Body Essence

We have assembled this glossary that features descriptions of several of the most important ingredients in the our Body Essence formulations. For additional information, visit our Ask the Expert or Contact Us sections.

Almond Seed	The oil from Sweet Almond Seed is rich in minerals, protein, naturally occurring vitamins (A, B1, B2, B6 and E) and in mono- and poly-unsaturated fatty acids. It is an excellent skin softener, conditioner and a great moisturizer. Sweet Almond Oil is easily absorbed into the skin leaving it soft and smooth.
Aloe Vera Leaf Juice	Aloe Vera from leaf juice is a very popular ingredient in our Body Essence products. Aloe vera is derived from the gel of the cactus-like Aloe plant which is native to Africa. It is an incredible skin moisturizer that helps to keep skin supple by delivering oxygen to the cells, thereby increasing the synthesis and strength of skin tissue. Research shows that aloe vera can improve the skin's ability to hydrate itself, aids in the removal of dead skin cells and has an effective penetrating ability that helps transport healthy substances through the skin's epidermis.
Cucumber Fruit Extract	Cucumber juice has been used since ancient times for its cooling, refreshing properties on the skin. Cucumber Fruit Extract is an important emollient that can bind and regulate moisture, thereby keeping skin soft. It helps soothe tired and stressed skin.
Glycerin	Glycerin is an important ingredient in our Organic products due to its superior properties as a humectant and emollient. It is excellent for hydrating and moisturizing the skin while providing a barrier against moisture loss. It provides a wonderful, penetrating feel during application, leaving the skin soft and smooth.
Herbal Extracts	Many of our Body Essence formulas employ the healing power of herbal extracts. These extracts include Arnica, Calendula, Chamomile, Echinacea, Golden Seal Root, Lavender, Licorice Root, Mallow, Marigold, Orange Peel, Passionflower and Rosemary. These herbs typically provide excellent antioxidant activity and have soothing, calming effects on the skin. They are also effective in stimulating skin circulation to accelerate the healing process. Organic versions of these herbs are infused in our Body Essence Organics product line.
Honey	Honey is one of the most perfect skin care ingredients! It is an excellent humectant that attracts and retains water. It can create a watertight barrier, allowing the skin to rehydrate itself. It is incredibly nourishing, since it is a complex ingredient rich in sugars, wax, enzymes, amino acids and vitamins. Honey generates a natural antiseptic, antibacterial activity. It is a sweet and fragrant addition to many of our formulas, leaving skin softened and moisturized.
Hydrolyzed Pearl Powder	Hydrolyzed Pearl Powder is a natural ingredient that encases and envelops exfoliating irritants to cushion them thereby reducing skin irritation.
Macadamia Nut Scrub	Our Exfoliating Body Wash contains crushed Macadamia Nuts as part of its exfoliating matrix. Along with the gentle exfoliation properties of the nut scrub, the oil from the nuts is rich in Palmitoleic acid, which closely resembles the sebum in human skin. This oil promotes softness and elasticity and has anti-aging effects.
Mango Butter (Beads)	Mango Butter is obtained from the seed kernels of the mango tree. Mango Butter is prized as an excellent emollient that can help prevent dryness and wrinkle formation as a result of sun exposure. It is a source of essential fatty acids that can help reduce the degeneration of skin cells and restore elasticity. We infuse our Body Wash with Mango Butter Beads that are micro-encapsulated to burst on contact with the skin for emollient-like hydration.
Oat Amino Extract	Otherwise known as Avena Sativa, we use Oat Amino Extract in our products for its moisturizing and anti-aging effects. It is an excellent foaming cleanser, and it can help to reduce skin dryness and irritation.
Olive Butter (Beads)	Olive Butter is obtained from cold pressed olives. Olive Butter possesses all of the natural qualities of olive oil and is similar in feel to Shea Butter. Olive Oil is rich in antioxidants, and can exhibit anti-aging properties including protection against sun damage. It is also is a gentle, deep moisturizer with natural anti-inflammatory properties. We infuse our Body Wash with Olive Butter Beads that are micro-encapsulated to burst on contact with the skin for emollient-like hydration.
