Key Ingredients in DU NORD SKIN CARE

Some Key Ingredients in DU NORD SKIN CARE (depending on availability; ingredients change year to year)
 
Please note: Assignments of properties associated with the following ingredients are based on a review of the literature. 

 

 

 

Apple Fruit Extract
Gentle exfoliant; hydrating, moisturizing. Source of alpha-hydroxyacids (AHAs), anti-oxidant phenolic compounds, vitamin C and minerals (potassium, phosphorus) and carbohydrates. Carbohydrates have humectant (water absorbing) activity and film-forming effects so may help to keep the outer layer of the skin hydrated and prevent transepidermal water loss. AHAs promote skin exfoliation and skin cell regeneration. May provide some degree of photoprotection. 

 

Arctic Mineral Mud
Detoxifying; purifying; softening; toning; smoothing. Source of skin-beneficial minerals. High in magnesium and calcium and contains a variety of trace minerals. May reduce sebum levels and pore size and improve circulation. May help to clear acne. May help to even skin tone. May help to reduce appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

 

Arctic Mineral Salts
Purifying; antiseptic. Derived from pink quartz-like deposits from Canada’s far north.

 

Aspen Bark Extract
Gentle exfoliant; antimicrobial; anti-inflammatory; anti-irritant. Natural source of salicylic acid. May help to smooth and soothe skin. May help to reduce effects of acne. 

 

Balsam Poplar Bud Essential Oil
Anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, anti-allergen. Source of alpha-bisabolol (active component in chamomile) known for its soothing and healing properties. Contributes to aroma.

 

Balsam Poplar Leaf Water, Tamarack Larch Need/Twig Water and Rose Water Blend
Astringent and toning; antiseptic; soothing; hydrating. Contributes to aroma.

 

Bearberry Leaf Extract
Astringent; antioxidant; antibacterial. Source of arbutin, a natural inhibitor of tyrosinase, which is involved in melanin production. May help reduce hyperpigmentation and even skin tone.

 

Black Currant Fruit Extract
Skin conditioning; antimicrobial; antioxidant; anti-inflammatory. Rich in anthocyanins and ellagitannin. May help to reduce visible effects of premature aging associated with UV radiation.  

 

Black Currant Seed Oil
Skin reparative/regenerativ

 

Black Spruce Needle/Twig Hydrosol and Essential Oil
General tonic. Antiseptic; anti-inflammatory. Contributes to aroma.

 

Blueberry / Bilberry Seed Oil
Skin reparative/regenerative; moisturizing; anti-oxidant; anti-inflammatory. Rich in essential fatty acids alpha-linolenic acid and linoleic acid . Source of Vitamin E (tocopherols), carotenoids, phytosterols and anthocyanins. May improve epidermal barrier function and prevent transepidermal water loss. May help to inhibit processes associated with photoaging and inflammaging. May help to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Our source has a standardized level of carotenoids and is a source of pro-retinol. It has been shown to effectively absorb high energy visible light (namely the blue light that is emitted from the sun and digital devices.)

 

 

British Colombia Glacial Marine Clay
Detoxifies and purifies skin; gentle exfoliant. Source of skin-beneficial minerals. May reduce sebum levels and pore size and improve circulation; may help to clear acne; may help to even skin tone; may help to reduce appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

 

Camelina Oil
Skin reparative/regenerative; moisturizing; nourishing; antioxidant; anti-inflammatory. Rich in Vitamin E , especially gamma tocopherol, essential fatty acid alpha-linolenic acid and phytosterols. May improve epidermal barrier function and prevent transepidermal water loss.  May reduce visible effects associated associated with oxidative stress and inflammatory processes (photoaging, inflammaging).

 

Cloudberry Fruit Extract
Skin reparative; antioxidant; anti-inflammatory; anti-microbial. High polyphenol content, notably ellagitannins and metabolite ellagic acid. Rich in carotenoids, anthocyanins, Vitamins C, E and omega 3 and -6 fatty acids, alpha-linoleic acid and linoleic acid. May help protect skin elasticity. May help to prevent pre-mature aging of skin through DNA protection and repair. May reduce hyperpigmentation.

 

Cloudberry Seed Oil
Skin reparative/regenerative; moisturizing; nourishing; antioxidant. Source of vitamins A and E, essential fatty acids linoleic acid and alpha-linolenic acid, phytosterols and phenolic compounds.    May improve epidermal barrier function and prevent transepidermal water loss. May reduce visible effects associated associated with oxidative stress and inflammatory processes (photoaging, inflammaging).

 

Wild Carrot Seed Water, Sweet Fern Leaf Water, Goldenrod Flower Water and Rose Flower Water Blend
Astringent and toning; anti-inflammatory and soothing; hydrating; calming. Contributes to aroma. 

