CARRIER OILS:
Pumpkin Seed Oil – Pumpkin seed oil (aka green gold) has a rich reddish-green color and is a storehouse of incredible nutrients. It is rich in linoleic, oleic, palmitic, and stearic acids, vitamins A, C, and E, zinc, phytosterols and squalene. As far as skin benefits go, pumpkin seed oil is an all-inclusive and potent anti-aging oil that is very effective at reducing fine lines, wrinkles, and sagging (vitamin A), hydrating (vitamin E, linoleic and oleic acids, and squalene), brightening (vitamin C), cleansing (stearic acid), protecting against free-radical, UV, and oxidative damage (vitamins A and E), settling inflammation (phytosterols), and strengthening the skin barrier to prevent water loss and the penetration of environmental toxins (phytosterols). In addition to its anti-aging benefits, pumpkin seed oil is also a powerful antimicrobial that blocks the activity of bacteria (including, Acinetobacter baumanii, Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus aureus), fungi (such as Candida albicans), and yeast. To this end, it has been shown in studies to be very effective in treating acne vulgaris (chronic acne) that results when the skin’s follicles are clogged with dead skin cells and oil.
Avocado Oil – Avocado oil is an emollient, highly permeating, anti-aging, and healing oil with a characteristic dark green color. It is rich in vitamins A, C, D, and E, as well as mono and polyunsaturated fatty acids. Avocado oil’s emollient and highly permeating attributes make it particularly effective at maintaining the skin’s barrier function (which is beneficial for preventing moisture loss) and nurturing the skin, scalp, and hair. The vitamin A content of avocado oil helps to reduce and reverse signs of aging such as fine lines, wrinkles, and sagging. Vitamin C helps to gently exfoliate the skin to produce a brighter and even skin tone. The Vitamin E and fatty acids in avocado oil combine with water molecules in the skin, hair, and scalp to facilitate moisture retention; they also provide protection against UV damage. Topical use of avocado oil has also been shown in studies to increase skin collagen density and tensile strength, decrease inflammation in bruised skin, and significantly increase wound contraction or healing.
Sea Buckthorn Oil – Sea buckthorn oil is an incredibly healing, regenerative, and fast-penetrating oil with a deep reddish orange color. It contains numerous bioactive ingredients including unsaturated fatty acids (omega-3, 6, 7), flavonoids, vitamins A, C, E, and K, and phytosterols which make it an exceptional addition to reparative and antiaging skincare products. The omegas 3, 6, and 7 in sea buckthorn oil work synergistically to encourage skin cell regeneration, reduce trans-epidermal water loss (thus keeping skin hydrated and supple), reduce inflammation induced by UV radiation, and accelerate the healing of burns and wounds. Topical application of sea buckthorn oil also helps to improve blood circulation, skin oxygenation, and collagen production which work to liven up, tighten, and repair aging skin. The antioxidants present in sea buckthorn oil (vitamin A, C, E, and K) also promote anti-aging: vitamin A works to reduce wrinkles, fine lines, and sagging; vitamin C, which is 15 times higher in sea buckthorn oil than in oranges, helps to gently exfoliate the skin, remove dead skin cells, even skin tone, and protect against harmful UVA and UVB radiation; vitamin E encourages moisture retention and provides UV filtration; and vitamin K helps to suppress pigmentation, improve dark spots, and assist the healing of wounds. Finally, the phytosterols in sea buckthorn oil also support anti-aging by promoting skin barrier recovery; a healthy skin barrier is necessary to prevent the penetration of environmental toxins and water loss from skin.
ESSENTIAL OILS:
Carrot Essential Oil – Carrot essential oil is both antioxidant and astringent and effective at brightening, improving dark spots and wrinkles, and healing dry, acneic, and sensitive skin.
Geranium Essential Oil – Geranium essential oil has one of the highest antioxidant activities among medicinal herbs. It is very effective in lifting sagging and wrinkly skin, brightening, fading scars and dark spots, cleansing the pores, and balancing oil production.
BOTANICALS:
Black tea leaves are rich in polyphenol antioxidants that provide anti-aging effects similar to vitamin A and are powerful at reducing eye puffiness and the appearance of pores.
