Our Ingredients
We believe that the composition of the ingredients in a product is the most important factor in successful skin care. This is why we only use pure and truly natural ingredients that the skin recognises as naturally familiar. Each skin-loving ingredient in the product is carefully selected and has a specific purpose.
The discussion about unnecessary chemicals and environmental pollutants in cosmetics has increased the demand for clean and natural products. We do not add preservatives, synthetic colours and fragrances, additives or anything artificial to our products. All our raw materials are vegan and all our production follows the criteria of certified natural cosmetics.
Our raw materials come from nature; from plants, berries, herbs and flowers. Natural ingredients are better absorbed by the skin, are biodegradable and nourish the skin with nutrients that maintain and promote - not replace - the skin's own natural moisturising functions.
Cocoa butter is a natural ingredient derived from cocoa beans, known for its versatile uses, especially in chocolate production. At Usva, we use carefully selected cold-pressed, food-grade organic cocoa butter. This ensures that the cocoa butter retains its nutrients and provides our products with a rich and nourishing texture.
History
Cocoa has been used in medicine for over 3,000 years. It was a favorite ingredient of the ancient Aztecs and Mayans, who valued it so highly that they even used cocoa as currency. For centuries, indigenous peoples of Central and South America have used cocoa butter as a natural remedy for skin conditions such as eczema and stretch marks.
Modern Science
The FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) recognizes cocoa butter as an active skin protectant. Studies show that cocoa contains high levels of polyphenols, which are plants' defense mechanisms against herbivores, diseases, and UV radiation. Polyphenols are highly beneficial in skincare products due to their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Cocoa butter helps reduce moisture evaporation and protects the skin from external factors like wind.
Skincare Benefits
- Deep Moisturization: Cocoa butter provides intense hydration, helping the skin maintain softness and elasticity for an extended period. It locks moisture into the skin.
- Antioxidant Protection: Cocoa butter is rich in antioxidants, which help protect the skin from free radicals and environmental stressors, such as UV rays. This may promote healthier, more youthful-looking skin by improving dark spots and dullness.
INCI: Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter
The production of organic raspberry seed extract utilizes raspberry seeds, which are by-products of the food and beverage industries. This approach helps reduce food waste by making use of raspberry seeds that would otherwise be discarded during the production of raspberry jams, smoothies, and juices. The gentle and environmentally friendly extraction method ensures that all of the seeds’ valuable properties remain intact and unaltered.
History
The red raspberry is believed to originate from Turkey, from where it spread widely across Europe. Ancient Greeks and Romans valued raspberries for their diverse properties, enjoying their flavor and health benefits as part of their daily diet. The scientific name for raspberry, Rubus idaeus (bush of Mount Ida), is derived from Mount Ida in Greece, where these delicious berries grew abundantly. Today, raspberries are an economically important crop in several Northern European countries.
Modern Science
Numerous patents have been granted for raspberry seed oil formulations, highlighting their unique and valuable composition. This oil is rich in essential fatty acids and vitamins A and E, which are crucial for maintaining skin elasticity and moisture. As a result, raspberry seed oil has become a significant ingredient in fighting the signs of aging and treating various skin conditions, gaining well-deserved popularity in both the cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries.
Skincare Benefits
- Skin Renewal: The extract promotes skin renewal by helping the skin repair itself and maintain a healthy structure. This reduces the visible signs of aging, such as wrinkles and fine lines, while also enhancing the skin’s elasticity and firmness.
- Anti-inflammatory Effect: Raspberry seed extract also possesses anti-inflammatory properties, helping to reduce skin irritation and redness. This makes it an excellent choice for skincare products designed for sensitive or irritated skin.
INCI: Rubus Idaeus Seed Extract
Cranberries are hardy, tart berries that grow in boggy areas, and their seeds, once considered a by-product, have now found their place in skin care due to their numerous beneficial properties. Cranberry seed oil is produced by cold-pressing the small seeds of the cranberry fruit, a process that preserves the valuable nutrients that support skin health. This oil is particularly rich in omega-3, omega-6, and omega-9 fatty acids, making it a powerhouse for skin hydration, nourishment, and protection.
