Ingredient Glossary

Easily read through skincare ingredients that we use in our skincare products and how they can help you achieve your skin goals.

Skincare Ingredient Description
Almond Oil Sweet almond oil contains many nutrients that are good for the skin, including vitamins, minerals, fatty acids, and antioxidants. Products formulated with sweet almond oil may help soothe and hydrate your skin.
Alpha Arbutin Alpha Arbutin is a skin-brightening, depigmenting agent that inhibits tyrosinase, an enzyme that increases the over production of melanin. An effective ingredient that reduces dark marks, fades uneven skin tone, brightens overall complexion and reduces post breakout marks without bleaching the skin.
Azelaic Acid Azelaic Acid skincare products can help treat acne and rosacea. This ingredient has powerful anti-inflammatory properties to soothe skin. Reduces the production of keratin which can lead to blocked pores and breakouts.
Bakuchiol Bakuchiol is a plant-based ingredient that is extracted from the seeds and leaves of the babchi tree and has been used for many years in Eastern medicine. Clinically proven to have similar results to Retinol with no sun sensitivty and no side effects of typical retinoids. This skincare ingredients improves skin firmness and elasticity, reduces fine lines and wrinkles.
Black Ginseng A strong anti-oxidant with comparable efficacy to L-Ascorbic Acid. Protects skin by significantly reducing collagenase, an enzyme which breaks down collagen and elastin. This skincare ingredient boosts collagen production, offering comparable power to TGF-1, (Transforming Growth Factor 1) to enhance collagen production in the skin and rebuild skin.
Briteodant Complex Briteodant Complex, a trademarked ingredient, is a powerful tyrosinase inhibitor to reduce the formation of melanin.
Caffeine Caffeine is a commonly used ingredient in skincare often used in products for brightening and tightening. It has powerful anti-oxidant properties and decreases puffiness by improving circulation.
Centella Asiatica Centella Asiatica, also known as gotu kola, has been used in traditional medicines for many years. We love this ingredient for its wound healing abilities and anti-inflammatory effects. Centella Asiatica is used in the treatment of small wounds, hypertrophic wounds as well as burns, psoriasis and scleroderma. Centella Asiatica can stimulate fibroblast proliferation and activate the signalling pathway to stimulate collagen production.
Ceramide Ceramide is found and produced naturally by the skin, however they deplete over time as we age. Specifically, after age 20, the body produces fewer ceramides at a loss of one percent per year. Maintaining ceramide levels in the skin plays an essential role in managing dryness, dehydration and premature signs of ageing.
Co-enzyme Q10

Co-enzyme Q10 is a powerful, naturally occurring anti-oxidant to protect against environmental skin damage while regenerating the skin and reducing the effects of photo-ageing. Highlighted benefits of this skincare ingredient include:

