Papaya & Bakuchiol Gel Serum

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.

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.

Heptyl Undecylenate (from Castor Oil). An extremely light and dry emollient  - it soften the skin. It is 100% vegetable derived, and is derived from castor oil.

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.

Moringa Oleifera (Moringa) Seed Oil. Moringa oleifera (Moringaceae) is a fast-growing softwood indigenous to sub-Himalayan regions. Known as the Miracle Tree due to its superb medicinal and nutritional properties, the tree has been found to contain 19 amino acids – the basic building blocks for tissues, skin, organs and hair.⁠ ⁠ Highly valued by the Ancient Greeks, Romans and Egyptians, the oil has a golden yellow colour and nutty scent, and was used by them for skin lotion and as an edible oil.⁠ ⁠ The Moringa oil we’ll use at Whitfords is obtained by cold press extraction from the seeds, which contain up to 40% oil, and of that over 70% is high-quality fatty acid composition, mainly oleic acid.⁠ ⁠ It offers protecting and moisturising properties for all skin types, it spreads easily and even when applied directly on the skin it absorbs fast and doesn’t feel greasy. A high concentration of palmitic acid and behenic acid enhance Moringa oil’s excellent qualities and have led it to be called ‘Ben’ or ‘Behen oil’.⁠ ⁠ The high tocopherol content is also instrumental in providing good oxidative stability to the oil and protects it during processing and storage.

Euterpe Oleracea (Acai) Fruit Oil. It's the oil expressed from the fruit of the Cabbage palm, Euterpe oleracea, Arecaceae. An emollient - makes the skin soft- with a rich array of nutrients and antioxidant and anti-inflammatory action.

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.⁠

Lactobacillus/Papaya Fruit Ferment Extract. Sustainably manufactured from the unused residual fruit pulp and macerated with Lactobacillus lactis, it has soothing and regenerative properties.

Adansonia Digitata (Baobab) Seed Oil (Organic). It's the oil expressed from the seeds of the Monkey Bread Tree or the Baobab, Adansonia digitata L., Bombacaceae. Baobab oil (Mbuyu in Swahili) is derived from the seeds of the baobab native to Eastern and Southern Africa. Baobab oil has a high content of vitamins A, D, E and essential fatty acids. Baobab oil is extremely stable against rancidity.

Bakuchiol. A powerful, plant-based, natural alternative to retinol (Vitamin A). It has the benefits of retinol without its drawbacks. It is derived from Psoralea corylifolia (babchi seeds). No burning, no stinging, no irritation and suitable for day use. It helps reduce the appearance and depth of fine lines and wrinkles.

Carica Papaya (Papaya) Seed Oil. Is the oil expressed from the seeds of the Papaya, Carica papaya L., Caricaceae.

Quillaja Saponaria (Soapbark) Wood Extract. Quillaja trees grow in a managed plantation in Chile consisting of trees that are systematically pruned to achieve large amounts of biomass –the whole plant is used in the extraction of Quillaja Saponins. The Quillaja is classed as ‘wild harvested’. The extraction factory is environmentally optimised and has won awards for this. This food-grade extract, together with wild harvested Soapwort extract, allow us to create a rich and stable gel for our Papaya & Bakuchiol Gel Serum, without the use of traditional petroleum-derived gelling agents, lanolin or palm derivatives.

Saponaria Officinalis (Soapwort) Extract. Soapwort is a common hardy flowering plant that grows in many regions of the world and has been widely used by mankind for millennia for personal washing and washing clothing. It was grown by Romans and planted around Roman baths. The saponins in Soapwort are very gentle and suitable for sensitive skin and babies. The soapwort we use is wild harvested and both roots and leaves are extracted for the saponins. This food-grade extract, together with wild harvested Quillaja extract, allow us to create a rich and stable gel for our Papaya & Bakuchiol Gel Serum, without the use of traditional petroleum-derived gelling agents, lanolin or palm derivatives.

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.

Citrus Limon (Lemon) Fruit Extract. A unique, natural, ingredient designed that was designed to chemically trigger TRPM8 skin receptors which in turn directly stimulates nerve endings and leads to a perceived cooling sensation on the skin with a refreshing lemon aroma.

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.

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.