Description
INGREDIENTS: distilled water, grapeseed extract, ricebran oil, camellia seed oil, lilac and thyme extract, sunflower seed oil, orange stem cells, orchid stem cells, royal jelly, hydroxyethyl acrylate / sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer, tocopherol, lingonberry stem cells, rosehip oil, fragrance, phenoxyethanol, lactobacillus ferment
INGREDIENTS EXPLAINED:
Grapeseed extract: Grapeseed extract is a potent antioxidant. It is in this formula to act as an antioxidant, protecting skin from oxidative damage.
Ricebran oil: This oil is a medium-weight emollient, in that it doesn’t absorb as quickly as say, jojoba oil, but it also doesn’t stay on top of the skin as long as the heavier oils like avocado or pomegranate seed oils. It has potent antioxidant activity. In this formula, it is acting as an emollient.
Camellia Seed Oil: Camellia seed oil is a fast-absorbing oil with antioxidant activity. It is present in this formula as an emollient.
Lilac and thyme extract: Both of these plants have strong antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and soothing properties. In this formula, those are the functions they perform.
Sunflower oil: I love, love, LOVE sunflower seed oil! It’s really great for dry, dehydrated, or otherwise compromised skin because its linoleic acid content helps skin to make its own lipids, including ceramides, which are critical for proper barrier function. Sunflower seed oil also has a natural soothing effect on skin, making it great for reducing skin irritation.
Orange stem cells: These are undifferentiated cells from oranges, which have been shown to increase collagen synthesis and improve the dermal structure. Stem cells are relatively new to cosmetic use, but interestingly, culturing plant stem cells is a very sustainable way to obtain the benefits of plants because there is no need to cultivate them on land, less water is needed, and no pesticides are used.
Orchid stem cells: These are undifferentiated cells from a Japanese orchid, and have been shown to increase the production of collagen and elastin in skin.
Royal Jelly: Most of the claims about royal jelly are overhyped bullshit, but one property, that of water retention, has been verified. That is the function of royal jelly in this formula-to act as a non-greasy moisturizer by holding moisture next to the skin.
Hydroxyethyl acrylate / sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer: This ingredient is the gelling agent for the serum. It is a Hydro-Swelling Droplet (HSD) form of emulsifier, and is used for cold emulsions, in which no ingredients are heated during the formulation of the product.
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.
Lingonberry stem cells: These are undifferentiated cells from lingonberries, and have been shown to help fortify your skin’s antioxidant defenses, it firms skin, and it can help repair damage from UV exposure.
Rosehip oil: Rosehip seed oil 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.
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.
Phenoxyethanol: This ingredient is a preservative, and is responsible for preventing the growth of bacteria, mold, fungus, yeast, etc.
Lactobacillus ferment: This ingredient is a preservative, and is responsible for preventing the growth of bacteria, mold, fungus, yeast, etc.
Susan Ciaccio (verified owner) –
I never used a serum before Dr Jen recommended it. I have been using this for a few years, and I swear by it. I’m 42 and apparently I look like I’m in my 30s, so that’s cool.