Results for “Masks & exfoliants”

Astaxanthin is a xanthophyll carotenoid, a fat-soluble red‑orange pigment that occurs naturally in certain microalgae and then enters the marine food chain. In supplements it is most commonly used as natural astaxanthin sourced from the microalga Haematococcus pluvialis, typically supplied as an oleoresin extract rich in astaxanthin, where a portion is present as fatty‑acid esters. Because it is oil‑soluble, it is frequently formulated in softgels with carrier oils (such as olive or sunflower/safflower oil) or as a standardised powder for capsules and tablets. On labels it may appear as “astaxanthin (from Haematococcus pluvialis extract)” or as a standardised algae extract with a declared astaxanthin percentage. In cosmetics it can be found in lipophilic formulas such as serums or creams, often encapsulated or dissolved into the oil phase to improve stability. As a carotenoid pigment it is sensitive to light and oxidation, so formulations commonly include technological antioxidants for protection.

Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) is a perennial herbaceous plant from the Asteraceae family, widely found across Europe and beyond. In supplements it is typically used as a botanical extract from the root and/or leaves, presented as a powder, capsule, tablet, or liquid, with specifications that vary by plant part and extraction method. In cosmetics it appears under INCI naming, most commonly as “Taraxacum Officinale Extract”, as well as more specific variants that indicate the plant part (e.g., root or aerial parts). Extracts may be water-based, glycerin-based, or hydroalcoholic and are incorporated into formulas such as serums, creams, toners, and scalp-care products. The plant’s natural composition includes a complex mixture of botanical constituents such as polyphenols and sesquiterpene lactones, which can vary with origin and standardisation. On labels, the Latin botanical name is commonly used to ensure precise identification of the species.

Berberine is a yellow isoquinoline alkaloid that occurs naturally in several plants, including species of the genus Berberis and other botanicals. In food supplements it is most commonly used as an isolated substance or as a salt, most often berberine HCl, typically standardised to a high berberine content. It may also appear as part of botanical extracts where the label declares the berberine amount or a standardisation percentage. Typical product formats include capsules, tablets and powders, with the daily portion stated in milligrams. In cosmetics it can be present as a discrete ingredient or linked to a botanical source, and on INCI lists it may also be found as “Berberine Chloride”. Because it is a plant-derived isolated compound, labelling can vary between “berberine”, “berberine HCl”, and the names of root/bark extracts that supply it.

Salicylic acid is an aromatic organic acid (2‑hydroxybenzoic acid) that occurs naturally in some plants and is widely used as a functional cosmetic ingredient. In formulations it appears as a crystalline powder and is typically incorporated via suitable phases/solvent systems, used either as the free acid or as salicylate salts (e.g., sodium salicylate, potassium salicylate, TEA‑salicylate). In skincare it is found in both leave‑on and rinse‑off products such as gels, serums, toners, creams, and cleansers, where the level is commonly expressed as “acid” (salicylic‑acid equivalent). In haircare it can be present in shampoos and scalp products. In some formulations it may also be used as a preservative, under specific regulatory conditions. pH selection and solubilisation strategy are part of the formulation design to keep the ingredient stable and compatible with other components.

Collagen is a family of fibrous proteins naturally present in animal connective tissues and, in consumer products, it is most commonly sourced from bovine, porcine, or marine raw materials. In supplements it is frequently used as hydrolysed collagen, also labelled as “collagen peptides”, where the protein is broken down into smaller peptides to improve solubility and ease of use in powders, capsules, tablets, and ready-to-mix drinks. On labels it may appear as “hydrolyzed collagen” or “collagen peptides”, with the origin sometimes specified as marine, bovine, or porcine. In cosmetics, collagen is typically declared under the INCI name “Hydrolyzed Collagen” and is used in water-based formulas such as serums, creams, and masks, often at modest concentrations alongside humectants and film-forming polymers. As a material, it is a mixture primarily composed of amino acids, peptides, and proteins, with properties influenced by the source and degree of hydrolysis. Because it is protein-based, collagen-containing products can have a characteristic taste or odour, so flavoured options are also common.

Milk thistle is the plant Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn., best known for its fruits/seeds, which are used to obtain botanical extracts containing a characteristic group of constituents referred to as silymarin (a complex of flavonolignans). In food supplements it is typically used as a seed/fruit extract, often standardised to a declared percentage of silymarin, and presented as capsules, tablets, powders or liquid drops. In cosmetics it may appear as a Silybum marianum extract in aqueous or glycerinic media, or as a lipid-linked derivative/ester designed for oil-based systems. On cosmetic ingredient lists it is usually named using INCI, such as Silybum Marianum Extract or Silybum Marianum Fruit Extract. Extract composition can vary with plant part, extraction method and degree of standardisation, so products carrying the same botanical name are not necessarily comparable. In finished products, milk thistle may be used alone or alongside other botanical extracts and common formulation antioxidants.

Turmeric is the dried rhizome of Curcuma longa L. (Zingiberaceae), recognised for its deep yellow-orange colour and distinctive aroma. In foods and supplements it is used as ground rhizome powder or as an extract standardised in curcuminoids, where the main constituent is curcumin; labels may also list it simply as “curcumin”. In food applications it can also appear as the colouring additive E 100. In cosmetics it is used as milled plant material or as a rhizome extract, commonly supplied in aqueous, glycerinic, or oil-based carriers, and incorporated into formulas such as masks, serums, creams, and cleansers. Because the pigment is intense, formulations often focus on colour stability and reducing the risk of staining fabrics. More concentrated powdered extracts are also widely used for capsules, tablets, and powdered blends.