OUR INGREDIENTS

In 1988 when we launched our first product, Hylunia was among the very first skin care companies to partner with a team of dermatologists, scientists and skin specialists to develop products using safe, organic and natural ingredients. Every ingredient is selected to maximize results and prevent skin conditions by helping your skin repair itself. As a result, every Hylunia product is safe and effective – our family uses these products, yours can too!

INGREDIENT GLOSSARY

Hyaluronic Acid (Hyaluronic Complex Solution)
Summary
Nature’s super moisturizer quenches thirsty skin and keeps it looking hydrated and fresh.

History of Hyaluronic Acid
Hyaluronic Acid is a major component of skin, where it is involved in tissue repair. Skin provides a mechanical barrier to the external environment and acts to prevent the ingress of infectious agents. Once injured, the tissues beneath are exposed to infection; therefore, rapid and effective healing is of crucial significance to reconstruct a barrier function. While found naturally throughout our body, Hyaluronic Acid unfortunately has a short shelf life and is naturally broken down and flushed out of the body in one to three days. For this reason, it is imperative that the body continually replenish itself with Hyaluronic Acid.

In 1988, Hylunia was the first and only company to base an entire skin care product line around the proven healing and hydrating properties of Hyaluronic Acid. In addition to using the highest pharmaceutical concentration of Hyaluronic Acid available, Hylunia also utilizes the sea plant Padina Pavonica < to this ingredient> to assist the body’s natural Hyaluronic Acid production for a smooth skin.

Benefits of Hyaluronic Acid
Its function in the body is, amongst other things, to bind water and to lubricate movable parts of the body, such as joints and muscles. Its tissue-friendliness allows it to be beneficial in skin-care products as an excellent moisturizer. Hyaluronic Acid is one of the most hydrophilic (water-loving) molecules in nature with numerous benefits for the human body. In fact, it can accurately be described as "nature's moisturizer".

Clinical studies have shown that radiated wounds heal quicker with Hyaluronic Acid. Holding 1000 times its weight in water, Hyaluronic Acid effectively binds water to cells, and is responsible for the elasticity and resiliency of the skin. According to Dr. Brian Jegasothy, M.D., former Chairman of the Department of Dermatology at the University of Pittsburgh: “Hyaluronic Acid is possibly the most effective topical humectants currently available: more effective in its water retention properties than glycerin, sorbitol, collagen etc. In addition, its ability to associate with lipids in skin surface membranes greatly enhances its ability to deliver its retained water and enriches its property by reducing transepidermal water loss. Thus the characteristics of Hyaluronic Acid are vital ingredients in a skin care line for its exceptional efficacy.”

Grape Seed Extract
Summary
The anti in anti-oxidant with a powerful concentration of vitamins C and E that correct damaged skin and combat aging.

History of Grape Seed Extract
Grapes have been used for their medicinal and nutritional value for thousands of years. Egyptians ate grapes at least 6,000 years ago and ancient Greek philosophers praised the healing power of grapes. European folk healers made an ointment from the sap of grapevines to treat skin and eye diseases. Grape leaves were used to stop bleeding, inflammation and pain. Unripe grapes were used to treat sore throats and dried grapes were used for constipation and thirst. Round, ripe, sweet grapes were used to treat a range of health problems including cancer, cholera, smallpox, nausea, eye infections, and skin, kidney, and liver diseases.

Grape seed extract is prepared from the seed of grapes. Grape seeds contain high concentrations of Vitamin E, flavonoids, linoleic acid, and OPCs and are used in modern day skin care products for their powerful antioxidant properties.

Benefits of Grape Seed Extract
Grape seed extract is used for a variety of health conditions including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, poor circulation and cancer prevention. In skin care, grape seed extract is used for its powerful antioxidant quality, 20-50 times more powerful than vitamin C, E and beta-carotene. As we age, our bodies produce less antioxidant to combat the aging process. Skin care products containing grape seed extract help you with wound healing and anti-aging. It also helps fight against redness of the skin due to rosacea and atopic contact dermatitis.

Arnica Montana
Summary
An infection-busting antiseptic and antibacterial that is just the thing for damaged, sunburned or inflamed skin.

History of Arnica Montana
This perennial herb is a European flowering plant that is indigenous to the mountains of Central Europe. It grows to a height of 1-2 feet and has daisy-like flowers. Fresh or dried flower heads from the Arnica Montana plant have been used since the 1500s in herbal medicine to soothe muscle aches, reduce inflammation, and heal wounds.

Calendula
Summary
A traditional antiseptic and antibacterial that is nature’s gift to soothe baby’s sensitive skin or calm sun-damaged skin.

History of Calendula
Calendula, also known as Marigold, is an annual or short-lived herbaceous perennial growing from 1 to 3 feet tall. The plant is a traditional herbal remedy well known for its anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Calendula extract is rich in beta-carotene, stearin, triterpinoids, flavonoids and coumarin, as well as microelements. For this reason, Calendula is frequently used in soothing and calming preparations, such as baby baths and creams, and after-sun skin care products for sun-damaged skin.

Benefits of Calendula
Calendula is known for its powerful wound-healing and skin-soothing properties. It is usually used externally for it’s antiseptic and healing properties in treating skin infections, cuts, punctures, scrapes, burns and chapped or chafed skin or lips. Less commonly, it is used internally to heal inflamed and infected mucous membranes.

Green Tea and Chrysanthemum
Summary
The ancients’ remedy to cure headaches, stimulate skin circulation and damage from sun exposure or free radicals.

History of Green Tea and Chrysanthemum
Ayurvedic, Chinese, Tibetan and other Eastern medical practitioners have found by experimenting over thousands of years that certain herbs, when blended in a specific ratio, work better than herbs used individually. U.S. Advanced Medical Research applies this ancient Eastern wisdom by combining a rare synergistic blend of Green Tea (Camelia Sinensis) and Chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum Indicum) that neutralizes free radicals, disrupts the inflammatory process, and stimulates microcirculation, which aids in oxygen exchange.