History
Cranberries have long been a vital food source across both Eurasia and North America. Indigenous peoples in North America relied on cranberries not only as a food source but also for their medicinal properties, using them in traditional remedies. Cranberries were particularly valued for treating wounds, often in the form of cranberry baths.
Modern Science
Cranberry seed oil is packed with essential fatty acids, including alpha-linolenic acid and linoleic acid, which help reduce UV-induced skin damage and hyperpigmentation. Recent research highlights the promising potential of cranberry seed oil, especially with its content of omega-3, omega-6, and omega-9 fatty acids and tocotrienols. Ongoing studies are exploring its use in nanoemulsions, which may prove useful for treating various skin conditions.
Skincare Benefits
- Collagen Production Booster: Cranberry seed oil contains unique vitamins and phytosterols that stimulate collagen production, making it a key ingredient in anti-aging products. It helps improve skin elasticity, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
- Skin Barrier Support: The omega fatty acids in cranberry seed oil help fortify the skin's natural barrier, preventing moisture loss and maintaining optimal hydration levels for a smoother, healthier complexion.
INCI: Vaccinium Macrocarpon Seed Oil
Macadamia oil is extracted from macadamia nuts, and it is widely used in cooking as well as in skincare products. The nuts are highly prized not only for their delicious and rich flavor but also for the health benefits of the oil they produce. Macadamia oil is considered a gourmet ingredient, known for its luxury and smooth taste. We use cold-pressed macadamia oil made from edible macadamia nuts to ensure the highest quality for our products.
History
The macadamia tree is an evergreen that originally thrived in the rainforests of Australia. For thousands of years, macadamia nuts have been an important food source for Indigenous Australians, and their oil has been used for medicinal and cosmetic purposes. The nuts were also traded widely between tribes, and they remain a valued gift and delicacy to this day.
Modern Science
Macadamia oil is rich in palmitoleic acid, an omega-7 fatty acid that closely resembles the natural oils found in human skin. This makes it an invaluable ingredient in skincare products. Studies have shown that macadamia oil is particularly beneficial for treating dry skin and for situations where the skin’s natural lipid barrier has been weakened or damaged.
Skincare Benefits
- Source of Omega-7 Fatty Acids: Macadamia oil is a rich source of omega-7 fatty acids, particularly palmitoleic acid. This unique fatty acid is a key building block of the skin and helps prevent wounds and scratches while maintaining the skin’s moisture balance.
- Nourishing and Repairing: Macadamia oil is an effective moisturizer and nourishing ingredient, particularly beneficial for dry and cracked skin. Its hydrating properties promote skin elasticity and support cell renewal, helping the skin heal and rejuvenate.
INCI: Macadamia Integrifolia/Tetraphylla Seed Oil
Buriti oil is derived from the fruit of the buriti tree, which grows in the Amazon rainforest near wetlands. Known as the "Tree of Life," the buriti tree plays a vital role in the rainforest ecosystem. The buriti fruits we use are wild-harvested and gathered by local communities, ensuring that this practice contributes to the protection of the rainforest while supporting sustainable livelihoods.
History
The indigenous peoples of South America have used buriti fruits for centuries. Not only were they a vital food source, but they also served as excellent skincare treatments. Traditionally, buriti oil was used to treat various skin issues, such as wounds, burns, and skin diseases like eczema and psoriasis.
Modern Science
Research from Brazil's biological institutes has highlighted the undeniable health benefits of buriti fruit, while also revealing an important perspective: rural communities that rely on buriti harvesting can combine their income opportunities with active conservation efforts for the species and the rainforest. This balance has led to a sustainable model that benefits both the local communities and the environment.
Skincare Benefits
- Protective Beta-Carotene: One of buriti’s most remarkable qualities is its protective ability. Buriti oil is the richest natural source of beta-carotene in the world! This powerful antioxidant helps protect against free radicals and environmental stressors such as pollution and UV radiation.
- Natural Antioxidant: With high levels of vitamins A and E, buriti oil is perfect for dry, sun-damaged, or eczema-prone skin. It helps rejuvenate and nourish the skin, restoring moisture and promoting a healthy, radiant complexion.
INCI: Mauritia Flexuosa Fruit Oil
The kukui nut tree, also known as the candle nut tree, thrives in tropical rainforests. Its nuts contain oil, with concentrations ranging from 45-65%. The tree gets its name "candle nut tree" because its nuts were used to fuel lamps in the past. The oil in our products is obtained by crushing and cold-pressing the kukui nuts.
