H&A Face Cream

Aqua (Water). It's a liquid at standard temperature and pressure with the chemical formula H2O: one molecule of water has two hydrogen atoms covalently bonded to a single oxygen atom.

Olive squalane is an emollient - it softens the skin - derived from olive oil. It is similar to squalene, which occurs naturally in the sebum produced by the sebaceous glands in our skin. It is very light, it has great spreading properties and it's quickly absorbed by the skin leaving no oily residue.

Sclerocarya Birrea (Marula) Seed Oil. Marula oil is extracted by cold-pressing the kernel of the fruit of the Sclerocarya birrea, a tree indigenous to Southern and West Africa related to the mango. There are are male and female trees and the female carry the fruits. Coincidentally, women are the primary producers of marula products so its commercialisation provides an income for themselves and their families. Marula oil is non-irritant and has moisturising and hydrating properties. It is considered a biomimetic oil (bio = life, mimetic = imitating) due to its high content of oleic acid and the presence palmitic acid; very similar to those present in our skin. It absorbs fast, does not feel heavy at all and has the ability to smooth out dry flaking skin. ⁠

Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil. This oil is obtained by cold pressing of the seeds of the jojoba – a shrub that is native to southern Arizona, southern California and northwestern Mexico. Moisturising with protective qualities. It absorbs quickly and leaves a silky finish on the skin. Its chemical structure very similar to human sebum, making it an excellent match for the wax/oil secreted by human skin and hair and is good at mimicking skin collagen. This may help balance oily skin. A high vitamin E content gives the oil natural, anti-oxidant properties. Other vitamins within the oil – B1 and B2 and B6.

Glycerin. Palm-free vegetable glycerin is a humectant which draws water to the skin. It has wonderful emollient and water-retaining properties. It boosts skin elasticity.

Lactobacillus. It's one of the species of microorganisms used to produce fermented products, such as kimchi and sauerkraut, a Korean dietary staple, from cabbage. Like many members of the lactic acid bacteria family, Lactobacillus is capable of restricting the growth of other microorganisms by acidifying its environment. However, Lactobacillus also produces novel antimicrobial peptides, known as bacteriocins, that are capable of providing broad spectrum antimicrobial protection.

Lactobacillus Ferment. Lactobacillus is one of the species of microorganisms used to produce fermented products, such as kimchi and sauerkraut, a Korean dietary staple, from cabbage. Like many members of the lactic acid bacteria family, Lactobacillus is capable of restricting the growth of other microorganisms by acidifying its environment. However, Lactobacillus also produces novel antimicrobial peptides, known as bacteriocins, that are capable of providing broad spectrum antimicrobial protection. During the manufacturing process, lysozyme is added to the ferment filtrate to facilitate a controlled cell lysis to ensure the release of the antimicrobial peptides for maximised activity.

S. Alba (Willow) Bark Extract. As the pores in our skin collect dirt and debris they become irritated; exfoliation clears away this unwanted pollution and dead cells. ⁠ ⁠ The bark of the beautiful White Willow (S. Alba) tree provides us with a natural source of salicylic acid, known to encourage anti-microbial activity, cell renewal and antioxidant protection without the associated irritation that synthetic salicylic acid can cause. ⁠ ⁠ This innovative ingredient is a gentle yet also highly effective exfoliating agent and a desirable inclusion in effective skincare.

Glyceryl Stearate Citrate. This emulsifier helps bring oil-based and water-based ingredients together to form creams and lotions. It has emollient properties - it softens the skin.

Arachidyl Alcohol. It's a waxy substance used as a thickening agent and emollient. It's not the type of alcohol that can be drying on the skin (ethanol). Arachidyl Alcohol is what it's called a "fatty" alcohol and it's moisturising.

Galactoarabinan. It's a naturally occurring polysaccharide polymer from the larch tree - a conifer in the genus Larix - sustainably harvested in North America, minimising the impact on the environment and preserving the tree population. It is extracted using water as a solvent, leaving no residual solvents in the finished product. Independent clinical testing has shown that it aids moisture retention, promotes exfoliation on skin without irritation and can improve the appearance of superficial fine lines in skin.

Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil. Emollient - it softens the skin. It also creates a protective layer on the skin preventing TEWL, trans-epidermal water-loss.

Theobroma Grandiflorum (Cupuaçu) Seed Butter. Cupuaçu butter (pronounced "cupuazú") is obtained by pressing the seeds of the Theobroma grandiflorum tree, a cousin of the cacao tree found in Northern Brazil, Peru, Colombia and Ecuador. Each fruit yields 30-50 seeds which have a high fat content (24%) and are also high in polyphenols (antioxidants). Cupuaçu butter is considered a plant-based alternative to lanolin (the wax secreted by the sebaceous glands of wool-bearing animals) due to its ability to absorb water (a study showed that 1 kg of cupuaçu butter could absorb 4.4 kg of water under stirring!). This means that it acts as a skin hydrator and plumper, penetrating fast and helping retain moisture.

Virola Surinamensis (Ucuuba) Seed Butter. Cold pressed from the seeds of Virola Surinamensis, Myristicaceae, which is native to Central and South America. This butter is rich in oleic, palmitic, stearic, and linoleic acids and aids in water retention in the skin, making it perfect for dry skin. It helps restore elasticity.

Lactobacillus/Wasabia Japonica (Wasabi) Root Ferment Extract. It has powerful antimicrobial properties.

Black elderberries (Sambucus nigra). This superfruit is rich in a variety of nutrients that show antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, such as caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid, ferulic acid, and quercetin. It also has astringent properties due to its bioflavonid content that helps tighten the skin. A little less known fact about elderberries is that they are a natural alternative to traditional preservatives providing a great source of undecylenic acid, an organic fatty acid that has broad antimicrobial benefits. It is especially effective against fungal microorganisms and we'll be using this wonderful superfruit in most of our products.⁠

Sodium Levulinate. Plant derived organic acid with broad antimicrobial activity.

Cannabis Sativa Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract. High in CBD, encapsulated into liposomes for enhanced, targeted delivery and effective soothing benefits. Liposomes act as vehicles to transport nutrients to the cells through layers of skin and enhance delivery of active ingredients. Hemp oil is produced by gentle cold press extraction from the specialised varietals of the hemp plant of the Cannabis genus. It contains a symphony of over 400 compounds including CBD, secondary phyto-cannabinoids, terpenoids, terpenes, and flavonoids. These compounds work synergistically to heighten the positive, therapeutic effects of cannabidiol. CBD is a common cannabinoid found in the cannabis plant. When strains are high in CBD, they are subsequently very low in THC, typically containing <0.3% THC. The produced hemp oil does not have psychoactive properties.  

Chlamydomonas Reinhardtii (Algae) Extract. A natural and sustainable resource native to remote rocky coasts and shallow, ocean waters. As a result of thriving in such diverse and extreme environments, green algae produces an array of unique bioactive, complex lipids and fatty acids that are not generally present in terrestrial plants. This ingredient provides hydration and anti-inflammation benefits. It addresses damaged skin and prevents further damage.

Ectoin. A natural, very powerful stress-protection molecule, called an "extremolyte". It is the biological self-defence mechanism of extremophilic micro-organisms, and lives in inhospitable environments such as salt lakes, deserts, arctic ice, the deep sea or hot springs. It was discovered by chance in 1985 in a salt lake in the Egyptian desert.⁠ ⁠ In skincare, it shields the outer layer of the skin from allergens, air pollution, dryness and UV light with outstanding efficacy proven in numerous in-vivo, in-vitro studies and clinical trials.⁠ ⁠ The version of Ectoin we’ll use is made by a fermentation process using a bacteria found in nature, the Halomonas Elongata. ⁠

Sodium Hyaluronate. Made by producing enzymes from a bacteria based biofermentation process, it has moisturising, film forming and nourishing properties. enhanced skin feel as well as nourishing and anti-aging properties.

Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Fruit Extract. The coconut tree is a member of the palm tree family. We are all familiar with this humble, yet powerful and versatile food and skincare ingredient. The oil is traditionally used for its moisturising and conditioning benefits for both skin and hair. A lesser known function of fermented coconut is as a natural preservative, helping prevent the growth of fungus - specifically yeast and mould - in skincare products containing water

Phospholipids. Used to create the hemp liposomes in our Hemp & Algae Face Cream. Liposomes are small spheres surrounded by phospholipid bi-layer designed to carry actives ingredients and help their absorption. Phospholipids contain a glycerol bonded to two fatty acids and a phosphate group with a polar head.

Arachidyl Glucoside. It's the product obtained by the condensation of Arachidyl alcohol with glucose. It's an emulsifier, meaning it helps mix the oil-based and water-based ingredients in creams and lotions. Without emulsifiers, this wouldn't be possible.

Vanilla Planifolia (Vanilla) Fruit Extract. Vanilla bean pods are infused directly into Organic Sunflower Oil (Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil), with added Tocopherol, a natural antioxidant which is used to aid shelf life. The result is a nourishing oil with a mild sweet and delicious scent.

Arginine. Abbreviated as Arg or R, is an amino acid with the molecular formula C6H14N4O2. It is used as a PH adjuster. The arginine we use is prepared by fermentation.

Xanthan Gum. A very common thickener and emulsion stabilizer. A polysaccharide (chain of sugar molecules) produced via fermentation.

Lecithin. Emollient - it makes the skin soft - and water-binding ingredient.

Tocopherol (Vitamin E). In skincare, it protects both the product and the skin and hair against oxidation. We use one of the purest forms of cosmetic Vitamin E possible, with a minimum of a 70% mixture of Alpha, Beta, Gamma and Delta tocopherols in Sunflower Seed Oil. Palm-free.

Behenyl Alcohol. It's a saturated fatty alcohol - not to be confused with drying alcohols like ethanol, isopropyl alcohol or alcohol denat. It is used to increase the viscosity in formulations and as an emulsifier, allowing water-based ingredients and oil-based ingredients to mix and stay together.

Pullulan. A polysaccharide produced from starch by cultivating the yeast, Aureobasidium pullulans. Used in cosmetic formulations as a thickener. It also creates a thin, elastic film on the skin that can have a tightening effect.

Sclerotium Gum. A polysaccharide - similar to Xanthan Gum - that is used as a natural thickening and gelling agent, to stabilise creams and lotions.

Silica. It is used to help thicken up products, also as a mattifying ingredient as it can absorb oils.

Sodium Anisate. Plant derived organic acid with broad antimicrobial activity.

Gluconolactone. A polyhydroxy acid (PHA). It's found in its natural state of gluconic acid in fermented products. It has moisturising benefits on the skin, as well as the powerful ability to help with fine lines and wrinkles.

Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate. Antimicrobial, conditioning and moisturising ingredient based on an antimicrobial peptide originally derived from the lactic acid bacteria, Leuconostoc kimchii. L. kimchii is one of 15 species of microorganisms that make up the mixed culture used for producing the Korean dietary staple known as kimchi, a type of fermented cabbage. Made by modern fermentation and bioprocessing technology.

Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract. This extract comes from the dried leaves of the familiar rosemary plant (Rosmarinus officinalis L.), from which a dark brown, viscous liquid is obtained using a process called supercritical carbon dioxide extraction.⁠ ⁠ The presence of phenolic diterpenes (mainly carnosic acid and carnosol) have been recognised to have potent antioxidant properties which retard the oxidation of fatty and essential oils, as well as carotenoids. This inherent attribute helps prolong the oxidative shelf-life of our finished products.⁠ ⁠ The aromatic plant, with its strong, distinctive smell, has long been used in folk medicine as it also has some antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties.