Vegan products
May 10th, 2022 by Dr. Hannah Sivak
Why do plants have so many antioxidants? Because, however different from us, plants use oxygen, and their metabolism produces ROS* (reactive oxygen species) just like us. They also live in an environment where ROS* are present. Just like we do. Let’s use their antioxidants, so varied and effective, they will delay skin aging and help reverse the effect of ROS* and UV reaching our skin. We hear a lot about astaxanthin and Skin Actives offers it in many of our products and also for DIY enthusiasts. Our astaxanthin can increase the active value of your “potions”. Why? Figure: chemical structure of astaxanthin From my glossary Astaxanthin Plant pigment, antioxidant Astaxanthin,…
January 4th, 2022 by Dr. Hannah Sivak
What is sustainability? It is a relatively new word, plus its meaning has been changing with time. Originally, “sustainability” meant making such use of natural, renewable resources like a forest so that people could continue to rely on their yields in the long term. In other words, using a resource in such a way that it never runs out. Nowadays it means keeping the balance between environment, equity, and economy. In any of its uses, it’s an admirable aim and looks great in advertising. Because the meaning of the word changes with the source, it’s a good idea to ask what the person (or the advertiser) means by it. How…
August 25th, 2021 by Dr. Hannah Sivak
Tremella is a great example of symbiosis. It is also a great example of how important fungal components have become in skincare. Figure: the snow fungus is more than “just” a fungus. Let me first remind you of what symbiosis is. The word comes from Greek συμβίωσις, symbíōsis, “living together”, from σύν, sýn, “together”, and βίωσις, bíōsis, “living”. It refers to any close, long-term biological interaction between two different biological organisms. The organisms, each termed a symbiont, must be of different species. How does it apply to the pretty “snow fungus”? Tremella fuciformis is a parasitic yeast that grows as a slimy film until it encounters its preferred hosts, also…
April 23rd, 2019 by Dr. Hannah Sivak
Skin Actives capillary health cream contains the best that tradition and phytochemistry can offer us to protect the fine capillaries that bring oxygen (and take away the carbon dioxide) to our cells. Essential fatty acids present in the traditional rosehip seed oil will help the skin build a strong barrier to keep water inside and bad stuff out. Sea kelp bioferment, has all the benefits that brown algae bring from the ocean. Horse chestnut and butcher’s broom have been used for centuries to protect blood vessels and phytochemistry has elucidated which are the chemicals in them and how they work. You will also find other traditional extracts: liquorice, grape seed,…
April 20th, 2019 by Dr. Hannah Sivak
As always, the secret is in the ingredients. My objective when I designed the alpha/beta was to emulate (improve on an existing product) on a product in the market that worked very well. That product is not sold any longer, so SAS alpha beta exfoliator is probably one of a kind: a mix alpha/beta without water. Alpha hydroxy acids are organic acids with one hydroxyl group attached to the alpha position of the acid. They include glycolic acid, lactic acid, malic acid, tartaric acid, and citric acid are often used extensively in cosmetic formulations. Salicylic acid as a peeling agent has a number of indications, including acne vulgaris, melasma, photodamage,…