Ingredients Glossary
ANTIOXIDANTS
Ingredients that defend the skin against free radicals, molecules found in our environment that trigger skin damage and early signs of aging.
A sea plant extract rich in minerals, antioxidants, and natural humectants that hydrate, anti-age and balance the skin.
Find it in: Firming Eye Complex
A sea plant rich in antioxidants and amino acids that have been shown to give skin a firmer and smoother appearance.
Find it in: Firming Eye Complex
A naturally occurring stimulant that is used in under eye products to visibly diminish the look of puffiness around the eyes.
Find it in: Firming Eye Complex
A rich source of antioxidants that ward off free radicals that can cause dark spots and premature signs of aging. Green Tea is an abundant source of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), a potent polyphenol that is widely studied for its photoprotective, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. In a 2009 study at 2%, green tea reduced acne lesions by 58.33%.
Find it in: EGF Activating Serum
A botanical ingredient most commonly extracted from the blue passion flower, this anti-inflammatory isoflavone conditions skin while reducing the appearance of under eye darkness and puffiness.
Find it in: Firming Eye Complex
A microalgae extract that is a rich natural source of astaxanthin, one of the world’s most powerful antioxidants. Astaxanthin has been shown to support skin repair, prevent free radical damage, and minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
Find it in: Firming Eye Complex
A form of vitamin B3, niacinamide is a powerful antioxidant that has been shown to balance oil, reduce the appearance of pores, brighten uneven skin tone, and support elasticity.
Find it in: Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Serum
An herbal extract with a high concentration of natural antioxidants that have been shown to fight free radicals and calm skin irritation.
Find it in: Firming Eye Complex
A root with powerful natural antioxidant content that has been shown to help reduce the appearance of redness and soothe irritated skin.
Find it in: TCA Lactic & Glycolic Face Peel
ALPHA HYDROXY ACIDS
A family of acids that often have exfoliating, antioxidant, or skin-renewing properties.
An exfoliating acid that dissolves dead skin cells and helps lift hyperpigmentation to reveal brighter, softer skin.
Find it in: TCA Lactic & Glycolic Body Peel,TCA Lactic & Glycolic Face Peel
Naturally occurring in plant and food sources, this exfoliant dissolves dead skin cells, promotes cellular turnover, and helps lift hyperpigmentation.
Find it in: Hydrating Lip Peel,TCA Lactic & Glycolic Body Peel,TCA Lactic & Glycolic Face Peel
A gentle exfoliating acid that dissolves dead skin cells only on the very surface layers of the skin. Ideal for sensitive skin types and delicate areas of the face.
Find it in: Hydrating Lip Peel
A lesser known AHA that, unlike other acids in this family, doesn’t have exfoliating properties but rather antioxidant properties that protect the skin against free radical damage.
Find it in: Hydrating Lip Peel,TCA Lactic & Glycolic Body Peel
ACIDS - OTHER
Other acids that have exfoliating properties, but don’t fit into the alpha or beta hydroxy acid families.
A medium depth acid used in professional chemical peels that is effective at treating hyperpigmentation and helping to repair damage from breakouts. Safe for at-home use in low concentrations only.
Find it in: TCA Lactic & Glycolic Body Peel,TCA Lactic & Glycolic Face Peel
BETA HYDROXY ACID
Another name for salicylic acid, a type of exfoliating acid that has powerful skin-clarifying benefits.
A beta hydroxy acid that dissolves dead skin cells, controls excess oil production, and battles acne-causing bacteria.
Find it in: TCA Lactic & Glycolic Body Peel,TCA Lactic & Glycolic Face Peel
CHELATING AGENTS
A family of ingredients that bind to metal ions and are used in cosmetics to prevent metals from adhering to the surface of the skin or hair.
A plant-derived or synthetic carbohydrate that is used in skincare to stabilize formulas.
Find it in: Firming Eye Complex
A salt form of phytic acid that is used as a chelating agent in cosmetics.
Find it in: Hydrating Lip Peel
A synthetic ingredient that is added to cosmetics to enhance the effectiveness of preservatives so that a lower concentration of preservatives can be used.
Find it in: Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Serum
COLORANTS
Ingredients that improve the color of cosmetic products.
A green pigment derived from plants (chlorophyll) that is used in skincare to add color and may support the skin’s healing process.
Find it in: Epidermal Growth Factor Activating Serum
EMOLLIENTS
Waxy or oily ingredients that keep moisture inside the skin while improving skin smoothness and softness.
A triglyceride fatty acid derived from the castor bean that moisturizes skin, supports barrier function, and gives skin a silky feel.
