Exotic ingredients may tempt you to buy a beauty product but what do they actually do? We’ve rounded-up some of the most intriguing ingredients to find out exactly why they’re so good for your skin
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5
This peptide is made up of amino acid chains and is designed to communicate with healthy skin cells. With the ability to penetrate deep into the skin, it can help to stimulate collagen production and healthy tissue growth, speeding up collagen synthesis and preventing toxins from doing harm.
Find Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5 in…
Dermalogica Age Smart Biolumin C Serum – using advanced biotechnology this high-performance serum works with skin’s own defenses to brighten and firm. It fuses ultra-stable vitamin C with Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, working alongside an AHA to fight oxidative stress and the appearance of ageing. It exfoliates and reduces unbalanced pigmentation, fine lines and wrinkles and prevents and corrects free radical damage.
Samphire
There is some scientific evidence to suggest that soothing samphire cell biomass, extracted from the wild samphire found throughout Europe and North Africa, may be helpful in skin repair and anti-ageing products.
Find samphire in….
Elemis Exotic Cream Moisturising Mask – a light creamy mask containing a dynamic blend of mimosa, amino-acid rich honey, orange, bergamot and samphire. The ingredients work together to leave skin super-moisturised and enriched.
Decleor Aurabsolu Intense Glow Awakening Cream – formulated to impart radiance into skin, this cream is a lightweight yet deeply moisturising day cream that delivers the combined benefits of precious jasmine absolute to work on the signs of tired skin, orange flavanoids to protect skin from harmful free radicals, tamarindus extract to offer intense hydration and optimum skin softening, and samphire extract to improve skin tone and evenness of complexion.
Cactus pear extract
Also known as a prickly pear, cactus pear contains amino acids and vitamin B. Great for any skin type it has anti-ageing and anti-inflammatory properties, helping to brighten, smooth and super-hydrate skin.
Find cactus pear extract in….
Dermalogica Calm Water Gel – a weightless, water gel moisturiser, this product transforms into a skin quenching fluid upon activation, forming a weightless barrier against environmental assault. Hydrating dry, irritated skin, softening soothing and calming, it also locks in moisture and defends skin against dryness. With water-binding properties, cactus pear extract helps to support moisture balance.
Amaranth
Amaranth is technically a seed, but it is often referred to as a grain, similar to quinoa. A natural, non-irritating moisturiser, it has a high protein content and helps to slow down the effects of skin ageing and wrinkle formation.
Find amaranth in….
Elemis Fortitude Bath and Shower Elixir – using amaranth as a skin-conditioning base, this empowering bath and shower elixir also contains ylang ylang to anchor you, cedarwood to promote harmony and geranium to restore your centre and encourage confidence.
Decleor Night Essence – this 100% natural original skincare elixir combines manuka and cistus oils with precious amaranth oil to create an aromatic concentrate. Enveloping the skin in a luxurious silky veil, this product is perfect when the skin is dull and lacking in luminosity and vitality. Created to be used as part of an anti-ageing routine it turbocharges your existing skincare so you’ll wake-up to younger looking skin, bursting with energy.
Starflower
Starflower, also known as borage, is a medicinal herb with similar properties to evening primrose oil; they both contain the fatty acid, gamma linolenic acid (GLA). GLA can help to regulate hormone levels and GLA deficiencies have been linked to dermatological conditions including adult acne and eczema.
Find starflower extract in….
Murad Skin Smoothing Polish – removing dry, dull skin without stripping skin of its natural moisture, this rich scrub contains starflower extract to leave skin soft and supple. It removes embedded impurities and helps relieve congestion with deep exfoliation to leave skin smooth and polished.
