Active Ingredients

Allantoin is a naturally soothing and calming skin barrier that boosts the water content of the extracellular skin layer that provides support to cells and is an important part of connective tissue. Derived from plants Allantoin also improves the finish of skin and helps with cell replication.

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.

Is a pigment that is highly concentrated in orange vegetables like carrots and sweet potatoes. Beta-carotene possesses antioxidant properties, destroying harmful free radical molecules that cause cellular damage.

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

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.

Studies have shown Copper Peptide (Copper tripeptide-1) to significantly improve skin resilience, clarity and appearance, reduced fine lines and the depth of wrinkles, along with increased skin density and thickness.

Ethylhexylglycerin is a preservative compound derived from grains and plants. It works by damaging the cellular walls of micro-organisms and is effective against bacteria, yeasts and mould fungi. It also improves skin-feel of cosmetics.

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. The protective barrier on the skin locks in moisture, which gives the skin a youthful appearance. One of the most skin damaging elements are UVB rays from the sun. Hyaluronic acid benefits the skin as it protects the skin from UVB rays (and the scavenging reactive oxygen species they generate), which can cause sunspots.

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.

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.

Penta- and Hexa- Peptides are derived from flower protein and work as an MMP inhibitor preventing MMP activity following exposure of the skin to sunlight. This prevents collagen and elastin breakdown, helping to renew skin’s outer layer, reduce the depth of wrinkles & stimulate the production of new collagen and elastin, giving the skin a younger look.

Also known as Ethylene Glycol Monophenyl Ether, is an effective bactericide primarily used as a preservative in cosmetics and beauty products. Phenoxyethanol has become a widely used ingredient because of its reputation for being non-irritating, it is also one of the few preservatives that does not release formaldehyde.

Retinol is a Vitamin A derivative that is great at uncloging pores, boosting collagen levels to reduce fine lines and speeding up cell renewal to even out discoloration and smooth the skin. Our Retinol is derived from organic carotenoids found in carrots and other yellow vegetables.

Silk Peptide Protein is produced from natural silk fibroin and is a natural moisturiser consisting of 18 amino acids essential to human body. It is easily absorbed into the skin, improving moisture levels and increasing shine and elasticity and controlling the growth of melanin. For hair-care products silk peptide protein exhibits a great absorbency due to its chemical structure and has a very special protective capability – it forms a transparent film effectively preventing alkaline damage and improving natural shine, flexibility and softness.

The three most important forms are retinol, retinal, and retinoic acid. Each play different roles in the body. Retinol (see above) is the most common form used in cosmetics. It is converted in the body to retinal and retinoic acid, which is important for the skin.

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.

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.

Many of our moisturisers contain SPF25 in the form of Zinc Oxide and help to protect the skin from ageing when exposed to low grade UVA (general daylight).  It does not provide a UV protection when sunbathing.