History
The origin of the kukui nut is not completely known because it has been carried everywhere by humans wherever they have moved. The earliest signs of the tree and its nuts being used are from 13,000 years ago on the tropical islands of Southeast Asia. Indigenous people used the nuts by roasting and steaming them for food, but in Hawaii, kukui nuts also had exceptional spiritual and religious significance. The oil was discovered early on to have remarkable skin-healing properties and was also used in religious rituals.
Modern Science
Kukui nut oil is primarily composed of polyunsaturated fatty acids, with 34% of it being essential omega-3 linolenic acid. The polyunsaturated linolenic and linoleic acids have proven to be promising and safe treatments for many skin conditions such as atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, and acne. These fatty acids serve multiple roles, including maintaining the permeability of the skin’s outer layer, blocking inflammatory molecules, increasing sunburn thresholds, and promoting wound healing.
Skincare Benefits
- Lightweight and Moisturizing: As a nut oil, kukui nut oil is exceptionally light and easily absorbed by the skin while deeply moisturizing it. The result is soft and silky skin.
- Improving Skin Structure: Kukui nut oil helps improve skin texture and promotes healing of dry, cracked skin. It also reduces the visibility of scars and dark spots.
INCI: Aleurites Moluccana Seed Oil
Shea butter, or karite butter, is derived from the nuts of the shea tree that grows in Africa. The collection of shea nuts and the production of shea butter are significant livelihoods for local women. The nuts we use grow naturally in the wild, and harvesting them does not harm the trees. This ecologically sustainable practice supports not only women's economic independence but also environmental conservation.
History
The history of shea butter as an indispensable skincare product dates back to ancient Egypt. Queen Cleopatra was known for always keeping jars of pure, high-quality shea butter within reach. It is said that Cleopatra stored shea butter in large clay pots for her skincare and haircare routines and massaged it into her skin after her milk and honey baths.
Modern Science
Shea butter contains a significant portion of unsaponifiable fractions, which include triterpenes, tocopherols, phenols, and sterols. These components are known for their powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. The effectiveness of shea butter creams in treating atopic dermatitis has been extensively studied, showing that they are well-tolerated and effective. The results revealed that these products helped alleviate symptoms such as itching, insomnia, and skin moisture balance issues.
Skincare Benefits
- Elasticity Enhancer: Shea butter is rich in triterpene alcohols that promote skin elasticity. These compounds help maintain skin flexibility and fight the degradation of collagen and elastin in the skin. Therefore, it is an ideal ingredient for dry, damaged, and aging skin.
- Moisture Lock: Shea butter deeply nourishes and forms a protective layer that locks moisture into the skin. This helps keep the skin hydrated and soft, especially in dry and harsh weather conditions.
INCI: Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Squalane is a derivative of squalene (note the literal difference between "e" and "a") naturally found in human skin. It is a vital component of the skin's hydrolipidic layer, but its production significantly decreases after the age of 25. Squalane is obtained by hydrogenating squalene, making it a lightweight, highly absorbent, and hydrating ingredient. We use 100% vegan, sustainable squalane extracted from olive oil industry by-products.
History
Fish liver oil was a significant part of the Nordic diet during the Viking Age and also had a long history of use in Japan. Squalene was first discovered by Japanese chemists in shark liver oil in the early 20th century. However, squalene was not directly utilized in cosmetics due to its challenging characteristics, such as high levels of unsaturated fatty acids, strong odor, and susceptibility to oxidation. Squalane, on the other hand, is a stable compound with many potential uses in cosmetics and medicine.
Modern Science
Due to ethical concerns, the squalane used in skincare products is now primarily derived from plants. Studies suggest that squalane significantly reduces the appearance of wrinkles and improves skin elasticity. This is partly because squalane is a compound naturally found in the skin.
Skincare Benefits
- For Aging Skin: In addition to its moisturizing properties, squalane helps prevent skin aging and aids in the treatment of wrinkles.
- Promotes Absorption: As a skin-identical compound, squalane is quickly absorbed and also enhances the absorption of other ingredients into the skin, making it a versatile supporter of skincare routines.
INCI: Squalane