This month we're offering a mini Timeless Beauty Serum for orders over £75 and so I thought it would be good to explain a little about why this Serums is so good as part of a skincare routine and why the Timeless Beauty Serum is so special.
There are many Serums on the market, the vast majority contain Hyaluronic acid, the skin plumping ingredient that is in everything from nail polish to serums, face oils to cleansers, shampoo to toothpaste (yes really) It is the darling of every commercial formulator and many others besides.
For me, hyaluronic acid was never going to feature in any of our products because there are so many plants that do as much and more if you understand where to find them and how to use them. Our Serum is about real plant knowledge, about the knowledge that decades of plant and therapeutic work produces all brought together into one little, highly potent bottle and it really is an outstanding product.
I started with seaweed. We have a fresh supply of seaweed whenever we need it from the beaches 5 minutes from the workshop. We actually use very little but we make it work hard for us. We have Ascophyllum nodosum in huge amounts here but the better choice for us is the Fucus. They usually grow side by side so there's often a little rummaging to be done to find the right one. We pick on a clear day if possible when the tide is at its lowest allowing us access to the Fucus that is still alive and growing with its holdfast attached to the rocks. We never pull the whole lot, once the holdfast is removed, the seaweed can't regrow. What we do is closer to a light prune.
Fucus is an incredible ingredient and with a low tech extraction method we have found a way of extracting Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) - this is a really important ingredient for us because it supports the skin's ability to hold water, resulting in cells that are hydrated and soft. Similar to Hyaluronic acid in effect but entirely naturally and gently produced with zero environmental damage. Hyaluronic acid in contrast, used to made from the combs of cockerels, but now is made by microbial fermentation, using specific strains of bacteria like Streptococcus zooepidemicus. For myself, I much prefer our extraction method which requires a lot of hard physical work with a pestle and mortar but no big tanks of bacteria.
EPA, in addition to helping to maintain the skin's natural moisture barrier, significantly calms irritated skin, helps protect the skin against UV induced damage and it helps support the overall structure of the skin.
Fucus extracted this way also produces Beta-carotene and Lutein. Beta-carotene which is a precursor to vitamin A and a natural retinol, is a powerful antioxidant offering the skin protection from free radicals, it also speeds up skin healing. Lutein is also a brilliant antioxidant contributing to really good skin tone.
It amazes me that in one ingredient, treated correctly, we can find so much skin supportive action. The seaweeds in general, and this one in particular, are astonishing ingredients and so plentiful up here in Harris.
Then I turned to land plants that complemented the action of the Fucus and found Yarrow. It shares the Beta-carotene with the Fucus but offers a whole range of different benefits - it's anti-inflammatory so really good to calm skin with a tendency to redness, it promotes rapid healing so brilliant for eczema and rosacea and it also tones the skin.
We use Marshmallow Root for its high Oleic, Palmitic, Linoleic and Stearic acids - all of these contribute to the texture of the skin, helping to soften and hydrate, plus Betaine which is part of the mucilaginous compounds in the root, Betaine attracts and retains moisture in the skin, leading to improved hydration and a plump, supple appearance.
We use Rosehip oil in the extraction of the Fucus giving the Serum a little extra dose of essential fatty acids, vitamins, and antioxidants that can help to improve skin texture, reduce fine lines, and boost collagen production.
Free radicals are so harmful to the skin, they damage skin cells, contribute to premature aging by breaking down collagen and elastin, allowing the skin to lose texture and structure. They can also cause uneven skin tone, dark spots, and a tired complexion. So I looked to plants that are strongly antioxidant, that fight free radicals and help to maintain and improve the skin tone and texture. It's not about anti-ageing, it's about having strong, healthy, glowing skin well into maturity.
Dandelion Root, Black seed, Rowan berries, Hypericum, Plantago and Echinacea all protect the skin and hugely support its structure, all of them are in the Serum. Dandelions which are the bête noire of gardeners are the most incredible plants stimulating collagen and elastin production, lifting and firming the skin and helping to reduce sun spots.
Finally I added in two fruit leaves, Raspberry and Blackcurrant. Raspberry for its antioxidant and skin radiance properties and Blackcurrant leaves because they contain linoleic acid which is an omega-6 and alpha-linolenic acid which is an omega-3, both of which are crucial for maintaining the skin's lipid barrier and preventing trans-dermal moisture loss. Blackcurrant seed oil is also rich in gamma-linolenic acid which is an omega-6 with powerful anti-inflammatory and moisturising properties.
What is extraordinary about this Serum, apart from its effects on the skin, is how little you need to use. 2-3 drops a night is enough. That amount produces all the skin benefits from the plethora of plants that go into it and allow it to be rapidly absorbed into the skin so it can work its magic whilst you sleep.
I am so proud of this Serum, it captures everything that makes A.S Apothecary so different to the mainstream and so powerfully effective at keeping your skin beautiful into your glowing years.