Skin Zen Face Wash

Description

INGREDIENTS: Distilled water, decyl glucoside (and) sodium lauroyl lactylate, cetearyl alcohol (and) ceteareth-20, shea butter, calendula butter, sunflower seed oil, rosehip seed oil, colloidal oatmeal, cucumber extract, panthenol, cornstarch, cetyl esters, tocopherol, gluconolactone (and) sodium benzoate, allantoin, bisabolol, EDTA

INGREDIENTS EXPLAINED:

Decyl glucoside (and) sodium lauroyl lactylate:

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 like quercetin, epicatechin gallate, gallocatechin, epigallocatechin, as well as skin-nourishing fatty acids (stearic and linoleic). It also penetrates skin readily. This is just such a wonderful ingredient for skin.

Calendula butter: Calendula, or Marigold, is a plant that was historically referred to as “nature’s first aid” and is known for its traditional uses in treating and dressing minor skin irritations such as cuts and burns. This butter is a enriched with Calendula extract, a soothing, anti-inflammatory active ingredient.

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.

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.

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

Cucumber Extract: Anti-inflammatory extract that hydrates, softens, and cools skin.

Panthenol: This ingredient is able to penetrate skin fairly well and has softening and moisturizing properties. It also helps to soothe and protect irritated skin.

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.

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.

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

Bisabolol:

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.