Olive Leaf Oil	Olive Leaf Oil is extracted from the leaves of the olive tree. Phenolic compounds present in olive leaves have strong free-radical scavenging capacity to help skin against environmental damage. Olive Leaf Oil is a conditioning humectant with calming properties. It participates in the cleansing process with a purifying, antiseptic action.
Papaya Fruit Extract	Tropical Papaya Fruit is native to Central Americas, and it is popular for its rejuvenating properties because it is a rich source of antioxidant Vitamins A and C. It can promote skin repair by increasing regeneration of new cells. Papaya Fruit Extract can also help stabilize oily skin and provide exfoliating action on dry areas. We also like the refreshing, sweet, tropical fragrance that it imparts to our formulas.
Panthenol	Panthenol, also known as Provitamin B5, is a humectant that improves the moisture-retention capacity of the skin, and it helps with the absorption of nutrients. It soothes and nourishes while helping to promote cellular regeneration.
Shea Butter (Beads)	Shea Butter is obtained from the seeds of the shea tree, and it is rich source of essential fatty acids, plus Vitamins A and E. It is an excellent moisturizer that can help retain skin elasticity. It provides anti-aging properties that fight lines and wrinkles, and dull, dry skin. We infuse our Body Wash with Shea Butter Beads that are micro-encapsulated to burst on contact with the skin for emollient-like hydration.
Soy Milk Protein Extract	Soy Milk Protein is an important source of proteins, amino acids and lipids that maintain skin moisture levels. We include it in many formulas to activate rapid hydration and cell regeneration.
Sunflower Seed Oil	Sunflower Seed Oil contains beneficial amounts of Phospholipids, which are terrific humectants with hygroscopic properties (they attract moisture from the air). This oil also provides beneficial effects for environmentally-damaged skin, such as skin over-exposed to the sun and wind. Sunflower Seed Oil helps protect the skin's top layer because its use in our lotion helps regenerate the phospholipid content.
Tea Extracts (Green, White, Black)	We use Green, White and Black (Oolong) Tea Extracts in many of our Body Essence formulas due to their potent anti-inflammatory properties and ability to offer superior protection to the skin from free radical damage. They are a rich source of polyphenols--active phytochemical ingredients that promote anti-aging. We use a combination of these teas to harness the diverse range of polyphenols that are unique to each variety. In addition to the powerful antioxidant activity of these teas, they also provide skin toning effects.
Tea Tree Oil	Tea Tree Oil is also known as Melaleuca Oil, since it is extracted from the melaleuca tree of Australia. Tea Tree Oil is is known for its healing properties, and ability to penetrate the skin rapidly. It is wonderfully invigorating and aromatic.
Triclosan	We use Triclosan and Triclosan Beads in our Antibacterial Hand Lotions as an anti-bacterial ingredient. As part of our moisturizing lotion formulations, its effectiveness is enhanced because of its germ-fighting properties that linger long after the lotion is applied.
Vitamins A, C & E	Vitamins A, C and E are antioxidants that can promote the restoration of skin cells damaged by free radicals. Together, these vitamins can act as a natural preservative of optimum skin conditions. In addition, Vitamin A has healing, anti-inflammatory properties, and it is essential for tissue repair by helping to accelerate the formation of healthy new skin cells. Vitamin C has a role in wrinkle defense because it is a vital component in the formation of collagen--an essential structural skin protein. Vitamin E has been shown to be effective as an anti-aging wrinkle-fighting agent. Like Vitamin C, Vitamin E can soothe damaged, dry skin.
Wheat Germ Oil	Wheat Germ Oil is found in the best skin care products, including our Antibacterial Lotions. It is a natural source of Vitamins E, A and, D, proteins and lecithin. Wheat Germ Oil is notable for its smoothing properties when applied to rough, dry, chaffed skin. It is also effective for reversing the effects of wrinkling.