Active Ingredients

Often found in skincare products to aid in the reduction of wrinkles as well as to soften facial lines and improve the overall look and feel of the skin. They are also used by dermatologists as chemical peels but beauty products contain lower concentrations. Read more about AHAs in the Cosmiko Blog HERE.

Arbutin can reduce the degree of skin darkening after sun exposure by blocking the production of tyrosinase, an enzyme that helps with melanin production, it can prevent dark spots or even help fade them, leading to a brightening effect on the skin and more even complexion. While other skin brightening agents can dry and irritate the skin, arbutin is less irritating as arbutin’s active component is released slowly.

Argireline (also known as Acetyl Hexapeptide-8) consists of an amino peptide that reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. When applied, Argireline helps relax the muscles by temporarily limiting the overproduction and release of neurotransmitters. The contractions of the facial muscles are initiated and controlled.

Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate is a newly developed esterified derivative of Vitamin C with the highest stability of all Vitamin C derivatives. It can be absorbed transdermally and then effectively converted into vitamin C; it can inhibit the synthesis of melanin and remove the melanin present. Accordingly, it activates the collagen tissue directly at the base of the skin, accelerates collagen production and prevents skin ageing. It also plays a role as an anti-inflammatory agent and antioxidant.

Medical grade Azelaic Acid (Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate) improves skin brightness by inhibiting the activity of tyrosinase, one of the main causes of pigmentation. Regular use can result in skin that is up to six times brighter after just 21 days.

“Natural retinol” plant-based bakuchiol which has been found in clinical studies to help boost cell turnover and stimulate collagen production, but without the skin irritation that is sometimes associated with retinol. It also has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, making it suitable for all-matter of skin ageing concerns including lines, wrinkles and hyperpigmentation.

Bakuchiol is derived from the Indian Babchi plant and has been used in Indian and Chinese traditional medicine for centuries.

Biotin, also known as vitamin B7, stimulates keratin production in hair and can increase the rate of follicle growth. Biotin’s involvement in protein synthesis and keratin production allows this vitamin to contribute to healthy hair growth.

Brighlette™ is a biotechnological ingredient that acts on various steps of the pigmentation process to improve skin radiance and reduce hyperpigmented spots, greatly contributing to skin tone evenness.

Our Ceramide Complex is a skin-identical lipid concentrate for improved skin moisturisation and protection — keeping skin hydrated, plump, and supple. The barrier also protects the skin from harmful irritants, bacteria, and other environmental toxins. It is ideal for mature skin, dry skin and sensitive skin.

Chromabright™ (Dimethylmethoxy Chromanyl Palmitate) has a significant lightening effect on the skin and helps fight against photoageing and prevent skin damage caused by UV radiation.

Cosmiko advise against using this ingredient during pregnancy or breastfeeding.

Boost skin cell activity for younger looking skin with CoQ10. It stimulates collagen production. Collagen is the protein that decreases as we age, leading to wrinkles and leathery skin. Helping you make more collagen, CoQ10 is a skin saving essential. Young skin has ample amounts of CoQ10 and so has lots of energy – energy needed to repair damage and make sure the skin cells are healthy. It protects against photo-aging – that means premature aging due to over exposing the skin to the sun.

Collagen forms insoluble fibres of high tensile strength intended to provide resistance and offer an elastic force over the skin. Collagen is created by fibroblasts which are special cells found in the dermal layer of the skin. Our vegetable Collagen is created from protein fibres produced by corn, soy, and wheat. It was created to mimic the structure of collagen and is capable of providing a functional equivalent that supports the youthful elasticity and suppleness of skin. The ability to revive and condition skin without animal derivatives is here!

Copper Peptide BIS(TRIPEPTIDE-1) COPPER ACETATE – helps reduce inflammation and improved circulation. Copper Peptides promote collagen production and act as antioxidants. They are needed for natural healing and regeneration of your skin and to help remove damaged collagen. To improve wrinkles and to help our skin look younger we need to replace lost collagen. When collagen breaks down, it forms specific peptides, and these peptides act as a signal to tell your skin it was damaged and to make new collagen.

