Water, vital to skin and skincare performance
Skin, the largest organ on the human body, is made of 64% water.
Water accounts for up to 70% of water-based skincare formulas, making it the most important ingredient in the formula.
Tap water or demineralised water (dead water), which are used in most skincare formulations, are not the best fit for melanin-rich skin.
We use pure vitalised water with all its minerals and nutrients intact. Scientifically ‘alive,’ this water actively and energetically charges skincell metabolism, treating dullness, dehydration, and improving skin barrier function.
And, pure vitalized water improves the efficacy of our ingredients by allowing them to penetrate deeper into your skin.
Higher percentage-actives concentration does not equal to high performance
The latest skincare industry trend is the use of highly concentrated active ingredients in products, with many brands trumpeting these ingredient concentrations as a cure-all for all skin.
From our research, we see this as further proof that the skincare industry doesn’t factor in the uniqueness of melanin-rich skin because they haven’t done the research.
These concentrated formulas are often tested for tolerance on white skin only, which reacts differently than darker skin to trauma and irritation.
To be clear, high percentage active ingredients can be used and have efficacy for all phototype I—VI skin, but under professional supervision only.
Unsupervised, these highly concentrated active ingredients often trigger flare ups, creating inflammation that prompts the powerful melanin-producing melanocytes to go into overproduction to protect the traumatised skin. That process, for darker skin, supercharges hyperpigmentation.
We believe that a variety of melanin skin-loving and science-backed ingredients in a well-balanced formula is the best approach to avoid skin backlash and create longlasting results.
Banned until proven 100% harmless
Our approach to ingredient selection is simple: We say no to any ingredient that doesn’t fully respect and support the overall health and vitality of your melanin-rich skin and our planet.
We even ban ingredients only suspected of being skin offenders, until thorough research has cleared them. That these same suspects are often widely used by the industry doesn’t sway us.
Clean, caring and responsible beauty is no longer an option
With our planet under assault and environment in peril and the cry for social justice growing louder all over the world, we do our part by creating respectful products with ingredients that do no harm, not to you and not to our planet.
the 4.5.6
“no way”
ingredients include:
“no way”-
BLEACHING AGENTS
Spot them as : hydroquinone, Mercury, corticosteroids.
Potential skin, health and environmental concerns : These bleaching agents halt production of melanin pigment and cause organ toxicity. -
ALL SULFATES
Spot them as : sodium lauryl sulfate, ammonium lauryl sulfate, and sodium laureth sulfate.
Potential skin, health and environmental concerns: These sulfates are drying and sensitising. -
DENATURE ALCOHOLS
Spot them as : ethanol, isopropyl alcohol and benzyl alcohol, methyl alcohol, SD alcohol.
Potential skin, health and environmental concerns : Toxic to the sea, these micro-plastics can clog pores and bar other ingredients from penetrating skin. -
MINERAL OILS
Spot them as : paraffinum, petroleum, petrolatum, petroleum oil, white mineral oil.
Potential skin, health or environmental concerns : These mineral oils are comedogenic and clog the pores. -
MICROPLASTICS
Spot them as : microbeads, carbomers, cross polymers, copolymers, PVP/VA, Polyethylene (PE), Polypropylene (PP), Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), Polyterephthalate Ethylene (PET).
Potential skin, health and environmental concerns : Micro-plastics cause abrasions, dry out the skin and pose toxicity risks. -
ALL SILICONES
Spot them as : dimethicone, cyclomethicone, cyclomethicone, cetearyl methicone, cyclopentasiloxane..
Potential skin, health and environmental concerns: Toxic to the sea, these microplastics can clog pores and bar other ingredients from penetrating skin. -
PARABENS
Spot them as : methylparaben, propylparaben, butylparaben, or ethylparaben.
Potential skin, health and environmental concerns: These parabens are believed to interfere with the body's endocrine system and produce adverse developmental, reproductive and immune effects. -
PHENOXYETHANOL
Potential skin, health and environmental concerns : This chemical is suspected to interfere with the body's endocrine system and produce adverse developmental, reproductive and immune effects. -
TRICLOSAN, MIT
Potential skin, health or environmental concerns : This chlorinated organic compound is suspected to cause organ toxicity and irritation.
Melanin Custom Care