Icelandic moss

Cetraria islandica extract

Icelandic moss (or lichen) (Cetraria islandica L., fam. Parmeliaceae), is a species that is characteristic of the lava fields in Iceland. Icelandic moss is the plant used in cosmetics with the most important antimicrobial properties. And it is precisely due to these antibacterial properties that it provides a valid aid in fighting the unpleasant odours caused by bacteria in the armpit following excessive sweating and is therefore used in deodorants. It is also used in oral hygiene products, however, as an adjuvant against the microbial growth responsible for cavities. It contains usnic acid that helps prevent plaque formation, protecting against the attack of bacteria, fighting their action.

Pomegranate

Punica granatum extract

The pomegranate (Punica granatum, L.) is a shrub of the Punicaceae family, originally from a region running from Iran to the Himalayas of Northern India. The pomegranate’s many seeds (approximately 600) has meant that it has always been considered the fruit of fertility: in some populations, brides used it to predict the number of children they would have and still today, amongst Asian populations, an open pomegranate fruit symbolises abundance and well wishing. An oil is obtained from the seeds of this fruit, which is particularly rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids, beta-carotene, vitamin C and vitamin E - the ideal blend to moisturise and nourish the skin. These ingredients, together with the many polyphenols present, make the extract an effective skin soother and anti-ageing agent in cosmetic products. These properties are due to the antioxidant action of the active ingredients contained in the extract, which protect the skin from the damages caused by the free radicals and UV radiation, preventing the collagen constituent of the skin from deteriorating, as it is essential to giving tone and structure.

Argan Oil

Non-fragrant plant oil expressed from the kernels of rarified argan trees. Argan trees are extremely capable of adapting to severe environmental conditions, including droughts. Argan oil contains several beneficial lipids and fatty acids for skin, including oleic acid, palmitic acid, and especially linoleic acid. It is also a good source of vitamin E (Tocopherol) and, like several other plant oils, is a source of antioxidant compounds. Argan oil is a natural source of the antioxidant ferulic acid. The cosmetics industry is hailing argan oil as a restorative wonder owing to it use by Moroccan women for years to tend to their hair, skin, and nails. Despite the folklore stories (which is irrelevant because not all Moroccan women have great skin, hair, and nails, or use argan oil, not to mention different cultures in the middle east use different oils with mixed results); and limited availability of the trees (plus the difficult extraction process to obtain the oil) argan oil isn’t a miraculous ingredient by any stretch of the imagination.

Bilberry

Vaccinium myrtillus

The bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) is a shrub plant of the Ericaceae family. The species can be found in Europe and in North America. In Italy, the Vaccinium genus is only to be found in the North and on the mountains in the Centre. The fruits contain tannins, anthocyanins and vitamins, above all vitamin C, which give bilberry extract antioxidant and astringent properties, enabling it to protect the microcirculation. The anthocyanins of the bilberry act by protecting and strengthening the wall of the capillary and venous vessels, improving the skin microcirculation and helping reduce oedema and congestion. They therefore help eliminate water from tissues, providing a valid aid in treating skin blemishes such as cellulite. Additionally, bilberry extract contains alpha hydroxy acids, which, through their gentle, exfoliating action and surface smoothing, stimulate cell renewal in the skin and dermis, in the deepest layers of the epidermis. Skin looks smoother and move even, with a notable reduction in the “orange peel” appearance