The Pomegranate is an ancient sacred fruit that is known to have multiple health benefits.
The English name "pomegranate" is derived from Middle French—pomme garnete or “seeded apple.” Pomegranates are believed to have originated in Iran, known at that time as Persia.
In Greek mythology, Pomegranates represent the cycle of death and rebirth.
Referred to as “The Fruit of Life”, Pomegranates were a significant fruit for several religious, cultural, spiritual, and medical practices.
In modern skincare we have re-discovered those ancient recipes and formulations and have incorporated this healthy superfood into highly effective skincare products.
But let’s take a closer look into the benefits and compounds of this miracle plant.
Anti Aging Antioxidants: One Pomegranate contains almost half of the recommended daily intake of vitamin C, but also multiple other antioxidants such as anthocyanins, ellagic acid, and tannins.
This makes it an important ally in preventing and repairing free radical damage, which is a big cause of skin aging,
Cell Regeneration: Pomegranates are helping to protect the epidermis (the outer layer of the skin) and are able to support skin cell regeneration in the epidermis and dermis (inner layer), as well as aiding in tissue repair and wound healing.
Sun Protection: They have sun protective compounds that may protect the skin against free radical damage, help prevent skin cancer, relieve sunburn and reduce the signs of sun damage. Researchers have found that ellagic acid, a polyphenol antioxidant found in large quantities in pomegranates, could inhibit the growth of skin tumors.4
Skin Conditioning: Pomegranates can promote smooth and firm skin by boosting collagen and elastin production.
To conclude, Pomegranate oil is a great ingredient for skincare because it penetrates deeply into the skin. Furthermore it is known to support hormonal balance in both men and women, thereby enhancing skin texture. Aside from lending moisturising and firming properties, it nourishes skin while offering soothing and protective properties, especially to skin that is irritated and sunburned. It has been found to reduce the appearance of scarring.
It works for most skin types depending on the skin care ingredients pomegranate is combined with.
If you would like to experience the amazing benefits of this 'Nature's Power Fruit" for yourself, try fuishena’s Divine Ambrosia Moisturiser with Certified organic Pomegranate Seed Oil.
]]>This is a controversial subject and to look at current skincare recommendations critically is not well received by the industry. Despite this we feel it is an important matter to examine and look at skincare trends from a holistic viewpoint.
In recent years the 11- step formula of asian celebrities’ skincare has established itself as the top routine for skincare enthusiasts all over the world.
On the other end we have the single ingredient trend where you buy multiple single ingredients or specific function products and apply them in a certain order.
To really understand the steps and types of products that are to be applied one after the other has most peoples heads spinning though.
So we ask the bold question : How much skincare is too much?
To answer this question we have to look a bit further than the marketing messages that sell us this or that new trend as the ultimate secret to becoming beautiful.
What we have to understand first is that our skin is not a sponge that soaks up what you put on it.
Rather it is a security membrane that keeps the insides safe from external attacks. In this case our skin is very selective in what and how much it takes from external sources.
The fact that externally applied supplements like magnesium oil or iron creams work and end up in our bloodstream eventually is proof that the skin is permeable to a certain extent and specific substances.
Though when multiple creams, serums, mists ,and moisturisers or a multitude of single ingredient products are applied on top of each other they tend to just sit on your skin and get washed away with your next shower.
It is simply too much for the skin to take in.
From your bodies’ perspective being wrinkle-free is not high on its priority list. Surviving is. So it is more crucial to prevent possible harmful substances from entering the body than allowing multiple new products to intrude.
Another routine has also become widely overused. The application of harsh vitamins and acids for peels and wrinkle treatment.
These come in potentially dangerous concentrations and belong, if anything into the hands of skin professionals.
When our skin reacts to the application of a substance, with redness, irritation, burning, itching, drying, flaking and peeling, common sense tells us that this substance is too harsh for our skin.
In the case of retinol and other chemical peels though, we often get told we just need to get the skin used to it.
It is true that you can desensitise the skin so it will not react after a while.
The reason being, that the body has thickened the skin with dense collagenous fibers in the area of application to heal and protect itself from further injury.
You know what that is called? Scar tissue.
So the reason your skin feels tighter and less wrinkly is because the micro injuries that the product has caused have turned into scar tissue.
That explains the almost mask-like appearance of some older celebrities that have been using these procedures and substances for a long time.
(Amongst other micro and macro injuring procedures of course)
In micro-needling for example the skin is purposefully injured to trigger an inflammation and healing process that will thicken and tighten the skin due to scar tissue. Sounds pretty crazy when you put it like that.
Botox injections are another harmful substance that is being used very carelessly nowadays.
Botox is the name of the botulinum toxin, produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum.
It is a neurotoxin that can develop in bad food under anaerobic conditions, and is lethal even in small amounts. It paralyses nerves and in consequence muscles and that is the reason it reduces wrinkles, because we just cant move these parts of our face any longer.
We believe it's time to rethink skincare on a great scale, like so many other things that have completely gone out of control in our profit driven society.
So what principles could we follow to be more in touch with our health and our body and really care for its needs?
Yes, there are dead skin cells on top of your skin but they protect your skin as well.
'Glass skin' as it is called in Asia, is very prone to get inflamed or react to outside factors because it is literally stripped down to its most sensitive layer. That is not sensible nor nice to your body.
Your skin is constantly working on protecting the body but we keep ripping away at our only layer that keeps us together.
Let's all be clear here, to this date no cure has been found against ageing.
The only thing that we can do is working on staying as healthy as possible in mind and body and this mindset will show on our skin.
The skin with its large surface is used by the body to rid itself of toxins, that is the reason a bad lifestyle will show on your skin.
We can gently support our skin in its task of protecting us from external forces.
The goal is to age gracefully instead of punishing our skin for showing signs of exhaustion.
A simple skincare routine with natural and gentle ingredients to nourish and hydrate your skin is all that you need and will lead to more harmony in the connection of mind and body, and more harmony means more beauty.
Fuishena skincare produces natural botanical and mineral skincare products that have been trialed and tested for efficacy and skin tolerance.
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Bearberry also known as (arctostaphylos uva-ursi) is a small arctic shrub that produces bright red berries, but it is the leaves of this plant that are used to make Bearberry Leaf Extract, as they contain an array of diverse phytochemicals.
The foliage of this shrub contains a natural lightening compound called arbutin, which has very powerful lightening and brightening properties, perfect for tackling dark spots, age spots and melasma in the skin.
Furthermore, arbutin (a type of hydroquinone) is a popular skin-lightening ingredient used in a variety of skincare products, which works by reducing melanin synthesis and by inhibiting the enzyme tyrosinase, therefore fading hyper-pigmentation in the skin as the melanin productions is decreased.
