ALL NIGHT CREAM INGREDIENTS

 

Rose Hydrosol

Rose hydrosol is the by-product of essential oil production and is created from the water that is used to steam distilled plant materials. In this process, the whole plant is used rather than just the rose petals. It is specially produced for quality and is much more likely to retain its natural minerals than rose water. Retaining moisture in the skin and providing deep hydration.

Some of the benefits include:

  • Lifting dirt and oil from the skin (due to their astringent properties)

  • Helping to reduce the appearance of fine lines

  • Softening and toning the skin

  • Soothing irritated, dry skin

Orange Blossom Water

Orange Blossom Water is a by-product extracted from the distillation process of essential oil from fresh blossoms of the bitter orange tree. It acts as a toner for your skin. If you have dry skin, it can help repair your skin, with its combination of rich calcium which contributes to antioxidant production. If oily skin, the orange blossom will control the excess oil production wherever you apply it, by the ample amounts of Vitamin C and antioxidants included in it. Orange blossom can remove the dirt and dead cells of your skin and afterward keeps your skin toned and moisturized and even your skin tone. For instance, it can lighten the dark spots in your skin and help to fade them with time. And this affects removing blackheads too.

 

Vegetable Glycerin

It is well known that Glycerin can form a defensive layer between your skin and the environment, making it good for conditions like eczema or acne. These issues often result in extreme itchiness, so glycerin can reduce the sensation of itchiness and thus prevent additional inflammation, Due to its humectant properties, any topical substance that contains glycerin will help to keep the skin hydrated, as it attracts moisture, and is used to lessen the appearance of scars.

Sodium Lactate

Sodium lactate is a natural constituent of the uppermost layer of skin as a part of the NMF (Natural Moisturizing Factor). In cosmetics and personal care products, sodium lactate functions as a preservative enhancer, buffering agent, and humectant moisturizer. This means that it stops bacteria from reproducing, it will help establish and hold the pH of a product and as a humectant, it helps keep the skin hydrated.

 

Allantoin

Allantoin is a skincare ingredient that helps to moisturize and gently remove dead skin cells. In its organic form, it’s found in several plants, such as sugar beet, comfrey, chamomile, tobacco seed, and wheat sprouts but predominantly extracted from the Comfrey Plant. Allantoin is non-allergenic, non-toxic, odourless, and completely safe for use. It helps temporarily prevent and protect chafed, chapped, and cracked skin speeding up the natural processes and increasing water content.

Some skin benefits are:

  • Moisturises & hydrates

  • Exfoliates

  • Soothes

  • Heals scars and generally speeds up healing

Chamomile Hydrosol

Fresh chamomile flowers are used to produce many extracts including essential oil and hydrosol. There are two types of chamomile from which the hydrosol is obtained. These include German chamomile (Matricaria Chamomilla) and Roman chamomile (Anthemis nobilis). They both have similar properties. Benefits of Chamomile;

Sedative, Chamomile has long been known as a calming agent.

Antihistamine, With its natural antihistamine compounds, chamomile hydrosol is immensely beneficial for inflammatory skin conditions, allergies, bug bites, and skin swellings.

Good for Sensitive Skin, Chamomile can be used to soothe skin and reduce irritation.

Anti-Inflammatory, Chamomile is a powerful anti-inflammatory substance. It reduces inflammation, minimizes redness, and decreases swelling. 

Antibacterial, The antibacterial properties of chamomile hydrosol make it an effective bacteria fighter.

Hyaluronic Acid

By getting into the skin, Hyaluronic Acid binds water together with the cells of your skin by keeping it hydrated. It is also known for its antibacterial properties, and assists in reduced symptoms in eczema sufferers. If you apply it to wounds, you reduce the risk of infection. When you have a skin injury, natural hyaluronic acid contained in your body will also increase in concentration to help repair the injured skin, like stretch marks.

Panthenol

Panthenol is a provitamin of B5 which means that the body will convert it into vitamin B5. Panthenol is a great ingredient for moisturizers shampoos and conditions as it binds and holds water in the skin. Hydrated skin helps to improve the plumpness and visible elasticity of the skin. Panthenol is a humectant, which refers to the ability to hold and bind to water. The benefits that panthenol provides to the skin barrier may also help to support wound healing. Contrary to popular belief the skin heals better when it is soft and hydrated.

