A-Z

Arginine (also known as l-arginine) — an amino acid that has been shown to significantly increase urea in the stratum corneum and continually increase cell moisture, improving the clinical symptoms of dry skin.

Arbutin — used primarily for its anti-oxidant and bleaching properties. It acts as a tyrosinase inhibitor by converting to hydroquinone, and thus can prevent melanin formation.

Anti-oxidant —refers to the ability of an ingredient to slow down, prevent, or block oxidation caused by the damaging effects of free radical activity. Some of the most common anti-oxidants used in cosmetics are beta carotene, coenzyme Q10, glutathione, green tea, idebenone, superoxide dismutase, and vitamins C and E. It is well established that a mixture of anti-oxidants may enhance the photo-protective effects of a formulation. Antioxidants are key to age prevention and their daily use in cosmetic products helps reduce UV-induced skin damage. 

Amino Acids — Amino acids are naturally present in skin, as part of what’s called our natural moisturizing factors (NMFs). Within skin’s uppermost layers, amino acids work to move moisture throughout skin, allowing our skin to thrive and stay hydrated.  Because of this, the primary benefit is that the amino acids help maintain skin’s smoothness and hydration, something they also do when applied via skin care products.  There are at least 20 amino acids that are important to our health, 11 of which your body makes on its own (alanine, arginine, asparagine, aspartic acid, cysteine, glutamic acid, glutamine, glycine, proline,...