Benefits of Green Tea and Chrysanthemum
Extracts of green tea leaves have a plethora of health benefits. Green tea is rich in antioxidants, particularly polyphenols and catechins, which have a wide array of anti-inflammatory, adaptogenic, anticarcinogenic and antiseptic properties. L-Theanine, a chemical found in green tea, is known to soothe and calm the skin, while caffeine and epigallocatechin gallate, the most abundant catechin in green tea, helps protect the skin from UV-radiation induced damage and skin cancer formation by stimulating the production of interleukins that repair the skin’s DNA.

Chrysanthemum has been used for centuries to treat inflammation and headaches. Chrysanthemum Indicum is an aqueous extract rich in specific flavonoids and two saponosides, and it also assists in product penetration or efficacy. The high concentration of green tea and chrysanthemum provides skin with the most powerful antioxidants to protect against DNA alteration from sun exposure and free radicals.

Turmeric
Summary
An ancient spice that provides non-chemical UV protection and delivers a natural, golden glow.

History of Turmeric
Turmeric is an herbaceous perennial plant native to South Asia and has been used in that part of the world for thousands of years. Turmeric paste is traditionally used by women in South Asia as an antimicrobial and an anti-aging agent. Turmeric also figures prominently in the bridal beautification ceremonies of the Indian sub-continent. It is also used in the formulation of some sunscreens.

Benefits of Turmeric
Turmeric is well known for its anti-aging, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant and antibacterial properties and is presently being studied in cancer research. This bio-protectant neutralizes free radicals and ultra violet radiation (UV) damage. Gentle treatment of the turmeric removes the typical yellow color, so that a high percentage of turmeric can be incorporated into our products without staining the skin or compromising efficacy.

Colloidal Silver
Summary
A ninja germ-fighter that kills bacteria and helps heal skin abrasions and burns.

History of Colloidal Silver
Colloidal Silver has been described as “the best all-around germ fighter” by research scientists and is essentially a water suspension of ionic silver. Since medieval times, silver has been used as a bacterial agent that helps heal skin abrasions and burns. In natural skin care products such as Hylunia, colloidal silver makes a safe and non-irritating preservative with an added anti-inflammatory bonus.

Benefits of Colloidal Silver
The antiseptic and preservative power of colloidal silver has been well proven for decades, especially for burn wounds. Acting as a catalyst, it supports the destruction of enzymes required for the metabolism of bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Compared to standard antibiotics, Colloidal Silver has been shown to destroy several hundred different microbial strains.

Centipeda Cunninghamii Extract
Summary
An indigenous Australian plant that’s good for treating just about anything including itchy or dry skin.

History of Centipeda Cunninghamii Extract
Commonly known as Old Man Weed, it is a plant known to indigenous Australians for its medicinal properties. It can be identified by its unique shaped leaf and its pungent scent, which is pine like and minty. This extraordinary botanical extract from the Daisy family demonstrates outstanding results for its distinct ability to minimize inflammation by 4,000 times compared to methyl salicylate (Aspirin) and promotes cell regeneration, and minimizes the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Benefits of Centipeda Cunninghamii Extract
Old Man Weed was commonly used to treat hair loss and skin irritations, but the traditional belief holds that it is good for treating "just about anything." More recently, an extract of the plant has been patented and is claimed to be effective in the treatment of various skin disorders including the relief of itching and dry skin from psoriasis, as well as having anti-inflammatory, anti-allergenic, sunscreen and cell renewal properties.

Hiba Arborvitae (Aomori Hiba)
Summary
A powerful Japanese treatment to repair, heal and soothe skin.

History of Hiba Arborvitae (Aomori Hiba)
This natural oil is extracted from the large Japanese evergreen tree called Arborvitae. The Hiba occurs in mountainous areas of Japan and is one of the 'Five Sacred Trees of Kiso' often used for Shinto Temple construction.

Benefits of Hiba Arborvitae (Aomori Hiba)
The Japanese Arborvitae acts as a potent antiseptic that provides powerful healing and soothing properties in addition to stimulating cell renewal.

Alteromonas Macleodii
Summary
A rare ocean organism that is raring to correct inflammation caused by acne, rosacea, psoriasis and other skin conditions.

History of Alteromonas Macleodii
This rare ocean organism is retrieved from the depth of 1.5 miles below the volcanic oceans and fermented to produce an exopolysaccharide extract, which resembles a sugar molecule. This fermented extract minimizes the iodine (shellfish allergy) content in the product.

Benefits of Alteromonas Macleodii
Hylunia incorporates the highest concentration of this fermented extract to reduce inflammation caused by acne, rosacea, psoriasis and other skin conditions that result in irritation and inflammation. This ingredient is especially effective against the sun’s harmful UV radiation.

Plant Peptides
Summary
Super-hero molecules that promote skin rejuvenation and save your skin from premature aging.

History of Plant Peptides
Plant peptides are extracellular molecules that perform a variety of functions in a plant, including cell-to-cell communication, skin renewal and protein synthesis for a younger looking skin.

Due to the advancement of biotechnology in recent years, peptides can now be found in a range of skin care products. However, cheaper peptide formulas are unlikely to realize much, if any, of their intended purpose. Peptides being among the most expensive raw materials currently used in skin care, skin care manufacturers often include ineffective concentrations for the sole purpose of being able to claim the presence of peptides.

Benefits of Plant Peptides
The advancement of biotechnology in recent years has led to the isolation of promising peptides from plants and their use in skin care products to promote skin rejuvenation. Hylunia uses the following peptides in particular for quick and effective results -
• Zinc peptide firms and rejuvenates skin and promotes wound healing.
• Copper peptide promotes wound healing and firms and rejuvenates the skin.
• Manganese protects against oxidative stress.
• Selenium peptide is an anti-aging ingredient that protects against lipid peroxidation and boosts SPF.
• Silicon peptide is important for maintaining skin tightness.

Pumpkin Seed Peptide – Cucurbitine (patented)
Summary
Nature’s answer to protect your skin from the sun’s UV rays and skin inflammation.

