Ingredient Glossary
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Algae (ahnfeltia concinna) extract: Normalizes the skin’s moisture content and provides suppleness and firmness to the epidermis.
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice: From the aloe vera plant. Aloe is known for its hydrating, softening, healing and anti-inflammatory properties.
Apple (pyrus malus) Extract: A natural source of skin smoothing malic acid, an alpha hydroxyl acid.
Bassia Latifolia Butter: An emollient butter from the East Indian Sapotaceous tree that deeply moisturizes dehydrated skin while forming a protective barrier between skin and the environment.
Bentonite: A soft clay that absorbs impurities and excess oils from the skin and reduces oily shine. It is also used to regulate viscosity and suspension properties in cosmetic formulations.
Benzyl Alcohol: The colorless liquid is a natural ingredient of many essential oils, particularly “substantial” aromatic plants like ylang-ylang, tuberose, jasmine and wallflower. It has a light almond flavoring.
Beta-Caroteen: Provitamin A (found in plants). Used for its antioxidant properties and its ability to help even the skin tone, deeming it an active “anti-aging” ingredient.
Caprilyic/ Capric Triglyceride: Derived from coconut oil and used as an emollient to prevent water loss from the skin.
Carrageenan (chondrus crispus): A polysaccharide of red algae origin used as a thickener in products that also improves skin softness, silkiness and moisture.
Carrot (daucus carota sativa) Extract: Supplies the skin with a natural form of Vitamin A which is required for cellular health.
Cetearyl Alcohol: A mixture of fatty alcohols consisting predominantly of cetyl and stearyl alcohols. Derived from vegetable sources.
Cetyl Alcohol: A fatty alcohol derived from vegetable sources.
Cetyl Octanoate: The ester of cetyl alcohol and caprylic acid. Used as a moisturizing agent.
Chlorella Vulgaris Extract: A type of algae that enhances the skin’s natural moisture barrier and protect from dehydration.
Citrus Extract: Derived from citrus fruits; functions as a skin conditioner.
Cocoyl Glucoside: A cleansing ingredient derived from coconuts.
Corallina Officinalis Extract: An extract of algae that helps firm skin.
Decaglyceryl Monolaurate: Derived from plants. Added as a cleansing agent in the facial scrub.
Dehydroacetic Acid: Derived from plants and used as a fungi and bacteria-destroying ingredient.
Fuscus Vesiculosis: Commonly known as “bladder wrack”, this seaweed is an effective detoxifier, drawing impurities out of the skin.
Galactoarabinan: a polysaccharide found in all plants and the dominant sugar of the western larch tree. Added as a moisturizing agent; known to tone skin and reduce the appearance of wrinkles with repeated use.
Glycerin: A humectant (from vegetable sources) that attracts and binds moisture to the skin.
Glyceryl Stearate: A natural, plant-derived ester of glycerin and stearic acid used as an emulsifier.
Green Tea (camellia sinensis) Extract: Known for its strong anti-inflammatory activity, green tea calms the skin and provides antioxidant protection.
Hydrolyzed Algin: A type of algae that enhances the skin’s natural moisture barrier and protects from dehydration.
Jojoba (simmondsia chinensis) Oil: From the jojoba plant, native to the Sonoran Desert. Reduces transepidermal water loss, re-lubricates the skin, softens, prevents dryness as well as gives formulations excellent spreadability and lubricity. The trigylcerides forming jojoba’s basic molecular structure are chemically similar to human sebum.
Kaolin: A mineral clay also known as China clay. Absorbs excess skin oils and other impurities on the surface of the skin. Does not absorb moisture.
Mineral Colorants: Natural minerals from the Earth are used to color products. Iron Oxides are used for yellow, orange, red, brown and black colors. Titanium Dioxide is used for white. Ultramarines are used for blue, green, pink, red and violet colors.
Montmorillonite: An absorbant mineral clay that cleanses deep into the skin’s surface, removing dulling dead skin cells, unwanted oils and other environmental impurities that can clog pores and irritate the skin.
