Aloe Vera improves hydration and is soothing and healing to all skin types. Chemical analysis has shown the presence of mucopolysaccharides, a natural moisturizing factor. Aloe Vera is composed of water, the enzymes catalase and cellulose, minerals, calcium, aluminum, iron, zinc, magnesium, sodium, 20 amino acids and carbohydrates. Aloe Vera also contains the "youth mineral" potassium. It has renowned healing properties, is anti-inflammatory and can soothe the skin and help heal cuts, grazes, burns and insect bites. In 1500 BC, the Egyptian Ebers Papyrus recommended aloe for skin care. The Greek, Chinese, Roman and Arab herbalists recommended Aloe for burns and rashes. In the 1930's a radiologist discovered that Aloe Vera was effective in treating radiation burns. True Aloe Vera is watery and thin.

Polyphenols act as pigments, sunscreens, insect attractants and repellents, and as anti-microbials and antioxidants.

Also called vitamin B3, niacin, and nicotinic acid. Topical application of niacinamide has been shown to increase ceramide, a main component of the intercellular lipids responsible for cell cohesion at the top layer of the epidermis, the stratum corneum. A healthy stratum corneum maintains the balance of transepidermal water loss (TEWL) at the skin barrier to provide effective hydration.

ALA is the first line of defense against free radical damage and one of the most powerful anti-aging, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory compounds available. Alpha lipoic acid boosts energy production in your cells as it helps the mitochondria portion of the cell change food to energy. The higher the energy level in the cell, the more youthful we remain.  The importance of alpha lipoic acid— the metabolic antioxidant—is hard to overstate.  Because it is almost non-existent in foods, supplementation is recommended. 

ALA is the only antioxidant that can boost cellular levels of glutathione, an antioxidant of tremendous importance in overall health and longevity and essential for the functioning of the immune system. People with chronic illnesses such as AIDS, cancer, and autoimmune diseases generally have very low levels of glutathione. White blood cells are particularly sensitive to changes in glutathione levels, and even subtle changes may have profound effects on the immune response.

ALA helps regulate glucose metabolism.  Sugar can be extremely damaging to our cells if it is not well controlled, as sugar can react with molecules within the cell in a permanent bond called glycation.  Once these bonds between sugar and protein are formed, they become mini-factories for the generation of free radicals that can attack our cells and their mitochondria and produce inflammation.  Alpha lipoic acid helps prevent these damaging glycation reactions, while also increasing the cell’s ability to utilize glucose.  When taken orally as a supplement, ALA can concentrate in both the cell and mitochondrial lipid membranes, where it protects both from free radical damage, thus preventing the commencement of an inflammatory cascade. 

Alpha lipoic acid is especially protective of the mitochondria in nerve cells, and can therefore help prevent degeneration of the brain seen with aging and age-related diseases of the central nervous system.  In addition, ALA has been used successfully to treat patients with diabetic neuropathy (nerve damage).

ALA works synergistically with other antioxidants in the skin to reduce the damaging inflammatory effects of ultraviolet radiation. 

ALA’s capacity to regulate production of nitric oxide which controls blood flow to the skin when applied topically helps transform the complexion from dull, pasty, and pale to vibrant and glowing.  Topical ALA will also reduce puffiness in the face and eye area, and decrease wrinkles and pore size.

 ALA also:

Improves the appearance of the skin's resilience, tone, and texture;
Decreases appearance of enlarged pores and scarring;
Decreases appearance of uneven skin tone and discolorations;
Increases the appearance of smoothness;
Reduces the appearance of puffiness;
Increases appearance of radiance and clarity;
Decreases appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Xanthan Gum is a polysaccharide (natural sugar) fermented from corn sugar and used in the food industry to thicken and stabilize products. It is also used as a thickener in cosmetic products.

Vitamin E acts as a free radical scavenger defending against the oxidizing process and promoting soft and supple skin. It promotes healing and is helpful in reducing scars. It acts as a natural preservative in products. Tocopherol is obtained by the vacuum distillation of edible vegetable oils. Vitamin E oil is an emollient. According to the AMA's committee on Cutaneous Health, emollients do help make the skin feel softer and smoother, reduce roughness, cracking and irritation, and may retard the fine wrinkles of aging. As an antioxidant, it removes the free radicals that cells produce.

Vitamin C Ester produces collagen and renews elasticity to the skin. It is fat and water soluble so it is more easily absorbed into the skin and able to penetrate the plasma membrane. Thus cells are truly protected from wrinkle causing free radical damage. Traditional Vitamin C is only water soluble. Vitamin C Ester is fused with a fatty acid derived from palm oil using an ester bond, creating a superior form of this powerful vitamin. With the introduction of a fatty acid, Vitamin C Ester loses the high acidity traditionally associated with Vitamin C, so it is no longer harsh and irritating to the skin. Vitamin C Ester can be mixed into creams and lotions and retain maximum potency for years, not the case with the less stable, conventional form of Vitamin C.

Vitamin C Ester is a salt of ascorbic acid. It is used as a preservative and an antioxidant to prevent rancidity. Antioxidants are used in skin care products to neutralize free radicals before they ravage the skin. Topical vitamin C may help lighten solar lentigos and melasma.  Duke University found that Vitamin C and E also protects against UV-B radiation.

Malic Acid is an Alpha Hydroxy Acid. It is derived from apples and used in skin care products to rejuvenate, brighten and improve skin conditions. Malic acid is a natural constituent preserved by fermentation.

Rosemary Oleoresin Extract contains antioxidants which are oil-soluble. Undiluted, it should be thick, sticky and brownish-green. It is often sold diluted at 1% in 99% soybean oil. When you purchase that mixture you have well preserved soybean oil, but the properties are destroyed for preserving anything else. Before refrigeration was available, people wrapped their meat in rosemary leaves to preserve it. Meats spoil partly because oxidation turns the fats rancid; rosemary retards spoilage. Its preservative value has made Rosemary a mainstay in herbal medicine. It is made of oil soluble antioxidant compounds derived from the herb rosemary.