History of Pumpkin Seed Peptide
Cucurbitine, a plant peptide extracted from pumpkin seed, minimizes the inflammatory process that contributes to the aging of the skin. When the skin is exposed to irritating skin care ingredients, or to the sun’s UV rays, the mast cells defensively convert histidine to histamine. The plant peptide cucurbitine minimizes this conversion. Pumpkin seed extract also prevents the conversion of phospholipids, archidonic acid, prostoglandins and leucotriens in the cell membrane, which cause inflammation.

Benefits of Pumpkin Seed Peptide
Pumpkin Seed Peptide minimizes sun damage from the sun’s UV rays and is an excellent anti-inflammatory agent. It also lowers the skin’s stress levels that can be responsible for causing skin irritation and various skin conditions.

Noni
Summary
Polynesian shrub that seals in moisture and keeps your skin looking healthy, hydrated and youthful.

History of Noni
Noni is a small evergreen shrub that grows throughout the tropical regions of the Pacific Ocean, from Southeast Asia to Australia and especially in Polynesia. Traditionally, the leaves and fruit of Noni have been used for health purposes. It has a history of use as a topical preparation for joint pain and skin conditions. Today, people drink Noni fruit juice as a general health tonic, as well as for cancer and chronic conditions such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

Benefits of Noni
Noni is not only a powerful antioxidant to fight against aging but is also an anti-inflammatory to calm irritated and damaged skin. In addition, Noni delivers moisturizing properties and helps to seal moisture in the skin. While repairing fine lines and wrinkles, Noni works at a cellular level to increase healthy cells and longer collagen fibers. This helps to create healthy, hydrated, youthful skin.

Pomegranate
Summary
Nature’s super food that effectively slows the formation of wrinkles and fine lines. No wonder our ancestors worshipped this powerful anti-oxidant!

History of Pomegranate
As an antioxidant, pomegranate fruit is among the newest kids on the anti-aging block. However, the pomegranate is a very ancient fruit with a rich and varied history across most ancient cultures. It has been mentioned in the Homeric Hymns and the Book of Exodus and is often featured in Greek mythology. To this day it holds strong symbolic meanings for modern day Greeks.

The fruit-bearing deciduous shrub grows between five and eight meters tall and is native to the Caucasus and the Himalayas in the Indian sub-continent. In fact, the ancient city of Granada in Spain was renamed after the fruit during the Moorish period. Spanish settlers went on to introduce it into Latin America and California in 1769; as a result pomegranate is now also cultivated in parts of California and Arizona.

Benefits of Pomegranate
Pomegranate is nature’s super food and know as a powerful hydrating agent, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. While it delivers a powerful anti-aging effect, it helps the skin to retain moisture and maintain proper circulation and hydration. Pomegranate is rich in ellagic acid, which helps to manage free radicals, and slows the formation of wrinkles and fine lines related to aging. It also has been found effective in aiding cell regeneration, adding tissue repair and promoting the production of collagen and elastin, giving strength and support to the skin.

Mangosteen
Summary
A team of 40 powerful anti-oxidants keep your skin looking young while antibacterial agents help drive acne and dry skin away!

History of Mangosteen
The mangosteen tree is a slow-growing, tropical evergreen tree that attains 20 to 82 ft in height. The tree is widely believed to have originated in South-east Asia, although it can also be found in some parts of Australia and tropical Africa. It was introduced in England in the 19th century and in the United States in 1906.

Benefits of Mangosteen
Mangosteen has over 40 powerful anti-oxidants known as Xanthone. These strong antioxidants help our body fight free radicals that cause fine lines and wrinkle. Mangosteen has also been found to have anti-bacterial properties to help fight against acne. Its anti-inflammatory action soothes irritated and dry skin. It is especially recommended for skin disorders such as eczema.

Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5 (patented)
Summary
Simply put, fine lines and wrinkles be gone!

History of Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5 (patented)
This is a highly bio-active, deeply skin penetrating peptide that is able to activate the tissue growth factor that stimulates collagen synthesis in the skin. Simply put, this peptide helps to strengthen skin and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Benefits of Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5 (patented)
This peptide complex minimizes eye puffiness and fluid retention under the eye. It also controls inflammation and improves firming and elasticity of the skin.

Hydroxyproline (patented)
Summary
Simply put, fine lines and wrinkles be gone!

History of Hydroxyproline (patented)
Hydroxyproline is a major component of the protein collagen and plays a key role in collagen stability in our skin. Defects in collagen synthesis lead to easy bruising, internal bleeding, breakdown of connective tissue of the ligaments and tendons, and increased risk to blood vessel damage. Increased spill of hydroxyproline in the urine is generally associated with breakdown of connective tissue due to disease process and may also be a manifestation of vitamin C deficiency.

As a nonessential amino acid, hydroxyproline does not have to be obtained directly through the diet and instead can be obtained through skin care products.

Benefits of Hydroxyproline (patented)
Hydroxyproline is important for collagen synthesis and it also inhibits the enzymes responsible for the degradation of collagen and elastin. As we age, collagen and elasticin in the skin begins to break down. Hydroxyproline helps reduce the degradation of collagen and elasticin thereby reducing wrinkles.

Palmitoyl Oligopeptide-Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-3 (patented)
Summary
Simply put, fine lines and wrinkles be gone!

History of Palmitoyl Oligopeptide-Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-3 (patented)
This peptide contains matrikines (Pal-GHK and Pal-GQPR), which act as messengers and activate certain genes to renew and repair the skin. They activate the neo-synthesis of extracellular matrix macromolecule to minimize wrinkles and fine lines, improve elasticity and tone and face lift effect.

Benefits of Palmitoyl Oligopeptide-Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-3 (patented)
This peptide is used in anti-aging skin care products as it improves skin elasticity and minimizes fine-lines and wrinkles. It is especially helpful for dry or sun-damaged skin.

Tetrapeptide-7, Dipeptide-2 and Hisperidin Methylchalcon (patented)
Summary
The anti-inflammatory properties of this peptide complex help repair skin and prevent puffiness around the eyes.