Besides its brightening features, it is also known for its great anti-bacterial and anti-oxidant properties, which give the extract the ability to scavenge free radicals in the skin. These unstable molecules would normally contribute to the formation of premature wrinkles and fine lines if the anti-oxidative power of the Bearberry Leaf Extract would not eliminate them.
So it is to remember that Bearberry Leaf Extract is usually delivered in small doses in brightening skin care products so its powerful lightening effect remains gentle and natural. Bearberry is also packed with antioxidants that deliver anti-ageing properties to the skin, fight pre-mature wrinkles and fine lines, as well as anti-bacterial features that reduce bacterial infection and inflammation. It also has natural sun protective benefits for the skin.
And if you're interested in trying a product rich in Bearberry Leaf Extract, our Divine Nektar Serum is the perfect fit.
]]>An antioxidant prevents or reverses an oxidation process.
What is Oxidation, you ask?
Think of an old iron gate that is slowly rusting away or a cut-up apple that is turning brown. These are everyday oxidation processes where you can see how oxygen ions, called free radicals, attack and slowly destroy the surface of another object.
To get a better understanding we have to look at it on a molecular level so let's revisit our Year 9 Chemistry classroom. ;)
Two Oxygen atoms normally form a stable molecule with a neutral electric charge.
Now there are several factors which we discuss later that can break up this bond, leaving positively charged oxygen ions behind. That makes these atoms highly unstable and reactive, they seek an electron to return to their stable state. So they attack other molecules for example in cells to 'steal' an electron, effectively damaging the cell or even the DNA in this process.
This also happens inside your body as a normal everyday metabolism reaction and is essentially what the aging process is about.
Free radicals in the body cause degradation as they kill membranes of cells and make cells susceptible to decline and pathogens. Such free radicals destroy DNA and mitochondria, the fundamental building blocks of all tissues, and may leave many health problems in their course.
Now here come the antioxidants into play. Those are molecules or elements that have plenty of electrons and are eager to bond with the free radicals or donate an electron to them. That neutralises the free radical, in the case of a free oxygen ion it just produces an oxygen molecule which is very beneficial for the body.
When we hear antioxidant we normally think of Vitamin C but this is not the only substance, there are plenty other molecules that are also antioxidant and sometimes way more efficient than vitamin C.
Here is just a small list of some major antioxidants that not only work as a supplement intake but also work on the skin.
fullerene - carbon based mineral
beta-carotene – pumpkin, mangoes, apricots, carrots, spinach
vitamin A – liver, sweet potatoes, carrots, milk, and egg yolk
vitamin E – vegetable oils, avocados, nuts, seeds and whole grains
zinc – seafood, lean meat, milk and nuts
flavonoids – tea, green tea, citrus fruits, red wine, onion and apples
resveratrol – red wine
manganese – seafood, lean meat, milk and nuts
salicylic acid - derived from willow bark
hyaluronic acid - found in human body, joints
niacinamide = vitamin B3 liver, tuna, turkey, salmon
A lot of choices but also very confusing, right?
You could just stick with Vitamin C and be good, right? Well, no.
When we think of free radicals we normally think of free oxygen atoms but that is a simplification that has nothing to do with what is really going on in our body. Practically every binding atom can become a free radical. Just a few examples are
But not every antioxidant can neutralise every free radical. Thats just plain chemistry, not every two substances can bind easily.
The antioxidant Fullerene can neutralise a lot of different free radicals as it is solely made up of pure carbon and carbon is a part of every organic molecule, whereas the more divers antioxidants are more selective in what they can bind with.
So the important lesson here is, that to neutralise the largest amount of free radicals it is beneficial to use a variety of different antioxidants.
Can we just not evade the formation of free radicals in the first place? Yes and No. Free radicals are generated by normal metabolic processes in the cells on a daily basis. They also are by-products while exercising and where inflammation is present in the body. These are processes beyond our control, but there are also external factors that we have more influence over that produce free radicals. Environmental pollution, cigarette smoke, UV Radiation or drugs and pesticides, these we can try to control and minimise our exposure.
So you see when it comes to ageing and the slowing or even reversing of it, there are a lot of different factors that we need to be conscious about but that we also can use to benefit our skin and our body as a whole.
Fuishena skincare products all have a high concentration of fullerene antioxidant in their base formula, furthermore every product has its own recipe of additional antioxidants to deal with selective skin issues.
The Divine Nektar line is tailored more for the younger skin and issues of impurities and inflammation whereas the Divine Ambrosia line is designed for the more mature skin and targets skin ageing as well as issues of dryness and loss of elasticity.
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When scientists studied the reasons for this, they found the cause of this longevity in the rock formations that can be found plentiful in this area, a blackish carbon mineraloid that they named Shungite after the region of origin.
The native population of this region is well aware of the healing and cleansing properties of this mineral and has been using it in folk medicine for hundreds of years.
Russian emperor Peter the Great understood the powerful healing and antibacterial properties of this mineral and even made all soldiers in his army carry a piece of it to purify water and use on their wounds.
Upon testing the scientists found that the most effective stones were those that had the highest concentration of fullerene, a crystalline form of carbon.
But what exactly are the effects of Shungite and how can we apply them to modern skincare?
Since ancient times, Shungite has been used to purify water. This is due to its activity against bacteria and viruses.
A 2018 study states that Shungite can filter water by removing contaminants and organic substances like pesticides.
A 2017 study also found that carbon from Shungite can remove radioactive compounds from water.
When skin is exposed to UV radiation it causes skin damage and oxidative stress. Oxidative stress is caused by reactive oxygen species (ROS) that attack and damage healthy cells.
In a study of UV damaged skin Shungite solution showed to be able to decrease ROS production and increase the activity of antioxidant enzymes.
Another finding in the above-mentioned 2017 study, Shungite was found to reduce inflammation. The researchers measured lower levels of inflammatory markers, including cytokines, or proteins involved in inflammation after applying Shungite solution to the skin.
Recent research suggests that the fullerene-based compound within Shungite has an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory action against UVB-induced skin damage and is able to remove toxins and bacteria from your skin.
As UV exposure is the main cause of skin ageing we suggest to try fullerene based skincare in your anti ageing regime.
If you tend to suffer from inflamed and irritated skin, fullerene might be an ingredient that can help you.
If your skin reacts to environmental pollutants, fullerene could help you to remove toxins from your skin and protect it from environmental damage.
Fuishena skincare for example has a fullerene based proprietary formula called VitaNova that is included in all their products. Every one of their products is composed to work on either rejuvenation, soothing inflammation, protecting against environmental aggressors, or detoxification.
