic, linoleic, and stearic acids. These acids are an effective ingredient to combating oxidative stress, which is the effect the environmental toxins have on your skin cells. This helps your skin to have a healthy turnover of new cells, and also supports the structure and tightness of your skin. The vitamin E in shea butter also helps protect your skin from the UV rays of the sun, although you can’t skip sunscreen just because you use shea butter on your face.
WORKS BEST IN: Lotions, creams, sun care & after sun products, facial moisturizers, body butter, ointments
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: West Africa
NATURAL INGREDIENT: Yes
VEGAN: Yes
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: Italy, Spain, US
NATURAL INGREDIENT: Yes
VEGAN: Yes
WORKS BEST IN: Cleansing products, soaps, shampoos, scrubs, body wash, creams, face masks, color cosmetics
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA
NATURAL INGREDIENT: Yes
VEGAN: Yes
Anti-Aging or Loss of Firmness
Click on any ingredient to learn more
WORKS BEST IN: Lotions, creams, sun care & after sun products, makeup products
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: UK
NATURAL INGREDIENT: No
VEGAN: Yes
WORKS BEST IN: Anti-aging creams, lotions, & gels. Protective creams, sun care & after sun products.
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: Germany
NATURAL INGREDIENT: No
VEGAN: Yes
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
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 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.
NATURAL INGREDIENT: No
VEGAN: Yes
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
-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
NATURAL INGREDIENT: Yes
VEGAN: Yes
Acne
Click on any ingredient to learn more
WORKS BEST IN: Skin cleansers and moisturizers for the oily, blemished and impure skin, hair care products and conditioners, creams and powders for the feet
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: Australia
NATURAL INGREDIENT: Yes
VEGAN: Yes
WORKS BEST IN: Cleansers and toners, creams & lotions, masks, gels and peels. Anti-blemish formulas
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA
NATURAL INGREDIENT: Yes
VEGAN: Yes
WORKS BEST IN: Cleansing products, soaps, shampoos, scrubs, body wash, creams, face masks, color cosmetics
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA
NATURAL INGREDIENT: Yes
VEGAN: Yes
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
NATURAL INGREDIENT: Yes
VEGAN: Yes
WORKS BEST IN: Lotions, creams, nourishing skincare products, body washes, shampoos, baby products, sun care & after sun products, bath oils, facial cleansers
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA
NATURAL INGREDIENT: Yes
VEGAN: Yes
WHAT IT DOES:
-Aloe is rich in vitamins. It has polysaccharides that give hydrating, anti-inflammatory benefits and allow for aloe to give a protective barrier on the skin. Aloe also has phytosterols which help to soothe itchiness and irritation while also giving protection to prevent TEWL (trans-epidermal water loss.) Aloe vera gel has bioactive compounds in the plant that are rich in vitamins A, B , C, D and E as well as minerals like magnesium, potassium and zinc. These are all thought to aid in the 'healing' benefits of aloe.
-Potent moisturizer, invigorating and soothing agent, can be used to reduce skin irritation and inflammations such as acne and eczema
-Has been shown to improve the appearance of aging and dry skin
WORKS BEST IN: All skin care products for dry skin, soothing creams & lotions, sun care and after-sun products
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA
NATURAL INGREDIENT: Yes
VEGAN: Yes
-Squalene is a colorless poly-unsaturated hydrocarbon liquid that’s found naturally in many animals and plants, including human sebum. Yes, the word ‘sebum’ sounds gross, but it’s incredibly important to your skin. Essentially, it’s one of the many natural lipids your body produces to lubricate and protect your skin. (It’s estimated to make up about 10 to 12 percent of your skin’s oil.) It’s commonly harvested from plant sources like olives, wheat germ oil, and rice bran. Our squalene is 100% plant based.
-Squalene is used in skincare products as a highly-effective moisturizer and natural antioxidant. Historically, it’s been used in the medical field to treat wounds and skin problems.
-Squalene is a natural emollient, which means it lock moisture into your skins which helps prevent fine lines, and ease dry patches.
WORKS BEST IN: Skin creams, lotions, acne friendly products, and lip care
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA
NATURAL INGREDIENT: Yes
VEGAN: Yes
Hyperpigmentation or Dark Spots
Click on any ingredient to learn more
Kojic acid works by preventing melanin production. Melanin is a naturally occurring pigment in the body that gives the eyes, hair, and skin their color. Decreased melanin production may have a lightening effect on the skin.
Anti-aging effect: Products containing kojic acid may lighten the skin, which can improve the appearance of age spots and sun damage. The reduction of dark spots can have an anti-aging effect.