Find it in: Epidermal Growth Factor Activating Serum, Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Serum
DESCRIPTION: A highly moisturizing form of squalene, a natural component of human skin oils. Squalane restores the moisture barrier, balances oil production, and soothes dryness and irritation.
Find it in: Epidermal Growth Factor Activating Serum
EMULSIFIERS
Ingredients that combine water-based and oil-based ingredients together so that they do not separate when used in the same formula.
DESCRIPTION: A stabilizing ingredient derived from coconut acids that helps prevent the separation of oil and water-based ingredients.
Find it in: Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Serum
A stabilizing agent made from plant-based sources that helps thicken formulas and prevent the separation of oil and water-based ingredients.
Find it in: Hydrating Lip Peel, TCA Lactic & Glycolic Face Peel, Epidermal Growth Factor Activating Serum
HUMECTANTS
Hydrating ingredients that draw moisture into the skin, either from the surrounding environment or from the deeper layers of the skin into the surface of the skin.
Harvested from the leaves of the aloe plant, this gel-like extract is filled with vitamins that moisturize, soothe inflammation, prevent free radical damage, and support healthy skin healing.
Find it in: Epidermal Growth Factor Activating Serum
A skin-replenishing ingredient naturally found in plants, glycerin draws moisture into the skin by attracting water from the skin’s deeper layers and the environment.
Find it in: Firming Eye Complex, TCA Lactic & Glycolic Face Peel, Epidermal Growth Factor Activating Serum, TCA Lactic & Glycolic Body Peel, Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Serum
A form of hyaluronic acid (see sodium hyaluronate) that has a lower molecular weight than standard HA, allowing it to moisturize the deeper layers of the skin.
Find it in: Firming Eye Complex
Also known as air plant extract, this ingredient helps support the skin’s own hydration mechanisms, including the natural production of hyaluronic acid within the skin.
Find it in: Hydrating Lip Peel
A form of hyaluronic acid (see sodium hyaluronate) that has been modified to provide increased moisture to the surface of the skin and improve skin elasticity.
Find it in: Firming Eye Complex
The salt form of hyaluronic acid, a powerful natural moisturizer that can hold up to 1000 times its weight in water. HA draws moisture into the skin to plump, hydrate, and visibly reduce the look of fine lines.
Find it in: Firming Eye Complex, Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Serum
A form of hyaluronic acid (see sodium hyaluronate) that is linked with a polymer to keep moisture in the upper layers of the skin, providing increased surface hydration.
Find it in: Firming Eye Complex
A naturally occurring sugar that helps draw moisture into the skin.
Find it in: Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Serum
Common in tropical climates, this white mushroom is a rich source of polysaccharides that bind moisture to the skin.
Find it in: Hydrating Lip Peel
PEPTIDES
Amino acid chains that have been shown to have skin-regenerating properties.
A calming and hydrating peptide that is used to reduce fluid accumulation that can cause puffiness under the eyes. It also helps give the skin a smoother appearance and a more youthful look.
Find it in: Firming Eye Complex
A peptide that helps support skin structure, creating a smoother and tighter appearance.
Find it in: Firming Eye Complex
A peptide that supports collagen within the skin, helping to minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Find it in: Firming Eye Complex
Also called epidermal growth factor, this powerful ingredient has been shown to improve skin cell turnover, clarify pores, minimize the look of fine lines, and improve the appearance of dark spots and uneven skin tone.
Find it in: Epidermal Growth Factor Activating Serum
A skin-regenerating peptide that increases the amount of hyaluronic acid in the skin, reduces inflammation, and helps support collagen.
Find it in: Firming Eye Complex
Often marketed under the brand name MATRIXYL, this anti-aging peptide has been shown to support collagen, boost elasticity, and diminish the look of fine lines and wrinkles.
Find it in: Firming Eye Complex
PH BALANCERS
Ingredients used to change the pH of cosmetic formulations so that the finished product is more tolerable to the skin.
Also known as lye, this highly alkaline ingredient is used in skincare in very low concentrations to balance the pH of acidic formulations so they are more tolerable to the skin.
Find it in: Hydrating Lip Peel
Also known as lye, this highly alkaline ingredient is used in skincare in very low concentrations to balance the pH of acidic formulations so they are more tolerable to the skin.
Find it in: TCA Lactic & Glycolic Body Peel,TCA Lactic & Glycolic Face Peel
PRESERVATIVES
Ingredients that prevent the growth of microbes and/or help to extend the shelf-life of products so that they are effective for longer.
A common preservative that is considered less sensitizing than other preservatives when used at low levels.
