Our ingredients

Alpha Hydroxyacids (AHAs) are weak organic acids found naturally in foods and include Glycolic Acid, Lactic Acid, Mandelic Acid and Citric Acid, to name a few. AHAs exfoliate surface cells and encourage cell renewal. Studies with AHAs have reported important antiaging benefits including increased collagen, improved elastic fiber quality and an increase in water-binding glycosaminoglycans (GAGs). Collectively, these effects result in more even pigmentation, smoother, firmer skin, and a diminished appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and other outward signs of photoaging. Topical formulations incorporating AHAs are frequently used or prescribed by dermatologists for antiaging and other conditions and are also present in a wide range of cosmetic products. In addition to providing antiaging benefits, AHAs are often used adjunctively with therapeutic regimens designed to treat acne, pigmentation, melasma, dry skin and other skin conditions. AHAs quickly penetrate the skin, and in some cases can produce temporary stinging and burning. In individuals who are sensitive to these sensations, it is recommended to start slowly and gradually increase concentration of AHAs as the skin can tolerate.

A blend of 7 Alpine Plants that helps reduce the enzyme involved in skin pigmentation to promote a more even skin tone.

Building blocks of peptides and proteins such as collagen.

Antioxidants protect the skin against free radicals, highly energized molecules that harm cellular DNA and cause signs of photoaging and even skin cancer. Antioxidants capture free radicals and neutralize their excess energy, protecting skin from their harmful effects and preserving youth and skin health.

Uttwiler Spätlauber is a variety of a Swiss Apple which yields stem cells rich in phytonutrients and proteins. Apple Stem Cell Extract, derived from apple stem cells, helps combat the aging process of skin cells, preserving the youthful look and vitality of skin.

Advanced, third-generation Hydroxyacids with significant antiaging and skin protective effects; see Lactobionic Acid and Maltobionic Acid.

An ingredient found naturally in coffee that helps reduce skin puffiness when applied topically.

CitraFill® is a patented ingredient technology to help plump and firm skin. Its benefits are two-fold; it can help to increase collagen and it can become activated in skin by hydrolyzing to Citric Acid (an antiaging AHA). Citric Acid helps build the skin’s natural filler components to make lines visibly appear fuller and more youthful. CitraFill® is a registered trademark of NeoStrata Co., Inc.

Citric Acid, found naturally in citrus fruits, is a powerful Alpha/Beta Hydroxy Acid that has preventative antioxidant and corrective antiaging effects, helping to minimize the damaging effects of the sun and pollution and reverse signs of photodamage and solar elastosis. Clinical studies show Citric Acid provides significant antiaging benefits including building the skin’s matrix to plump and firm skin. Citric Acid formulations help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and increase skin firmness. Because it has both preventative antioxidant and corrective antiaging effects, it is often used as a booster to target specific skin concerns.

Derived from a tropical evergreen shrub native to Southern Asia, this extract helps build and protect collagen.

Gluconolactone, a Polyhydroxy Acid (PHA) found naturally in the skin, contains water-attracting hydroxyl groups to condition and hydrate the skin. It provides full strength antiaging benefits without irritation, even for patients with clinically sensitive skin or rosacea, or those who have had cosmetic procedures. Gluconolactone strengthens skin’s barrier function, reducing sensitivity to irritants and skin redness over time. As an antioxidant, Gluconolactone inhibits elastase to preserve healthy tissue and maintain skin’s youthful elasticity, resulting in smoother texture and a diminished appearance of lines and wrinkles.

Glycolic Acid (an AHA) is a fruit acid derived from sugar cane. It is the smallest molecule of the AHA family and readily absorbs into the skin, exfoliating to enhance cell turnover and remove the dead, dull surface cells for a fresher appearance. This AHA also helps increase glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) and collagen fibers, for skin that appears firmer. Glycolic Acid has proven antiaging benefits and has also been used to reduce the appearance of acne, pigmentation, melasma and other skin conditions. It improves the skin’s radiance and texture, and helps smooth the skin and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles for healthier, younger looking skin. Due to its quick absorption into the skin, mild stinging and burning sensations may be experienced by those individuals who are sensitive.

A potent antioxidant derived from Chardonnay Grape Seeds that is used to help protect skin against free radicals.

Green Tea Extract contains EGCG, a naturally occurring polyphenol flavonoid with potent antioxidant effects. It is used topically as an antioxidant to help protect the skin against damaging free radicals from sunlight, which cause cellular damage and premature aging. Studies show green tea extract neutralizes free radicals, helps protect skin cells and reduces inflammation. Green Tea Extract is a great antioxidant to help fight oxidative damage to skin.

Hyaluronic Acid is a water-binding glycosaminoglycan (GAG) found throughout the body including in the joints and skin and is a key component of human connective tissue. In skin, it forms a hydrating gel matrix that plumps the skin and supports the collagen and elastic fiber network. Hyaluronic Acid is comprised of glucuronic acid (a Polyhydroxy Acid) and N-acetyl glucosamine. Topical application of N-acetyl glucosamine has been shown to help increase natural Hyaluronic Acid, which plumps and smoothes the appearance of wrinkles.

Lactic Acid is an Alpha Hydroxyacid (AHA) that occurs naturally in milk, and is a component of the skin’s Natural Moisturizing Factor (NMF). Similar to Glycolic Acid, Lactic Acid is an exfoliant and moisturizer that also provides antiaging benefits including smoother, softer, more even toned skin with a reduction in the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

A patented non-irritating “Bionic” Polyhydroxy Acid derived from milk sugar, Lactobionic Acid helps prevent and reverse the appearance of photoaging, including lines and wrinkles, uneven pigmentation, enlarged pores and roughness. A potent antioxidant used to prevent oxidative damage to transplant organs, Lactobionic Acid protects the skin against photoaging by inhibiting the matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) enzymes that degrade the skin’s structure and strength. A natural humectant, it binds water to create a moisturizing barrier on skin, providing softness and a velvety smoothness. This ingredient is suitable for all skin types and can be used after procedures.