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Vitamin C is naturally present in both the dermis and epidermis, where it limits the damage created by UV light exposure, not like sunscreen, but by protecting the skin against UV-induced free radicals. Besides that, it also plays a role in collagen synthesis, making it a vital molecule for skin health. A decrease in collagen production in the skin can lead to photoaging, pre-mature wrinkles and a change in skin structure. As Vitamin C helps with the hydroxylation of collagen, the extracellular stability and support of the epidermis is improved.
Wound healing is another process that is aided by Vitamin C, as it helps to meet the increased demand for dermal collagen synthesis as the site of the wound, where it also stimulates the formation of the epidermal barrier.
Vitamin C is an essential part of skin health from its small molecular antioxidative properties, to being vital in collagen synthesis. It contributes to photoprotection, decreases photodamage and is needed for adequate wound healing.
If you are looking for a face serum with a good Vitamin C percentage from different botanical sources take a look at our Divine Nektar Serum
]]>Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is an antioxidant that your body produces naturally. Your cells use CoQ10 for growth and maintenance.(1)
It is used by the mitochondria cell organelles to help produce internal energy for the body. The mitochondria are in charge of producing energy. They also protect cells from oxidative damage and disease-causing bacteria or viruses.(2)
However, as we age the natural production of CoQ10 reduces quite dramatically. This may be one of the reasons why children have so much energy (and such radiant skin!) compared to their older adult peers.
Being an antioxidant, Coenzyme Q10 helps to protect cells from damage caused by free radicals. Antioxidants are wonderful for our health and our skin because they sacrifice themselves in order to save our cells from these harmful molecules.
The body produces free radicals in the normal course of energy production and we also encounter them in day-to-day life from various sources such as pollution, certain foods and additives, chemicals, and UV rays.
Well, if free radicals are allowed to progress unchecked, they can damage the precious cell membrane which protects against dehydration and other detrimental environmental effects. The collagen, which provides resilience and elasticity in our skin, can be compromised - leading to the visible signs of aging such as wrinkles and sagging skin.
By using CoEnzyme Q10 in your daily topical skincare preparations you can help to fight off the damaging effects of free radicals and maintain the beautiful, youthful radiance of your skin!
In fact, CoQ10 applied directly to the skin has been shown to reduce oxidative damage caused by UV rays and even decrease the depth of wrinkles.(3)
1 https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements-coenzyme-q10/art-20362602
2 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23065343
3 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10416055
Collagen itself is naturally present in the body, where it plays a huge role in the structural composition of the skin and its elasticity. It helps promote and keep the skin's plumpness, tautness and strength, which over time decrease due to ageing.
However, the benefits of taking collagen supplements are still debated. While topically applied collagen will moisturize the skin but that's about the extent of what it can do.
Applying collagen topically has never been shown to stimulate collagen synthesis or growth. This is because collagens are big molecules making them too large to penetrate the top layer of the skin.
Marine Collagen on the other hand is a fabulous addition to skin care products as it stimulates the synthesis of collagen which is critical for healthy and young looking skin.
Our Marine Collagen is extracted from the natural seaweed variety Porphyra tenera. It is enzymatically hydrolyzed to achieve an average molecular weight of approximately 1000 making it small enough to penetrate the skin. It is exclusively gained from Non-GMO ingredients and it is free of any GMO-fragments.
Our Marine Collagen is grown, harvested and processed within the strict principles of creating animal free products. It does not contain any animal products and is therefore vegan-friendly.
Marine Collagen helps improve and support the skins natural collagen production, which decreases the loss of elasticity. It also inherits properties to make the skin appear smoother, more supple and hydrated, making the skin seem younger-looking overall.
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One Girl Charity
132 MILLION GIRLS AROUND THE WORLD ARE DENIED AN EDUCATION.
They are on a mission to change this. BUT EDUCATION CHANGES EVERYTHING
Educating girls is the number one way to fight climate change, to reduce poverty, and to create a fair and sustainable planet!
When a girl is educated, her health, status, income, and entire future changes for the better, and she’ll go on to educate her family and community. The ripple effects are incredible – and best of all, everyone in her community will benefit!
It’s hard to imagine, but a girl in Sierra Leone is more likely to be married before the age of 18 than she is to finish high school – and only 16% of girls ever complete high school.
But when you educate a girl, her income will increase by 10–25% for every year she stays in school. She’ll get married when she chooses to, be able to think for herself, have control over her own income and break the cycle of poverty.
The power of education creates immediate and long-lasting change!
At One Girl, they like to do things a little differently. They believe that girls themselves have exactly what it takes to make a change (of any shape or size), in both their lives and for those around them. Their approach is to trust deeply and allow girls to take the reigns!
One Girl works like so:
CREATIVE
They believe in inspiring change through the use of the arts and innovative approaches that harness the assets within cultures. They are not constrained to using Western methods but rather look at what speaks to traditional ways of being and believing for those within the communities we work with.
Creative in action - they have used theatre, songs and dance to teach about periods, a traditional and creative way of communicating and imparting knowledge in many African communities.
A COMMUNITY
They build relationships with traditional decision-makers within communities and create platforms where those who are often unheard, can increase their agency. This means that their programs are organically formed and integrated into the social fabric, through community members providing consultation from design to evaluation and learning phases.
Community in action - their community committees help them to engage communities regularly through training and meetings on topics such as child safeguarding and study support.
FEMINIST
The perspectives of women in development and achieving gender equality is at the forefront of everything we do. All of our programs are designed by women for women.
Feminism in action - they co-design and co-create programs with partners and share resources beyond just financial, appreciating the value of knowledge and diverse ways of doing things.
GIRL-LED
Young girls and women are at the centre of their programming. School-aged girls and recent graduates play a key part in designing, implementing and evaluating their programs. Their strong relationships with inspirational young women and girls mean that One Girl is able to collaborate with girls to ensure they are driving the change they want to see.
Girl-led in action - Girls are involved in their design through reviewing curriculum and content and become the facilitators of their programs as former participants become mentors.
HOLISTIC
One Girl recognises that there are many aspects preventing a girl from succeeding in her education, and they aim to provide a comprehensive and integrated solution to this. Although they try to remain focused and know that they should not try to do it all, they recognise all barriers experienced by girls, and collaborate with others to ensure each barrier is being addressed.
In action - they work in partnership with 25 partner schools, and ensure that all of their programs are implemented in those schools and surrounding areas. This ensures that they address topics such as: sexual health and rights, menstrual hygiene, career development, wellbeing and advocacy for girls' education all at once.
POSITIVE
They believe in the intrinsic value that a community may contribute to their own development. They don't believe in dwelling on the negatives, deficits or needs but rather concentrating on how to build up the strengths of communities, individuals and institutions.
Positivity in action - they don't believe in 'vulnerable' girls. These are strong, capable young women and they work with them to make their dreams come true.
