Glossary

Alkyl Polyglucosides (Coco Glucosides)
Originating from coconut, this natural foamer is used as a primary surfactant in many of our products. Mild and non-irritating, it produces quick bubbles, but not to the degree of Sodium Lauryl Sulphate, so the performance is slightly different. Almond Oil: For skin and hair care; moisturizing. A good source of Vitamin D. Suitable for all skin types. Especially for dry or irritated skin.

Allantoin
Is a botanical extract of the comfrey plant and is used for its healing, soothing, and anti-irritating properties. Allantoin helps to heal wounds and used by most major skin care companies

Apricot Kernel Oil
For skin care; moisturizing. Rich in essential fatty acids, Oleic and Linoleic acid. Spreads easily on the skin. Helps regulate moisture and restructure of skin. Nourishing and revitalizing. Good for baby, dry and mature skin. 

Avocado Oil        
This unsaturated oil is cold pressed and retains all its natural vitamins and minerals. Closely matches the skin in its makeup and has been used to hospitals to help heal burn victims.  Avocado oil is very nourishing to the skin and naturally rich in 14 vitamins and 11 minerals, especially large amounts of vitamin D and potassium. The avocado has the highest protein content of any fruit.

Aloe Vera
Well known for its topical properties of skin rejuvination. Helps correct minor flaws and frequently touted as a natural anti-oxidant, able to build cell structure in skin

Camellia Sinensis (Japanese Green Tea) Leaf Extract

Chamomile
Offers soothing properties and eases skin irritation. Historically popular as a tea, yet found to have benefits in treating epidermal problems.

Carbomer
Carbomers are synthetic, high molecular weight, non-linear polymers of acrylic acid cross-linked with a polyalkenyl polyether. They are used in cosmetics as emulsifying, thickening, suspending and dispersing agents.

Castor Oil
Acts as a humectant by attracting and retaining moisture to the skin.
 
Caprylic/Capric Triglycerides
An natural emollient oil that has a soft feel composed of caprylic (C8) and capric fatty acids (C10) derived from coconut or palm kernel oils. They are heated, esterified with glycerin and deodorized. The end result is an edible oil that is labelled as caprylic/capric triglycerides; captrin or medium-chain triglycerides. Primarily used as an emollient and ³slip² agent. Seen in many lotions, eye shadow, foundations and creams offering a soft feel and easy glide when applied.

Cetyl Alcohol    
A secondary emulsifier that thickens or adds body to lotions. This is a fatty acid, similar to wax. Not to be confused with drying, ethyl alcohols. (like rubbing or isopropyl alcohol)

Chamomile Extract    
Extract made from the flowers of anthemis nobilis. This daisy like plant has white and yellow flowers which the chamomile is extracted from. Used for its soothing properties and an excellent anti-inflammatory agent, it is reputed to bring down swelling and pain in the skin and mucous membranes, plus calms eczema and allergic reactions.

Chlorophyll    
The green coloring matter in plants. Known for its natural cleansing and moisturizing properties.

Chrysin
Chrysin belongs to the flavone class of flavonoids. Chrysin is found naturally in various plants including the Pelargonium species, which are germanium-like plants; the Passiflora or passion flower species, which include tropical passion fruit; and the Pinaceae species, including pine trees.

* "formaldehyde is a naturally occuring process on this planet, and many living things create formaldehyde, the leaves in your back yard, your body or nearly any product in a bottle to some degree or another.  Where people get confused is if an amine is present, its the "free formaldehyde" thats a problem, not formaldehyde itself.
In a typical product, we use DMDM Hydantoin at just 0.2% as a preservative, and this "free formaldehyde" accounts for 6 parts per billion and almost undetectable with current technology. To put this into perspective, the chlorine in water is 5 parts per million and carbon monoxide in the average home is 2 parts per million (10 parts will kill you). Basically, your ingesting and breathing things that are much worse for you than what the by product of this preservative would ever do....and I don't even want to talk about what we eat.  Its a knee jerk reaction when people see things on the internet."

Durutoside (Siegesbeckia Orientalis Extract )
Extracted from the herb Siegesbeckia orientalis L, this small composite plant or small shrub has been used for thousands of years to sooth inflammation and stimulate wound healing. The plant has sticky bulbs and contains a white crystalline residue resembling salicylic acid. This extract helps regenerate skin tissue, promoting elasticity to damaged skin with collagen fibers.

