Functional ingredients

Apples are extremely rich in active ingredients, i.e. vitamins and mineral salts. Their peel contains malic acid, which is an alpha-hydroxy acid present in different fruits and vegetables, which is particularly abundant in apples. Malic acid is a precious ally of the skin, both because of its exfoliant function and its exceptional antioxidant properties. In addition, malic acid has a regenerating function, as it stimulates the production of collagen, the main protein of the human body, which is capable of maintaining a young and tonic skin.

Numerous nutrients are contained in grapes, such as sugars, vitamins, mineral salts, fibers and phytochemicals. Polyphenols, which belong to this last group, are the most important compounds that determine the positive effects of the fruit and of the derivative products.

Grapes are among the richest in polyphenols among all fruits, the composition of which is strongly influenced by different factors, such as the grapes’ variety, the climate and ambient conditions.

Grapes’ polyphenols are a complex mix of flavonoids compounds, which is the most abundant group, and non-flavonoids. Among flavonoids, anthocyanins (which are antioxidants that act as scavengers of free radicals and are more powerful than vitamin E), flavanols, condensed tannins and flavonols (protective agents against UV-A and UV-B radiation). Among non-flavonoid polyphenols, there are hydroxycinnamic acids, which are characterized by important antioxidant properties, and stilbenes, which are produced by a few edible species, among which grapevines. Stilbenes, and especially resveratrol and viniferine, together with the other grapes’ polyphenols, have been correlated with beneficial effects on health and on the skin, especially against skin aging.

The anti-aging activity of resveratrol, which is among the most powerful antioxidants of vegetal origin in nature, i.e. its ability to fight wrinkles, the skin photoaging process, the expression lines, and the loss of tone, can be traced back to different mechanisms: its capability to neutralize free radicals, to slow down collagen degeneration, and to protect the cells from the oxidative damage correlated to the effects of UV radiation on skin.

Like resveratrol, viniferine demonstrated to be a very powerful antioxidant, sixty-two times more efficient than vitamin C, and it is able to restore skin luminosity, reduce the skin’s dark spots and imperfections, and lighten the skin, by homogenizing the production of melanin.

Employed part: flower

Yarrow extract is rich in numerous active ingredients, such as tannins, flavonoids, phosphates, potassium salts and mucilages, and presents cicatrizing, antiseptics, and anti-inflammatory properties. The phytomelatonin contained in yarrow gives it a strongly hydrating and tonifying function. 

Employed part: leaf

The gel contained in the leaves of aloe vera is rich in precious substances, such as vitamins, enzymes, and essential amino acids, which have lenitive and refreshing properties on the skin, and it regulates the hydric balance.

Employed part: flower head

Marigold extract is rich in carotenoids, flavonoids, saponin, mucilages and essential oils, and has cicatrizing, anti-inflammatory, anti-reddening, emollient and lenitive properties. For this reason, marigold-based products are ideal for those who suffer from dry skin, cracking or delicate and easily reddened skin.

Employed part: flower 

Cornflower extract is rich in glucosides, mucilages, flavonoids, anthocyanins and pectines, and is appreciated for its lenitive, astringent, emollient, depurative and anti-inflammatory properties. Reizia chose to employ it in its anti-aging eye contour serum because of its decongestant and anti-reddening action on eyelids and dark circles.

Employed part: rosehips

The rosehips from which the extract is recovered are an extremely precious source of vitamin C, beta-carotene and lycopene, folic acid, flavonoids, tannins, mineral salts, and fatty acids, which offer important antioxidant properties. The vitamin C contained in it has important revitalizing effects and stimulates the production of collagen, which is the main protein of the human body and is capable of maintaining the skin young and tonic. 

Employed part: leaf 

The green leaves extract of the musk rose is rich in tannins, which give it tonifying and slightly astringent properties. 

Shea butter is obtained from the shea plant seeds, and it is rich in saturated and unsaturated acids, carotene, and vitamin E. It is hydrating, emollient, and profoundly nourishing; it protects from free radicals and has lenitive properties.

The unsaponifiable fraction comes from the fruit of the olive tree, and it is rich in vegetal squalene, tocopherols, carotenes, which offer it firming, lenitive and hydrating properties. It stimulates collagen production and hydrates the skin, restoring the epidermal barrier.

Obtained from the pulp of the avocado fruit through cold pressing, avocado oil contains several fatty acids and vitamins. Its lipidic composition favors the restoration of the skin’s hydrolipidic film, protecting it from dryness and rendering the skin soft and elastic. 

