You want to find the perfect cream for you, in the hope that it will improve the appearance of your complexion, a remedy for all its imperfections. It is therefore worth reading the INCI/ingredients, i.e. what's in the cream.... However, chemical terms are incomprehensible to most consumers and most cosmetic manufacturers exploit this fact.

Not being a cosmetic raw material chemist, you focus on this:

•  how the cream smells
• is it velvety to the touch
• whether you feel like you have ‘nicer’ skin after applying it

Momentary ‘wow’ effects are provided by a large number of texture-enhancing ingredients that have nothing to do with skincare. Silicones are a specialist in this area. However, this is only one of the ingredients to convince you. What you don't realise is that in doing so, you are literally testing thousands of artificial chemical compounds on your own skin. To a large extent, these are absorbed into our body through the skin, our largest organ, and cause many health problems.

This has always irritated me. So in 2012, I created the first cream that I could recommend with full responsibility to my clients and... use myself 😉 Being in the beauty industry since 2002, gaining knowledge and experience, I found that there are no products that ‘ hit’ the cause of the skin problem. They only nullify the effects, but only during its application, for a while.

The key is skin resistance

From experience, I know that for your skin

• any dysfunction
• problem of proper functioning
• lack of comfort

s insufficient skin resistance.

This was, is and will continue to be the purpose of my action and creation. This is how the first cream, Sunshine, was created. Over time, I created further formulations. After 11 years, a line has been created that meets the needs of even the very demanding, ‘difficult’ to care for, sensitive skin and supports the effects of my treatments at Skin Expert Katarzyna Łukowska. Let me introduce them to you.

Resistem™

Resistem™ is an active anti-ageing ingredient with advanced technology, derived from the stem cells of the Globularia Cordifolia plant. It helps the skin to build its own anti-ageing protection system and has a conditioning effect on its cells. It enhances the skin's ability to fight pro-aging factors and regenerate by protecting the skin's stem cells and stimulating sirtuin-1.

Resistem promotes:

• etoxification (maintains proteasome activity),
• increase in cell viability (stimulates sirtuin-1)
• tissue regeneration (preserves skin stem cells)
• reduces microinflammatory processes

Effectiveness testing

The effect of Resistem has been confirmed in numerous in-vitro and in-vivo studies with a group of women aged 34-44 years.

An in-vivo study of a 2% Resistem formulation applied by women with reactive skin twice a day for 1 month compared to a placebo showed:

• neutralisation of pro-aging factors +23.6%

By neutralising pro-ageing factors, the hyperactivity of nerve endings in the skin is reduced.

An in-vivo study of a 2 % Resistem formulation applied by women aged approximately 34 years, 39 % of whom were cigarette smokers, twice a day for a period of 2 months compared to a placebo showed:

• reduction in redness - 13.4%
• increase in skin transparency + 67 %
• increase in skin luminosity + 9.2 %

Stimulation of cellular detoxification restores the skin's natural radiance. Visibly improves the uniformity of the complexion and gives the skin a healthy appearance.

Serene Shield (Butyl Hydroxycyclohexane Carboxylate)

Silny składnik aktywny niemieckiej firmy farmaceutycznej Merck. ZoA powerful active ingredient from the German pharmaceutical company Merck. It has been used exclusively in the formulation of Essence and Gentleman cream.

It helps free the skin from acne susceptibility by regulating sebum secretion and reducing inflammation. Additionally, it supports skin health by rebalancing the skin's microflora.

Key characteristics

• 3R effect: Rebalance - Restores the balance of the skin microflora
  Regulate - Regulates sebum secretion
  Reduce - reduces inflammation
• Antimicrobial action

Effectiveness testing

In vitro

• Reduction of type I 5-alpha-reductase activity
• Reduction in the growth of Propionibacterium acnes
• Reduction of Staphylococcus aureus adhesion

In vivo

• Reduction of sebum on the skin's surface
• Reduction of bacterial porphyrins
• Reduction of skin redness/inflammation

Vegetable glycerine 99.5 % (Glycerin)

Glycerine is a sugar alcohol derived from natural organic sources (hydrolysis of coconut and palm oil). It has an excellent safety profile and low toxicity. It is one of the most important ingredients used in skin care formulations. It forms an effective protective layer and protects the skin from adverse environmental influences. Humectant, skin conditioning agent. It has the ability to penetrate the stratum corneum. May improve the condition of skin suffering from chronic inflammatory conditionsIt helps to reduce wound healing time. Glycerine has been shown to stimulate barrier reconstruction in vivo after repeated washing of the skin with common SLS (sodium lauryl sulphate) type detergents.

