Hey, y’all!

This is something I’ve been meaning to create for awhile, and I’ll continue to add to it as time goes on. Whenever I include a list of key ingredients in a post, I’ll link it back to this page to include the benefits of individual ingredients. It’s in alphabetical order for easy reference.

Aloe Vera:

• Anti-inflammatory and cooling properties make it an excellent remedy for sunburn
• Moisturizes without any greasy residue
• Speeds up skin cell production, which accelerates wound healing
• Rich source of Vitamins C & E, which gives it anti-aging properties
• Anti-inflammatory
• Anti-microbial
• Reduces acne
• Lightens blemishes
• Promotes healthy hair growth when used on your scalp
• Prevents dandruff
• Nourishes and conditions hair and scalp

Blue Algae:

• Soothes & nourishes skin
• Reduces visibility of fine lines

Coconut:

• Moisturizes skin
• Repairs damaged skin
• Detoxifies skin and builds up skin’s natural immune defenses
• Heals dry, cracked hands
• Prevents skin cancer by blocking 20% of UV rays
• Anti-aging
• Promotes circulation
• Removes excess oil from skin
• Natural alternative for eye makeup remover
• Prevents scalp infections
• Promotes healthy hair

Cucumber:

• Hydrates skin (cucumbers are 96% water)
• Cools skin
• Anti-inflammatory properties
• Full of Vitamins A, B1, B7, & C, as well as potassium

Grape Seed Extract:

• Contain proanthocyanidins & resveratrol, which can help prevent sun damage (not a substitute for regular sunscreen, though–think of it as a supplement)
• Reduces wrinkles and fine lines
• Softens skin
• Source of Vitamins C & E

Honey:

• Antibacterial properties make it great for acne treatment and prevention
• Antioxidants slow down aging
• Moisturizes & soothes
• Opens up pores, making them easier to unclog

Jojoba Oil:

• Moisturizes skin
• Treats skin conditions like eczema and rosacea
• Anti-inflammatory properties
• Balances oil production
• Similar to sebum, so it can be used as a substitute for people who don’t produce enough.
• Inversely, it can also be used to remove excess sebum and build-up from hair.
• Anti-bacterial
• Non-comedogenic
• Reduces wrinkles and signs of aging
• Effective in treating acne
• Excellent cleanser and makeup remover
• Prevents razor burn
• Reduces under-eye circles
• Reduces stretch marks
• Cleans scalp
• Adds shine to hair
• Helps protect hair color

Probiotics:

Protect & nurture skin

Pumpkin:

• Fruit enzymes + alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) increase cell turnover
• Vitamin A & C soften, soothe, and increase collagen production
• Zinc (found in the seeds) help with acne by controlling hormone levels and oil production, as well as helping skin to heal
• Fatty acids and Vitamin E (also found in the seeds) help maintain skin’s natural barrier and regulate sebum

Seaweed:

• Hydrates skin
• Amino acids help to plump up skin, reducing fine lines
• Omega, zinc, & magnesium help heal conditions like acne and rosacea while creating a barrier from harsh environmental conditions
• Antioxidants include Vitamins B & C and help clear pigmentation issued caused by sun exposure

Shea Butter:

• Source of fatty acids, antioxidants, and Vitamins A, D, E, & F
• Moisturizes & soothes skin
• Treats acne & blemishes
• Reduces inflammation
• Anti-aging
• Anti-free radicals
• Relieves itchy/peeling skin (including a dry, itchy scalp)
• Restores elasticity
• Reduces razor irritation
• Reduces stretch marks
• Unrefined shea butter is safe for use on babies and toddlers (excellent for use on diaper rash or eczema)
• Great for lip care
• Repairs damaged hair
• Prevents hair loss
• Treats split ends & breakage
• Natural conditioner
• Soothes muscle aches
• Can alleviate Rheumatism
• Can alleviate Arthritis
• Can alleviate nasal inflammation & congestion
• Lowers cholesterol
• Treats diarrhea
• Wound & insect bite healing
• Natural UV protection
• Cooking alternative to coconut oil, butter, or olive oil

Squalane Oil:

• Naturally occurs in the human body but can also be found in olives, rice bran, and wheat germ
• Moisturizes without being heavy or greasy
• Doesn’t clog pores
• Fights free radicals
• Balances oil production
• Anti-inflammatory properties help with acne and eczema
• Anti-aging
• Promotes circulation, which boosts collagen production

Turmeric:

• Anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties reduce redness from blemishes and calm conditions like eczema and rosacea
• Combats acne
• Reduces dark circles
• Improves fine lines & brown spots caused by sun damage, as well as preventing the loss of elasticity
• Reduces appearance of stretch marks
• Soothes dry skin

Vitamin A:

• Protects against UV damage and slows signs of aging
• Encourages skin cell production, which helps protect against infection
• Smoothes wrinkles
• Evens skin tone
• Clears up acne

Vitamin B:

• B1 (Thiamin) has antioxidant and anti-aging properties, increases circulation, and helps protect against free radicals
• B2 (Riboflavin) helps with healthy cell turnover; helps maintain skin’s mucus secretion to prevent acne and dry skin
• B3 (Niacin) helps treat skin conditions like rosacea, acne, eczema, dermatitis, hyper-pigmentation, sun damage, aging, and dry skin; softens and smoothes skin to reduce fine lines and redness; helps with production of ceramides and fatty acids to maintain skin’s natural protective barrier
• B5 (Pantothenic Acid) is a humectant, so it attracts and retains water to improve elasticity and keep your complexion hydrated; reduces inflammation and redness
• B6 (Pyridoxine) is needed for red blood cell development, cell production, and protein metabolism, which aids in skin cell growth and repair; can help regulate some hormone irregularities that can cause acne
• B7 (Biotin) is needed for healthy cell growth and repair and the synthesis of fatty acids & amino acids in the body; evens out complexion, fights effects of free radicals, and maintains skin’s fat production to keep your complexion plump and hydrated
• B9 (Folic Acid) contributes to cell production and tissue growth; helps detox the body, which can reduce breakouts. Too much, however, can result in increased acne and dry, patchy skin.
• B12 (Cobalamin) regulates pigment production, helping to prevent dark spots; helps with protein metabolism, which contributes to healthy skin cell growth and repair

Vitamin C:

• Protects skin from free radicals
• Enhances collagen production, which results in anti-aging benefits
• Reduces dark spots
• Vitamin C can be found in multiple forms in skincare products
  • Ascorbic Acid
  • Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate (MAP)
  • Ester-C (trademark form that’s been combined with Calcium Ascorbate)
• Remember that Vitamin C destabilizes when it comes in contact with air, so keep an eye on expiration dates, and opt for opaque bottles with a pump

Vitamin E:

• Anti-inflammatory
• Supports the immune system, cell function, and skin health
• Fights effects of free radicals
• Reduces UV damage to skin
• May be effective at reducing symptoms of atopic dermatitis & fatty liver disease
• May slow progression of mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease
• Used to widen blood vessels to reduce the risk of blood clots
• Absorption is improved when combined with Vitamin C

Watermelon:

• Rich in Vitamins A, B6, & C = anti-aging properties
• Contains lycopene and amino acids
• Promotes hair growth
• Helps prevents hair loss
• Moisturizes hair
• Hydrates skin
• Prevents oil production

White Clay:

Draws out impurities without stripping skin

White Tea:

• Antiseptic properties
• Rich in antioxidants
• Fights effects of free radicals
• Reduces redness and inflammation
• Contains epigallocatechin gallate, which stimulates skin cell growth
• Contains phenols, which can strengthen collagen and elastin