Anti-Acne Face Wash

Description

INGREDIENTS: distilled water, cocamidopropyl betaine, cetearyl alcohol (and) ceteareth-20, shea butter; grapeseed oil, jojoba oil, salicylic acid, watercress extract (and) sage extract (and) burdock root extract (and) lemon peel extract (and) ivy extract (and) saponaria extract (and) bladderwrack extract, sulphur mud, argania spinosa kernel extract (and) serenoa serrulata fruit extract (and) sesamum indicum seed extract, cornstarch, MSM (methylsulfonylmethane), cetyl esters, tocopherol, gluconolactone (and) sodium benzoate, fragrance, allantoin, EDTA

INGREDIENTS EXPLAINED:

Cocamidopropyl betaine: This is a surfactant or cleansing agent. It works well with other surfactants in a formula, and it has great foaming capability.

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.

Shea butter: One of my all-time favorite skincare ingredients! This butter is obtained from the karite tree, and it’s also a great source of antioxidants as well as skin-nourishing fatty acids (stearic and linoleic). It also penetrates skin readily. This is just such a wonderful ingredient for skincare.

Grapeseed oil: Grapeseed oil is another fast-absorbing, non-greasy oil. It is also a good oil for combo/oily skin, as it won’t cause breakouts either. It has a high concentration of antioxidants and unsaturated fatty acids. It is present in this formula as a fast-absorbing emollient.

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 a fast-absorbing emollient.

Salicylic acid: Salicylic acid is a beta hydroxy acid (BHA), which is an oil-soluble chemical exfoliant. Unlike AHAs, salicylic acid can enter the pores and liquefy the contents, which makes it more appropriate for oily skin types. When added to a formula that contains AHAs, salicylic acid acts synergistically to exert more potent exfoliating activity than it could do on its own. SA should never be used by dry skin types.

Watercress extract (and) sage extract (and) burdock root extract (and) lemon peel extract (and) ivy extract (and) saponaria extract (and) bladderwrack extract: This ingredient is a complex of plant extracts that is specifically made for skin with excessive sebum production. It helps to reduce inflammation and kill bacteria as well.

Sulfur mud: Sulfur Mud is a known “keratolytic” and will help shed dead and excess skin and promote cell turnover. It will unclog pores and dry out existing blemishes without dehydrating skin. Sulfur Mud is a mild antiseptic that works to stop the creation and sustainability of acne causing bacteria

Argan oil (and) serenoa serrulata fruit extract (and) sesame seed oil (and) beta-sitosterol: This ingredient is a botanical complex shown to help regulate sebum production in the long-term, reduce the greasy appearance of skin, reduce pore size, and smooth skin. NOTE: the mechanism by which this ingredient achieves these effects is receptor-mediated, so you will need to use the product containing it consistently for about a week before you will see results.

MSM (methylsulfonylmethane): MSM is a sulfur compound that speeds up wound remodeling, reduces inflammation, and also acts as a penetration enhancer. Penetration enhancers allow ingredients access to deeper skin layers. I use MSM in this formula for its penetration enhancing abilities. Since cleansers are only on your skin for a short time, using a penetration enhancer in cleanser formulas allows for greater contact between skin and ingredients.

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

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.

Allantoin: Derived from comfrey, allantoin is a compound that is anti-inflammatory, moisturizing, and skin protective.

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.