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AMAZING BLEND OF RESULTS-DRIVEN INGREDIENTS BACKED BY SCIENCE

Let Us Help You Understand What Exactly You Are Putting On Your Skin!

WHY THERE ARE SO MANY SKIN CARE CHOICES?

Or what specifically each ingredient does? Or if they are even safe for your skin?

Frustrating, right? I totally get it! I have been there myself! But it really doesn't need to be this way.

Allow me to shed some light on this complicated subject and to help you develop a better understanding of ingredient basics.

Ingredients are, by regulation, listed on the label in order of concentration. You can always review our ingredient list on the product pages. However, I would like to highlight some of our 'actives' here so that you can review and understand what you are putting on your skin...

PHENYL T-BUTYLNITRONE (SPIN TRAP)

An ‘intelligent antioxidant’ that reacts with free radicals. Instead of destroying them, it traps them, transforms them into useful oxygen, and then transports them back into the respiratory cycle. For more information about the science behind spin traps, check out our attempt to explain more about them by reading Our Product Story + Spin Traps Explained. [morning and night formula]

SYMPHYTUM OFFICINATE (COMFREY) ROOT CELL EXTRACT

A plant stem cell extract of comfrey roots that recharges youthfulness of skin stem cells. Boosts cell turnover to rejuvenate the skin from the inside out. Reveals a fresher and smoother skin and evens tone without traditional chemical or physical exfoliation. [night formula]

BUDDLEJA DAVIDII MERISTEM CELL CULTURE

A plant stem cell extract developed from the Butterfly Bush that has proven to provide immediate and high protection against UVA damage, UV-induced oxidative stress and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activation. Buddleja Stems provide three levels of protection against photo-aging: antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and photoprotective. [morning formula]

SODIUM HYALURONATE (L)

The most powerful moisturizer and humectant known to date. It holds 500 times it’s own weight in water. Provides smoothness and softening to the skin. Also helps to support natural exfoliation which in turn addresses the softening of fine lines resulting in a reduction in the appearance of wrinkles. Helps to improve the appearance of skin pliability and maintain healthy hydration levels. [morning formula]

CERAMIDE NP

Studies have found that topically applied ceramides can penetrate and accumulate in the skin. Having important barrier properties in the skin, they can improve the appearance of aging skin and skin irritation. Nourishes the skin with milk lipids and effectively moisturizes due to the liposomes. [morning formula]

GLUCOSAMINE HCL (D)

It assists in maintaining the elasticity and integrity of the connective tissue and assists in building, maintaining and repairing tissues. (It’s most common use is as a topical ointment or oral supplement to treat osteoarthritis. The same anti-inflammatory and elasticity properties that make it a great treatment for osteoarthritis may also contribute to its use in skin products and cosmetics. It’s also been known to help in the treatment of psoriasis.) [night formula]

LAMINARIA DIGITATA (SEA KELP)

Sea Kelp has a high content of silicon, vitamins and minerals. Silicon helps invigorate skin and tissue thereby improving the appearance of wrinkles. The vitamins and minerals nourish and soothe the skin. [night formula]

VITAMIN C ASCORBYL PALMITATE

A potent antioxidant that has been shown to be able to protect skin from oxidative damage. Can improve appearance of aged and fragile skin. Widely used as an add-on ingredient in skin-lightening products to correct hyperpigmentation and age spots. [night formula]

RETINYL PALMITATE

Highly active Vitamin A that helps to nourish skin and aids in the skin’s natural renewal process. Can improve the appearance of aged and blemished skin. It is considered a skin rejuvenator: smooths the appearance of harsh wrinkles, modifies abnormal keratinization, clears follicles to prevent pimples and assists in collagen processes which help to smooth the skin’s surface and improve the appearance of firmness, elasticity. [night formula]

PULLULAN + NANNOCHLOROPSIS OCULATA

Pullulan provides an instant skin-tightening effect as it adheres to the skin. It is able to quickly form a sheer film that temporarily improves skin’s texture and appearance. Nannochloropsis is a microalgae that also functions as a skin tightener. These ingredients are formulated to tighten and provide long term effects by promoting properties that help to strengthen skin. [morning and night formula]

DIPALMITOYL HYDROXYPROLINE

A plant derived lipid agent consisting of a natural amino acid that promotes long-lasting firming and moisturizing effects. It has been shown to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and provide volume, suppleness, and a firmer tone. Has been found, in studies, to stimulate the synthesis of collagen fibers and inhibit age-promoting elastase enzymes. Can maintain the integrity of the skin barrier. It also contains a hydroxyproline vehicle that moisturizes, strengthens, and rejuvenates the skin. [morning formula]

MEADOWFOAM SEED OIL

Excellent moisturizer due to its high water absorption ability (4 times that of lanolin). One of the most stable plant oils, gives a non-greasy feel. [morning and night formula]

SUNFLOWER SEED OIL

A pure natural oil derived from the seeds of sunflowers. It contains a high amount of oleic acids and is rich in vitamin E. An effective humectant, nutrient and emollient which nourishes and softens the skin. [night formula]

SACCHAROMYCES CEREVISIAE EXTRACT

A skin-conditioning agent that has an ability to “act in oxidative stress and improve skin conditions,” according to a study published in Food and Chemical Toxicology in 2008 entitled “Evaluation of dermatological effects of cosmetic formulations containing Saccharomyces cerevisiae extract and vitamins.” It is commonly known as Baker’s Yeast. Note on Saccharomyces here. [night formula]

TRIGLYCERIDE

Derived from coconut and palm kernel oils, this lipid leaves a soft and non-greasy feel to the skin. It improves the spreading of creams and lotions. [morning and night formula]

