You've probably seen these ingredients popping up on social media, in product names and ingredient lists. They become trendy and popular in waves: Niacinamide Vitamin B3, Alpha Hydroxy Acid (AHA) - Glycolic Acid, Beta Hydroxy Acid (BHA) - Salicylic Acid and Aspen Bark Extract, and now Polyhydroxy Acid (PHA) - Glucono Delta Lactone. They've actually been hiding out in our ingredient lists, working their magic on your skin for years. Science along with years of testing and research led us to them. We use them separately and synergistically to reveal your complexion's best possible texture, glow and tone without leaving behind a trail of irritation. Here's a quick summary of which ingredients are in what products and how each one is helping your skin in its own unique way:
BHAs - Beta Hydroxy Acid - SALICYLIC ACID & ASPEN BARK EXTRACT:
Salicylic Acid:
You can find a small dose of Salicylic Acid in the Mattifying Healing Dust. Less than 0.05% permeates the powder to help keep breakouts at bay during the day when you're out in the world doing your thing and the pollutants in your environment along with your natural oils start to build up and attempt to clog your pores and cause zits.
Aspen Bark Extract:
You've probably noticed this ingredient in a number of our products. It's the perfect natural replacement for Salicylic Acid in aqueous solutions. It comes directly from the bark of the American Aspen Bark tree. Most Aspen Bark trees can be found in colonies in the northwestern areas of North America. There's a colony in Utah that's been around for over 80,000 years. They survive because of their natural ability to keep mold and bacteria away, just like in our formulas! Aspen Bark Extract is one of our core dual purpose preservatives, meaning, we include it in the formula because it does two amazing things. The salicylates found naturally in Aspen Bark help exfoliate and moderate the top layer of skin to prevent pore clogging and zit formation while the anti-microbial properties help keep the formula stable and save us from having to use harsh toxic preservatives like Phenoxyethanol.
You can find Aspen Bark Extract in all of the following products:
Pretty Skin Moisturizer
White Charcoal Mattifying Clearing Lotion
Ocean Saltwater Clear Skin Cleanser
Charcoal Salt Crush Clearing Scrub
Coconut Coffee Repairing Cream Scrub
Pretty Skin Deep Moisture Face Cream
Pretty Plump Hyaluronic + Peptide 5 Lotion
Deep Pore Detox Charcoal Cleanser
Daily Glow Clarifying Rose Cleanser
AHA - Alpha Hydroxy Acid - NATURAL GLYCOLIC ACID
Glycolic Acid:
In my never ending search for the very best ingredients for sensitive, acne prone skin, I discovered a Glycolic Acid derived completely naturally from Sugar Cane; a little less potent than synthetic Glycolic Acid and therefore without the full sun sensitizing side effects and general irritation. Glycolic Acid has the smallest molecular size of all the AHAs, allowing it to penetrate more deeply into skin to help reveal a fresher, younger looking complexion. Glycolic Acid breaks down the lipids that hold the dead skin cells together on the surface of skin and speeds their exfoliation which can help improve acne scarring, hyperpigmentation, age spots and wrinkles.
You can find our natural Glycolic Acid Solution in the White Charcoal Mattifying Clearing Lotion.
PHA (Polyhydroxy Acid) - GLUCONO DELTA LACTONE
Glucono Delta Lactone:
PHAs - Polyhydroxy Acids - are the next generation of Alpha Hydroxy Acids. Glucono Delta Lactone is my favorite PHA. Just like AHAs, GDL exfoliates dead skin cells in order to reveal a fresh layer of skin but in a more gentle way. What sets GDL apart is that its molecules naturally attract water molecules which in turn moisturize your skin and can you give you a more plump, filled in look. This same water attracting property helps GDL reduce microbial growth in the formula itself which is what makes it another one of our dual purpose ingredients. I think my favorite part of PHAs, especially since we all have such sensitive and reactive skin, is that they don't increase your sensitivity to the sun.
You can find our favorite Polyhydroxy Acid, Glucono Delta Lactone and Gluconolactone in these awesome products:
Ocean Saltwater Clear Skin Cleanser
Deep Pore Detox Charcoal Cleanser
Daily Glow Clarifying Rose Cleanser
Pretty Skin Moisturizer
White Charcoal Mattifying Clearing Lotion
Pretty Skin Deep Moisture Face Cream
Pretty Plump Hyaluronic + Peptide 5 Lotion
Salt & Mud Peel In A Scrub
Charcoal Salt Crush Clearing Scrub
Coconut Coffee Repairing Cream Scrub
NIACINAMIDE - VITAMIN B3
Niacinamide is the active form of Vitamin B3. We include it in most of our leave on aqueous solutions (moisturizers, creams, lotions) to help reduce the irritation, hyperpigmentation, blotchiness and annoying redness that tends to accompany problem skin. We also include it to help strengthen your skin barrier which can take a hit from harsh products and ingredients that leave your skin fragile, prone to breakouts and more rapid aging. Clinical studies have shown topical niacinamide to stimulate collagen synthesis and production of ceramide, a lipid compound that contributes to the functional and structural integrity of the skin barrier.
You can find Niacinamide in these multi-faceted, multi-tasking problem skin heroes:
Pretty Skin Moisturizer
White Charcoal Mattifying Clearing Lotion
Pretty Skin Deep Moisture Face Cream
Pretty Plump Hyaluronic + Peptide 5 Lotion
The sources used in this article are our proprietary ingredient suppliers.