]]>Discover more about the different charities that we donate to through our checkout app. With every purchase we donate $5 of our profit to the charity of your choice. No cost for you but you get to decide.
Australian Wildlife Conservancy
The Nature Conservancy is a global environmental non-profit non-government organisation working to create a world where people and nature can thrive.Over the past 200 years, one-third of all mammal extinctions around the world have occurred in Australia as a result of human impacts.
Their mission demands that they do everything in their power to create a world where people and nature can thrive. Their science shows that we can. From their historic work in land acquisition to their cutting-edge research that influences global policy, The Nature Conservancy is constantly evolving so that they can take on the world’s most important challenges.
Seven decades of conservation experience have taught them that we can accomplish more for the natural world when they bring together people and organisations across borders, across sectors and across political aisles. We all have a stake in a better future.Oceans
It’s predicted that if overfishing continues at the current pace, all the world’s fisheries will collapse by the year 2048. There’s still time to reverse decades of damage to the world’s oceans.
Land & Freshwater
They have helped protect millions of hectares of lands and freshwater areas. And they plan to protect even more by 2025.
Cities
By 2050, two-thirds of people will live in cities. Thoughtful planning, smart growth and nature can generate benefits for communities, for people’s health and for the economy.
Wildlife
Almost ninety percent of Australia's mammal species aren’t found anywhere else on Earth. Our native wildlife are counting on us for their survival.
Discover more about the different charities that we donate to through our checkout app. With every purchase we donate $5 of our profit to the charity of your choice. No cost for you but you get to decide.
ANTaR
ANTaR is a small but dynamic organisation representing a grassroots movement of Australians in support of justice, rights and respect for Australia’s First Peoples.
ANTaR has been working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations and leaders on rights and reconciliation issues since 1997.
ANTaR is an independent, national network of organisations and individuals working in support of Justice, Rights and Respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Australia.
ANTaR is an independent non-government organisation and is non-party-political.
They believe that organisational accountability and transparency is paramount to the success of their work. Therefore they have a systematic commitment to the monitoring of their work against stated outcomes and to conducting impact evaluations in all areas of their work.
They believe that through this rigour, they will learn to examine assumptions, improve their work practices and extend the impact of their cause.
"To engage, educate and mobilise a broad community movement to advocate for justice, rights and respect for Australia's First Peoples.”
They actively support the right of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to
self determination. They are committed to social justice and the full realisation of human rights, including those expressed in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous peoples.
They believe in empowerment and community development, speaking up about injustice and inequality and that all Australians have a role to play in achieving an Australia in which Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples' rights as First Peoples are recognised, respected and enjoyed.ANTaR is a national advocacy organisation dedicated specifically to the rights - and overcoming the disadvantage - of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
ANTaR's focus is on changing the attitudes and behaviours of non-Indigenous Australians so that the rights and cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are respected and affirmed across all sections of society.
ANTaR persuades governments, through advocacy and lobbying, to show genuine leadership and build cross-party commitment to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander policy issues.
ANTaR works to generate in Australia a moral and legal recognition of, and respect for, the distinctive status of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders as First Peoples.
ANTaR is a non-government, not-for-profit, community-based organisation with a membership consisting of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and non-Indigenous people and groups.
ANTaR campaigns nationally on key issues such as Constitutional Recognition, Justice, Close The Gap, Native Title and other key issues.
]]>Discover more about the different charities that we donate to through our checkout app. With every purchase we donate $5 of our profit to the charity of your choice. No cost for you but you get to decide.
Bush Heritage
The Australian bush is a place of outback wonders and rugged beauty.Today, in 2021, it's 30 years since their humble beginnings in Tasmania's Liffey Valley.
They are one of only a handful of conservation organisations using strategic indicators to measure, monitor and report on their conservation impact. This means they can make informed decisions about their management practices, and change them if necessary.
It also means their supporters can see the real change that their generous donations have made possible.
‘Landscape-scale conservation management’ means they are focused on returning entire landscapes to good health, rather than just isolated or fenced patches of forest or grassland.
This approach acknowledges that ecosystems are complex and interconnected, with no single element operating alone.
Their long-term, landscape-scale approach ensures that the species that they are protecting are more resilient to change – such as drought, wildfires or climate change – because they have more space in which to find shelter, food, water and mates.
Discover more about the different charities that we donate to through our checkout app. With every purchase we donate $5 of our profit to the charity of your choice. No cost for you but you get to decide.
Sea Shepherd is an international, non-profit marine conservation organisation that campaigns to defend, conserve and protect the world’s oceans.
Sea Shepherd was founded in 1977 by Paul Watson, one of the original members of Greenpeace. Since its grassroots beginnings it has grown into an unstoppable global movement with independent groups established in over 20 countries.
Their campaigns have defended whales, dolphins, seals, sharks, penguins, turtles, fish, krill and aquatic birds from poaching, unsustainable fishing, habitat destruction, and exploitive captivity.
The ocean environment is an intricately-balanced ecosystem designed to support
and sustain marine wildlife. To truly thrive, they need safe sanctuaries to feed, mate and raise their young without pollution, destructive fishing gear, plastics and other marine debris that choke marine wildlife and destroy their habitats. Sea Shepherd opposes the pollution of the fragile ecosystem through off-shore drilling and fisheries, as well as the destruction of coral reefs from trawling, and the loss of coastal nesting sites from commercial development.
From its earliest years, Sea Shepherd has embraced the mandate of the United Nations World Charter for Nature to uphold international conservation laws when nations can’t…or won’t. Today, Sea Shepherd works with law enforcement agencies such as INTERPOL to help bring poachers to justice, and partners with national governments around the world to stop illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing in their sovereign waters.
Despite their relatively small size and limited resources, Sea Shepherd’s campaigns have been effective because they use direct action to achieve results, instead of billboards, petitions or protest marches. Their ships, mainly crewed by passionate volunteers, have saved over 6000 whales from the Japanese harpoon ships in the dangerous Antarctic waters. They have stood up to seal hunters, hauled in miles of illegal fishing gear, and relentlessly chased one of the world’s most notorious poaching vessels for 110 days until they scuttled their own ship in defeat.
Captain Paul Watson has famously said “It takes a pirate to stop a pirate,” an inspiring rally cry for many Sea Shepherd supporters. It’s true that in their history they have rammed and sunk several ships to stop their illegal activities, but their mission to defend, conserve and protect our oceans and marine life has never resulted in a single injury. They don’t break laws, they uphold them.
Sea Shepherd Global's fleet – currently consisting of twelve vessels – plays a crucial role in the mission to defend, conserve and protect marine life in direct-action campaigns around the world, from Antarctica to Africa. Sea Shepherd is currently the world's largest private navy.