Olive Glycerides: Quick-absorbing olive glycerides deeply moisturize the skin and improve overall texture and feel.
Panthenol: Pro-vitamin B-12, a moisturizer and humectant that has also been shown to stimulate cellular proliferation, aid in tissue repair and have an anti-inflammatory effects on the skin.
Polyglyceryl-3 Stearate: Derived from glycerin and palm oil, it is an all-natural, food-grade emulsifier.
Potassium Sorbate: An organic salt used to inhibit the development of microorganisms for shelf stability. It is a safe preservative to use in place of harmful parabens.
Pumice: Volcanic origin, used for its exfoliating action.
Sclerotium Gum: A polysaccharide produced through fermentation (basically a fermented sugar). Possesses natural skin soothing and smoothing properties and is used to prevent ingredients from separating.
Sea Water: Sea water is known to have antiseptic and stimulating effects, especially when treating wounds. Also used to re-mineralize the skin
Sea Salt: Obtained by the evaporation of seawater; added as a gentle exfoliator.
Sea Whip Extract: A natural marine extract derived from soft coral ( pseudopterogorgia elisabethae); a powerful anti-inflammatory agent that protects skin from the signs of aging.
Sesame (sesamum indicum) Oil: Derived from sesame seeds, sesame oil is used as a carrier oil and has the same emollient properties as other nut and vegetable oils.
Shea Butter (butyrospermum parkii): A natural fat obtained from the fruit of the karite tree. Protects skin from dehydration, restores suppleness, increases moisturization and can improve the appearance of dry, irritated skin.
Sodium Cocyl Isethionate: An ingredient derived from coconut oil; cleanses skin and hair by helping water to mix with oil and dirt so that they can be rinsed away.
Sodium Hyaluronate: A main component of the extracelluar matrix, sodium hyaluronate is a super-humectant that can bind 1000 times its own weight in moisture.
Sodium Chloride: A salt used in most bar soaps as a processing aid.
Sodium Cocoate: A mixture of fatty acid salts (acid salts) and coconut oil.
Sodium Gluconate: The sodium salt of gluconic acid, produced by fermentation of glucose.
Sodium Lauryl Oat Amino Acids: A mild, sulfate-free cleansing ingredient derived from natural amino acids and oats.
Sodium Palm Kernelate: A natural salt derived from palm kernel oil, which is in turn derived from the kernels (seeds) of the oil palm. It is a ‘surfactant’, which means it helps make the product have a smoother and more ‘spreadable’ consistency.
Sodium Palmate: Made from palm oil; the base ingredient in a soap.
Sodium Phytate: A sodium-based mineral extracted from vegetable root material used as a chelating agent.
Sorbitol: A sugar alcohol found in various berries and fruits; added as a moisturizing agent.
Soybean (glycine soja) Oil: A lightweight oil, rich in fatty acids required for smooth, lustrous skin and hair. Quickly absorbed by the skin.
Stearic Acid: A naturally-derived, plant-based fatty acid used as a thickener and co-emulsifier.
Sugar Cane (saccharum officinarum) Extract: A natural source of skin-smoothing glycolic acid, an alpha hydroxy acid.
Sunflower (helianthus annuus) Seed Oil: Softens and smooths the skin. Sunflower seed oil also has a high linoleic acid and other essential fatty acid content which supports optimal skin function.
Trehalose: A naturally-occurring plant sugar. Functions as a humectant and a moisturizer by binding water in the skin and increasing its moisture content.
Tocopherol (Vitamin E): Can be produced synthetically or by the vacuum distillation of edible vegetable oils. Vitamin E is an antioxidant that actively scavenges free radicals on the surface of the skin (as well as in a cosmetic product) which helps to boost the product’s preservative system.
Ulvua Lactuca Powder: More commonly known as sea lettuce, a type of algae, that is added to cosmetic and/or skincare products as a conditioning agent.
Xantham Gum: A cream-colored, odorless powder derived from the fermentation of corn sugar. It has some skin hydrating properties and is added to keep the individual ingredients from separating.