History of Tetrapeptide-7, Dipeptide-2 and Hisperidin Methylchalcon (patented)
The anti-inflammatory properties of this peptide complex help repair skin and prevent puffiness around the eyes. Peptide complexes are compounds that are designed to make use of a chain of amino acids to create and release protein to nourish the skin. As a result, certain skin care products containing this peptide complex can be effective anti-aging creams.

Benefits of Tetrapeptide-7, Dipeptide-2 and Hisperidin Methylchalcon (patented)
This peptide complex minimizes eye puffiness and fluid retention under the eye. The Lipopeptide (Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7) decreases inflammation and improves firming and elasticity. Dipeptide-2 improves lymphatic circulation and Hesperidin Methylchalcone decreases blood capillary permeability.

Hydrolyzed Soy and Rice Peptides and Oxidoreductase (patented)
Summary
A miracle peptide that significantly reduces dark circles under the eyes to help you look bright-eyed and bushy tailed.

History of Hydrolyzed Soy and Rice Peptides and Oxidoreductase (patented)
This peptide complex inhibits elastase and collagenase breakdown of connective tissue in the eye area and improves hemodynamic properties or blood supply where applied. Peptide complexes are compounds that are designed to make use of a chain of amino acids to create and release protein to nourish the skin. As a result, certain skin care products containing this peptide complex can be effective anti-aging creams.

Benefits of Hydrolyzed Soy and Rice Peptides and Oxidoreductase (patented)
In Vitro tests have shown that this peptide complex significantly reduces the rate of blood clotting thereby minimizing dark circles under the eyes. Oxidoreductase neutralizes free radicals and minimizes inflammatory processes resulting in reduced puffiness in the eye area.

Bilberry
Summary
A tonic for your skin that helps prevent skin infections and helps your skin stay healthy.

History of Bilberry
Bilberry has been used for centuries, both medicinally and as a food in jams and pies. It is a perennial shrub that is found in various climates in damp woodlands. In the U.S. it is also known as huckleberry, and there are over one hundred different species with similar fruit throughout Europe, Asia and North America. The British call it whortleberry and the Scottish call it blaeberry. It has been used as a medicinal herb since the 16th century. The berries were called black-hearts in 19th century southwestern England, according to Thomas Hardy’s 1878 novel The Return of the Native. In several other languages its name translates as "blueberry" and this is often cause for confusion with the related plant know as Blueberry.

One characteristic of bilberries is that they produce single or paired berries on the bush instead of clusters, as the blueberry does. Blueberries have more evergreen leaves. Bilberries are also softer and juicier than blueberries, making them difficult to transport. Because of these factors, the bilberry is only available fresh on markets and in gourmet stores for the most part.

Benefits of Bilberry
Bilberry fruit contains chemicals known as anthocyanosides, plant pigments with excellent antioxidant properties that help to prevent or reverse damage to cells caused by free radicals. Antioxidants are also known to fight a number of long-term illnesses such as heart disease, cancer, and an eye disorder called macular degeneration. Bilberry also contains vitamin C, which is another antioxidant. As such, Bilberries are often used as a tonic or in skin care products to prevent infections and skin diseases.

Sugar Cane
Summary
This sweet ingredient unclogs pores and exfoliates away dead cells for a cleaner, brighter look.

History of Sugar Cane
Sugar Cane is indigenous to tropical South Asia and Southeast Asia and has stout, jointed, fibrous stalks that are rich in sugar and measure 6 to 19 feet tall. Around the eighth century A.D., Arab traders introduced sugarcane to the other parts of Mesopotamia, Egypt, North Africa and Andalusia. It was among the early crops brought to the Americas by the Andalusians and the Portuguese. Starting in the 17th century, sugar plantations in the western colonies started using “boiling houses” run by slaves, to convert sugarcane juice into raw sugar, often under very poor conditions.
Sugarcane is still extensively grown in the Caribbean and was first brought by Christopher Columbus during his second voyage to the Americas. In colonial times, sugar was an important New World raw material. In fact, France found its sugarcane islands so valuable, it effectively traded its portion of Canada to Britain for their return of Guadeloupe, Martinique and St. Lucia at the end of the Seven Years’ War. Cuban sugarcane produced sugar that received price supports from and a guaranteed market in the USSR; the dissolution of that country forced the closure of most of Cuba's sugar industry.

Benefits of Sugar Cane
Glycolic acid naturally present in Cane Sugar removes dead skin cells, dirt, and oil that can clog and stretch pores. This makes sugarcane an excellent ingredient in exfoliants and masks.

Sugar Maple Extract
Summary
A natural alpha hydroxy acid that repairs cell damage caused by free radicals.

History of Sugar Maple
Sugar Maple is a species of maple native to the hardwood forests of northeastern North America. This deciduous tree usually reached a height of 82–115 ft. The fall color is often spectacular, ranging from bright yellow through orange to fluorescent red-orange.
The Sugar Maple is an extremely important species to the ecology of many forests in North America. Pure stands are common, and it is a major component of the northern and central U.S. hardwood forests. The Sugar Maple is also one of the most important Canadian trees as it is a major source of that Canadian staple – maple syrup.

Benefits of Sugar Maple Extract
Derived from the Sugar Maple tree, this extract works as a natural alpha hydroxy acid that is often used in skin care products to minimize and repair cell damage caused by free radicals.

Orange
Summary
A source of Vitamin C that improves skin texture and color and fights aging.

History of Orange
Orange is the most commonly grown tree fruit in the world and is a hybrid of ancient cultivated origin. Orange trees are widely cultivated in tropical and subtropical climates for the delicious sweet fruit, which is peeled or cut and eaten whole, or processed to extract orange juice and also for the fragrant peel. Oranges likely originated in Southeast Asia and were cultivated in China by 2500 BC. The name is thought to derive ultimately from Sanskrit.
Benefits of Orange
Oranges are a good source of Vitamin C, which is known to improve skin texture and color. They also help to restore collagen in our skin, thus helping to minimize premature aging, fine lines and wrinkles.

