Garden of Wisdom's Collagen Renewal Serum is a balanced, complex blend of several active extracts. Each active is used at the actual recommended strength without any extra additives or fillers. These extracts help prevent and reduce wrinkles by improving and maintaining homeostasis in the dermal extra-cellular matrix. Homeostasis is a balance in the skin's internal environment helping to maintain a stable condition. This progression, while achieving homeostasis helps to increase the production of dermal collagen and other ECM components in fibroblasts. A fibroblast is a cell from which connective tissue develops. It also works to inhibit the synthesis of Metalloproteinases [MMP - known for their ability to degrade the extracellular matrix] and also to discourage the synthesis of pro-inflammatory agents.
Method of Application
Apply a few drops of this serum on your clean fingertips, and smooth it across clean skin. Use during the water soluble phase of your skin routine (after you cleanse, tone, and exfoliate, but before you apply any oils or creams).
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 shelf life. Shelf life is 9 - 12 months
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 try to keep out of high humidity or heat if possible! Store out of direct light and in dark cabinet if possible also!
Exfoliating Acid products will last 1 year.
The only thing we don't suggest refrigerating is the mandelic or salicylic acid serums as those can crystallize in the refrigerator and not go back to their normal state even if you warm them up.
Additional Items Requiring Refrigeration
Hydrosols - Take out 1/2 oz to 1 oz in a separate spray bottle from your original container and keep the larger bottle in the refrigerator!
Carrier Oils - Generally you can refrigerate ALL carrier oils, they will solidify in some cases. This is FINE all you have to do is take it out warm it up at room temp and it will be liquid again!
There are some oils that have a super long shelf life like coconut oil for instance! That does not need to be refrigerated, but it cannot hurt it either!
Essential Oils - Essential oils are best stored in a cool dark place.
Co2 Oils - 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.
Essential oils - These can be refrigerated to increase their shelf life!
Clays - Keep in a dry, dark place (shelf life is at least 2 years)
Herbs - (whole or ground) These should last a good year at least - Keep in a dark, cool and dry location.
Herbal Extracts - [powder] Keep these also in a dark, DRY place. You can keep in the fridge, but make sure the seal is on very tight so you don't get moisture in. [1 year at least].
Herbal Extracts - [liquid] These can be kept in the refrigerator (or a dark DRY place] [3 years at least]
Other Various Raw Ingredients - i.e. Sodium PCA, Honeyquat, Iat Beta Glucan etc will all have a different shelf life (we are working on adding this to the ingredient pages.
Witch Hazel Distillate (does not contain alcohol) soothing, cooling, free radical scavenger, gentle, natural toner
Wild Plum Hydrosol lovely, intoxicating scent, skin balancing, anti-bacterial, antifungal
Oat Beta Glucans healing, anti-aging, anti-irritant, since it can work through the Cellular Lipid Matrix (the matrix of the lipids) lends itself to diminishing the appearance of fine line and wrinkles, excellent moisturizer with film forming moisturizing properties, stimulates collagen synthesis (meaning to create a matrix by combining actual dermis properties synergistically)
Seamollient binds moisture to the skin, hydrates skin, acts as an emollient
Matrixyl is palmitoyl-pentapeptide 3 and this is a peptide that specifically stimulates collagen synthesis and skin repair. This means it qualifies as a long-term aging system. Scientist's discovered that by isolating fibroblast cells that had aged, they could literally stimulate the cells [peptides] and they were able to start producing collagen again!
Enteromorpha Compressa Extract (and) Caesalpinia Spinosa Extract through an innovative process, these extracts working synergistically will recover and maintain homeostasis in the dermal extra-cellular matrix to produce a better moisturized, more elastic, firmer skin with noticeably fewer wrinkles. This unique complex is derived from the seeds of the Andean tree Caesalpinia Spinosa and the algae known as Enteromorpha Compressa Extract. Homeostatine activity is due to the combined action of galactomannan from Caesalpinia Spinosa and marine pentasaccharide (MPS) from Enteromorpha Compressa Extract. Within this novel hydro-colloidal three-dimensional matrix, these two components function at two different levels. Galactomannans are high molecular weight polysaccharides with natural hydrating functions. The hydrocolloid, galactomannan structure provides the moisturizing matrix and maintains contact with the stratum corneum for the release of the MPS. The MPS molecules are very small and can penetrate the epidermis to promote the synthesis of collagen and function as metabolism mediators within the dermis. Within the dermis, the MPS will function to inhibit the synthesis of Metalloproteinases (MMP) as well as the synthesis of pro-inflammatory mediators such as cytokines. When MMP is inhibited, the degradation of collagen and other extracellular components is reduced. The result is less wrinkled, rejuvenated, and firmer skin.
Homeostatine Activity increases the production of dermal collagen and other ECM components in fibroblasts, inhibits the synthesis of metalloproteinases (MMP), inhibits the synthesis of pro-inflammatory mediators
Resveratrol antioxidant full of polyphenols (this is good to be full of), a modulator of gene expression via signal transduction, an inhibitor of inflammatory mediators, phytohormonal effects, 95% efficient at preventing lipid peroxidation, compared with 65% for vitamin E and 37% for vitamin C
Borage Co2 Extract anti-inflammatory, emollient, softening, healing (great for eczema)
Galactoarabinan (polysaccharide) humectant, helps to stop transepidermal water loss, binds moisture to skin
Cosmocil CQ (Polyaminopropyl Biguanide) preservative, non-paraben and does not release formaldehyde