Botanical brightening agent used in conjunction with other exfoliants and brighteners to make skin appear more evenly toned.

Maltobionic Acid is a plant derived Polyhydroxy Bionic Acid that is a potent humectant/moisturizer and antioxidant chelator. Clinical studies have shown this ingredient to have significant antiaging benefits, including visual improvements in skin texture, clarity and roughness, plus self-assessed improvements in skin firmness, elasticity and hydration. This ingredient provides similar antiaging, conditioning and hydrating benefits to Lactobionic Acid and is suitable for all skin types.

Mandelic Acid found naturally in almonds, is a lipophilic AHA, so it is readily absorbed by oily skin, making its antiaging properties particularly effective in oily and acne-prone skin. Mandelic Acid is also reported to have natural antibacterial benefits and can reduce oiliness over time without over drying the skin.

Matrixyl® Peptides contain palmitoyl tripeptide-1 and palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7, which are cellular messengers that target new collagen to restore skin’s youthful appearance, reducing the appearance of lines and wrinkles and increasing elasticity. Matrixyl® is a registered trademark of Sederma.

Professional grade Microdermabrasion Crystals comprised of aluminum oxide which are used to polish skin to a silky, healthy glow.

NeoGlucosamine® is our patented non-acid amino sugar technology that gently exfoliates the skin to promote cellular turnover, diminishes the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and exfoliates hyperpigmented spots and acne for a more even skin tone. Cellular turnover is increased, improving skin clarity and brightness gently, without irritation. NeoGlucosamine® is also a building block of Hyaluronic Acid, skin’s natural filler, promoting superior plumping of the skin, smoothing the appearance of lines and wrinkles from the inside and creating a firmer, more lifted look. NeoGlucosamine® is a registered trademark of NeoStrata Co., Inc.

Ingredients such as nylon that impart a topical blurring effect on skin to visually soften lines and wrinkles with each use.

A botanical blend derived from burdock and margosa (neem) that helps control oily skin. With continued use, Phytotal
reduces oily shine, leaving skin looking fresher, healthier and more evenly toned. Phytotal™ is a registered trademark of
Croda, Inc.

Polyhydroxy Acids (PHA) are a special type of AHA (Alpha Hydroxyacid) known to modulate keratinization, normalize
stratum corneum exfoliation and thickness, and strengthen skin barrier function without irritating skin. For this reason,
PHAs offer a distinct advantage over conventional AHAs (Glycolic Acid and Lactic Acid) when used on sensitive skin,
such as rosacea, atopic dermatitis, and eczema. In addition, due to the additional hydroxyl groups on the molecule,
PHAs appear to attract more water through hydrogen bonding, and therefore provide enhanced moisturization to the
skin. Many Polyhydroxy Acids including Gluconolactone and Lactobionic Acid have also been shown to function as
antioxidants through chelation of oxidation promoting metals and thus can inhibit the oxidation of other food and drug
substances and this property may prove beneficial in the prevention of photoaging.

Prodew® is a highly effective moisturizing blend formulated with 8 types of amino acids. The composition of the amino acids is modeled after the Natural Moisturizing Factor (NMF) in skin. Prodew® provides these crucial amino acids building blocks of skin’s own NMF and restores deep reservoirs of plumping moisture. Prodew® is a registered trademark of Ajinomoto.

An antioxidant and skin conditioner that helps protect against the formation of free radicals and smoothes and softens skin.

An antioxidant that has been shown to enhance cell turnover, even the skin tone and diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Ideal for use on acne prone skin.

A source of natural clay that is used to absorb facial oil and sebum; ideal for use on oily and acne-prone skin.

Retinol is Vitamin A. It is a precursor to the prescription retinoid known as Retinoic Acid (Retin-A®), but is better tolerated by the skin. It provides many antiaging benefits to skin, including increased skin thickness via new collagen as well as reduced appearance of uneven pigmentation. Studies show that retinol works synergistically with NeoGlucosamine® to increase the skin’s hydrating gel matrix, which helps to build volume from the inside out to plump and firm skin, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It is also an antioxidant to fight free radicals which contribute to aging. Retinol itself is sensitive to light and air, so packaging and formulation are important to maintain the effectiveness of this ingredient.

A topical anti-acne treatment that unclogs pores and clears acne blemishes, pimples blackheads and whiteheads.

Turmeric is a plant from the ginger family that is native to South Asia and known for its medicinal qualities. It is used in the treatment of burns and other skin ailments. Turmeric helps reduce free radicals and decrease the appearance of facial pigmentation by reducing the skin’s melanin production. This ingredient is commonly used in skin brightening products to help those who suffer with uneven pigmentation. It is a powerful antioxidant that protects against environmental toxins.

Vitamin C is an antioxidant that is required in the production of collagen, an essential protein that builds skin firmness and strength, but decreases as you age leading to wrinkles and laxity. Vitamin C can help reduce skin damage by scavenging free radicals and help keep skin protected from environmental damage.

Helps to build skin strength and resiliency which helps to reduce the appearance of dark under eye circles.

A natural extract of Canadian Willow Herb, this calming agent was used by Native Americans to soothe skin and reduce redness caused by oxidative stress.