 

Silk Amino Acids/Proteins

Silk amino acids, also known as silk protein or Hydrolysed Silk, are jelly-like proteins that bind the tiny fibers in silk. They are used to help prevent dehydration of the skin and help strengthen hair. These acids have a low molecular weight, which allows them to be easily absorbed deep into the layers of skin and hair creating a defense against dryness and moisture loss. Some studies have shown that these SAAs have antioxidant effects and have been shown to combat wrinkles. Is a naturally hygroscopic material. (Adj. of a substance; tending to absorb moisture from the air.) it provides excellent moisturizing and conditioning qualities. SAAs can give the skin a very soft, smooth velvety feel when used in things like lotions and hand creams.

Propanediol 1,3

Propanediol is a natural emollient that moisturizes the skin when applied topically. It works to reduce water loss, leaving your skin feeling softer. It works as a natural preservative in skincare and body products. It can increase the shelf life of products and promote lasting freshness. The chemical works as a penetration enhancer by altering the skin’s structure. This allows for other ingredients in the skincare product to get deeper into the layers.

 

Abyssinian Oil

Abyssinian oil is a light, non-greasy natural seed oil that is known for having excellent emollient properties. is full of excellent moisturizing and anti-aging properties. It can be easily absorbed into the skin’s epidermal tissue, where it works to smooth wrinkles and nourish dry, dehydrated skin. It does all of this without leaving behind a greasy residue like other, similar, oils. It also acts as an effective barrier for your skin to help retain its moisture and keep it from drying out.

Cetyl Alcohol

Cetyl Alcohol is an organic compound that is classified as a fatty alcohol. Fatty alcohols are a hybrid between alcohols and fatty acids or oils. There is often a misconception that because it has alcohol in its name that cetyl alcohol is drying to the skin. The reality is actually the opposite. Cetyl alcohol helps to protect the skin from allergens, bacteria, and moisture loss and improves the texture of products.

 

Urea

Urea is a naturally occurring hydrating ingredient naturally found within the skin. Urea is generally synthetically produced for use in skincare products such as lotions, creams, and anti-aging treatments. Urea is a humectant, and as such are ingredients that pull water into the skin allowing the skin to maintain water levels, necessary for skin health. It is a naturally occurring substance found in the surface layer of our skin. Healthy skin has approximately 28 micrograms of urea per square centimeter. Low levels of urea have been linked to a decreased water-binding capacity within the skin, which in turn leads to roughness, tightness, flaking, and irritation. 5 benefits include:

  1. humectant-type moisturizer in order to help the skin better retain moisture.

  2. Urea may improve skin barrier function and improve the skin’s defense against bacteria and microbes.

  3. Urea exfoliates the skin by dissolving the intercellular matrix of the corneocytes that make up the stratum corneum. Basically, urea dissolves the glue that holds some dead skin cells together.

  4. Urea functions as an ‘absorption enhancer’, which means that it improves the permeability of the skin.

  5. Urea may provide local pain and itch relief when applied topically.

Beta Glucan

Beta-glucans, written as β-glucans, are polysaccharides (multiple sugars, starch, and cellulose bonded together) found in yeast, bacteria, fungi, seaweed, and grains like oats. 

  • Prevents Damage: It may help prevent cell damage associated with aging or sun-exposed skin.

  • Repairs Skin: It may help in the treatment of dermatitis, eczema, bedsores, wounds, and burns. These reparative powers may stem from the ingredient's barrier-boosting function.

  • Barrier Booster: The molecule actually links together on the surface of the skin to form a thin and undetectable film. This boosts the natural barrier, which protects the sensitive skin underneath from daily environmental stressors. In other words, if redness and irritation are your skin's main issues, then beta-glucan is the new (possible) cure.

  • Deeply Hydrate The Skin: It acts as a humectant in the skin, which means they lock hydration in and prevent moisture loss. It's been found to hold up to 1000 times its weight in water—thus giving skin deep and lightweight hydration. Beta-glucan is even more hydrating than hyaluronic acid, with extra water, beta-glucan can plump up the skin and make the skin feel more supple.

  • Plumps Skin: It deeply penetrates the epidermis to effectively plump up fine lines and wrinkles.

 

Jojoba Oil

From soft supple skin to antibacterial properties to faster healing, the Jojoba Oil benefits for skin span far and wide. Research suggests that Jojoba Oil can encourage your skin cells to bind together more quickly once they have been separated by rupture to the skin through a cut or a scratch. And this may explain why Jojoba Oil is regularly used in cosmetic formulations.