GLYCERIN

An effective humectant, emollient and moisturizer that attracts water to the intercellular space of the skin, protects the lipids of skin cells, and is used in topicals as a solvent for various water insoluble ingredients. [morning and night formula]

LEUCONOSTOC/RADISH ROOT FERMENT FILTRATE

A non GMO preservative used as a natural alternative to the traditional preservatives. Read about it in our ‘A Word About’ section below. A link to some interesting info about it can be found here. [morning and night formula]

ISOHEXADECANE

A cleansing agent, texture enhancer, emollient and skin-conditioner that leaves a light silky feeling on the skin. Especially useful in cosmetics, particularly those for oily skin. The size of isohexadecane keeps it from penetrating too far into the skin, therefore it is a good ingredient to keep other ingredients, like certain antioxidants, on the skin’s surface.

CAPRYLHYDROXAMIC ACID

Serves as a preservative and a broad spectrum anti-fungal agent. CHA, unlike many other more common preservatives, is very effective at neutral pH levels.

BENZYL ALCOHOL

A broad-spectrum preservative with protection against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, yeast and mold. An effective alternative to parabens.

Any additional ingredients seen in our list of ingredients are considered ‘inactives’. These are ingredients necessary to maintain a certain consistency to the overall product and help to stabilize it but do not necessarily offer benefit to the skin directly. These will include gelling emulsifiers, anti-caking agents, viscosity increasing agents, surfactants and stabilizers for example. Glyceryl stearate, acetyl tributyl citrate, sodium gluconate, palmitic acid, acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer, PEGs, polysorbate 80, isomalt, and lecithin are examples of these types of agents.

After serving as a pharmacist for 30+ years, I am now dedicated to helping you understand skin care and how it shouldn't be complicated. Through proven, research-based evidence available through my profession, I created a product that is simple but yet contains the best proven-to-be-effective pharmaceutical grade ingredients. As a pharmacist, I make efficacy as well as safety a top priority.

Each ingredient in our SkinTech formulas is consciously chosen for it's specific function and is backed by science. There are, however, a few facts/myths that will be beneficial to discuss before we dive in...and can help you make better decisions when reading those intimidating labels.

PRESERVATIVES

Fact: Claims of 'preservative-free' are NOT necessarily a good thing.

Preservatives keep bacteria and fungi out and prevent spoilage. They ARE necessary for any safe skin care product. Bacteria love a moist environment, don't let them take up residence in your skin care product! Unless you plan to keep your products refrigerated or to discard them within a few weeks, run from those touting preservative free.

Our products use a natural alternative to the traditional preservatives however. We use Leuconostoc (radish root ferment filtrate). It is derived from radishes fermented with a lactic acid bacteria (the kind that has traditionally been used to make kimchi). NICE!

Personally, I would choose leuconostoc over parabens or phenoxyethanol BUT I would choose either of these two over an unpreserved product. If you are interested in a little backstory on leuconostoc/radish root ferment, check out an article by Truth In Aging here. Spoiler alert, it involves chickens!

NATURAL

Fact: Natural is great, but not if it doesn't accomplish your goals!

Many of the products that are truly 'natural' do not have much effect. Some are harmful. A common misconception is that all man-made chemicals are harmful and all natural chemicals are good for us. However, many natural chemicals are just as harmful to human health, if not more so, than man-made chemicals. Chemical toxicity is not black and white- and whether a chemical is naturally occuring or man-made tells us nothing about it's toxicity.

On the other hand, some 'man-made' products that are extremely effective have a safety profile that isn't so great...enter prescriptions.

Natural skin care with the most effective results would be the ultimate...but science just isn't there yet. At SkinTech, we can get as close as possible with the current technologies.

FRAGRANCES

Fact:

I'm sure you've seen the 'avoid all fragrances' hype out there. And the 'don't put essential oils on your skin'. Folks, let's get real here. Unless you are allergic, you are safe with the minuscule amounts of fragrances in most skin care products.

Regulations require ingredients to be listed in the order of concentration from highest to lowest (until concentrations of 1% or lower). Is it not common to see fragrances listed last?

Back in the day, when our formulas were being compounded in our kitchen, a drop...ONE drop of fragrance was incorporated to give a pleasant, invigorating scent. The concentration of fragrances in our products remain the same minimal quantity, but enough to invoke such a pleasant scent profile. Refer to Word #2 above..."the dose makes a thing not poison".

ANTIOXIDANTS

There are thousands of antioxidants! The question is, can they get into the skin?

Fact: MOST CANNOT

Just because a molecule is determined to be an antioxidant does NOT mean it will be effective in a topical product applied to the skin.

WITH STEM CELL TECHNOLOGY, SPIN TRAPS (THE ALBERT EINSTEIN OF ANTIOXIDANTS), AND A HOST OF OTHER AMAZING INGREDIENTS...WE FEEL WE HAVE CREATED AN AMAZING PRODUCT WITH RESULTS DRIVEN INGREDIENTS BACKED BY SCIENCE.

Well, there you have it. Our secret formula. And hopefully a Iittle insight as to why I don't refer to my products in terms of natural versus synthetic. The term 'Natural' in skin care is not regulated and is largely misused in the industry for marketing purposes. My choice is to not brand myself one way or the other.

The ingredients that I use are the best and the right choice for the formula. Not everything that's synthetic is bad and not everything that is natural is good. Once again, in the words of Paracelsus, The Father of Toxicology,

"only the dose makes a thing not a poison".

P.S. WE NEVER TEST ON ANIMALS...OUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS VOLUNTEER FOR THAT

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