Treat melasma: Kojic acid may also be helpful in decreasing melasma, which is darkening of the skin due to pregnancy.
Decrease the appearance of scars: Kojic acid may also reduce the discoloration of scars. Although the acid does not improve the thickness of scar tissue, it may reduce dark pigmentation associated with certain types of scars. Lightening the scar may make it less noticeable.
Antibacterial and Antifungal effects: Kojic acid may also provide antibacterial benefits. It may help decrease the chances of developing common types of bacterial skin infections. It may also be helpful in preventing and treating certain fungal infections, such as athlete's foot and yeast infections.
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: Japan
NATURAL INGREDIENT: Yes
VEGAN: Yes
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: Switzerland
NATURAL INGREDIENT: Yes
VEGAN: Yes
WHAT IT DOES:
-Healing Skin: Products that incorporate licorice extract have effectively treated skin disorders such as rosacea, eczema, psoriasis and dermatitis as it is highly anti-inflammatory.
-Fading Dark Spots/Lightening Skin: Consistent use of licorice extract over time has been known to fade dark spots and blemishes, and lighten skin. It can also reverse darkening of scars, which are fibrous skin tissues that remain when an injury hasn't completely healed. Licorice extract is also a good natural substitute for hydroquinone, which causes adverse reactions in some users. An ingredient called glabridin helps reduce uneven skin darkening -- also known as hyper pigmentation -- caused by exposure to the sun's ultraviolet rays. Glabridin is an active ingredient containing five flavonoids that act to depigment, or lighten, skin while blocking an enzyme that causes damaged skin to darken.
-Anti-acne: Potent antioxidants in licorice extract fight skin-damaging free radicals. Licochalcone, another ingredient in licorice, helps to regulate the skin's oil production, making it useful in anti-acne skin-care regimens, as some zit outbreaks are the result of pores being clogged by overly active oil glands.
-Contains glycyrrhetic acid and flavinoids that have antioxidant and regenerative properties
WORKS BEST IN: Creams, lotions, and skin-lightening products
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA
NATURAL INGREDIENT: Yes
VEGAN: Yes
WORKS BEST IN: Lotions, creams, sun care & after sun products, makeup products
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: UK
NATURAL INGREDIENT: No
VEGAN: Yes
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
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
Skin Redness
Click on any ingredient to learn more
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA
NATURAL INGREDIENT: Yes
VEGAN: Yes
-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
WHAT IT DOES:
-Healing Skin: Products that incorporate licorice extract have effectively treated skin disorders such as rosacea, eczema, psoriasis and dermatitis as it is highly anti-inflammatory.
-Fading Dark Spots/Lightening Skin: Consistent use of licorice extract over time has been known to fade dark spots and blemishes, and lighten skin. It can also reverse darkening of scars, which are fibrous skin tissues that remain when an injury hasn't completely healed. Licorice extract is also a good natural substitute for hydroquinone, which causes adverse reactions in some users. An ingredient called glabridin helps reduce uneven skin darkening -- also known as hyper pigmentation -- caused by exposure to the sun's ultraviolet rays. Glabridin is an active ingredient containing five flavonoids that act to depigment, or lighten, skin while blocking an enzyme that causes damaged skin to darken.
-Anti-acne: Potent antioxidants in licorice extract fight skin-damaging free radicals. Licochalcone, another ingredient in licorice, helps to regulate the skin's oil production, making it useful in anti-acne skin-care regimens, as some zit outbreaks are the result of pores being clogged by overly active oil glands.
-Contains glycyrrhetic acid and flavinoids that have antioxidant and regenerative properties
WORKS BEST IN: Creams, lotions, and skin-lightening products
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA
NATURAL INGREDIENT: Yes
VEGAN: Yes
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
WHAT IT DOES:
-Aloe is rich in vitamins. It has polysaccharides that give hydrating, anti-inflammatory benefits and allow for aloe to give a protective barrier on the skin. Aloe also has phytosterols which help to soothe itchiness and irritation while also giving protection to prevent TEWL (trans-epidermal water loss.) Aloe vera gel has bioactive compounds in the plant that are rich in vitamins A, B , C, D and E as well as minerals like magnesium, potassium and zinc. These are all thought to aid in the 'healing' benefits of aloe.
-Potent moisturizer, invigorating and soothing agent, can be used to reduce skin irritation and inflammations such as acne and eczema
-Has been shown to improve the appearance of aging and dry skin
WORKS BEST IN: All skin care products for dry skin, soothing creams & lotions, sun care and after-sun products
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA
NATURAL INGREDIENT: Yes
VEGAN: Yes
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: Morocco
NATURAL INGREDIENT: Yes
VEGAN: Yes