If someone were to mention copper, our minds would probably conjure images of metal pipes or jewelry. However, aside from its decorative and functional uses, copper is surprisingly produced by the body in the form of GHK-Cu, which is a tripeptide (i.e. three amino acids fused with the element of copper). Both in the body

One of the most popular ingredients on the anti-aging market, peptides have taken the skincare world by storm. Peptides are short chains of amino acids found in our bodies. They serve as a base for proteins like keratin, collagen and elastin, all of which are essential to our skin’s structure, texture and appearance. There is

Despite the ‘acid’ part of its name sounding slightly daunting, hyaluronic acid is a naturally-occurring sugar (known as polysaccharide) found in your skin – more specifically, in your body’s connective tissue. It’s a humectant, meaning that it helps the skin to attract and retain water molecules, which is why it’s such an integral cog in

Ceramides are, first and foremost, lipids (i.e. fats) that are naturally found in your skin. Their primary purpose is two-fold – to defend against environmental stressors and to maintain hydration levels by creating a barrier on the surface of the skin. Ceramides are found in quite large quantities in our upper dermal layers – in

Flavonoids are a class of polyphenol. In plants, their main role is to help defend the plant against environmental stressors like UV radiation, sudden temperature change and other such potential threats. Though 4,000+ types of flavonoids have been identified so far, only a relative few have actually been subject to study. This is exciting for

Polyphenols, or polyhydroxyphenols, are a group of naturally-occurring organic compounds sourced mainly from plant-based foods. These include various fruits and vegetables as well as wine, dark chocolate, honey, and a selection of spices and tea. Because they behave like antioxidants, polyphenols can help to counteract the effects of free radical damage that’s associated with causing

Heard of carotenoids but aren’t quite sure what they are? No problem – allow us to enlighten you. Carotenoids are naturally-occurring pigments found in plants, photosynthetic bacteria and algae. As well as providing the fruits and vegetables you eat everyday with their color (yellow, orange and red hues), carotenoids behave like antioxidants when introduced to

You may have heard a lot about antioxidants if you’re into skincare, but what exactly are they? In summary, the word ‘antioxidant’ is sort of an umbrella term used to describe compounds that are able to impede free radicals. Free radicals are unstable molecules that are known to cause damage to your body’s cells when

Retinol, more commonly known as vitamin A’s pure form, is an antioxidant used in many anti-aging skincare products. Unlike vitamins D and K, vitamin A is not naturally produced by the body and, as such, we must seek it out from external sources in order to use its benefits to our skin’s advantage. Aside from