Emulsifying Wax NF  (Polo Wax)
As a wax, it comes as white flakes and is usually made up of two components, a fatty alcohol and a fatty acid. Naturally derived, it is used as an emollient, thickener and emulsion stabilizer.  

Glyceryl Mono Stearate
A wax like solid emollient, emulsifier derived from natural stearic acid and glycerin

Grapeseed Oil        
An ultrafine oil derived from grapeseeds with a thin viscosity.  

Grape Seed Extract (Vitis vinifera)
Grape seed extract is derived from the small seeds of red grapes. Used extensively in Europe, grape seed extract is rich in flavonoids, phytochemicals that have antioxidant properties some consider even greater than the old standbys vitamin C and vitamin E.

Guaraná
Guaraná is a creeping shrub native to the Amazon basin of Brazil, often growing to 40 feet/12 m high and bearing fruit with seeds. Botanist James Duke cites tribal uses of these seeds as a preventive for arteriosclerosis; as an effective cardiovascular drug; as an analgesic, astringent, febrifuge, stimulant and assists in hypertension, migraine, neuralgia, and dysentery. Guaraná is consumed daily as a health tonic by millions of Brazilians. It contains xanthine alkaloids (caffeine, theophylline, theobromine) which are believed to contribute significantly to guaraná ¹s therapeutic activity. In body care products, it contains tonifying and astringent properties, with lipolytic (fat burning) and vasodilation abilities to help burn fat.

Haloxyl
Haloxyl is known for reducing dark rings and puffiness under the eyes. HALOXYL  prevents and diminishes the appearance of dark circles under the eyes. Based on a matrikine complex, HALOXYL targets the underlying cause of dark circles.

Hemp Oil
This cold pressed oil is similar to olive oil in its make-up, but includes omega 3 & 6, typically found only in fish. It contains essential fatty acids, vitamins and minerals and is considered exceptional for skin care applications as its not hydrogenated.

Hydroxysuccinimide

An anti-oxidant for oils used in minute quantities .

Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate see Diazolidinyl Urea
 
Japanese Green Tea
Reported to fight damage from excessive sun and environmental damage.  Primarily this ancient asian plant has ability to prevent free radicals from damaging cell structure further.

Jojoba Oil        
The history of jojoba is well documented. This thick waxy oil is also similar to sebum and penetrates quite readily. Excellent moisturizer and offers cellular renewal.

Kaolin Clay
Kaolinite (White Clay) is the mildest of all clays. It is suitable for all sensitive skin and helps stimulate circulation, while gently exfoliating and cleansing. It does not absorb or remove oils from the skin and therefore can be used on dry skin types or in dry weather conditions.

Karite Butter - See Shea Butter

Mangifera Indica (Mango Fruit)

Matrixyl
Matrixyl is an alternative to Retinol (Vitamin A derivative) and is recognized as an effective wrinkle reducer, wrinkle reduction treatment based on a messenger peptide that stimulates the production of dermal matrix molecules to significantly reduce the appearance of wrinkles. A gentle, effective and stable alternative to Vitamin C and Retinol.

Mushroom Extract (FOMES OFFICINALIS)
A natural astringent shown to improve skin tightness and firmness as it diminishes the appearance of pores.

Olea Europaea (Olive) Oil

Palmitoyl Oligopeptide
Palmitoyl Oligopeptide is a tripeptide that enhances the product of collagen.

Palmitoyl Pentapeptide -3
Palmitoyl pentapeptide-3 (Pal-KTTKS) is a relatively small molecule. It consists of five amino acids linked together and attached to a fatty acid to enhance oil solubility for the sake of better skin penetration.

Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-3
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-3 is a synthetic peptide that is a fragment of immunoglobulin G that has been combined with palmitic acid to make it more lipophillic and thus enhance its affinity towards human skin.

Polysorbate-20
Polysorbate 20 is a non-ionic surfactant and emulsifier derived from sorbitol which is obtained from various types of fruit.

Retinal Palmitate (Vitamin A)
In cosmetics, vitamin A derivatives are used as anti aging chemicals- vitamin A is absorbed through the skin and increases the rate of skin turnover, and gives an increase in collagen giving a more youthful appearance.