Lemon
Summary
A natural remedy for acne. Who knew lemons are good for a lot more than lemonade?

History of Lemon
Similar to the Orange < to Orange page>, the lemon is both a small evergreen tree native to Asia, and the tree's oval yellow fruit. Arguably first grown in India, Burma and China, the fruit is known for its anti-septic properties and was used as an antidote to poison in earlier eras.

Lemons were introduced to Europe, via Italy, in the 1st century AD but were not widely cultivated until the 15th century in Genoa. The tree was introduced to the Americas in 1493 when Christopher Columbus visited Hispaniola. Subsequently, Spanish conquest throughout the New World helped spread lemon seeds. It was mainly used as ornament and medicine. In the 18th and 19th centuries, lemons were increasingly planted in Florida and California, when lemons began to be used in cooking and flavoring.

Benefits of Lemon
Lemon juice in Skin Care is a natural exfoliant, skin brightener and anti-infective. Lemon juice is rich in fruit acids that will exfoliate to gently remove dead skin cells and will also bleach darkened or discolored areas. Lemon juice has also been traditionally used as an acne remedy.

Lime
Summary
Make your friends go lime-green with envy with this natural aid to beautiful skin. Buh-bye acne, dry or oily skin!

History of Lime
Lime refers to a number of different citrus fruits, which are typically round, green to yellow in color, and containing sour and acidic pulp. Limes are a good source of Vitamin C and are used to accent the flavors of foods and beverages. Limes are grown all year round and are usually smaller and more sour than Lemons < to lemon page>.
Benefits of Lime
Lime juice is one of the best natural skin care remedies and a natural aid to beautiful skin. It also helps fight acne and is known to help control oily skin, improve a dull and greasy complexion, improve rough dry skin spots, relieve tired eyes and lessen the appearance of freckles.

Witch Hazel
Summary
This bewitching ingredient soothes bruised, swollen or acne-ridden skin – unlike harsh drug store treatments.

History of Witch Hazel
The witch-hazels are deciduous shrubs and occasionally small trees that that grow to a height of 3-8 m. The name has its origins in Middle English wiche, from the Old English wice, meaning "pliant" or "bendable". They are popular ornamental plants, with their clusters of rich yellow to orange-red flowers, which begin to expand in the autumn and continue throughout the winter.

The bark and leaves of the plant have astringent properties while the extract is often used medicinally.

Benefits of Witch Hazel
Witch hazel has been used for many generations to treat skin problems. It can be used to provide soothing relief to sores, bruises and swelling in its liquid astringent form. Witch hazel’s antioxidant and astringent properties make it effective against acne; it is gentle and non-drying to the skin, unlike many harsh acne medications found in drug stores.

Skin conditions such as psoriasis and eczema can be effectively treated with witch hazel. These conditions are unsightly and painful, but witch hazel may be used to soothe both the visible symptoms and the pain associated with them. These characteristics also make witch hazel a good option for sunburn.

Rose Water
Summary
A gentle astringent that keeps all skin types moisturized and hydrated throughout the year.

History of Rose Water
Rose Water or Rose Syrup is the hydrosol (or by-product) portion of the distillate of rose petals, generated in a process used for the production of rose oil for perfumes. Rose Water is used to flavor food, as a component in some cosmetic and medical preparations, and for religious purposes throughout Europe and Asia.

Benefits of Rose Water
Rose water is used in skin care for its lovely scent, but also because it has light astringent properties. As the gentlest of all astringents, rose water is often used as toner for fair and dry skin. It may also be used to hydrate and moisturize dry skin or all skin types during the dry winter months.

Shea Butter
Summary
Magically heal burns, dryness and other skin conditions with this ingredient dubbed “women’s gold”.

History of Shea Butter
Shea butter is an ivory-colored natural fat extracted from the nut of the African shea tree by crushing, boiling and stirring. It is widely used in skin care as a moisturizer, salve or lotion. Shea butter is also edible and may be used in food preparation, even occasionally used as a substitute for cocoa butter.

Shea butter is sometimes called “women’s gold”, because extracting the butter from the nuts gives employment and income to hundreds of thousands of rural African village women. Shea butter is so non-toxic and beneficial that it is used in foods and cooking as well as soaps and beauty products.

Benefits of Shea Butter
African healers and beauties have known about shea butter for thousands of years: the substance is almost magical in its healing effects on burns, skin conditions, ulcerated skin, stretch marks, and dryness. It contains beneficial vegetable fats that promote cell regeneration and circulation, making it a wonderful healer and rejuvenator for troubled or aging skin. It also contains natural sun-protectants.

Horsetail
Summary
This therapeutic astringent heals damaged skin and improved skin circulation -you won’t want to look this gift horse in the mouth!

History of Horsetail
Horsetail is the only living genus in the Equisetaceae < to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Equisetaceae > genus of vascular plants, plants that reproduce through spores rather than seeds. This ancient plant dominated the lowest levels (by height) of late Paleozoic forests over one hundred million years ago. The name "horsetail", often used for the entire group, arose because the branched species somewhat resemble a horse's tail.

This herb has been used therapeutically since ancient Roman and Greek times and the Greek physician Claudius Galenus first recorded its use, while the seventeenth century English herbalist, Nicholas Culpepper used it to treat ulcers, wounds, ruptures and inflammations in the skin. Indian Ayurvedic medicine, nineteenth century American Eclectic physicians, North American aborigine, as well as Asian herbal practitioners have made use of it.

Benefits of Horsetail
Horsetail is high in vegetal silica and has diuretic, astringent and wound healing properties, and is useful for improving circulation, as well as boosting and rejuvenating the connective tissue and regenerating skin cells. The high silica content also has a softening and smoothing effect on the skin and is assists a healthy skin composition.

Wasabi
Summary
A potent concentration of potassium, calcium and vitamin C that bolsters your body’s anti-oxidant defenses.

History of Wasabi
The Wasabi plant, also known as Japanese horseradish, grows naturally along stream beds in mountain river valleys in Japan. Its root is used as a condiment and has an extremely strong flavor. Its hotness is more akin to that of a hot mustard rather than the capsaicin in a chili pepper, producing vapors that stimulate the nasal passages more than the tongue.