Evening Primrose Oil

Evening Primrose Oil is rich in linoleic acid, an omega-6 fatty acid that helps support ceramide formation in the skin. Which is critical to the skin barrier. This helps keep the skin healthy while keeping potential irritants out. The body doesn’t naturally produce linoleic acid but it’s abundant in the epidermis. When our bodies can’t synthesize enough linoleic acid from the foods we eat, topical applications rich in this acid like Evening Primrose Oil can help supplement this lack.

 

Emulsifying Wax C20

INCI: Cetearyl Alcohol & Ceteareth 20.

Ceteareth-20 is a ‘fatty alcohol’. Ceteareths are made from Cetearyl alcohol, a blend of cetyl and stearyl alcohol, which are natural fatty acids from coconut oil. It is used in cosmetics as a stabilizer to thicken an oil and water emulsion and keep it from separating, and as a foaming agent. These fatty alcohols, are absolutely non-irritating and can be exceptionally beneficial for skin, helping to soften and soothe.

BTM’s 50

Also known as Behentrimonium Methosulfate, it is a conditioning emulsifier. It’s a vegetable-based quaternary ammonium salt that comes from rapeseed. Many times, it is confused for being a chemical due to the ‘sulfate’ included in its name. But the reality is that while Sulfates are irritants for the skin, BTMS-50 is a conditioning agent that works to provide moisture to the skin.

 

Raspberry Virgin Oil

Raspberry Seed Oil (Rubus Idaeus), cold-pressed seeds maintain the best integrity of the natural skin-boosting benefits. Use Red Raspberry Seed Oil as a daily UV-blocker moisturizer, it naturally absorbs UV-A and UV-B rays without any artificial chemicals. This wonder boasts the highest content of any fruit seed for alpha-linolenic acid, which is an anti-inflammatory agent. It is helpful for inflamed skin issues like eczema and psoriasis. Raspberry seeds have crazy high levels of Vitamin E, which is one of the more popular natural antioxidants. It boasts the antioxidant, ellagic acid, which prevents early wrinkles and boosts your skin’s natural collagen and elastin production, which makes your face look more youthful and firm. Every day will balance out your skin’s natural oil production since it’s already getting moisturized and receiving these benefits above.

Shea Butter

The concentration of natural vitamins and fatty acids in Shea Butter makes it incredibly nourishing and moisturizing for the skin. One compound, lupeol cinnamate, was found to reduce skin inflammation and even potentially help avoid skin mutations. This also makes it beneficial for some people with acne. Shea aids in the skin’s natural collagen production and contains oleic, stearic, palmitic, and linolenic acids that protect and nourish the skin to prevent drying. With long-term use, many people report skin softening and strengthening.

 

Tridecane

Tridecane is a light, fresh, fast-spreading emollient derived from 100% renewable and natural-based hydrocarbon. This volatile hydrocarbon is an Ecocert-approved, sustainably sourced alternative to silicones and helps products apply easily, absorb quickly and leave a smooth, dry skin feeling.

Sepimax Zen

INCI: Polyacrylate crosspolymer-6

Sepimax™ ZEN thickens formulations. It assists lotions to achieve an end result of a rich, elegant touch lending to a velvety sensation & creates transparent gels and gel creams. It’s an associative polymer with excellent resistance to electrolytes.

 

Plantaserv E

Plantaserv E is a cosmetic preservative offering you broad-based protection against bacteria, yeasts, and mold fungi. It is a unique formulation with multi-functional actions, offering many beneficial uses in cosmetic products. It is made up of a combination of phenoxyethanol; paraben-free ether alcohol that is naturally derived from green tea but synthesized in a lab, and ethylhexylglycerin; a natural preservative obtained from glycerine. Its purpose is to act as a surfactant, a deodorizing agent, and a skin-conditioning agent.

N-acetyl Glucosamine

N-acetyl Glucosamine is a skin-replenishing ingredient that helps to reduce signs of aging. It is a monosaccharide derivative of glucose, yes sugar. This substance is the major component of the extracellular matrix and is extensively distributed in connective, epithelial, and neural tissues.   It is responsible for maintaining the skin’s moisture levels and helps to improve the appearance of the skin, giving it a dewy, hydrated look. Its benefits include; hydration, and may indirectly help to protect collagen synthesis, exfoliation, and reduce the appearance of facial hyperpigmentation. Tests have confirmed when paired with Niacinamide, N-acetyl Glucosamine greatly reduces pigmentation marks!

