Mega Antioxidant Lotion

Description

INGREDIENTS: distilled water, cetearyl alcohol (and) ceteareth-20, rosehip butter, jojoba oil, grapeseed oil, edelweiss extract, lychee extract, rooibos (and) green (and) white tea extracts, oatmeal, cornstarch, cetyl esters, CoQ10 , tocopherol, gluconolactone (and) sodium benzoate, fragrance, EDTA

INGREDIENTS EXPLAINED:

Cetearyl alcohol (and) Ceteareth-20: This is the emulsifier in the formula. An emulsifier is a compound that is able to bind to both polar and nonpolar molecules in a solution. In skincare, an emulsifier is what holds the oil and water phases of the formula together. There are lots of different types of emulsifiers, with different properties. This particular emulsifier is what is known as an ‘oil in water’ emulsifier, because it emulsifies a small oil phase in a larger water phase.

Rosehip butter: A soft butter made from rosehip seed oil. Rosehip seed oil/butter has loads of antioxidants and unsaturated fatty acids, so it is very anti-inflammatory. In this formula, it is present as an emollient and anti-inflammatory active.

Jojoba oil: Jojoba oil is a lightweight, fast-absorbing oil with a structure similar to that of sebum, which is produced by the skin. It is a great emollient to use in formulas for oily/combo skin because it won’t cause breakouts. In this formula, it is present as an emollient.

Grapeseed oil: Grapeseed oil is another fast-absorbing, non-greasy oil. It has a high concentration of antioxidants and unsaturated fatty acids. It is present in this formula as a fast-absorbing emollient.

Edelweiss extract: This extract from the edelweiss flower found in the Swiss Alps is like the Chuck Norris of antioxidants. It kicks ass at scavenging for free radicals and then neutralizing them. It is also anti-inflammatory. This extract is a great ingredient for post- or pre-sun use.

Lychee extract: This extract from lychee fruit is a potent antioxidant.

White tea extract: Tea extracts are antioxidants and have been shown to help mitigate skin damage from UVB rays and reduce inflammation.

Oatmeal (colloidal): Colloidal oatmeal is finely ground oatmeal (44 micrometer particle size) that acts as a skin soother and moisturizer.

Cornstarch: This ingredient acts as a thickener in this formula.

Cetyl esters: This ingredient provides ‘slip’ to the formula, allowing the product to slide more easily across skin. It also acts as a thickener.

Coenzyme Q10: Coenzyme Q10 is a fat-soluble compound present in every cell of the human body. It is vital to energy production in cells. It is also a very powerful antioxidant or free radical scavenger. Topically applied, it can penetrate deeply and may lessen the depth of wrinkles due to photo aging, making it awesome for use in sun protection products.

Tocopherol: Tocopherol is Vitamin E, and acts as a preservative in this formula, preventing the oxidation of the oils in the product and increasing the shelf life.

Gluconolactone (and) Sodium benzoate: This is the main preservative in this formula. It prevents the growth of bacteria, mold, fungus, yeast, etc.

Fragrance: This is the scent that is added to the product. Fragrance oil manufacturers are not required by law to disclose what compounds are in their fragrance oils. However, some will tell you what is NOT in their fragrance oils, and I base my fragrance oil purchases on this information. I make sure my fragrance oils are free of phthalates and known carcinogens. Because fragrance may be a source of irritation in a product formula, I offer all my products fragrance free as well as scented.

EDTA: EDTA is a metal ion chelator. This means that it scours the solution for metal ions, and once it finds them, it binds them very tightly, which makes them no longer a danger. Metal ions are highly reactive molecules that can cause oxidative damage to proteins, lipids, and DNA in cells. They are known to cause allergic reactions in skin, and generate inflammation.