Find it in: TCA Lactic & Glycolic Face Peel
Also known as annatto or achiote, this leaf extract has antimicrobial properties that can be used with other botanicals to safely preserve cosmetic products.
Find it in: Hydrating Lip Peel
A safe preservative that is used in low concentrations to prevent the growth of fungi in liquid formulations.
Find it in: TCA Lactic & Glycolic Face Peel
One of the safest preservatives, this humectant conditions the skin while preserving the shelf-life of skincare products.
Find it in: Epidermal Growth Factor Activating Serum
An effective but safe preservative derived from glycerin that also conditions the skin.
Find it in: Epidermal Growth Factor Activating Serum, Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Serum
A gentle flower extract with antibacterial properties that can be used with other botanicals to safely preserve cosmetic products.
Find it in: Hydrating Lip Peel
A common synthetic preservative that is used in very low concentrations to prevent bacterial growth as an alternative to parabens and other preservatives.
Find it in: Epidermal Growth Factor Activating Serum, Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Serum , TCA Lactic & Glycolic Face Peel
A type of salt that is used as a safe preservative in both cosmetics and food products.
Find it in: Hydrating Lip Peel
SKIN CONDITIONERS
A general category of ingredients that help to soften, smooth, or otherwise improve the appearance of the surface of the skin.
An enzyme with skin conditioning properties.
Find it in: Hydrating Lip Peel
A firming ingredient derived from a tree seed that provides instant firming benefits and gives the skin a tighter look in just five minutes.
Find it in: Firming Eye Complex
An enzyme with skin conditioning properties that also has some antibacterial benefits.
Find it in: Hydrating Lip Peel
A soothing botanical essential oil that has a calming scent and skin-conditioning benefits.
Find it in: Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Serum
A hydrating skin conditioner that can improve the absorption of other ingredients.
Find it in: Hydrating Lip Peel, TCA Lactic & Glycolic Body Peel, TCA Lactic & Glycolic Face Peel
A type of yeast commonly used in beer brewing that improves the absorption of other active ingredients. It can also help soothe irritation thanks to beta-glucan, a natural component of yeast with calming properties.
Find it in: Epidermal Growth Factor Activating Serum
SKIN SOOTHERS
Ingredients that help calm sensitivity, reduce the appearance of redness, and/or restore the skin’s defenses against outside irritants.
A compound derived from the comfrey plant that soothes, hydrates, and supports healthy skin. Allantoin is an over-the-counter (OTC) skin protectant, and is proven to relieve dry, chapped skin. It is also a keratolytic agent that stimulates cell turnover.
Find it in: Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Serum
A compound found in licorice root that has been shown to help soothe troubled skin and preserve natural hyaluronic acid content within the skin.
Find it in: Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Serum
A form of glucosamine, a substance found naturally in the body that has been shown to soothe and replenish the skin.
Find it in: Epidermal Growth Factor Activating Serum
A probiotic byproduct of fermentation that has been shown to soothe the skin, reinforce its defenses against free radicals, and support the skin microbiome.
Find it in: Epidermal Growth Factor Activating Serum
A naturally fermented ingredient that supports collagen and provides moisture.
Find it in: Epidermal Growth Factor Activating Serum
SOLVENTS
Ingredients that are used to dissolve other ingredients into a homogenous solution. Many solvents also improve the performance of other ingredients.
A solvent that can help decrease the viscosity of formulations and improve the penetration of active ingredients.
Find it in: Firming Eye Complex
A safe ingredient that helps increase the efficacy of other ingredients and decreases the viscosity of formulations.
Find it in: Epidermal Growth Factor Activating Serum
A denatured alcohol solvent that we use in low concentrations to improve the penetration of exfoliating acids.
Find it in: TCA Lactic & Glycolic Body Peel, TCA Lactic & Glycolic Face Peel
TEXTURE ENHANCERS
Ingredients added to cosmetic formulations to give them a more appealing texture.
A texture enhancing ingredient with humectant properties that improves the efficacy and penetration of other ingredients.
Find it in: Epidermal Growth Factor Activating Serum, Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Serum
A non-irritating texture enhancing ingredient with a pleasant, lightweight feeling.
Find it in: Epidermal Growth Factor Activating Serum
THICKENING AGENTS
Ingredients added to cosmetic formulations to thicken or add body so that the product is easier and more pleasant to use.
A plant-derived amino acid that functions as a safe preservative, formula thickener, and emulsifier.
Find it in: Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Serum
A type of sugar with some hydrating properties that is used in skincare formulations to give products more slip.
Find it in: Epidermal Growth Factor Activating Serum