Benefits of Wasabi
Historically, the potent plant has been known for its antimicrobial properties and has been proven as a natural antibacterial agent with a high concentration of potassium, calcium, vitamin C and phytochemicals, strengthening the body's antioxidant defenses and aiding the skin against free radicals.

Sesame Oil
Summary
A feel good therapeutic ingredient used for it’s anti-oxidant, anti-depressing properties.

History of Sesame Oil
Sesame Oil is an edible vegetable oil derived from sesame seeds. Sesame was cultivated during the Indus valley civilization and was the main oil crop. Sesame seeds were one of the first crops processed for oil as well as one of the earliest condiments. The extraction of sesame oil from the sesame seed is not a completely automated process. In the fairy tale “Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves” the sesame fruit serves as a symbol for wealth. When the fruit capsule opens, it releases a real treasure: the sesame seeds. However, a great deal of manual work is necessary before this point is reached. That may explain why sesame is seldom cultivated in Western industrialized agricultural areas.

Benefits of Sesame Oil
Sesame oil is a source of Vitamin E, an anti-oxidant that has been correlated with lowering cholesterol levels. As with most plant-based condiments, sesame oil contains magnesium, copper, calcium, iron, zinc, and vitamin B6. Copper provides relief for rheumatoid arthritis. Magnesium supports vascular and respiratory health. Calcium helps prevent colon cancer, osteoporosis, migraine, and PMS. Zinc promotes bone health.

Various constituents present in the sesame oil have anti-oxidant and anti-depressant properties. Therefore proponents encourage its use to help fight senile changes and bring about a sense of well-being. Adherents for its therapeutic use reports claims of feeling better than when not using it.

Licorice
Summary
Whether or not you like licorice candy, your skin will just eat up this ingredient for a brighter, lighter look. Perfect for redness or hyper-pigmentation.

History of Licorice
The Licorice plant is a legume (related to beans and peas) that is native to southern Europe and parts of Asia. It is a herbaceous perennial, growing to 1 m in height.

Licorice flavor is found in a wide variety of candies; originally started in Pontefract in Yorkshire. Licorice is also popular in Italy and Spain in its natural form. The root of the plant is simply dug up, washed and chewed as a mouth freshener. Throughout Italy unsweetened Licorice is consumed in the form of small black pieces made only from 100% pure Licorice extract.

Benefits of Licorice
Licorice root extract helps control redness and flushing on the skin and is often used to treat skin conditions like rosacea. Licorice's main component, glycyrrhizinate has been proven to be an effective anti-inflammatory and moisturizer. It also has the ability to brighten/lighten the skin and prevents further hyper-pigmentation.

Bearberry (Uva-Ursi)
Summary
Get the skinny on this traditional antidote to obesity, used in skin care to reduce pigmentation and lighten skin.

History of Bearberry
Bearberries are three species of dwarf shrubs that grow in Arctic and sub-Arctic climates, and have a circumpolar distribution in northern North America, Asia and Europe. The name bearberry derives from the edible fruit said to be consumed by bears. While the fruit is edible, the leaves of the plant are used in herbal medicine. Native Americans used bearberry tea to treat inflammation of the urinary tract, urethritis, kidney stones, and cystitis. The Cheyenne use the tea to treat back sprains. The berries are also made into a tea that is used to ward off obesity.

Benefits of Bearberry
The leaves of the Bearberry plant contain arbutin, a non-irritation but effective derivative of the skin lightener hydroquinone, which reduces the formation of pigment-producing melanin.

Papain, Papaya
Summary
This versatile natural ingredient is used in exfoliants to break down impurities and cleanse your skin.

History of Papain, Papaya
Papain is an enzyme present in papaya, the fruit of a large tree-like plant of the same name. The Papaya tree was originally native to Mexico, Central America, and northern South America, the papaya is now cultivated in most tropical countries. Papayas can be used as a food, a cooking aid, and in medicine. The stem and bark are also used in rope production. Papaya is also marketed in tablet form to remedy digestive problems.
Papain is a highly potent plant enzyme isolated from papaya when the fruit is unripe & green. It is applied topically in countries where it grows, for the treatment of cuts, rashes, stings and burns.

Benefits of Papain, Papaya
Papain is very effective in skin renewal and skin lightening. It also functions as an exfoliator, skin softener and moisturizer and helps fight acne. What’s more, the enzyme helps the body combat free radicals, thus preventing premature ageing.

Amla and Brahmi
Summary
These Ayurvedic herbs have been used for hundreds of years to exfoliate and detox skin for a healthy, radiant glow.

History of Amla and Brahmi
The Indian Gooseberry, or Amla, is a deciduous tree known for its edible fruit of the same name. Brahmi or Water Hyssop is a perennial, creeping herb that grows throughout India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, China, Taiwan, and Vietnam, as well as Florida, Hawaii and other southern U.S. states.

Benefits of Amla and Brahmi
The amla fruit is valued mostly for its vitamin C content and is used by Ayurvedic doctors for numerous health benefits, including anti-aging and respiratory disorders. It has cooling astringent properties and is revitalizing and regenerative for most skin disorders.

Brahmi is another Ayurvedic herb that it well known in Asia for it’s calming, detoxifying properties and is widely used in children’s products.

Patchouli
Summary
Patchouli kickstarts skin regeneration to minimize scarring and promote wound-healing. It puts the ‘p’ in perfect for acne-prone and problem skin.

History of Patchouli
Patchouli is a bushy herb of the mint family, bearing pale pink-white flowers. The plant is native to tropical regions of Asia, and is now extensively cultivated in China, Indonesia, India, Malaysia, Mauritius, Taiwan, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam, as well as West Africa. The heavy and strong scent of patchouli has been used for centuries in perfumes, and more recently in incense, insect repellents, and alternative medicines.