Sea Shepherd Global coordinates some of our most famous campaigns on the high seas. Still, they remain very much a grassroots movement, with many more national campaigns conducted locally by Sea Shepherd groups in Australia, New Zealand, France, the UK, Belgium, Finland and Italy. Around the world, volunteers participate in land-based campaigns to clean up marine debris on beaches, protect coastal nesting habitats, and educate the public about Sea Shepherd’s mission.
]]>We have come up with ideas for you to start re-using and re-purposing our beautiful bottles ...
]]>We constantly work on minimising our impact on the environment.
Our skincare containers are made from recycled glass. That is already a big sustainability plus.
Still, we try and minimise even more waste and have come up with ideas for you to start re-using and re-purposing our beautiful bottles.
The following idea works well with our serum bottles.
( You can use any other bottle as well but you will be missing the stylish silver collar! )
1. Step
First, use up all the goodness inside! While you wait for your new order to be shipped to you, wash the empty bottle thoroughly. Or put it in the dishwasher for a spin.
2. Step
Remove the glass pipe and pop out the top rubber part from the collar.
Be careful and don't hurt yourself, to be safe better grab the glass pipe with a kitchen paper towel to prevent it from breaking while you pull.
3. Step
Now screw the ring back on. Done. You just made a beautiful reed diffuser!
4. Step
Fill your new diffuser with your favorite room scent and put in some reed sticks.
Go for uneven numbers, three or five just look more stylish!
Long skewers work fine, too. Let them soak in water for half an hour, then they can draw up the liquid easier.
5. Step
Enjoy!
The crazy guys from the design team have come up with a cool TikTok for us to share!
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At first thought it seems like a reasonable decision, because a lot of the formulas nowadays have a multitude of ingredients and therefore an increased risk of a consumer sensitivity against those products. One might also think that using a lot of the active ingredient on its own might achieve better results.
On second thought though it is a worrisome development as it is now up to the customer to mix and measure the different key ingredients into a beneficial skincare routine. But not everyone has a chemical background and the knowledge of hundreds of key ingredients and their reactions and interaction with each other.
It is a bit like throwing everything you find in your pantry into a big mixing bowl expecting a three-tier wedding cake to come out of it.
It's true, those single key ingredients are relatively cheap and you can save when you buy only a few different ingredients.
But what you also save on is the proven and tested recipe, and the expertise and experience of all the chemists and dermatologists that work on finding the perfect formulas. You miss out on the endless test runs and trial and re-trials to determine what combination of ingredients in what concentration gives the optimal benefit to your skin.
If you want to experiment on your skin, that is fine but think a moment and tell me if you would let your hairdresser bake your wedding cake? Of course not, you would get a professional for the job.
Why not trust the people whose daily task it is to handle the substances and formulas and that have gathered the immense knowledge and experience of suitable combinations and beneficial or even harmful reactions of any given key ingredient.
It is common knowledge that the attitude of “the more the better” is false and that even the most beneficial of substances can get dangerous in large quantities or high concentrations.
Of course it is up to every single person on what they do with their body and we are not saying there will definitely be an adverse reaction to mixing different active ingredients on your skin, but the risk is obviously there, and we have seen a lot of comments and stories, where consumers report just that.
So our recommendation is to stay with tried and tested proven recipes and we are so confident in our products that we offer a money-back guarantee in case the product isn’t right for you.
To stick with the analogy, we want to make sure that you don’t have to spend your wedding day with a ruined cake and a face full of pimples.
Stay beautiful!
]]>UV Rays, Pollution and lifestyle create free radicals in your body. Free radicals damage your skin causing a breakdown of collagen fibres, Inflammation, DNA damage and ultimately cell death.
This results in premature ageing, wrinkles, sagging skin, dark spots, redness and impurities.
Our VitaNova formula tracks down the free radicals and renders them inactive by bonding with them and transporting them out of the body. Like a filter it is also able to detect toxins and remove them from your skin with the same principle.
In addition, repairing the damage to return your glow.
Watch this little infographic to see the formula in action.
]]>To assist and to answer a few of the questions we get about our skincare products, we have designed this fool-prove, step-by-step guide for our Divine Ambrosia Line, which will help you learn more about each product, how to apply each product and the order in which they were designed to be used.
We hope this will turn into a part of your 'Skincare Bible' as we grow and introduce new products and as you grow and learn more about us, skincare and your own skin.
]]>No, of course not and there are a lot of other factors that influence the condition of our skin as we get older but the mechanisms are quite similar even when the triggers are different.
UV-radiation, air-pollution, laser-treatment, environmental toxins are all external causes that create free radicals in our skin.
The consumption of tobacco and alcohol also contributes to an increase in free radicals.
But free radicals are also being created internally by normal metabolic processes, even more so when you live off an unhealthy diet.
But what exactly is a free radical?
A free radical is a highly active ion commonly a single oxygen or hydrogen atom that lacks an electron. (Sometimes also called ROS Reactive Oxygen Species)
They scavenge the body to seek out other electrons to ‘steal’ from the surrounding cells, causing them to deteriorate and eventually die. This can also cause damage to proteins and DNA.(2)
The more free radicals are being created the bigger is their impact on your body and skin.
This accumulated damage over time is one of the main reasons we age.
But we do not have to stand idly by against this problem, here is where anti-oxidants come into play.
Antioxidants are substances that lessen or prevent the effects of free radicals. They donate an electron to free radicals, thereby rendering them inactive.(3)
The most commonly known antioxidant is probably Vitamin C. In recent years Retinol and AHA are at the forefront of anti-aging measures.
The problem is, to be effective you need higher concentrations and most of these antioxidants are acids.
Just think of how bad lemon juice burns in a cut. Acids can be quite irritating for sensitive skin and you might end up with redness, flaking and peeling skin and sun sensitivity, (4) (5)
Our unique VitaNova™ solution uses a rare mineral antioxidant that is not known to cause sensitivity. Minerals are non-acidic and therefore there are no adverse reactions or irritations like the ones that can occur with vitamins and fruit acids.
Our mineral antioxidant in VitaNova™ is scientifically proven to be over 100 x more effective in capturing free radicals than Vitamin C. (6)
This explains the fast results you see when using our rejuvenating and detoxing skincare lines.
2 https://www.livescience.com/54901-free-radicals.html
3 https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/318652.php#Antioxidants-and-free-radicals
4 https://www.webmd.com/beauty/skin-care-products#1
5 https://thedermreview.com/retinol-side-effects/
6 https://www.jaad.org/article/S0190-9622(09)01600-4/fulltext
]]>All our products differ greatly in the combination of efficacious ingredients, they are formulated specifically to benefit dry or oily skin, sensitive or inflamed skin and ageing or acne-prone skin. But they have one thing in common, they all contain our super-antioxidant formula VitaNova and here is why.
