Phyto-5 Niaouli Redness Calm Cream

PHYTO-5 complexe is a blend of extracts from five plants known to exhibit healing properties, that have been used for millennia to help with skin healing and protection. Wildcrafted in Ontario, Canada*, these plants benefit the skin most by acting in concert, which may help reduce trans-epidermal water loss, boost collagen, potentially calm inflammation and deeply nourish the skin.

*except rosehip seed oil from Chile. 

Niaouli (Melaleuca quinquenervia):  Also known as 'the lavender of the Pacific' where this bush is native, Niaouli, a kind of 'gentler' tea-tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) is a skin healing and purifying essential oil that has been used as a cure all for centuries.

Thanks to its cicatrising properties, Niaouli Essential Oil is the ultimate healer. When applied topically to the epidermis, Niaouli Oil works to stimulate cellular regeneration to reduce the appearance of acne scars, blemishes and small imperfections. Niaouli gently stimulates the body's immune defences and helps heal wounds, and protect and restore the skin and can help rejuvenate tired and dull-looking complexions. 

Thanks to it's antiseptic, antibacterial and antifungal properties, Niaouli can help cleanse and purify the pores, making it especially useful for congested, rosacea and acne prone skin. It penetrates pores and cleanses the skin from harmful impurities such as toxins, pollution and free radicals. 

1% HYALURONIC ACID, at 2% concentration: Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a naturally occurring, potent glycosaminoglycan found throughout the body’s connective tissue. Glycosaminoglycans are simply long unbranched carbohydrates, or sugars, called polysaccharides. Sweet!

HA is the main component of the extra cellular matrix that gives skin structure, and is responsible for that plump and hydrated look of skin, as it can bind up to 1000 times it's weight in water! In other words, it functions as a humectant and holds water molecules onto the surface of the skin to keep it nice and hydrated and slow-down the rate at which water evaporates on the surface of the skin.

Since the body's naturally occurring supply of Hyaluronic acid decreases with age, skin can be more susceptible to wrinkles and sagging, and sensitivity. Hyaluronic acid increases skin elasticity, (11) has been used to treat 'skinflammation' caused by auto-immune conditions including eczema (12, 13, 14), facial rosacea, (15) and it also can help reduce the appearance of wrinkles. (16, 17). (source) 

White Willow Bark: Willow bark extract is a potent herbal remedy for many skin problems, including acne, rosacea and redness prone skin. It can gently exfoliate skin thanks to it's keratolytics (compounds that break down the outer layer of the skin and can even decrease thickness of psoriatic plaques), and help repair skin lesions and remove dead skin cells. It can also help calm redness, reduce excess oil secretions, help clear pores of impurities and dissolve blackheads thanks to it's salicylic acid content.

This gentle but potent extract can help heal hormonal acne and prevent future flare-ups. It can also be used to treat eczema, psoriasis and rosacea. 

Willow bark often turns up as a natural alternative to salicylic acid, because it contains salicin. When orally ingested, salicin is converted into salicylic acid by specialized enzymes in our digestive system. Here is where its effectiveness as an acne treatment fades.

Whether applied topically or consumed, willow bark can increase blood flow to the skin due to its antioxidants, while also reducing the appearance of wrinkles and age marks. Furthermore, it can eliminate inflammation in the skin and ease the pain of insect bites and irritation.

Sea Buckthorn Seed oil (Hippophae rhamnoides): This miracle oil from the seeds and pulp of the bright orange Sea Buckthorn berry, has both antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that will calm and protect skin while also reduce swelling and redness associated with 'skinflammation' or conditions like eczema, psoriasis, rosacea and acne. 

High in Omegas 3,6,7 & 9, which are known to help repair damaged skin, these fatty acids also have anti-inflammatory qualities, so they help reduce inflammation in the skin, prevent future flare ups, help to fade scars and promote an overall more even and smoother skin texture.

Rich with fatty acids and brightening and skin softening Vitamins C and E, it helps revive skin cells and smooth the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines, for a high-powered anti-aging defense system. Sea Buckthorn Oil is super gentle on skin and won`t clog your pores 

French Green & French Pink Clays:  Clays are used cosmetically or topically, to help detox, decongest, tighten and rid skin of impurities. Exceptionally absorbent and toning for the skin, French Clays attach themselves to oil, bacteria, and impurities from the skin to eliminate them and leave skin feeling cleansed, clarified, and balanced.

They can prohibit bacterial growth and help gently exfoliate the skin of impurities and help heal blemishes. French green clay contains iron oxides and chlorophyll and algae, and it's also very rich in skin friendly minerals, including magnesium, calcium, potassium, silica, phosphorous, copper, selenium and zinc. By restoring essential minerals to the skin, Clays nourish and replenish the skin’s moisture, enhance its function, promote the regeneration of cells, minimize the appearance of enlarged pores, repair damage, revitalize skin that appears to be dull, dry, and tired, and reduce the chance of congestion that leads to breakouts. (source)

Meadowfoam Seed oil: An extremely powerful emollient harvested from the delicate meadowfoam flower, this plant oil helps maintain the soft and supple look of skin. Antioxidants and fatty acids are the stars of Meadowfoam seed oil that make it a feast for the skin and hair, endowing it with rich moisturizing properties and a luxurious texture. It's light, velvety texture, effectively seals moisture in skin without a greasy residue.

It helps fight collagen degradation in the skin and offsets the impact of UVB light exposure, thanks to glucosinolate derivatives 3-methoxybenzyl isothiocyanate (MBITC) and 3-methoxyphenyl acetonitrile and it's high concentration of long-chain fatty acids docosenoic acid and docosadienoic acid, help give it a long shelf life without compromising it's effectiveness.

 Zinc Oxide: When metallic element Zinc, which occurs naturally in air, water, and soil, is heated along with oxygen. This chemical reaction causes zinc to oxidize. Once both the elements have evaporated and the vapor phase has been condensed into crystals, the result is Zinc Oxide: a fine, white powder, which is known to transmit an electric charge that is reputed to exhibit numerous benefits for several body systems, including the skin.

The antiseptic and astringent properties of Zinc Oxide work together to help reduce the risk of bacterial infections by reducing the skin’s permeability and thereby obstructing the path of bacteria before they can adhere to or become internalized by the body. This allows for the faster healing of minor burns, superficial wounds, and lesions.

When applied cosmetically, it keeps the skin hydrated and slows the appearance of the signs of aging by contributing moisture; however, it helps balance both the skin’s oil production, which prevents the skin from appearing shiny. Additionally, it reduces the appearance of enlarged pores, enhances collagen synthesis as well as the regeneration of connective tissue, and it balances the skin tone, which evens out pigmentation.