Panthenol is the alcohol form of pantothenic acid, otherwise known as vitamin B5. It is commonly found in cosmetic products from shampoos to creams and a lot in between! Panthenol lubricates and binds to hair follicles, coating the hair and creating a shimmer. This is because it seals the surface and make the strands appear [...]

When it comes to make up which shimmers, reflects, has luster or pearlessence, glitters or shines — however you want to describe it,  mica is probably behind it. Mined from the earth in thin sheets, this mineral is extremely finely ground for use in cosmetics such as eyeshadow, mineral makeup, powder, lipstick, and sometimes nail [...]

Standing in the hair colour section of the pharmacy can be perplexing. Not only do you have an overwhelming choice of colours and shades you also need to choose between semi-permanent and permanent formulations. So what’s the difference and what are the pros and cons of your choice? Semi-permanent color is composed of smaller molecules [...]

Humectants are non-oil based ingredients that attract moisture from the atmosphere. They pull in and hold water to keep hair, or skin, moist and soft. While hydrating, they also slow down the evaporation of liquid and can therefore be frequently found in conditioners meant for dry or damaged hair. Humectants take many common forms from [...]

Tourmaline is commonly a chemical combination of silicate, boron, and aluminum, although it can include other elements like iron, magnesium, and lithium. It is a precious crystal and is commonly found in hair appliances. Ground down into a fine powder it is added to hair tools such as mixed  into a ceramic coated flat iron, [...]

Different from alopecia areata (an autoimmune disorder where the body attacks its own follicles), traction alopecia is a hair-loss condition triggered by certain hairstyles and hair styling processes. It occurs when there is damage to the hair follicle and the dermal papill (the small bit of skin at the base of the hair). This damage [...]

Royal Jelly is produced by honey bees to feed larvae intended to become worker bees. Sounds simple enough, but better than that, when a queen bee is needed, the “chosen” larva is fed nothing but mass quantities of royal jelly, which makes it turn into a queen and grow ovaries. Hence the name Royal Jelly. [...]

Alpha hydroxy acids, also known as AHAs, are naturally occurring chemical compounds derived from fruits and other foods. The most common AHAs include glycolic acid (from sugar), lactic acid (from milk), and citric acid. AHAs are often found in anti-aging creams, masks, cleansers, and chemical peels that claim to reduce wrinkles and tighten skin. AHAs [...]

A peptide is a chain of protein molecules which acts as a messenger working in your body. In relation to our skin, this means that peptides transmit information back and forth between the dermis (the deeper tissue level of your skin) and the epidermis (the surface of your skin). Basically, peptides tell the inner levels [...]