Benefits of Patchouli
Patchouli is ideal for promoting and stimulating new cell growth, as well as assisting with the healing of wounds, while preventing the formation of ugly scar tissue. It also helps to calm inflamed skin as found in acne-prone and problem skin.

Tangerine
Summary
This fresh, citrusy stress buster helps minimize stretch marks and cellulite.

History of Tangerine
The Tangerine is an orange-colored citrus fruit which is a variety of the Mandarin orange, although smaller and easier to peel, with a less sour taste. Tangerines have been cultivated for over 3,000 years in China and were brought to Europe in 1805, then to North America where much of the world's Tangerine essential oil is produced. They are a good source of vitamin C, folate and beta-carotene. They also contain potassium, magnesium and vitamins B1, B2 and B3.

Benefits of Tangerine
Tangerine essential oil is wonderfully sweet, fresh and citrusy and is thought to promote happiness, and help with nervousness and anxiety. In addition, Tangerine can be beneficial to the skin, thought to minimize the formation of stretch marks and helps break down cellulite.

Yiang Yiang
Summary
This aphrodisiac also softens and balances the moisture content in skin.

History of Yiang Yiang
Yiang Yiang is an evergreen tree valued for its perfume and native to the Philippines and Indonesia and is commonly grown in Polynesia, Melanesia and Micronesia. The essential oil of ylang-ylang is used in aromatherapy. It is believed to relieve high blood pressure, normalize sebum secretion for skin problems, and is considered to be an aphrodisiac.

Benefits of Yiang Yiang
Added to the skin care preparation, Yiang Yiang oil is beneficial in softening and balancing the moisture of the skin. It is also recommended for dry and oily skin and is reputed to have a balancing action on sebum production.

Bergamot
Summary
You don’t have to be in Europe to enjoy the soothing, antiseptic properties of this ingredient to prevent infection and correct skin conditions.

History of Bergamot
The Bergamot Orange is a fragrant fruit the size of an Orange, with a yellow color similar to a Lemon < to Lemon page>. The plant is a native of Calabria, southern Italy, where more than 80% are found. It is also grown in southern France and in Ivory Coast for the essential oil.

An essence extracted from the aromatic skin of this sour fruit is used to flavor Earl Grey and Lady Grey teas, and confectionery.

Benefits of Bergamot
Bergamot is used in many skin care creams and lotions, which harness its cooling, refreshing nature. Bergamot is ideally suited for skin conditions such as psoriasis as it helps to calm inflamed skin. It also has antiseptic properties, which help ward off infection and aid recovery.

Cinnamon
Summary
Spice up your skin care with this anti-bacterial astringent that soothes, stimulates and relaxes skin for that spa-at-home feeling.

History of Cinnamon
Cinnamon is a spice obtained from the inner bark of several trees from the genus Cinnamomum, indigenous to the island of Sri Lanka in Southeast Asia. The spice has been used for thousands of years. It was imported into Egypt as far back as 2000 BC and is mentioned in both the Hebrew Bible and the Talmud. It was so highly prized among ancient nations that it was regarded as a gift fit for monarchs. However, spice merchants kept the source of the spice secret through ancient times and the Middle Ages.

In the present day, Sri Lanka produces 90% of the world's cinnamon, followed by China, India, and Vietnam. It has a broad range of historical health applications in different cultures, and over the years some of the anecdotal uses have included boosting cognitive function and memory, treating rheumatism, helping with digestion and relieving certain menstrual disorders.

Benefits of Cinnamon
Other than being used to spice food, cinnamon is also used in skin care for it’s astringent, anti-bacterial properties to soothe skin irritations. It also stimulates and warms the skin and is used in massage products to help relax muscles.

Clove
Summary
Kiss stressed, acne-prone skin goodbye with this herb known for its antiseptic properties.

History of Cloves
Cloves are the aromatic dried flower buds of the clove tree, an evergreen native to Indonesia. Cloves are used as a spice in cuisines all over the world and are harvested primarily in Indonesia, Madagascar, Zanzibar, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka; they are also grown in India and Vietnam.

Cloves can be used in cooking either whole or in a ground form, but as they are extremely strong, they are used sparingly. Cloves have historically been used in Indian cuisine; in the US, it is often sold under the name of "chai" or "chai tea", as a way of differentiating it from other types of teas sold in the US. Due to the Indonesian influence, the use of cloves is widespread in the Netherlands. Cloves are used in cheeses, often in combination with cumin.

Clove is rich in minerals such as calcium, hydrochloric acid, iron, phosphorus, sodium, potassium, and vitamin A and vitamin C. As a result, Cloves are used in Indian Ayurvedic medicine, Chinese medicine and western herbalism and dentistry, where the essential oil is used as painkiller for dental emergencies.

Benefits of Cloves
Due to their antiseptic properties, Cloves are often used in skin care products for acne-prone skin. Clove oil has a stimulating effect on the mind and removes mental exhaustion and fatigue. It also induces sleep and is helpful to insomnia patients and is considered useful for treating loss of memory, depression and anxiety.

Nutmeg
Summary
This age-old spice has had hundreds of years to perfect its anti-aging properties.

History of Nutmeg
The Nutmeg tree is an evergreen tree indigenous to the Spice Islands of Indonesia and is important for two spices derived from the fruit: Nutmeg and Mace. Nutmeg is the actual seed of the tree while Mace is the dried "lacy" reddish covering of the seed. This is the only tropical fruit that is the source of two different spices.

Nutmeg is known to have been a prized and costly spice in European medieval cuisine as a flavoring, medicinal, and preservative agent. In Elizabethan times, it was believed nutmeg could ward off the plague, lending to its popularity. An interesting factoid is that the U.S. state Connecticut gets its nickname ("the Nutmeg State”) from the legend that some unscrupulous Connecticut traders would whittle "nutmeg" out of wood, creating a "wooden nutmeg" - a term which came to mean any fraud.

Benefits of Nutmeg
Nutmeg has anti-inflammatory properties and can help to heal scars and minimize their appearance. Macelignan, an active chemical found in Nutmeg, has recently been shown to help increase the volume of adipose (fat) tissue found underneath the skin. This action can help to fill in wrinkles and expression lines. In addition, macelignan has been found to help increase the development of new adipose cells, which naturally decline with aging.