VitaNova literally means 'new life' which refers to the ability to revitalise your skin by bringing back the glow and youthfulness.
We have been searching for these ingredients all over the globe, from Japan to Canada and Australia, collaborating with scientists and laboratories to perfection our formula.
Our VitaNova concoction combines a rare mineral, a carbon antioxidant, with amino acids and vitamins to create a super anti-aging formula that is the solution for various skin troubles. In a slow proprietary process, the mineral develops its full strength and is being transformed into a super antioxidant. Despite its powerful effect, VitaNova remains a gentle skincare agent.
We love your skin and want to rejuvenate and restore it in a caring and sensitive way.
Our special formula works in the skin and not only on the surface. It removes the remnants of oxidised cells and melatonin, therefore removing the greyish skin tone that is a sign of ageing.
The glow returns and the skin tone brightens leaving you looking younger and fresher because your skin was actually cleared of the waste products.
But the beneficial effects don't end here.
Its anti-inflammatory properties deal with redness, irritation, and imperfections of your skin. Therefore it also serves to reduce damage and irritations caused by laser or other invasive treatments. The antimicrobial function eradicates infected areas and is pivotal in reducing pores thus recommended for acne-prone skin.
The detoxing and antioxidant properties are effective in reducing fine lines and wrinkles as well as hyper-pigmentation.
Many of our customers rave about how soft and supple their skin feels after only a short time of using our products.
But the incomparable effect of our VitaNova formula lies in the ability to restore your skin to its natural, healthy state.
]]>We were fascinated by the mystical stories of gods and goddesses and their incredible adventures. Of course, we were impressed by the ethereal beauty of the men and women that were described in the books. While growing up we started to read these stories over and over again. We were especially fascinated by the stories about a divine food or potion called Ambrosia and Nektar that was able to remove all blemishes and grant eternal beauty to those who tasted it.
So when it came to naming our skincare lines the idea of referring to those beauty potions intrigued us.
We have put together a few of the texts, where the myths talk about the use and effects of these heavenly substances.
In the ancient Greek myths, ambrosia (/æmˈbroʊʒə/, Ancient Greek: ἀμβροσία, meaning "immortality") is the food or drink of the Greek gods, often depicted as conferring longevity or immortality upon whoever consumed it. It was brought to the gods in Olympus by doves and served by either Hebe or Ganymede at the heavenly feast. The consumption of ambrosia was typically reserved for divine beings.
It was with ambrosia Hera "cleansed all defilement from her lovely flesh”, Homer, Iliad xiv.170
“Then she cleansed every mark from her lovely body with rich and gentle ambrosial oil, deeply fragrant. If its scent was released in Zeus’ palace, whose threshold was of bronze, it would spread through heaven and earth. With this, she anointed her shapely form, then combed her hair, and with her own two hands plaited the lovely glistening ambrosial tresses that flowed from her immortal head. Then she clothed herself in an ambrosial robe that Athene had worked smooth, and skilfully embroidered, fastening it over her breasts with golden clasps, and at her waist with a hundred-tasseled belt.”
With ambrosia, Athena prepared Penelope in her sleep, Homer, Odyssey xviii. “..so that when she appeared for the final time before her suitors, the effects of years had been stripped away, and they were inflamed with passion at the sight of her. “
“Then again the goddess, flashing-eyed Athena, took other counsel. On the daughter of Icarius she shed sweet sleep, and she leaned back and slept there on her couch, and all her joints were relaxed. And meanwhile, the fair goddess was giving her immortal gifts, that the Achaeans might marvel at her. With balm she first made fair her beautiful face, with balm ambrosial, such as that wherewith Cytherea, of the fair crown, anoints herself when she goes into the lovely dance of the Graces; ….and she made her taller, too, and statelier to behold, and made her whiter than new-sawn ivory. Now when she had done this the fair goddess departed, and the white-armed handmaids came forth from the chamber and drew near with sound of talking. Then sweet sleep released Penelope, and she rubbed her cheeks with her hands and said: “Ah, in my utter wretchedness soft slumber enfolded me. “
Nektar was the divine drink of the Olympian gods. It had the magical property to confer immortality on any mortal who had the luck to drink it. It was closely related to ambrosia, which was considered the food of the gods, although sometimes it was also thought to be a drink. It was a grave offence to steal either nektar or ambrosia.
In Homer, nektar and ambrosia do not by themselves make the gods immortal but they prevent them from ageing and exempt them from the natural cycle of growth and decay.
These are just a few snippets of ancient texts where these substances were mentioned.
So we created Divine Nektar and Ambrosia skincare with the intention to serve the eternal Goddess within you.
The plant resin has been used for thousands of years for distinct purposes. There are records of its use among the ancient Greeks and Romans and in India, China, and the Middle East.
Apart from its uses in medicine, it’s also been used as a dye, paint, incense, or for spiritual purposes. It has a strong, somewhat sweet fragrance, not unlike vanilla and spices.
Spanish explorer and naturalist, P. Bernabe Cobo, recorded the use of sangre de grado (Spanish for “blood of the dragon”) after he saw indigenous tribes all over Mexico, Peru and Ecuador using the sap of the dragon tree in the 1600s. To this day, resin and bark from the Croton lechleri (a type of dragon tree) are used in traditional medicine in South America and China.
Studies are demonstrating Dragon’s Blood ability to help with a variety of health concerns in humans including wound healing, diarrhea, and ulcers.
This red resin is also being studied for its potential use as a natural food preservative and even as an anticancer treatment.
New findings in beauty are always exhilarating, but there’s something especially satisfying about discovering a new use for an ancient ingredient.
So what are the functions of Dragon’s Blood in skincare formulas?
It has strong antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. Making it an ideal addition to rejuvenating products but also for anti-acne creams or helping with infected areas on your skin.
Dragon’s blood seems to be an especially popular choice for skin that been compromised by sun exposure, too much exfoliation, or just generally, skin that needs to have inflammation calmed down.
We use Dragon’s Blood in our Divine Ambrosia essence for rejuvenation and its anti-inflammatory properties.
Vitamin E is a naturally occurring, fat-soluble, essential nutrient with anti-inflammatory properties. Vitamin E helps support the immune system, cell function, and skin health.
]]>Vitamin E is a naturally occurring, fat-soluble, essential nutrient with anti-inflammatory properties. Vitamin E helps support the immune system, cell function, and skin health. It’s an antioxidant, making it effective at combating the effects of free radicals produced by the metabolism of food and toxins in the environment.
Natural vitamin E contains alpha-tocopherol exclusively in an active form.
Synthetic vitamin E (sometimes referred to as dl-alpha-tocopherol) contains both active and inactive forms of alpha-tocopherol. We use natural Vitamin E derived from highly refined soybeans.