Ectoin protects the skin from environmental factors like UVA rays and pollutants. It also prevents water loss due to its ability to decrease stressors in the the outer layer of skin when it is exposed to harsh, drying environments.

Our Exosomes are derived from water radish kimchi and green tangerines. They strengthen the skin barrier, help skin regeneration and boost the activities of conventional brightening agents. Reduce wrinkles by preventing inflammation and give skin elasticity and moisture by boosting production of Elastin and Hyaluronic acid.

Derived from cane sugar Glycolic acid is an AHA (alpha hydroxy acid). It is able to penetrate skin deeply and easily, making it the most effective for treating fine lines, acne, blackheads, dullness, oiliness etc., Chemical peels use a high percentage of this acid and can be very effective if done safely and properly.

Able to penetrate the skin’s upper layers to improve and benefit the skin when applied topically. Hyaluronic Acid is a major component of skin, where it benefits tissue repair and protection. When applied in an HA cream or serum, hyaluronic acid forms an air permeable layer and penetrates into the dermis, thus boosting the elasticity and hydration of the skin, helping reduce the look of fine lines and wrinkles. The protective barrier on the skin locks in moisture, which gives the skin a youthful appearance. Our Hyaluronic Acid (Sodium Hyaluronate) has a very low molecular weight of 56kDa, providing intense moisture and sustained hydration deep in the skin.

A strong Alpha-Hydroxy Acid and has excellent exfoliant properties.  It can also increase the synthesis of lipids and ceramides, fortifying the skin barrier function and reducing water loss.  Lactic acid is correlated to increased hyaluronic acid and collagen synthesis, resulting in skin that is more hydrated, softer and firmer, and with fewer fine lines and wrinkles.

Most commonly found throughout New Zealand and Australia is the native Leptospermum scoparium, or Manuka, also known as the New Zealand tea tree – known for its barks that were used for tea by early settlers. It looks like a small shrub with pointy leaves. Small flowers in white, sometimes pink, grow on the Manuka that blooms in summer.

Honey has been used as a food and medical product since the earliest times. It has been used in many cultures for its medicinal properties, as a remedy for burns, cataracts, ulcers and wound healing, because it exerts a soothing effect when initially applied to open wounds.

Manuka honey has greatly attracted the attention of researchers for its biological properties, especially its antimicrobial and antioxidant capacities due to its particular active : the methylglyoxal (or MGO). Manuka honey can be used in cosmetic products for sensitive and delicate skin especially in body care, shower and hair care product to support a moisturising effect.

Collagen plays a crucial role in ensuring skin’s elasticity, mechanical resistance and tissue regeneration. Collagen production falls with age and by around 45 it may have fallen by up to 30%. Marine Collagen is a natural source of type 1 collagen which is easily assimilated by the body and is rich in glycine, proline and hydroxyproline, the main constituents of skin. Our Marine Collagen is derived from saltwater algae including Laminaria and Padina so it suitable for vegans.

Matrixyl® 3000 is a popular anti-ageing compound that contains two matrikines, Pal-GHK and Pal-GQPR that are used by the skin to regulate cell activity. These important chemical messengers stimulate reconstruction and repair, helping to restore and maintain the skin’s youthful appearance. Can be added to creams, lotions and serums.

Imparts long lasting moisturisation and increases the strength of the hair shaft, whilst maintaining its natural smoothness and shine. Panthenol also prevents hair damage caused by overheating or over drying the hair and scalp. It conditions hair without build-up and reduces damage from split ends. Panthenol deeply hydrates the skin, helping to prevent the skin’s moisture loss whilst improving skin’s elasticity and softness, which helps to slow down and reduce the signs of aging. It helps to firm and tone the skin through the production of acetylcholine.

Polyglutamic Acid (PGA) is a humectant which works to attract and lock in moisture, boosting the skins ability to lock in moisture in the cells. It is similar to Hyaluronic Acid but has a higher water absorbability and mositure-retaining properties. What makes PGA different is it limits the breakdown of Hyaluronic Acid in the skin, making it even more effective.

