Benefits of Extracts and Ingredients

Trichloroacetic Acid (TCA)

Trichloroacetic Acid (TCA) peel is one of the oldest forms of skin resurfacing. It reduces acne breakouts, improving skin texture and discoloration caused by sun damage. TCA helps remove areas of hyperpigmentation, while deeply cleaning clogged pores. It has also been used to help lighten and remove medium to deep scars while helping pores appear smaller. High concentration (typically higher than 30%) can also be used for tattoo removal.

Salicylic Acid

Salicylic Acid helps correct the abnormal desquamation process that occurs in acne-prone skin. It works as an exfoliant, promoting the sloughing away of dead skin cells. Salicylic Acid is especially helpful in treating acne because of its ability to penetrate the follicle. It encourages the shedding of dead skin cells from within the follicle, helping keep the pores clear of cellular debris. In this way, it reduces the number of pore blockages and breakouts on the skin.

Willow Bark Extract – Certified Organic

Willow Bark Extract is used in cosmetics and personal care products for its analgesic, antiseptic/antimicrobial, astringent and anti-inflammatory properties. Willow Bark Extract a natural exfoliant and is used in many acne treatments because of its ability to help skin shed dead cells and clear pores while it stimulates new cell formation. Willow Bark Extract also contains “phenolic acids; such as salicin, salicortin, fragilin, populin, triandrin and vimalin, as well as flavonoids, tannins (gallotannins and catechin-type tannins) and minerals,” which all allow it to aid in skin rejuvenation.   The anti-inflammatory and anti-septic properties of Willow Bark Extract may soothe acne-ravaged skin and reduce recovery time after a cosmetic peel. Willow Bark Extract’s astringent properties are, however, thought to soften and loosen dry, scaly, or thickened skin so that it falls off or can be removed easily.

Licorice Root Extract – Certified Organic

Licorice Root Extract is an herbal extract used in traditional Chinese medicine and in Arabian cultures for thousands of years and is a potent antioxidant, strong anti-inflammatory and soothing anti-irritant. Licorice has been used as an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant, because of Licochalcone-A, a molecule contained in licorice root extract that regulates oil production, eliminates bacteria and helps calm and soothe acne-prone skin. A study has shown the chemical compound within Licorice Root Extract (Glycyrrhetinic Acid) found skin exhibiting faster skin cell regeneration after being damaged by UV radiation. Another natural compound found in Licorice Root Extract is called “glabridin,” which inhibits the enzyme that causes skin to darken in response to sun exposure. A natural skin whitening agent, glabridin helps decrease the production of melanin and rebalance skin cells.

Helichrysum Extract – Certified Organic

Helichrysum Extract, communing know as Everlasting, Immortell, or St. John’s Herb, is produced from the flowers of the Helichrysum stoechas plant, which has high levels of flavoinoids and acetephenones. These vital compounds make it a major antioxidant, offering the ability to scavenge free radicals, and reduce premature aging while aiding skin tissue regeneration and relieve inflammation. This combinations makes the skin look more firm, youthful, and vibrant. According to one study published in 2002, Helichrysum has multiple effects that occur at the same time—inhibiting inflammatory enzymes, scavenging free radicals, and a third effect that resembles how corticosteroids work in taming inflammation. That’s a three-pronged approach in helping to calm, protect, and heal skin that is inflamed, damaged, or stressed.

Green Tea Extract – Certified Organic

Green tea extract is derived from leaves of Camellia sinensis and is naturally rich in antioxidants. It’s strong antioxidant protects the skin from the damaging effect of free radicals and can actually decrease wrinkles, slowing the signs of aging. Another attribute of Green tea extract is its anti-inflammatory properties which reduces inflammation in the skin, and most importantly having an inhibitory action on collagenase (a collagen-reducing enzyme that breaks down collagen).   Since green tea extract helps to inhibit collagenase, the topical use of green tea helps to promote the health and quantity of collagen, thereby maintaining a firm and elastic skin. In one clinical study is was shown that the skin had measurably more elastic tissue content after continuous application of a product containing green tea extract.   Last, Green tea extract also contains the Methylxanthines that stimulates skin microcirculation and therefore positively influence the tone and health of the skin.

Goji Berry Extract – Certified Organic

The Goji Berry plant is also known as the “wolfberry” plant, and is a woody shrub native to Asia, particularly China, and was utilized as a traditional medicine to stimulate the immune system, improve sight, protect the liver, improve circulation, increase longevity and protect against heart disease among other actions. Goji is known as the most powerful antiaging food in the world as measured according to the ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity) scale which measures antioxidant power in food. Acting as a general tonic for the body, and providing strength and energy, Goji is currently considered a “superfruit”. Below are some of the additional ingredients in Goji Berries:

- 11 of the 22 essential dietary trace minerals, including calcium, potassium, iron, zinc, selenium, and Vitamins A and C. Each mineral has its own benefit, but they all help fight off the damaging effects of free radicals, and many encourage the production of collagen and elastin, helping to maintain tautness and flexibility.

- Flavonoids including beta-carotene, zeaxanthin, lutein, lycopene, crytoxanthin, and xanthophyll. These protect the skin from damage caused by the sun, and are known to help maintain a healthy glow in the skin.

- Polysaccharides thatincrease cytokines, the tumor necrosis factor, natural killer cells, T and B lymphocytes, the granulopoiesis and thrombopoiesis, among others. This increases antibody levels in the body, helping fight any infections which could potentially occur.

Goji Berries increase adenosine trophosphate (ATP) production by nearly 20 percent, which is the cellular energy for the skin and body. Important for maintaining the optimal functioning of cells, it may increase the skin’s ability to regenerate itself.

Ginger Root Extract – Certified Organic

Ginger Root is a type of herb which has been used as a traditional medicine in Asian, Indian and Arabic to treat ailments such as digestive discomfort, headaches and heart conditions as well as a flavoring agent in Asian cultures. Ginger root contains a potent antioxidant, called ginerol, which combats free radicals which damaged skin tissues and inhibit cell reproductions. This also helps reduce uneven skin tone or collagen breaks which helps prevent pre-mature aging and overall healthier skin complexion. Ginger Root is a vasodilator by expanding blood vessels, improving overall circulation, allowing more nutrients to flow to the skin. Studies have found ginger root to hold antiseptic and anti-inflammatory effects on the skin which helps reduce acne and psoriasis.

Ginkgo Extract – Certified Organic

Ginkgo Extract is derived from the Ginkgo Biloba Tree and has been used for thousands of years in Chinese and Japanese medicines an astringent for the heart, lungs, as well as to treat asthma, bronchitis, wheezing, and coughing. Ginkgo Extract main benefit is the Antioxidant properties, which scavenges free radicals, protecting against premature aging. Ginkgo is also an anti-inflammatory ingredient, which helps reduce swelling of the capillaries. This makes it a great ingredient of choice for skin conditions like sensitivity, rosacea, acne and eczema while aiding the skin in healing processes.