 

Alpha Arbutin

Alpha-Arbutin works to help in lightening the skin. Arbutin is hydroquinone glycoside obtained from various plants like a strawberry tree, bearberry, heather, huckleberry, etc. The colour of one's skin depends on the amount of melanin that it contains. It is stimulated by tyrosinase, an enzyme present in the skin cells. Tyrosinase is activated when the UV rays of the sun come in contact with the skin. It is alpha arbutin that blocks the tyrosinase to get active when the skin comes in contact with UV rays. Alpha arbutin slows down the pigmentation process caused by UV rays, which helps skin keep the tan and dark spots away. While other skin-lightening agents are quite harsh on the skin, alpha arbutin is relatively mild and gentle on the skin. It does not irritate the skin to the extent that other skin-lightening agents do.

Murumuru Butter

Murumuru butter is an excellent emollient known for its moisturizing properties. Healthy skin has a lipid-rich skin barrier that seals in moisture, while dry skin typically has lower fat levels. Therefore, creams and lotions rich in fats can improve your skin’s hydration by sealing in the water. Compared with other moisturizing oils like cocoa butter and coconut oil, it’s less comedogenic. This means it’s less likely to clog your pores and cause acne breakouts. Given its impressive hydrating abilities, applying murumuru butter or other fat-rich conditioners can seal moisture into the hair shaft, bringing out its natural sheen.

 

Rosehip Oil

Rosehip oil is harvested from the seeds of rose bushes predominately grown in Chile, and it’s full of vitamins, antioxidants, and fatty acids that are known to correct dark spots and hydrate dry, itchy skin, all while reducing scars and fine lines. For facial skin care, rosehip oil offers several benefits when applied externally. It protects the skin and increases cell turnover because it contains beta-carotene (a form of vitamin A) and vitamins C and E, which are all antioxidants that help fight free radicals. Its healing properties are due to its chemical structure. As noted, it’s rich in healthy fats, but more specifically oleic, palmitic, linoleic, and gamma-linolenic acid.

Vitamin E Oil

Vitamin E is a fat-soluble compound mainly found in certain plant oils and also in the leaves of green vegetables. Wheat germ oil is one plant oil that is especially high in vitamin E. Vitamin E is both a nutrient as well as an antioxidant. As an antioxidant, it is known for protecting the body from free radicals that can wreak havoc on our health, both internally and externally. Vitamin E, also sometimes called the “skin vitamin,” has excellent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and skin healing properties, which make it a great natural remedy for various skin and hair concerns. It helps relieve skin conditions such as; eczema, Psoriasis and may prevent or minimize the appearance of scars. Because vitamin E oil can moisturize and soothe dry, flaky skin, it may help to relieve the burning and itching that result from sunburn.

 

Germall Plus

Germall Plus is a preservative.  This family of preservatives delivers efficient anti-microbial power to a wide variety of personal care products. Balanced, synergistic, and boasting broad-spectrum protection. Sadly, there are no “natural” alternatives to synthetic preservatives. The ingredients undergo chemical alterations & extensive manipulation in order to extract and harvest those preserving benefits (Click HERE for more on this). When water is present in any product used for topical application, broad-spectrum preservation is very important! The alternative is for the product to be refrigerated and used within 3-4 days. Germall Plus is a paraben-free preservative and provides for complete, broad-spectrum preservation against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, yeast, mold, and fungi and it is effective in very low amounts. While active ingredients in skin care bring benefits and health to your skin, preservatives do the same for the lotions themselves. 

I have done extensive research into what is regarded as safe for our skin and what is considered harmful. The ingredients that makeup Germall Plus, although synthetic have been tested and have passed international standards including European ones (The cosmetic industry is highly regulated over there and ingredients are “approved” based on their safety profile).

Coenzyme Q10

CoQ10 is used in premium anti-aging skin care products to boost skin repair and regeneration. It rejuvenates the skin by enhancing the cell’s efficiency. It’s really important that it is used in high enough quantities to do a decent job. Experts recommend a minimum of 0.5% in skin care products.

There are 5 ways in which CoQ10 benefits your skin.

1. Energizes your skin, energy needed to repair the damage, and makes sure the skin cells are healthy.

2. Protects against photo-aging.

3. Rejuvenates skin by stimulating skin cell activity. Active skin cells get rid of toxins easily and can make better use of nutrients. When your skin ages, all these processes slow down.

4. Stimulates collagen production. Collagen is the protein that decreases as we age, leading to wrinkles and leathery skin.  Helping you make more collagen, CoQ10 is a skin-saving essential.

5. Anti-oxidant that acts against oxidative damage.