 

Cranberry Seed Oil
Photoprotective;. skin reparative/regenerative; moisturizing; nourishing antioxidant; anti-inflammatory; antibacterial. Source of essential fatty acids (1:1 ratio of omega-3 to omega 6), and is especially rich in vitamin E, phenolic compounds, anthocyanins and proanthocyanadins. Shown in one study to have significant wound healing effects attributed to a combined action of antimicrobial, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities.

 

Cranberry Seed Extract
A rich source of vitamins, minerals, and potent anti-oxidants, including Vitamin C, B Vitamins, iron, magnesium, copper and  zinc. 

 

Edelweiss Flower Extract
Photoprotective; soothing. Antioxidant; anti-inflammatory; antimicrobial. Absorbs UV radiation. Results of in vitro and in vivo studies suggest that leontopodic and chlorogenic acids found in edelweiss may protect skin cells against induced oxidative damage. Traditional use as an anti-inflammatory supported by scientific studies.

 

Evening Primrose Seed Oil
Skin reparative/regenerative; moisturizing; anti-inflammatory. Source of gamma-linolenic acid and phytosterols. Evening primrose seed oil sterols shown to inhibit release of pro-inflammatory mediators. May improve epidermal barrier function and prevent transepidermal water loss. May help to reduce premature aging effects associated with chronic activation of pro-inflammatory processes.

 

Fir Needle Essential Oil
Aroma

 

Fructooligosaccharides/Beet Root
Long-lasting moisturization; small study suggests extract can stimulate production and activation of the Vitamin D receptor. 

 

Goldenrod Flower Essential Oil
Anti-inflammatory; antimicrobial. Said to help alleviate stress and calm nervousness. Contributes to aroma. 

 

Goldenrod Flower Water and Rose Flower Water Blend
Astringent and toning. Antiseptic; soothing; hydrating. Contributes to aroma. 

 

Great Burdock Extract
Skin conditioning; antioxidant; anti-inflammatory; antibacterial, anti-fungal. Source of vitamin B complex, trace minerals and skin-beneficial phenolic acids. Traditional use as acne treatment. May regulate sebum production and stimulate circulation.

 

Hemlock Spruce Essential Oil
Aroma

 

Juniper Fruit Essential Oil
Antiseptic. Source of alpha-pinene, which has antibacterial and antifungal activity. Contributes to aroma. 

 

Knotgrass Extract
Anti-oxidant. Rich in flavonoids. May help protect against sun damage (UV and IR). May help to diminish appearance of wrinkles and may help to firm skin.

 

Labrador Tea Leaf Water and Essential Oil
Tonic, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic. Traditionally used to treat wounds, dry, burned or inflamed skin. The essential oil has been suggested to help ease insomnia and has been shown to have measurable and significant antioxidant, antibacterial and anti fungal activities. Both the hydrosol and oil contribute to aroma.

 

Lactobacillus/Cranberry Fruit Ferment Filtrate
Gentle exfoliant. A source of proteolytic enzymes derived from cranberry fruit.

 

Lactobacillus/Rye Kernel Ferment
Anti-inflammatory.   Enhances the skin’s water-binding capacity. Helps to restore skin’s natural acidic environment. A source of niacinamide, phenolics (eg, ferulic acid), vitamin E, vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid) beta glucans, lactic acid. May help to prevent overgrowth of acne-causing bacteria. Has antibacterial and antifungal activity on Cutibacterium acnes, Staphylococcus epidermis and Malassezia fungi. Source of amino acids for collagen synthesis. May help to inhibit wrinkle formation induced by UVB irradiation via the downregulation of metalloporteases. Antioxidant.Small studies have shown the extract improves moisturization and smoothes skin and may help to reduce hyperpigmentation by inhibiting tyrosinase, which is involved in melanin synthesis. 

 

Lingonberry Fruit Stem Cell Extract
Skin reparative/regenerative; anti-oxidant; anti-inflammatory. A sustainable and enriched source of lingonberry fruit polyphenols. An in vitro study indicates extract enhances superoxide dismutase synthesis after exposure to infrared radiation, which can penetrate subcutaneal layers, and reduces synthesis of inflammatory mediators generated by exposure to UVB. In vivo study indicated diminished oxidative stress in skin, with reduced appearance of wrinkles and improved skin density.

 

 

Niacinamide
Skin reparative; moisturizing; anti-inflammatory; antimicrobial, sebo-suppressive; skin-tone evening. Enhances skin moisturization and structure, stimulates aquaporin 3 expression, stimulates ceramide, free fatty acids and cholesterol; synthesis; stimulates collagen synthesis; reduces transepidermal water loss; reduces transfer of melanosomes from melanocytes to keratinocytes. May reduce hyperpigmentation. May help to reduce severity of inflammatory acne. May reduce appearance of fine lines and wrinkles associated with pre-mature and normal aging.

