No matter who you are—young or old, woman or man, with any skin type— the first step toward better skin is getting familiar with the benefits of healthy skincare ingredients. There are so many options online and in stores today, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed.

Part of the promise we make to customers is ensuring that the products we offer will support skin’s natural health. We don’t want to offer cover ups or quick fixes. And with 60-70% of women and 60% of men reporting some degree of sensitive skin, the selection and quality of ingredients becomes that much more critical!

For a start, we’ll review the eleven ingredients—yes, just 11—that we use in our Daily Glow Serum. You’ll learn what makes them special (and why we’ve brought them together into one luscious, nurturing facial serum—yes, we’re a bit partial, but soon you’ll see why!).

Oryza sativa (Rice) bran oil is a skin conditioning agent, or humectant. That means it helps draw moisture from the air to increase the water content on your skin’s surface (similar to how rice can draw moisture out of your phone if it gets wet). The rice bran is the hard, outer layer of the rice grain—generally what’s left over after milling white rice. It’s rich in essential fatty acids, vitamin E, Omega 3s and has antioxidant properties.

Another benefit: it’s a chelating agent—something that helps with ingredient stability (so the oils don’t go rancid).

Camellia japonica (Camellia) seed oil. The oil harvested from the seeds of the flowering Camellia Japonica tree is similar to the oil in our skin—a.k.a. sebum. Its high levels of essential fatty acids—Omega-6 , -9 and Palmitic—can help reduce water loss and support the skin’s natural barriers. Skincare bonus: it can also help reduce the appearance of fine lines.

Limnanthes alba (Meadowfoam) seed oil is excellent for preventing moisture loss. It can also ease dry skin, reduce redness, and even cracked skin, thanks to its soothing properties. This oil is another that’s similar to the skin’s natural oils. And it’s very stable—less affected by heat or exposure to oxygen—helping extend the shelf life of other oils.

Rosa rubiginosa (Rosehip) seed oil (a.k.a. Rosehip Oil), comes from the seeds of a rose bush common in the Andes. It boasts high Vitamin A and C content, and has been linked to greater elasticity, improved texture and skin regeneration. Vitamin C, in particular, can be helpful in stimulating collagen production. It has high levels of fatty acids with soothing properties that can be helpful for burns and stretch marks.

Daucus Carota (Carrot) seed oil, an essential oil extracted from seeds of the flowering “wild carrot” (a.k.a., Queen Anne’s lace), is similar to Rosehip oil: high in vitamins A and C, which can help minimize fine lines, scars and sun damage.

Oenothera biennis (Evening Primrose) seed oil, is high in the linoleic and stearic fatty acids, which can help prevent moisture loss, reduce redness, and possibly help soothe extremely dry sensitive skin. It’s also low comedogenic—meaning that despite it being an oil, it’s not prone to clogging pores—which can help minimize the causes of blackheads, whiteheads and acne in general.

Sambucus nigra (Elderberry) fruit extract. Elderberries are rich in flavonoids, which have antioxidant properties and can help reduce inflammation. It’s a good source of Vitamin A which, on the skin, may help reduce the appearance of wrinkles and age spots.

Hippophae rhamnoides (Sea Buckthorn) berry extract, found in Europe and across the continent of China, is abundant in properties that make it an ingredient in healthy skincare. Top among those: it’s a good source of a balanced array of fatty acids, including two less-common unsaturated fatty acids (palmitooleic acid (omega-7) and gamma-linolenic acid (omega-6)). What does that mean? It’s helpful for skin repair and regeneration, as well as soothing and replenishing flaky and dry skin.

Lavandula angustifolia (Lavender) Essential Oil, is one of nature’s great gifts: lavender is soothing to the skin, and non-comedogenic — a plus for those prone to acne or sensitivity. In addition to its topical advantages, it also provides aromatherapy benefits: studies have shown its scent is very soothing, which can help lessen anxiety.

Tocopherol (Vitamin E) is actually one of a family of antioxidants collectively known as Vitamin E. Our natural levels of Vitamin E in the skin get depleted by sun and age. Adding Vitamin E can help our skin stay moist, and keep it healthy so it’s a more effective barrier—and also fights off free radicals, helping protect your skin from damage.

Rosmarinus officinalis (Rosemary) leaf extract can help minimize puffiness and soothe the skin. It’s also an antioxidant. The extract has no oil in it, meaning there is usually little to no fragrance—a real plus for those who might otherwise be sensitive to its strong scent.

If you suffer from sensitive skin, you’re probably thinking that any one of the soothing oils or extracts here will feel delicious—and you’re right! Combining these ingredients into one serum puts their blended strength to work for a real healthy skincare treat.

What questions do you still have? Let us know in the comments and we’ll be happy to answer them!