Our Ingredients from A to Z

Skincare can often be confusing and overwhelming. With many long, cryptic alpha-numeric ingredient names and just so many ingredients on a label, you can often feel completely overwhelmed with what you're actually putting on your skin.

It was from this place of disappointment that my sister, Sarah, started to make her own organic, plant based blends to soothe my skin when I was recovering from leukaemia in 2012. These blends are now our multi award-winning skincare collection at BY SARAH. 

To make sure that you don't feel the confusion that we felt, we provide full transparency of the natural ingredients we use. We detail a full ingredient list on the front label of each product and the product pages of our website: with transparency comes knowledge and empowerment. And now you have all of the ingredients we use in one place with our A to Z list below!

A

Organic Sweet Almond Oil (Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis) Naturally high in Vitamin E, sweet almond oil protects skin cells from environmental pollutants and oxidative stress. It boosts skin's elasticity and clarity, helping to heal and repair skin. The proteins and amino acids also promote the production of collagen for plumper, more supple skin. For dry skins, this ingredient is a firm favourite as it helps to prevent dehydration by reducing moisture loss.

Found in: Organic Facial Oil and Organic Body Oil.

Organic Apricot Kernel Oil (Prunus Armeniaca) High in Vitamins C and E, apricot kernel oil improves skin tone and lowers the appearance of wrinkles, lines and blemishes; it's our anti-ageing hero ingredient. The dual action of the linoleic acid (strengthening the skin's natural barrier) and the oleic acid (softening the skin), make it a powerful skin nourishing ingredient. The Vitamin A content softens the skin and enhances the circulation of blood flow at the skin's surface.

Found in: Organic Facial Oil, Organic Lip Balm, Green Clay Cleansing Balm and Organic Body Oil.

Organic Argan Kernel Oil (Argania Spinosa) Sourced from a co-operative of Berber women in Morocco who hand-gather this skincare powerhouse for both dry and oily-prone skins. Argan is a sebum-balancing ingredient, helping the skin to even out its production of oil, supporting both oily and dry skins. And its non-greasy texture makes it a highly absorbent, soothing and calming ingredient, particularly for eczema and rosacea skins. It's a versatile ingredient for both skincare and hair care. It's high in essential fatty acids, antioxidants and Vitamin E which increase hair's elasticity and restores shine, protecting hair from everyday pollution.

Found in: Organic Facial Oil, Organic Body Oil and Organic Hair Oil. 

B

Organic Beeswax (Cera Alba) This natural anti-inflammatory and antioxidant provides a protective layer on the skin, protecting it from environmental stressors, pollution and the weather. The high Vitamin A content promotes healthy new skin cells to be produced too. There are 35 bee species currently facing extinction in the UK. Choosing organic beeswax where the organic farmers work in harmony with nature, not against it, allows these beautiful pollinators to thrive.

Found in: Organic Lip Balm.

E

Organic Evening Primrose Oil (Oenothera Biennis) High in gamma linolenic acid (GLA), it penetrates the deep layers of the skin keeping it hydrated, soft and supple. It's also a natural anti-inflammatory helping to reduce redness, eczema and psoriasis in sensitive and ageing skins.

Found in: Organic Facial Oil and Organic Body Oil.

F

Natural French Green Clay (Illite) The negatively charged molecules in this clever natural ingredient bind to positively charged molecules, gently whisking away makeup, dead skin cells and daily impurities, revealing brighter skin. The unique blend of minerals, including dolomite, manganese, silica and copper have a detoxifying effect on the skin to promote a more radiant complexion too.

Found in: Green Clay Cleansing Balm and Green Clay Face Mask.

G

Organic Green Tea Leaf Extract (Camellia Sinesis) Matcha green tea is our antioxidant hero, containing x10 the amount of antioxidants compared to regular green tea. The matcha draws out excess oil (in oily-prone skin) and reduces inflammation, while sloughing away dead skin cells to reveal a more balanced complexion. It also contains EGCG which combats the bacterial build up that can cause blemishes and spots, cleansing the skin and making it particularly well suited for acne-prone and oily skin types.

Found in: Green Clay Face Mask.

J

Organic Jojoba Oil (Simmondsia Chinesis) This is the skin-similar oil where its molecular structure is very similar to our own skin's sebum. This means its small molecular size penetrates into the skin immediately, providing deep hydration without leaving a greasy residue. Its Vitamin B complex also has antioxidant benefits to combat cell damage and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. This is the perfect natural body product ingredient for all skin types.

Found in: Organic Body Oil.

M

Organic Moringa Oleifera Fruit Powder Also known as the "miracle tree", all parts of this incredible plant can be used, including the bark, roots, leaves and flowers, making it a storehouse of nutrients. Its exceptionally high levels of antioxidants, as well as Vitamins A, C and E promote the production of collagen for plumper skin, and improve the skin texture for a smoother, healthier complexion.

Found in: Green Clay Face Mask.

P

Organic Pumpkin Seed Oil (Cucurbita Pepo) The high Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids and anti-inflammatory content helps to calm and soothe the skin and any redness, making this ingredient much-loved by those with sensitive and hormonal skin. It encourages cell turnover to reveal a clearer complexion and promotes collagen production to promote more youthful looking skin.

Found in: Organic Facial Oil.

S

Organic Sea Buckthorn Oil (Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit) This rich and luxurious oil is high in Vitamins A and E helping to rejuvenate and renew hair, combating dry and heat-treated hair. It contains the rare Omega 7 fatty acid which provides a vital building block for healthy skin and hair. This beautiful oil effectively combats dry hair and the loss of elasticity and damage from everyday pollution, washing and hair styling. It's the perfect natural hair product ingredient.

Found in: Organic Hair Oil.

T

Naural Tocopherol (Vitamin E) Sourced from non-GM soya and sunflower plants, this powerful vitamin protects skin against oxidative stresses, like UV damage and environmental pollutants. It acts by absorbing free radicals which damage cells, in turn promoting healthy skin and preventing accelerated ageing. It's also a natural preservative helping our beautiful, organic plant ingredients retain their nutritional benefits for longer.

Found in: Organic Facial Oil, Organic Body Oil and Organic Hair Oil.

V

Organic Virgin Coconut Oil (Cocos Nucifera) This is the all-round nourishing skincare hero, with high antibacterial, antioxidant and antifungal properties to reveal a healthier complexion. Its fatty acids also help to lock in moisture. It's a gentle and mild, nutrient-rich cleansing agent making it suitable for dry and sensitive skin types.

Found in: Green Clay Cleansing Balm and Organic Lip Balm.

 

If you would like personal skincare advice or you're new to organic skincare, get in touch! We're always happy to help. You can reach us via email at hello@bysarahlondon.com. 

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Written by: Lauren, COO, BY SARAH

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