Jojoba oil is a wax obtained from the jojoba shrub, which becomes liquid at ambient temperature. Jojoba oil presents nourishing and emollient properties and it protects from UV rays. Its ease of absorption and capability of deep penetration give this oil an optimal hydrating function. 

Sweet almond oil is obtained through cold pressing of almonds, and is rich in vitamins of group A, B, E, proteins, carbohydrates, and mineral salts. It is ideal also for the most sensitive skin, and it renders the skin soft and elastic, thanks to its emollient properties. 

Hyaluronic acid, having hydrating properties, is capable of slowing down the physiological evaporation of water from the skin, offering it an elastic and tonic appearance. The hyaluronic acid chosen by Reizia is 100% of vegetal origin, and was obtained in the laboratory from a culture of yeasts through the fermentation process. 

Hyaluronic acid with different molecular weights is peculiar in that it penetrates different layers of epidermis. Hyaluronic acid with high molecular weight acts on the surface, preventing the water naturally present on the skin to evaporate; the one with medium molecular weight goes beyond the skin barrier contributing to maintain the normal levels of hydration; the one with low molecular weight penetrates the skin deeply, nourishing the various skin layers.

Glycolic acid is extracted from sugar cane and belongs to the alpha-hydroxy acids family. It is composed of very small molecules and thus it is capable of penetrating deeply in the skin. It has an exfoliating and regenerating action on epidermis, it smoothes the skin and closes the pores, restoring a smoother and more regular skin. Glycolic acid deeply penetrates the skin, and is able to break the bonds among the stratum corneum cells, thus minimizing the imperfections and the signs caused by cutaneous senescence.

Ceramides are fats naturally present in the skin, and their use in cosmesis helps maintain the skin hydrated, luminous, elastic and strong. The formulation of the day cream Reizia was enriched with Ceramide 3, which is particularly efficient to counteract the appearance of skin wrinkles. 

Vitamin E encompasses a group of liposoluble compounds with antioxidant properties. Reizia chose the tocopherol, which is an antioxidant agent derived from soya, capable of blocking the oxidative process caused by free radicals, and of increasing the ability of the stratum corneum to bond and retain water, which ensures an optimal skin hydration and reduces the formation of wrinkles. 

The bergamot essential oil is obtained from the peel of the fruit, and is known for its antiseptic, antibacterial and disinfectant properties. Its aroma is soft, fresh, fruity, and slightly balsamic. It is classified as a top note, having activating and stimulation properties.

The oil obtained by steam distillation of wild chamomile flowers, known also as Moroccan Chamomile or Ormenis, presents revitalizing, tonic, and anti-inflammatory properties. It is characterized by a sweet and herbal aroma, and it is classified as a heart note. It has harmonizing properties and it helps balance psychophysical energies.

The essential oil distilled from lavender flowers has purifying, balancing, and relaxing properties. It is characterized by a herbal, sweet and slightly floral aroma. It is classified as a heart note, it has harmonizing and balancing properties, and it acts on the sentimental and emotional plane.

Lemon essential oil is obtained from cold pressing of lemon zest, and it presents refreshing, tonifying and purifying properties. Its aroma is citrusy, sweet, and fruity. Lemon essential oil is classified as a top note, and it is an optimal adjuvant for mental fatigue, having stimulating action.

Peppermint essential oil is obtained from the top of the plant, and it is appreciated for its energizing, disinfecting, anti-inflammatory and strengthening action. Its aroma is fresh, bittersweet, pungent, and it is classified as a top note. It is a volatile oil, with an intense but not persistent odor. It has activating and refreshing action and mental stimulation properties.

Damask rose essential oil is extracted from the steam distillation of the damask rose flowers and it is hydrating, antioxidant and anti-aging. It is classified as a heart note and its aroma is floral, soft, delicate. It is intense, feminine and sensual.

Rosemary essential oil is obtained from its twigs and flowers, and it has antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. It is characterized by an acute and penetrating scent, and it is classified as a top note. Acting on the head, it has a stimulating and refreshing effect and it helps with mental fatigue. 

Sage essential oil is derived from the sage leaves and it presents antibacterial, cicatrizing, and depurative properties. Its aroma is sweet, herbal, aromatic. It is classified as a heart note, and it acts on the affective and emotional plane.

Sandalwood essential oil is derived from the plant Santalum album, which is known in India as the “paradise tree”, and it possesses anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and antimicrobial properties. Its aroma is woody, sweet, balsamic, and intense. It is classified as a base note. It has a calming and stabilizing action.

Vanilla essential oil is extracted from the Vanilla Planifolia pods and presents harmonizing and antioxidant properties. Its aroma is sweet, floral, warm, and it is classified as a heart note. It has a balancing and harmonizing action at the emotional level.