Skin Care Ingredient Dictionary

There are literally thousands of ingredients that go into skin care products today many of which are natural, organic and healthy, and many that are not so natural, organic or healthy. Some are beneficial to the skin, and yet many are seriously detrimental to your skin and your health.

Alchemilla products are created from natural ingredients that are not known to be toxic to people or the planet. Our goal in using all natural ingredients is to produce products that are highly beneficial to the long term health of the skin and promote an authentic radiant beauty. As a testimony to this, Alchemilla products have been reviewed for years by Environmental Working Group's "Campaign for Safe Cosmetics" and consistently scored very low hazard potential. Alchemilla is also now classed as "Champion and Innovator" in EWG's 2011 MarketShift report.

Although most of us can understand a basic plant name and realize that it is a natural ingredient from its botanical name alone, there are many natural-sourced ingredients that, from their FDA-compliant (INCI) name alone, may not seem all that friendly until one understands what they actually are and where they came from.

To help you better understand the ingredients found in Alchemilla natural skin care products, below is a list and explanation of the ingredients that may not be immediately recognizable because of their INCI name on our ingredient labels.

Allantoin

Powerful anti-irritant, anti-psoriatic skin-soothing agent derived from Comfrey and Sugar Beets.

Ascorbyl Palmitate

A stabilized form* of Vitamin C - a natural antioxidant sourced from vitamins. Vitamin C is used in various Alchemilla products to address issues ranging from skin aging and wrinkles to regeneration, skin discoloration and cell growth.

*It is important to use anti-aging skin care products with stabilized Vitamin C. The reason is that simple Ascorbic Acid, a common form of Vitamin C usually taken internally, is extremely unstable, and quickly ineffective, once it has come into contact with water or exposed to air.

Benzyl Alcohol

A safe, effective, food grade preservative obtained from plant material.

Capric/Caprylic Triglycerides

Emollient derived from coconut oil (we use an organic source).

Cetearyl Alcohol

Emulsifier and emollient derived from coconut and palm oils.

Citric Acid

pH buffering agent derived from citrus fruits. Helps stabilize active ingredients. Enhances activity of antioxidants and preservatives.

Disodium Cocoyl Glutamate

A very mild, non-irritating, biodegradable surfactant derived from natural sources.

Glycerin

Vegetable derived humectant. Attracts and holds water to the skin's intercellular spaces, plumping up the look of the skin and supporting its natural protective function.

Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride

A biodegradable derivative of Guar Gum bean with incredible softening and conditioning properties.

Lanolin

A powerful moisture replenishing, preserving and emulsifying fat that is humanely obtained from the wool of sheep. We use a well refined, impurity-free, USP-grade lanolin that is unlikely to cause irritation.

Lauryl Glucoside

A natural, biodegradable, extremely mild cleansing ingredient derived from renewable raw materials, ie. glucose from corn, coconut and palm kernel. Unlike most other cleansing actives, Lauryl Glucoside behaves a lot like water on the skin. It does not dehydrate the skin like soap, and maintains hydrolipidic balance very well.

Niacinamide (Vitamin B3)

Found in Antioxidant Concentrate Serum. A heat and light-stable anti-inflammatory vitamin that has been shown to help erase skin discoloration, stimulate collagen and ceramide synthesis, increase micro-circulation and increase hydration.

Polyglucose

Mild cleansing agent derived from corn and coconut.

Polysorbate 20

Water-Oil emulsifier derived from plant derived fatty acids.

Potassium Sorbate

Mild food grade preservative derived from natural fatty acid.

Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate

A very mild, non-irritating, biodegradable surfactant derived from natural sources.

Tocobiol (Non-GMO Vitamin E)

Natural lipid-soluble vitamin and antioxidant. Protects skin from oxidative stress and damage. Preserves and facilitates absorption of vitamin C and antioxidants into the skin. We source a non-GMO, vegetable-derived form of vitamin E.

Xanthan Gum

A thickening agent derived from corn sugar.