Butterfly Pea Flowers are gorgeous! They are also exceptional to add to our diets as well as topical skincare formulations. Why, might you ask? First, have you read about or know all about 'glycation'? Glycation is a chemical reaction typically caused by the excess sugar we ingest, pollution, UV radiation, and oxidative stress. These damaging sugar molecules attach themselves to important skin healthy cells such as elastin and collagen which in turn causes aging, loss of elasticity and so much more!
Butterfly Pea Flowers are highly praised for their content of proanthocyanidins which stimulates the natural production of collagen and elastin. They also protect our skin from pollution while offering soothing properties to help calm the effects of Rosacea and reduce the redness many people experience.
Shelf Life and Storage Information for Products and Ingredients
Finished Products generally don't need to be refrigerated as they are preserved, but you can refrigerate them to extend their shelf life. The shelf life for most products is 9-12 months. Vitamin C Serum(s) and VitaResurface products should always be refrigerated to extend their shelf life.
Sample Sizes do have a shorter shelf life (generally 3-6 months) and items in jars can dry up quicker than this if the lid is not tightened well enough (except our Vitamin C Serums - use within 90 days).
Please keep your products out of high humidity, heat, and direct light, and keep them in a dark cabinet when possible.
Exfoliating Acid products have a shelf life of 9-12 months. The only things we don't suggest refrigerating are the Mandelic Acid Serums or the Salicylic Acid Serums as those can crystallize in the refrigerator. If this happens you can set the product into a hot water bath to see if the crystals will dissolve.
Additional Items Requiring Refrigeration and/or Kept in the Dark
Hydrosols - remove 1 ounce of hydrosol and add it into a separate, sterilized spray bottle and spritzer. Keep the larger bottle in the refrigerator. Carrier Oils - generally you can refrigerate all carrier oils although some of the very rich oils will solidify. This is fine. All you have to do is take it out, warm it up at room temperature and it should liquefy. If not, setting the bottle in a hot water bath and occasionally shaking the bottle will hopefully turn into a liquid. ^There are some oils that have a super long shelf life like Coconut Cream and Jojoba Oil. Refrigeration is not necessary, but it surely won't hurt. Essential Oils - essential oils are best stored in a cool dark place. Co2 Extracts - these should always be refrigerated. Butters - we suggest refrigerating our "skincare' butters. You can take out what you need and keep the rest in the fridge. Clays - keep in a dry, dark place. Shelf life is at least 2 years. Herbs - all herbs (whole or ground) should be kept in a dark, cool and dry location. Herbal (liquid) Extracts - these are created using alcohol. The alcohol pulls the constituents from each herb. Root, Trunk, Leaves, and Flowers. Extracts have a shelf life of 3-5 years. They can be kept in the refrigerator (or a dark DRY place) Other Various Raw Ingredients - i.e. Sodium PCA, Honeyquat, Oat Beta Glucan, etc. will all have a different shelf life.
Spring Water hydrating and used in our Butterfly Pea Flower Infusion
Butterfly Pea Flower Infusion extreme fighter against pollution, sun damage
Thermostressine(Acetyl Tetrapeptide-22) is a tetrapeptide proven in vitro to increase cell tolerance against daily stress situations, protecting skin cells exposed to heat, cold, UVB radiation, and dehydration. Thermostressine increases Heat Shock Protein (HSP70) levels in the skin, thus providing a protective shield. This protein increases stress tolerance and prevents damage from further stressful exposure. Thermostressine also increases the skin's tolerance to jet lag and other daily lifestyle stresses. The proteotoxic stress is well controlled and damage preventative
Collagen Peptide when our 20’s and 30’s sneak up on us (yes, sneak) we start to lose about 1% collagen per year. This essential protein is so important to skin health. Collagen Peptides are unlike simple collagen in that the protein size is smaller and can penetrate the skin's top layers. Adding Collagen Peptides back to our skin can help to reduce fine lines, wrinkles, and it can help to firm skin, and moisture loss as well.
Cosmocil CQ™(polyaminopropyl biguanide) is a broad-spectrum, fast-acting bactericide. Cosmocil CQ™ is an effective preservative that offers exceptional antibacterial and deodorant properties (not that you sweat into your products).
Sclerotium Gum is a polysaccharide gum produced by the bacterium Sclerotium rolfssii. We use this thickener/stabilizer for its velvety smooth texture.
Allantoin relieves dry, itchy, irritated skin, believed to heal the skin by promoting new tissue growth
Hyaluronic Acid is a polysaccharide molecule that offers a viscous matrix to the surroundings and protects cells and their connective tissue. Our eyes have abundant naturally derived hyaluronic acid in our eyeballs. It explains a lot. It is produced throughout our bodies.