 

Oat Kernel Oil
Skin reparative/regenerative; moisturizing; antioxidant; anti-inflammatory; soothing. Source of tocopherols (Vitamin E), phytosterols, phospholipids, essential fatty acids. Especially recommended for dry skin. May improve epidermal barrier function and prevent transepidermal water loss and reduce damage associated with inflammatory processes. An especially rich and soothing oil with a luxurious feel.

 

Purslane Bioferment
Rich in nutrients, antioxidants and anti-inflammatory actives. Stablizes vitamin C. Wound healing

 

Queen of the Prairie/Meadowsweet Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Astringent; firming; anti-inflammatory; analgesic and soothing; antioxidant; antibacterial.Source of flavonoids, salicylic compounds and tannins. Meadowsweet extracts have been shown to inhibit the elastin-degrading enzyme, elastase. Traditionally used as an anti-inflammatory agent. May help to tone and firm skin, stimulate circulation as well as help to soothe and repair.

 

Raspberry Seed Oil
Photoprotective; antioxidant. nourishing; reparative; emollient, Absorbs radiation in the UVB region. Scatters radiation in the UVA region, possibly helping to prevent UVA-induced oxidative damage. High levels of proVitamin A carotenoids and essential fatty acids. Source of ellagitannins (metabolized to ellagic acid). The cold-pressed oil is a source of the vitamin E in the form of alpha-tocopherol (most potent tocopherol antioxidant). The CO2 oil extract has a naturally high concentration of gamma-tocopherol, a potent anti-inflammatory and its anti-oxidant activity is particularly strong against the kinds reactive nitrogen species found in air pollution. May help to prevent premature aging of the skin, especially photoaging. May improve epidermal barrier function and transepidermal water loss. May help to reduce hyper-pigmentation.

 

 

Red Maple & Black Spruce & Yellow Birch & Jack Pine Barks Extract
Hydrating, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory. High concentration of polyphenols and terpenoids; In vitro study using a specialized skin model system indicates this extract stimulates aquaporin-3 expression, a small membrane protein that transports water across skin cells. A small in vivo study showed application of the extract in a basic cream provided a long-lasting moisturizing effect. May increase skin hydration capacity and provide stable, long-lasting hydration and maintenance of elasticity. 

 

Damask Rose Flower Essential Oil
Skin conditioning; antiseptic; astringent. Rose has a history of use in skin care and has been used to help soothe skin and to help calm the mind. Contributes to aroma.

 

Roseroot Root Extract
Protective; antioxidant. Considered an adaptogen. In vitro and in vivo studies show the Rhodiola rosea root extract stimulates beta-endorphin production; action attributed to unique phytochemicals of this species. Used traditionally in Russia and Scandinavia as an anti-stress and anti-fatigue agent, to improve physical stamina and to alleviate symptoms of mental unwellness. Skin cells have neurotransmitter receptors and synthesize neurotransmitters, including beta-endorphin. Thus topical application of Roseroot extract may stimulate beta-endorphin production in skin and help reduce sensations of stress and fatigue, promote a sense of wellbeing, and as a result improve skin appearance. 

 

Seabuckthorn Fruit Total Extract
Nourishing; antioxidant; healing. Source of vitamins (C, A, B1,B2,B6, E), alpha and beta carotene, polyphenols, minerals, and the rare omega-7 fatty acid palmitoleic acid, a major skin constituent, and essential fatty acids alpha-linolenic acid and linoleic acid. Rich in tocopherols and tocotrienols (Vitamin E). May stimulate collagen production. Traditionally used to treat wounds, burns, acne and other skin conditions. Generally considered a powerful skin-healing ingredient. Antioxidant. Helps to keep skin hydrated/moisturized. Helps to even skin tone.  

 

Tamarack Larch Essential Oil
Antibacterial. Source of alpha-pinene, which has antibacterial and antifungal activity. Contributes to aroma. 

 

Violet Leaf Essential Oil
Soothing; healing; antioxidant; anti-inflammatory. Considered soothing and useful for sensitive, dry or inflamed skin. Contributes to aroma.

 

White Spruce Hydrosol and Essential Oil
Anti-inflammatory; antiseptic; analgesic. Source of camphor, alpha-pinene. Alpha-pinene contributes to the documented robust antibacterial and antifungal activities of white spruce essential oil. Contributes to aroma.

 

Wild Carrot Seed Oil
Anti-inflammatory; antibacterial; antifungal. Widely considered skin rejuvenating and soothing. Contributes to aroma.