Cosmetic Skin Solutions Skin Care Glossary

Anti-aging and skin care ingredients used in Cosmetic Skin Solutions products

For Antioxidant Support and UV Protection:

• Supreme Phloretin C10 (10% Vitamin C)
• Supreme Serum CE (15% Vitamin C
• Supreme Serum 20 (20% Vitamin C)
• Supreme Eye C5 (5% Vitamin C)
• Retinol 1.0 Cream

For Hydration, Skin Lightening, and Resurfacing:

• Resurfacing Serum
• Retinol 1.0 Cream
• Supreme Hydra B5 Gel
• Supreme Phyto + Gel

Algae Extract – Algae is derived from sea plants, and provides mineral-rich, nourishing nutrients to help skin retain moisture. It also acts as an antioxidant, which protects the skin from oxidative stress and the formation of collagen-I. It strengthens the skins connective tissue, and provides an immediate tightening effect.

Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract – Has potent moisturizing, soothing, and healing properties. Stimulates collagen production by enhancing skin cell reproduction up to 8 times, with penetration rates 4 times higher than water. This natural plant extract prevents inflammation and promotes wound healing.

Alpha Arbutin – This product promotes skin lightening and improves discolored skin. It also acts as a moisturizer that eventually smoothens the skin overtime. Alpha-Arbutin is also effective in fighting certain signs of aging and helps in reducing wrinkles and fine lines.

Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs) – Alpha hydroxy acids are derived from fruit and milk sugars. The most commonly used alpha hydroxy acids are glycolic acid and lactic acid because they have a special ability to penetrate the skin. Lactic Acid and Glycolic Acid provide resurfacing properties that eliminate dead surface cells promoting new cell formation and the appearance of a healthy new skin layer. Alpha hydroxy acids work mainly as an exfoliant. They cause the cells of the epidermis to become "unglued" allowing the dead skin cells to slough off, making room for regrowth of new skin. Alpha hydroxy acids may even stimulate the production of collagen and elastin. Alpha hydroxy acids are reported to improve wrinkling, roughness, and mottled pigmentation of photodamaged skin.

Alpha Tocopherol (Vitamin E) – Vitamin E is a well-known antioxidant with soothing, healing, and moisturizing properties. It is often used to help protect against sun damage and sunburn, to promote healing of burns and cuts, and to improve skin tone. Vitamin E's antioxidant properties have been well documented in many studies. For example, in his book, The Murad Method: Wrinkle-Proof, Repair and Renew Your Skin with the Proven 5-Week Program, Dr. Howard Murad, M.D. reports that when topical vitamin E was applied before exposure to cigarette smoke, "the amount of free radicals was cut nearly in half" as compared to skin not applied with vitamin E.

Beta Glucans – This antioxidant is capable of penetrating deep into the lower skin layers at a high rate, to truly deliver significant results of its skin improving properties. It helps stimulate immune cells, and accelerates tissue repair. Effectively fights off bacteria and promotes wound healing.

Camellia Sinensis Leaf (White Tea) Extract – This potent antioxidant has anti-inflammatory properties as well as the ability to inhibit enzymatic activity which attacks collagen and elastase.

Ferulic Acid – Is an organic plant compound found in plant cell walls. It is a potent antioxidant and provides advanced protection from free radical activity. When combined with Vitamins C and E, ferulic may reduce oxidative stress and formation of thymine dimers in skin. Research has also suggested that ferulic acid may help protect skin from UV damage. According to dermatologist and scientist Karen E. Burke, M.D., Ph.D., in the Skin Aging Handbook: An Integrated Approach to Biochemistry and Product Development, ferulic acid interferes with the process by which UV rays damage cell membranes. In addition, ferulic acid helps to prevent redness and sunburn from UVB rays.

Glycrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract – Contains anti-inflammatory, anti-irritation, and soothing properties. This botanical extract helps to soothe and calm acne-prone skin. It contains the molecule licochalcone, primarily responsible for controlling oil production.

Hyaluronic Acid / Sodium Hyaluronate – Hyaluronic acid is a natural component to the body's connective tissues. With age, hyaluronic acid levels decrease, which may contribute to the appearance of aging. Supplementing with topical hyaluronic acid immediately restores moisture, firmness, and hydration above and beneath the skins surface. It also helps retain water for plumped, hydrated skin.

Hydroxyethyl Urea – Hydroxyethyl Urea is an excellent moisturizing and lubricating agent for dry skin. This moisturizing ingredient is commonly prescribed by skin care doctors in skin care preparations for dry skin conditions. In addition to its superior moisturizing properties, it enhances the efficacy levels in active ingredients. Hydroxyethyl Urea is often used as an alternative to glycerin as a moisturizer in skin care products. Unlike glycerin, Hydroxyethyl Urea is less likely to create tackiness, greasiness, residue or gloss after application.

Hydroxyethylpiperazine Ethane Sulffonic Acid (HEPES) – An effective buffering agent for maintaining enzymatic structure and function of active ingredients.

Kojic Acid – This product lightens age and sun spots, reduces pigmentation, promotes an even skin tone. Kojic Acid works to stop the production of melanin, which is the substance responsible for giving skin its color. It can help fight freckles, sun-spots and pigmentation disorders.

Kombucha (mushroom) Extract – Kombucha is a fermented tea that is used worldwide, as it has shown to boast a number of medicinal properties. It is made by "incubating" the kombucha, a type of mushroom, in sweet black tea for an extended period of time. Kombucha is filled with valuable components such as B vitamins, butyric acid, glucoronic acid, lactic acid, malic acid, oxalic acid and usnic acid. There are various topical uses that kombucha can be used for, including skin care. Kombucha contains active enzymes and amino acids which promote skin health and Improves skin elasticity.

L-Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C) – Vitamin C is vital for producing collagen, correcting pigmentation problems and reducing free radicals. A water-soluble form of Vitamin C provides UVA/UVB protection, decreases pigmentation, reduces redness, and increases collagen production. It also acts as one of the most powerful antioxidants available for skin care, and improves the appearance of skin, prevents wrinkles, and is essential in cell proliferation.

Phloretin – Phloretin, when combined with Vitamin C and Ferulic Acid, creates a potent antioxidant and provides advanced photo protection. It also contributes to greater skin penetration of active ingredients for gradual release and delivery beneath the skins surface.

Retinyl Palmitate (Vitamin A) – One of the most important natural antioxidants for the appearance of healthy skin. Its small molecular structure gives it the ability to penetrate through the epidermis (upper layer of skin), and into the dermis (lower level of skin) to repair collagen and elastase. Renews and regenerates skin cells, and stimulates new collagen production. Effectively treats and prevents the occurrence of acne.

Salix Alba (Willow) Bark Extract – A personal care cleansing ingredient which is well known for its astringent, anti-septic, anti-inflammatory, and soothing properties. These skin rejuvenating properties help rid dead surface cells, clear pores, and stimulate new cell formation.

Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid) – Vitamin B5 is a water soluble nutrient essential for skin health. It promotes cellular renewal and heals damaged skin. It can also be helpful for treating acne, soothing burns and irritations, and speeding the recovery of minor skin wounds. Studies have shown that Vitamin B5 combats aging and acne by promoting skin hydration, helping to maintain skin elasticity, and increasing skin softness. Vitamin B5 may also have anti-inflammatory properties, making it useful in the treatment of skin scaling, roughness, and dryness.