Vitamin E plays a crucial role in protecting skin cells and membranes from environmental damage by protecting and nourishing the skin barrier. Think of the skin barrier as a wall that prevents harmful toxins from entering your skin where they can cause damage. A damaged skin barrier can lead to redness, inflammation, flaking and other problems. When you’re having issues like dry patches, your skin barrier has probably been compromised. Vitamin E helps prevent this by keeping the natural lipids in your skin fresh. It also provides deep moisturisation for the skin whilst allowing the skin to breathe and function naturally, therefore helping to reduce the appearance of wrinkles.
Vitamin E has the potential to prevent the sebum in your pores from oxidizing. Oxidation is what causes blackheads to turn black. When the oil that has risen to the surface of your pore comes in contact with oxygen, it turns a grayish black color that characterizes blackheads. Vitamin E, with its antioxidant abilities, can help prevent this.
When combined in various skincare products, vitamins E and C are far more effective at helping to prevent and reduce UV damage. These two are excellent anti-aging ingredients that can help keep skin looking its best. As an added bonus, vitamin C also has the ability to stimulate collagen production. Combined with vitamin E’s ability to scavenge free radicals, you can see why these two vitamins together are so essential for skin health.
Another study indicated that topical use of vitamin E can reduce acute and chronic skin damage caused by UV irradiation. 1
We use Vitamin E in our Divine Nektar Moisturiser and Divine Ambrosia Moisturiser as well as in Divine Ambrosia Serum combined with Vitamin C
1 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11341050
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Aloe Vera is a natural ingredient from the Aloe barbadenis miller and grows mainly in the dry regions of Africa, Asia, Europe, and America.
The plant has triangular, fleshy leaves with serrated edges, yellow tubular flowers and fruits that contain numerous seeds. Each leaf is composed of three layers:
1) An inner clear gel that contains 99% water and the rest is made up of glucomannans, amino acids, lipids, sterols and vitamins.
2) The middle layer, which is the bitter yellow sap and contains anthraquinones and glycosides.
3) The outer thick layer of 15–20 cells called rind, which has protective functions and synthesizes carbohydrates and proteins.
Aloe vera contains 75 potentially active constituents: vitamins, enzymes, minerals, sugars, lignin, saponins, salicylic acids and amino acids.
Healing properties: Aloe gel not only increased collagen content of the wound but also changed collagen composition (more type III) and increased the degree of collagen cross linking. Due to this, it accelerated wound contraction and increased the breaking strength of resulting scar tissue
Effects on skin exposure to UV and gamma radiation: Following the administration of aloe vera gel, an antioxidant protein, metallothionein, is generated in the skin, which scavenges hydroxyl radicals and prevents suppression of superoxide and glutathione peroxidase in the skin.
Anti-inflammatory action: Aloe vera inhibits the cyclooxyrgenase pathway and reduces prostaglandin production. The novel anti-inflammatory compound called C-glucosyl chromone was isolated from the gel and exhibited topical anti-inflammatory activity.
Moisturising and anti-aging effect: Mucopolysaccharides help binding moisture in the skin. Aloe Vera stimulates fibroblast, which produces the collagen and elastin fibres, making the skin more elastic and less wrinkled. It also has cohesive effects on the superficial flaking epidermal cells by sticking them together, which softens the skin. The amino acids also soften hardened skin cells and zinc acts as an astringent to tighten pores.
Antiseptic effect: Aloe vera contains 6 antiseptic agents: Lupeol, salicylic acid, urea nitrogen, cinnamonic acid, phenols and sulfur. They all have inhibitory action on fungi, bacteria and viruses.
We use Aloe Vera in both our Divine Nektar Serum and Moisturiser as well as both Divine Ambrosia Serum and Moisturiser.
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Well luckily they are just as beneficial in skincare as they are when being eaten fresh. Besides being derived from natural fresh fruit, these Extracts are high in AHA's, which are mild, organic acids and powerful antioxidants.
They help loosening and dissolving dead skin cells on the skins surface, improving skin appearance, minimising skin imperfections and fine lines.
They also assist with retaining moisture and delivering healthy vitamins, which get absorbed and nourish deep into the skin, therefore promoting more vibrant and luminous looking skin.
Apple Fruit Extract (Pyrus malus) is a beneficial ingredient that can be found in a variety of skin care products due to its rich composition of phytochemical and Vitamin C. For example, apple fruit extract contains several types of flavonoids (i.e., catechins, flavanols, and quercetin). Flavonoids possess antioxidant activity, which helps to protect the skin from free radical damage caused by things like UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental factors. Apple fruit extract also contains pectin, a type of fibre. A study published in the International Journal of Cosmetic Science found that apple pectin can promote epidermal growth and improve the skin barrier function. With its high contents of Vitamins and antioxidants it helps the skin get rejuvenated and brighter, while also possessing anti-ageing properties.
Kiwi fruit Extract (Actinidia chinensis) is a tree that bears edible fruits commonly known as kiwis. Kiwi Fruit Extract is used in skin care products because it contains high amounts of vitamin C and E. These strong antioxidants can protect and repair the skin from damage caused by free radicals, stimulate collagen production, and reduce hyperpigmentation. Kiwi fruit extract also contains a proteolytic enzyme known as actinidin. Actinidin is thought to work on the surface of the skin to dissolve keratin, a protein that acts as a glue to keep skin cells together. By dissolving keratin, this enzyme found in kiwi fruit extract helps to exfoliate the top layer of dead skin cells, leaving skin looking brighter with a more even tone.
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Traditional medicine has been using chamomile for hundreds of years. Internally, for an irritated stomach and digestive system as well as a sleeping aid because of its calming effects.
Internally, for an irritated stomach and digestive system as well as a sleeping aid because of its calming and antispasmodic effects.
Externally, it was used on the skin because of its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties.
The most used variety is the plant Matricaria chamomilla also called "German chamomile" or sometimes "Water of Youth”.
The blue essential oil of its flower has over 120 different chemical substances but the primary constituent is alpha bisabolol.
Photo by Alvesgaspar - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=3636530
In modern times, bisabolol is used in cosmetics and personal care products because research has shown that apart from anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties it also has antioxidant, anti-aging, and skin-lightening effects.
It also helps increase the penetration power of other ingredients in the formula. Skin care products may contain a lot of healthy ingredients, but if they just sit on top of the skin without penetrating into the deeper layers, they won’t do you much good.
Bisabolol is a good source of panthenol, which is a form of vitamin B. This helps skin hold onto moisture, so it’s less likely to dry out. It acts deep in the lower layers of skin, which can help reduce the appearance of fine lines.
Studies have also shown that it can help speed up the healing time of sunburn, mild burns, and skin irritations.
Bisabolol has been found to inhibit the enzymes in skin that can break down collagen, and at the same time, to stimulate collagen production.
