A Few of Our Favorite Things
At Biossance we’re serious about the ingredients we use. From our signature sustainable squalane that started it all, to our latest breakthrough bakuchiol, we’re dedicated to formulating products with ingredients that bring results without causing harm to people or the planet.
And because we often get asked about a few of the things we put in our products, we’re giving you the rundown on four of our most popular ingredients:
This skin hydrating superstar is the heart and soul of each of our products and there’s good reason for it. Squalane, in the form of squalene, is found naturally in our skin and is part of our own moisture. Unfortunately, it diminishes with age which is why replenishing squalane helps hydrate and enhance the skin’s barrier. This means softer, smoother and healthier-looking skin.
Another thing to keep in mind when using squalane is where it comes from. Traditionally it was harvested from shark liver and then an animal-friendly source was produced from olives. Squalane from olives is created from a by-product of the olive oil industry and depends on the olive crop for quality, which can vary. Our squalane is derived from renewal sugarcane and then fermented using a proprietary process. The end result is stable, sustainable and moisture-rich squalane.
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We don’t use just any vitamin C in our products. We use tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, and although it looks like a mouthful to say, it is a highly stable, oil-soluble and effective form of vitamin C. In fact, since it has an affinity with the lipids in our skin, it means optimal delivery to the skin. Plus, it packs a whopping 50x more power over ascorbic acid, vitamin C in its pure form.
Ascorbic acid, on the other hand, is water-soluble and can be very unstable. It has to be formulated with a low pH in order to remain effective and can also have issues with oxidation. This can render the vitamin C inactive and cause an irritating effect on the skin. Have you ever had a skincare product with vitamin C turn brown? That tells you that the ascorbic acid is oxidizing. Look for oil-soluble tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate and you’ll know that what you’re using is stable, effective and safe.
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Most likely when you hear the word “probiotic” you think of yogurt. But what does that have to do with the skin? Plenty. While eating the live cultures in probiotics support a healthy gut, those found in skincare act a little differently. Instead, lactococcus ferment lysate, (the type of probiotic we use) is non-live bacteria, though still serves a powerful purpose.
Lactococcus ferment lysate has been found to significantly help reduce the look of redness and irritation in the skin. Clinical studies show that it does this by improving skin’s barrier and boosting the renewal process. Further studies indicate that using probiotics on the skin can also help reduce the look of blemishes and calm the occurrence of breakouts. This goes to show that probiotics are good for you—inside and out.
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This funny sounding ingredient comes from the Babchi (Psoralea corylifolia) plant and has historical roots in Indian Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine. Traditionally, it was used for a variety of skin conditions—anything from calming rashes to treating wounds—though it has also been valued as a vitality-boosting tonic to improve overall health. If that wasn’t enough, it was recently discovered that applying bakuchiol to the skin has the same great anti-aging benefits as retinol, BUT without the not so great side-effects of peeling, redness and sun sensitivity.
In clinical studies this plant-derived retinol alternative was found to help noticeably improve the look of lines, wrinkles, discoloration, elasticity and firmness, and interestingly, helped make skin less sensitive to sun’s damaging rays. This is why, unlike retinol, it’s safe to use morning and night.
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We’re always on the lookout for effective ingredients that benefit the skin in beautiful way. Look for new things coming up on the Biossance horizon with our latest No Compromise Beauty™ innovations!