Argan oil (Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil)

Argan oil is a true elixir of youth - rich in triterpenoids (skin-healing properties), polyphenols (inflammation reduction), tocopherols (anti-ageing effects) and two exotic phytosterols (schotenol and spinasterol), which are effective free radical scavengers. The balanced proportion of unsaturated fatty acids intensively nourishes skin affected by allergies and dermatoses. Essential in the care of mature but also acne-prone skin. A valuable ingredient with moisturising and antioxidant properties. It supports the skin's natural water-lipid layerso that it better stores nutrients and is firm and elastic. Nourishes, nourishes and regenerates the skin, protects against the premature appearance of wrinkles and against unfavourable external conditions. Counteracts irritation, including that caused by sunbathing.

Olej Makadamia (Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil)

Macadamia oil extracted from the nuts of the macadamia tree (Macadamia Ternifolia) by cold-pressing. One of the richest natural sources of Omega-7 in the world - which provides many key benefits for beauty,
healthy skin and hair. It has high levels of monounsaturated fatty acids not found in other vegetable oils - the rare Omega-7 (palmitic acid) and Omega-9 (oleic acid). It matches the fatty acid composition of the skin.

Shea butter (Butyrospermum Parkii Shea Butter)

Shea butter is a vegetable oil rich in specific unsaponifiable substances that protect the skin and repair damage caused by climatic aggressions, pollution and UV radiation. Recommended for lip care, dry and sensitive skin, hand care and body care. It is known for its moisturising, smoothing and skin-protecting properties.

Alantoina (Allantoin)

Allantoin is a naturally occurring ingredient with a strong restorative, smoothing and moisturising action. It has been known for centuries as a traditional ingredient in herbs such as resiliently called resinost. Allantoin protects and nurtures the skin and promotes cell regeneration of environmentally weakened skin. Stimulates cell proliferation and the reconstruction of granulation tissue. Recommended for particularly sensitive skin - shows a high level of safety, does not cause allergies or sensitisation. Enhances the effectiveness of many dermatological and cosmetic preparations.

D-Panthenol (Panthenol)

D-Panthenol is a provitamin of D-panthotenic acid (vitamin B5). It penetrates the skin deeply, stimulating epithelialisation (epidermination), thus provides faster wound healing. It has an anti-inflammatory effect. Soothes irritated and sensitive skin. It helps to combat the negative effects of oxidative stress, such as redness, fine lines and skin roughness.

Cetylstearyl alcohol (Cetearyl alcohol)

Jest alkoholem tłuszczowym pochodzącym w całości z surowców roślinnych (kokos i/lub ziarna palmy, uzupełniony stearyną oleju palmowego). Naturalny stabilizator emulsji. Powszechnie / Chętnie stosowany w produktach farmaceutycznych, kosmetykach naturalnych i ekologicznych. Tworzy na skórze ochronną warstwę, podnosi poziom nawilżenia i uelastycznia skórę.

Caprylic (Capric Triglyceride)

Very mild, well tolerated, non-irritating and safe for the skin emollient of natural origin. Replenishes lipid deficiencies in the skin, strengthening the skin's protective layer and reducing TEWL. Protects against the effects of external factors.

Polyglycerol-3-methylglucose distearate

Sugar emulsifier forming a liquid crystal structure mild emulsifier based on renewable plant raw materials dedicated to cosmetic emulsions with an exceptional stability profile. It improves the skin's moisture status, as proven in vivo by corneometric measurements. The exceptional mildness of the raw material was confirmed in tests on 20 panellists using the Duhring chamber test. The test showed no erythematous reaction. Emulsifier approved for use in natural cosmetics.

Glycerine mono- and distearate (Glyceryl Stearate SE)

It is a 100% natural raw material for use as an emulsifier. It can form lamellar liquid crystalline phases. Minimises the need for co-emulsifiers in formulations. Forms an occlusive layer and is easily absorbed, moisturises, softens the skin.

Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin

Natural preservative system Alternative to traditional and controversial preservatives such as parabens, formaldehyde releasers. Cosmetic preservative with a broad, balanced spectrum of action against bacteria, yeasts and moulds. Exhibits effective action even in very low concentrations. Also approved for use in medicines. In 2015, the US Environmental Protection Agency's Endocrine Disruptor Screening Programme also found that phenoxyethanol has no oestrogenic effects, while the European Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety found phenoxyethanol to be a compound safe for human health, including for children. It does not cause allergies, is not carcinogenic and does not pose a genotoxic risk to humans. The addition of ethylhexylglycerol reduces the interfacial tension on the cell membrane of microorganisms and improves antimicrobial activity.

Parfum

This is a fragrance composition that does not contain allergens according to the 89 list of allergens published by the Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS), an advisory body to the European Union.