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Aqua (Water)
• Description: Purified, de-ionised water base
• Origin: Distilled/filtered water
• Effect: Universal solvent and carrier; distributes all actives evenly and provides baseline hydration
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Glycerin
• Description: Trivalent sugar alcohol, classic humectant
• Origin: Vegetable oils (rapeseed, soy) or biodiesel by-product
• Effect: Powerfully binds water in the stratum corneum, visibly “plumps” dehydration lines
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Phospholipids
• Description: Skin-identical phospholipids (lecithin fraction)
• Origin: Extracted from soy or sunflower lecithin
• Effect: Rebuilds the lipid barrier and acts as a penetration enhancer for other actives
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Citrullus Lanatus (Watermelon) Fruit Extract
• Description: Lycopene-rich fruit extract with minerals and amino acids
• Origin: Watermelon flesh/peel (food by-product)
• Effect: Antioxidant UV protection, light hydration and soothing
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Citrus Paradisi (Grapefruit) Fruit Extract
• Description: AHA- and vitamin-C-rich citrus extract
• Origin: Cold-pressed grapefruit peel and pulp
• Effect: Gentle chemical exfoliation, antibacterial refresh, brighter complexion
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Momordica Charantia (Bitter Melon) Fruit Extract
• Description: Botanical rich in charantin & momordicin
• Origin: Fruit of Momordica charantia
• Effect: Anti-inflammatory, prebiotic; calms redness and supports a balanced microbiome
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Phenoxyethanol
• Description: Broad-spectrum preservative alcohol
• Origin: Synthetic (aromatic alcohol)
• Effect: Protects formula from bacteria and mould growth
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Xanthan Gum
• Description: Natural polysaccharide gel-former
• Origin: Fermentation of corn/sugar molasses (Xanthomonas bacteria)
• Effect: Thickens and stabilises viscosity, prevents phase separation
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Sodium Lactate
• Description: Sodium salt of lactic acid, part of the skin’s natural moisturising factor (NMF)
• Origin: Fermented sugar beets or corn
• Effect: Humectant and mild pH buffer
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PCA (Pyrrolidone Carboxylic Acid)
• Description: Organic acid, key NMF component
• Origin: Biosynthesis from glutamic acid
• Effect: Moisture retention, keeps skin supple and elastic
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Sodium PCA
• Description: Sodium salt of PCA (highly water-soluble)
• Origin: Neutralised PCA (see above)
• Effect: Even stronger water-binding capacity, reduces tightness
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Arginine
• Description: Basic α-amino acid
• Origin: Fermentation of sugar cane or corn
• Effect: pH buffer, humectant and wound-healing support
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Ethylhexylglycerin
• Description: Multi-functional emollient and preservative booster
• Origin: Plant-derived glycerol reacted with ethylhexyl group
• Effect: Boosts phenoxyethanol, mildly softens skin surface
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Aspartic Acid
• Description: Acidic amino acid in the NMF family
• Origin: Microbial fermentation
• Effect: Moisture balance and substrate for protein (collagen) synthesis
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Disodium EDTA
• Description: Chelating agent (salt of EDTA)
• Origin: Synthetic
• Effect: Binds metal ions, enhancing preservative efficacy and formula stability
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Sorbitol
• Description: Six-carbon sugar alcohol
• Origin: Hydrolysed and hydrogenated corn or potato starch
• Effect: Humectant and plasticiser; helps prevent drying/crystallisation
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Lecithin
• Description: Natural mixture of phospholipids (PC, PE, etc.)
• Origin: Soybeans or sunflower seeds
• Effect: Emulsifier, strengthens barrier, improves penetration of actives
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Citric Acid
• Description: Alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA)
• Origin: Citrus fruits or fermentation of molasses
• Effect: pH adjustment; very mild exfoliation for smoother surface
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Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E)
• Description: Stable ester of tocopherol
• Origin: Esterified plant-derived vitamin E
• Effect: Lipid-soluble antioxidant; shields membrane lipids and collagen from free radicals
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Amino-acid blend (Phenylalanine, Valine, Serine, Threonine, Glycine, Histidine, Alanine, Proline, Isoleucine)
• Origin: Biotechnological fermentation of glucose/corn
• Effect: Building blocks for collagen/elastin, boost hydration and elasticity
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Dipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate (Syn-Ake)
• Description: Synthetic tripeptide inspired by snake venom
• Origin: Laboratory peptide synthesis
• Effect: Temporary neuromuscular inhibitor ⇒ Botox-like smoothing of expression lines
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Glyceryl Linoleate
• Description: Glycerin ester of linoleic acid (omega-6)
• Origin: Safflower or sunflower oil (esterification)
• Effect: Repairs lipid barrier, calms inflammation, improves suppleness
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Glyceryl Linolenate
• Description: Glycerin ester of α-linolenic acid (omega-3)
• Origin: Flaxseed or rapeseed oil
• Effect: Anti-inflammatory, soothes irritation, strengthens barrier
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Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
• Description: Water-soluble, stabilised vitamin C derivative
• Origin: Synthesised from ascorbic acid + phosphate + sodium
• Effect: Antioxidant, collagen booster, brightens hyperpigmentation
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Retinyl Palmitate
• Description: Ester of retinol + palmitic acid (vitamin A derivative)
• Origin: Synthetic or vegetable-derived
• Effect: Increases cell turnover, smooths texture, regulates sebum, stimulates collagen
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Potassium Sorbate
• Description: Potassium salt of sorbic acid (mild preservative)
• Origin: Synthetic (sorbic acid originally from rowan berries)
• Effect: Inhibits mould and yeast growth, keeping product safe over time