Collagen is responsible for creating the fibers that give our skin its shape, supporting it can help delay the appearance of aging.
Researchers have found that bisabolol can help inhibit melanin synthesis. Melanin is the pigment in skin that can cause age spots and discoloration as we get older.
Pretty impressive benefits for such a small wallflower, right?
Last but not least here is a tip I got from my grandmother when you have red or irritated puffy eyes; Use two cooled down chamomile tea bags as eye pads, leave on for ten minutes and relax while you do so.
Check out our Divine Nektar essence and our Divine Ambrosia essence, they both contain alpha bisabolol.
Youthful skin manages to keep its turgor, resilience, pliability and plumpness, due to its high water content. But daily external injury, in addition to the normal process of ageing, causes loss of moisture in the skin, as the key moisture molecule Hyaluronic Acid can be broken down by a free-radical mechanism.
Premature ageing of the skin is the result of repeated and extended exposure to UV radiation.
Approximately 80% of facial skin ageing is attributed to UV-exposure.
UV radiation damage initially causes a mild form of wound healing and is associated at first with an increase of dermal Hyaluronic Acid.
Repeated and extensive exposures to UV ultimately simulate a typical wound healing response with deposition of scar-like type I collagen, rather than the usual types I and III collagen mixture, which results in abnormal glycosaminoglycan content and distribution compared with that found in scars, or in the wound healing response, with diminished Hyaluronic Acid that then decreases skin resilience and pliability.
We use Hyaluronic Acid in our Divine Ambrosia Serum. As mentioned above, free radicals can break down Hyaluronic Acid if other antioxidants levels in the skin are low, this is why we paired it up with our super-antioxidant VitaNova™. It eliminated the free radicals in the skin very effectively, making sure that Hyaluronic Acid levels and the skin itself stay healthier for longer.
]]>We don't use parabens, a common strong preservative because there is a lot of evidence that parabens can disrupt your hormone system. If you want to prolong the effectiveness of your skincare, store it in the fridge. Find out what we recommend...
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Does that matter?
To us, it does because it means two things.
Firstly, it is widely known that preservatives are by far the most likely ingredients to cause irritation.
Therefore we decided to use as little preservatives as possible. That is the reason our products are freshly manufactured and have a shelf life of six months. You get them fresh and you use them fresh.
We don't use parabens, a common strong preservative because there is a lot of evidence that parabens can disrupt your hormone system.
Our products are also alcohol-free because it can potentially dry out your skin by pulling moisture from the cells.
We use the preservative Vitamin E for example, which is natural and actually good for you because it is also softening and soothing the skin as well as acting as an antioxidant.
Secondly, from the moment the formulation is prepared, strongly preserved or not, the active ingredients slowly start to lose their effectiveness.
Why?
Because active ingredients which are mostly antioxidants, do their job.
They are active and react with oxidants. So they react with the air, the sunlight and other substances and therefore are slowly broken down into an inactive state once the product is opened.
When starting to use it every day, the process accelerates.
To keep our products as fresh and active as possible we have included a storing pouch with every glass container. It provides protection from sunlight and overheating and obviously breakage.
If you want to prolong the effectiveness of your skincare, store it in the fridge.
That is why we love and recommend the cosmetic mini-fridge from
https://thebeautyfridge.com.au/
On their blog they explain the benefits of cooling your beauty products. Cold skincare has had its deep roots in Korean and Japanese skincare routines for centuries.
This presents a plethora of benefits. A colder environment can not only prolong the shelf life of your precious products, it may also help to aid in better absorption, all whilst calming and soothing the skin.
They are not only functional but super cute and their blush and sky designs are so close to our two line colors, it looks like they were made for each other!
Also, nothing beats putting cooled skincare onto your skin in summer. So refreshing. Bye-bye puffy eyes!
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Why do we use white tea extract in our skincare?
Because white tea is the least processed of the three teas it retains a high amount of antioxidants. It may combat skin aging and even help with weight loss.
]]>It has become a ritual in our office, even now while we work apart from each other before every video conference white tea is brewed on all participating sides. It keeps us calm but alert and also healthy.
Whether it is called white tea, green tea or black tea, these varieties are all from the same plant that is, Camellia sinensis.
The name “white tea” is given to tea prepared from immature or young buds, which leads to a milder flavour of the brewed tea. Its leaves and buds are picked just before they are fully open when they’re covered in fine white hairs. This is where white tea gets its name.
But why do we use white tea extract in our skincare?
Because white tea is the least processed of the three teas it retains a high amount of antioxidants. This is thought to be one reason why studies have linked white tea with many health benefits. For example, it may help reduce the risk of heart disease, combat skin aging and even help with weight loss.
White tea is loaded with a type of polyphenols called catechins.
Polyphenols are plant-based molecules that act as antioxidants inside the body. Antioxidants protect the cells from damage by free radicals.
Too much free-radicals can have harmful effects on the body. It is linked to premature aging, chronic inflammation, a weakened immune system and a variety of other diseases. One study, for example, found that white tea powder was very effective at reducing inflammation from free radicals in human skin cells
It may help combat skin aging
As people grow older, it’s normal for their skin to wrinkle and become looser. Skin aging happens in two main ways — internal aging and external aging.
External aging occurs when environmental factors damage skin and promote aging. For example, the sun’s UV rays and pollution can damage skin over time through inflammation.
Internal aging is also known as natural aging. It is caused by damage from a variety of factors inside your body, like free radicals and certain enzymes (1). Enzymes called elastase and collagenase may damage the skin’s fiber network, which normally helps it stay tight and firm.
The compounds in white tea may help protect your skin from the effects of both internal and external aging.
In studies, scientists discovered that applying white tea extract to the skin helps protect against the harmful effects of the sun’s UV rays (2).
Other studies have found that polyphenols, which are found in white tea, can suppress several cellular components that may damage the fiber network that helps the skin stay tight and firm (3)
Our Divine Ambrosia Serum contains White Tea Extract.
(1)https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19653897
(2)https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/j.1600-0625.2008.00818.x
(3)https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10719174
Oh yes, and by the way..
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Amino Acids such as Heptapeptide-8 promote collagen production in the layers of the skin, helping improve skin structure, reducing sagging and making the skin appear firmer. It also assists the transport of nutrients through the skin's layers, which helps fight ageing, pigmentation, sagging and inflammation as the skin is efficiently provided with vitamins.
Heptatpeptide-8 has the ability to enhance the integrity of your skin by improving the function of the dermal-epidermal layer. It also stimulates the synthesis of the integrins and keratins, which are proteins produced in the epidermis and that are involved in the barrier function of the skin. They are involved in cell to cell adhesion, improving the skin barrier function to allow the skin to appear firmer.