Lavender
Summary
This aromatic miracle worker heals skin, reduces inflammation and helps fight acne and other skin conditions.

History of Lavender
The Lavenders are a genus of 39 species of flowering plants distributed across Africa, the Mediterranean, South-West Asia, Arabia, Western Iran and Southeast India. The genus is thought to have originated in Asia but is most diversified in its western distribution. Since Lavender cross-pollinates easily, there are countless variations within the species. The color of the flowers of some forms has also come to be called Lavender.

Benefits of Lavender
Lavender has a host of benefits when used in skin care products. It is excellent at helping the skin heal itself, stimulating cell growth, reducing inflammation, preventing scarring and balancing the production of oil while at the same time cutting down on localized pain - all much-needed properties when fighting acne and problem skin.

Thyme
Summary
Fight time and bacteria with this antiviral astringent that keeps your skin in tip-top condition.

History of Thyme
Thyme is a culinary and medicinal herb that was used by Ancient Egyptians for embalming. The ancient Greeks used it in their baths and burnt it as incense in their temples, believing it was a source of courage. The Romans are widely credited with spreading the use of Thyme throughout Europe, as they used it to purify their rooms. In the European Middle Ages, the herb was placed beneath pillows to aid sleep and ward off nightmares.

The essential oil of common Thyme is made up of 20-54% thymol, an antiseptic that is also the main active ingredient in Listerine mouthwash. Before the advent of modern antibiotics, it was used to medicate bandages and can still be found as the active ingredient in all-natural, alcohol-free hand sanitizers.

Benefits of Thyme
Thyme is a great antioxidant and also helps to improve skin tone and providing good astringent qualities. It is also a powerful antifungal and antiviral agent – helping to keep your skin in tip-top condition.

Rosemary
Summary
Give it up for the herb that helped Aphrodite looks youthful with tight, firm and healthy skin through the ages.

History of Rosemary
Rosemary is a woody, perennial herb with fragrant, evergreen, needle-like leaves. It is native to the Mediterranean region and is a member of the mint family of herbs. Derived from the Latin word for “dew of the sea”, Rosemary is often associated with the goddess Aphrodite as well as the Virgin Mary, who was supposed to have spread her cloak over a white-blossomed rosemary bush when she was resting; according to legend, the flowers turned blue, the color most associated with Mary. The flower has long represented the ideals of love, loyalty and remembrance since the Middle Ages.

Benefits of Rosemary
Rosemary is an excellent ingredient for anti-aging creams, as it has toning and binding effects on loose, sagging skin, while at the same time increasing blood flow and promoting proper skin function. It also helps to relieve skin congestion and the diuretic attributes help to reduce puffiness and swelling, resulting in firmer skin and better skin tone. It promotes a healthy-looking complexion.

Frankincense
Summary
The gift that keeps on giving by healing damaged skin, and reducing scarring and inflammation.

History of Frankincense
Frankincense is an aromatic resin obtained from the bark of the Boswellia tree, considered native to Lebanon. It is used in incense and perfumes. Frankincense is tapped from the very scraggly but hardy Boswellia tree by slashing the bark and allowing the exuded resins to bleed out and harden.

Frankincense has been traded on the Arabian Peninsula and in North Africa for more than 5000 years. According to the gospel of Matthew 2:11, gold, frankincense, and myrrh were among the gifts to Jesus by the Biblical Magi. The Egyptians ground the charred resin into a powder called kohl that was as eyeliner. The aroma of frankincense is said to represent life and the Judaic, Christian, and Islamic faiths have often used frankincense mixed with oils to anoint newborn infants and individuals considered to be moving into a new phase in their spiritual lives. Frankincense resin is edible and often used in various traditional medicines in Asia for digestion and healthy skin.

Benefits of Frankincense
Today, Frankincense is used in skin care for its skin rejuvenation properties. It has excellent cytophylactic properties that encourages the growth of skin cells and also effectively heals sores and wounds, and reduces scarring and skin inflammation.

Sandalwood
Summary
Step it up with this fragrant anti-microbial ingredient that helps clear blackheads and spots.

History of Sandalwood
Sandalwood is a class of fragrant woods from trees in the genus Santalum. The woods are heavy, yellow, and fine-grained, and unlike many other aromatic woods they retain their fragrance for decades. Sandalwoods are found in India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Australia, Indonesia, and the Pacific Islands.
Benefits of Sandalwood
Sandalwood’s anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial characteristics, as well as its inherent fragrance, make it worthy of being part of anyone’s skin care regimen. Its main component beta-santalol has antimicrobial properties, and helps to clear skin from blackheads and spots. It is also used in aromatherapy and to prepare soaps.

Mango
Summary
Color us mango with this Asian staple and source of concentrated amounts of vitamin A, B, C, calcium and potassium for a younger looking skin.

History of Mango
The Mango is a fleshy stone fruit from the mango tree, a tree native to India from where it spread all over the world. It is also the most cultivated fruit of the tropical world. The tree itself can be long lived; some trees are known to bear fruit even after 300 years. Mangoes have been cultivated in South Asia for thousands of years and reached East Asia between the 5th and 4th centuries BC. The tree is now cultivated in most frost-free tropical and warmer subtropical climates; more than a third of the world's mangoes are cultivated in India alone followed by China.

The fruit also has a great deal of cultural significance. The mango is the national fruit of India, Pakistan and the Philippines. In Australia, mangoes are considered to be a symbol of summer and the first mangoes of the season are traditionally sold at an auction for charity.

Benefits of Mango
This extraordinary fruit contains high amounts of vitamin A and also contains Vitamins B, C, calcium and potassium, which help in imparting a younger-looking skin. It is helps in regeneration of skin cells it restore the elasticity of skin. Including mango in skin care regimen ensures that dry skin is moisturized and wrinkle formation is minimized. It also helps to shield the skin from clogged pores and sun damages.