  • Energised cell activity. Energy in the skins cells are required in order to repair any damage. Healthy and active skin cells get rid of toxins easily and can make better use of nutrients.
  • Reduce sun damage. The anti-oxidant function of this ingredient helps protects your skin at the molesular level from the damaging side effects of free radicals
  • Even out skin tone. Co-enzyme Q10 works to block tyrosinase that can help fase and prevent dark spots.
  • Reduces the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. This ingredient helps your skin cells produce collagen and elastin, which can reduce the appearance of fine lines.
Glycolic Acid Glycolic Acid is naturally found in sugar cane, in its purest form, it is odourless and colourless. Glycolic acid belong to a group of acids experts refer to as Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs) and are popular in skincare products for their exfoliation benefits. Glycolic Acid has the smallest molecular structure which allows for deeper penetration in the skin and therefore is able to target a variety of skin concerns. Glycolic Acid assists in unclogging pores by removing the top layer of dead skin cells, refining and diminishing the appearance of enlarged pores.
Honey Acids Honey as an ingredient is widely known for its anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial benefits. Honey Extract can be enzymatically converted to deliver Poly Hydroxy Acid, which is very well tolerated by the skin. This enzymatic modification enables gentle skin exfoliation while retaining the soothing and healing benefits of honey. This skincare ingredient is suitable for those who are new to exfoliation or for sensitive skin types
Hyaluronic Acid Hyaluronic acid, also known as hyaluronan, is a clear, gooey substance that is naturally produced by your body which helps lubricate our tissues. The largest amounts of hyaluronic acid is found in your skin and it’s main function is to retain water. Including the ingredient Hyaluronic Acid into your skincare routine will promote healthier, more supple skin. The ‘plumping’ action of Hyaluronic Acid assists in reducing the appearance of wrinkles.
Hyperbrite Complex Hyperbrite complex a trademarked peptide that is a powerful brightening complex that prevents melanin synthesis by preventing activation tyrosinase.
Kojic Acid Kojic Acid is an organic acid secreted by several fungi species. This skincare ingredient is commonly used in skincare products that claim to be ‘whitening’. In reality this ingredient inhibits melanin production and prevents tyrosinase activity by synthesising copper ion in cells. Kojic Acid is an effective ingredient used for the management of hyperpigmentation.
Jojoba Oil Jojoba Oil is a moisturising, anti-bacterial, anti-oxidant and non-comedogenic ingredient used in skincare products. Jojoba Oil absorbs into the skin through pores and hair follicles, then diffuses into the intercellular spaces of the outer layer of the skin to make it soft and supple.
Lactic Acid The use of Lactic Acid dates back to ancient times when Cleopatra bathed in milk to improve texture and appearance of her skin. Nowadays, Lactic Acid is created in a laboratory and is classified in the group of Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs) that helps shed the skin of dead skin cells. This chemical exfoliant ingredient can be used in various formulation at different concentrations allowing you to choose a product best suited for your skin type. Incorporating this ingredient into your skincare routine will result in a brighter complexion and refined skin texture.
Licorice Extract Licorice Root Extract soothing anti-inflammatory benefits while reducing redness. Protects the skin from oxidative stress. Prevents melanin production and brightens the appearance of dark marks.
Mandelic Acid Mandelic Acid forms part of the Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs) family and is a gentle chemical exfoliating ingredient used in many chemical peels or daily exfoliating tonics. In comparison with the other AHAs, Mandelic Acid is the largest molecule size, about twice the size of Glyolic Acid, which allows for slower penetration into the skin. The slow absorption of this ingredient makes it suitable for all skin types.
Matrixyl Repairs skin damage while improving skin firmness and elasticity.
Niacinamide Niacinamide is a powerhouse ingredient in skincare with a plethora of benefits and is suitable for all skin types who would like to target skin texture. Also known as B3, Niacinamide is water-soluable vitamin that works with the natural substances in your skin to help visibly minimize enlarged pores, tighten skin, improve uneven skin texture, and regulate sebum production.
Optisorb Complex™ Optisorb complex is a trade marked blend of plant extracts that work synergistically to normalise sebum production without drying out the skin, while optimising moisture content. Prevents the oxidation of sebum lipids to reduce the occurrence of irritation. Lastly, Optisorb complex increases cell energisation resulting in optimised cell functioning.
Peptides 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 particular way, they make specific proteins. Proteins like collagen and elastin – the fundamental building blocks of the skin. Without peptides and proteins, our skin would not remain intact. As we age, amino acid chain formation slows down resulting in less collagen and less elastin with skin that doesn’t bounce back as it once did. Introducing peptides into your skincare routine will stimulate collagen production and firm the skin. Peptides can be incorporated into your skincare routine can be done at any age and is for all skin types.
Potassium Azeloy Diglycinate Column 2 Value 24
Salicylic Acid Salicylic Acid is an ingredient often used in the management of acne. It effectively exfoliates the outer Stratum Corneum (the top layer of the skin) encouraging new cell production. Salicylic Acid belongs to the Beat-Hydroxy Acid (BHAs) group and in a oil-soluble ingredient so it is able to penetrate through the lipid barrier of your skin, giving a deeper exfoliation as compared to the AHA group of acids. It works by dissolving the bonds of skin debris that clogs pores and causes breakouts. Due to its effectiveness as an exfoliator, it not only is a great acne busting ingredient, but it also transforms skin from dull and tired, to bright and glowing.
Squalane Squalane is a 100% plant derived substance which mimics skin’s own natural lipids and inhibits loss of moisture, leaving skin feeling soft and supple. Squalane is often used in products that assist is barrier repairing. An impaired barrier can be as a result of environmental damage or over-exfoliation which leaves the skin feeling dry, red and sensitive. Squalane acts as the skins ‘second-layer’ while giving your skin the opportunity to repair. The ingredient can be used in the formulations of multiple products to reduce irritation, for example Retinol.
Succinic Acid Succinic Acid is a great multi-tasking ingredient in the management of acne. It contains anti-microbial properties meaning it inhibits the growth of bacteria that forms acne. Succinic Acid is also an effective anti-inflammatory assisting in the healing process of inflammatory acne. In addition, Succinic Acid promotes cellular renewal, speedy up recovery and therefore shortening the lifecycle of a breakout.
Tranexamic Acid An effective ingredient in the management of skin discoloration, pigmentation, hyperpigmentation, or post-acne hyperpigmentation. Tranexamic Acid functions by inhibiting melanin production by interacting at multiple layers in the skin. Tranexamic helps prevent the formation of future dark spots while actively working on improving existing discoloration.
Vitamin A (Retinol) Vitamin A is the gold standard in skincare treating a multitude of skin concerns. There are many Vitamin A derivatives all with a range of effectiveness and strength. The weakest being retinyl palmitate with the strongest being retinoic acid. Benefits of incorporating this ingredient into your skincare routine include; increase in cell turnover, stimulates collagen and elastin production, assists with acne management, helps in fading hyperpigmentation.
Vitamin C

Vitamin C is a popular skincare ingredient providing you with anti-oxidant protection and anti-ageing benefits by protecting your skin from the harmful effects of Free Radicals. Free Radicals are responsible for the breakdown in skin’s collagen resulting in the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. There are different types and concentrations of Vitamin C and understanding how each one interacts with your skin is important when selecting the best formulation to address your specific skin concern based on your skin type.

  • L-Ascorbic Acid is the purest form of Vitamin C. It is water soluble and considered the strongest form of Vitamin C.
  • Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate is a stable, oil-soluble of Vitamin C. It is a more gentle form of Vitamin C and therefore suited to those with sensitive skins. This form of Vitamin C will still provide you with the same benefits as L-Ascorbic Acid.

Benefits of incorporating Vitamin C into your skincare routine include; increased collagen stimulation, reducing pigmentation, promoting skin brightening as well as anti-oxidant protection and free radical scavenger