PHAs (Poly-hydroxy acids) such as gluconolactone acid and lactobionic acid work on the surface of the skin due to their larger molecule size, making them ideal for virtually all skin types, especially if you’ve experienced sensitivity in the past with AHA or BHA based products. They work by exfoliating dead skin cells on the surface, resulting in a more even skin tone and texture, and also help skin-care ingredients penetrate deeper into the layers of your skin, thus boosting their efficacy, combating glycation which weakens collagen and elastin in your skin.

Salicylic Acid is derived from willow bark and is a Beta Hydroxy Acid (BHA) that has powerful acne-fighting properties and is excellent at treating oily and blemished skin. It works on many levels of the skin. The structure of salicylic acid is what makes it so hard-working as it’s more oil-soluble than most other Beta Hydroxy Acids. This means it can penetrate deeper down into pores to un-stick the glue that binds dead skin cells together, for a really deep clean.

Skin Tightener-ST™ 2 provides an immediate skin smoothing effect. A combination of marine and botanical polymers promotes an instant tightening effect. Skin Tightener ST2 is an association of a vegetable protein hydrolysate with polymannuronate from Giant Kelp.

Research shows that plant stem cells can slow skin aging by defending against extrinsic stress, keeping skin looking youthful. They are also antioxidant, protectant, antimicrobial and enhance cellular metabolism, improving radical skin stability and boosting collagen production.

Is a small synthetic peptide that helps reduce the appearance of wrinkles and laughter lines – fast. As our skin gets older so the number of expression and laughter lines increases, along with crow’s feet and forehead wrinkles. SYN®-AKE enables the face to relax, reducing wrinkles but without losing the ability to help people express themselves. It’s fast acting, long lasting and fully reversible.

A ingredient proven to fade the look of different types of skin discolorations. Research has shown the effectiveness of this ingredient for issues like melasma. Nearly 96% of study participants who used tranexamic acid saw noticeable improvement after 12 weeks of daily use when coupled with a broad-spectrum sunscreen, which is essential to prevent discoloration.

What is the difference between UVA and UVB?

Ultraviolet A (UVA) has a longer wavelength and is associated with skin ageing. UVA is responsible for the destruction of health collagen and elastin fibres. It penetrates the dermis of the skin 40 times deeper than UVB and causes premature ageing.

Ultraviolet B (UVB) has a shorter wavelength and is associated with skin burning. UVB is responsible for skin reddening and sunburn. It penetrates the epidermis of the skin and plays a key role in the development of skin cancers.

Vitamin A (Retinyl Palmitate) is a derivative that is great at unclogging pores, boosting collagen levels to reduce fine lines and speeding up cell renewal to even out discoloration and smooth the skin. Our Retinyl Palmitate is a compound formed from Retinol and Palmitic Acid.

Cosmiko advise against using this ingredient during pregnancy or breastfeeding.

Also known as nicotinamide or niacinamide, this is a water-soluble from of niacin. It is essential in a balanced diet and is contained in many foodstuffs. In our skincare products the effect is soothing and anti-inflammatory, it relieves redness as in rosacea, dry or irritated skin, supports cell growth and improves skin moisturisation and reduces transepidermal water loss.

Also known as panthenol is a powerful humectant that deeply hydrates, soothes irritation, and strengthens the skin barrier to lock in moisture. It boosts skin elasticity, aids in repairing damaged skin, and promotes a clearer, smoother complexion, making it ideal for dry, sensitive, or acne-prone skin

Fights free-radicals and helps the skin produce collagen naturally resulting in tighter, firmer and less saggy skin. Helps tackle acne scars and provides more protection from the sun by thickening the dermis layer.

A popular antioxidant that protects and repairs skin. Antioxidants are agents that neutralize the oxidant effect of free radicals, which are molecules that damage collagen and cause skin dryness, fine lines and wrinkles.