description
Stress Less is designed to improve sensitive, damaged, irritated or dehydrated skin with the combination of Beta-Glucan & Madecassoside, two supermolecules with remarkable skin soothing, repairing and hydrating abilities.
Beta-Glucan is the most bioactive and valuable part of Oat with intensive skin repairing, skin smoothing & wound healing properties, while Madecassoside is one of the main active components of Centella Asiatica, a medicinal plant that has well-established soothing, wound healing and antioxidant activities.
We use 0.2% Beta-Glucan and 0.3% Madecassoside in this formula. While these numbers might not sound high, when it comes to these two actives, they are. Studies use Madecassoside from as low as 0.05% (shown to inhibit UV induced melanin production) or at 0.1% combined with 5% Vitamin C for anti-aging benefits. 0.2% of Madecassoside has remarkable barrier-supporting, skin moisturizing, as well as redness & itching reducing properties in atopic or psoriasis-prone skin. In-vivo studies (made on real humans) by the manufacturer of Beta-Glucan show that the molecule improves skin barrier recovery used at 0.05%, while its moisturizing ability is as good as that of hyaluronic acid or even greater. Used at 0.1%, Beta-Glucan makes the skin firmer, smoother and more elastic.
Geek tip: use Stress Less with C-Glow in the morning for added smart-aging benefits.
who is it for?
Pretty much everyone, but we especially recommend Stress Less if your skin is prone to dehydration, sensitivity, redness and irritation, or you are using strong actives (e.g. anti-acne such as benzoyl peroxide or anti-aging such as tretinoin) known to dry the skin or compromise the skin barrier.
Skin type
all skin types, especially sensitive
Skin problem
sensitivity, irritation, weakened barrier, dehydration
Texture
silky, lightweight, non-sticky, gel texture
how to use
Apply a few drops to the face after cleansing, before using creams. Can be used either in the AM and/or PM.
Shelf life: 2 years from production (unopened), 6 months PAO (period after opening)
ingredients & research
key ingredients:
Madecassoside: One of the main biologically active components of the famous medicinal plant Centella Asiatica, also known as Gotu Kola or Cica. It has well-established wound healing, skin soothing and antioxidant activities.
Beta-Glucan: A supermolecule coming from Oat that has intensive skin-repairing and wound healing properties, while being a great skin soother and moisturizer, even showing some anti-aging benefits. It is a large polysaccharide (sugar) molecule, somewhat similar in structure to Hyaluronic Acid hence showing similar (or some claim even greater) skin hydrating properties. While the larger beta-glucan fractions stay on the top of the skin to hydrate & smooth it, the smaller fractions penetrate deeply (even into the dermis, the middle layer of the skin) showing promising anti-aging benefits.
Saccharide Isomerate: A skin-idententical carbohydrate molecule that binds to the skin like magnet and keeps the skin hydrated longer than most other humectants.
full inci list:
Aqua (Water), Methyl Gluceth-20, Saccharide Isomerate, Glycerin, Madecassoside, Beta-Glucan, 1,2-Hexanediol, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Caprylyl Glycol, Carbomer, Sodium Hydroxide, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol
research:
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, Volume 27 (5) – Oct 1, 2005, Anti‐Wrinkle Therapy: Significant New Findings in the Non‐Invasive Cosmetic Treatment of Skin Wrinkles with Beta‐Glucan
Phytotherapy Research, , Volume 28 (2) – Oct 1, 2005, Skin Health Promotion Effects of Natural Beta‐Glucan Derived from Cereals and Microorganisms: A Review
Shen, Xueqing, et al. "Propionibacterium acnes related anti-inflammation and skin hydration activities of madecassoside, a pentacyclic triterpene saponin from Centella asiatica." Bioscience, biotechnology, and biochemistry 83.3 (2019): 561-568.
Liu, Mei, et al. "Madecassoside isolated from Centella asiatica herbs facilitates burn wound healing in mice." Planta medica 74.08 (2008): 809-815.
Haftek, Marek, et al. "Clinical, biometric and structural evaluation of the long‐term effects of a topical treatment with ascorbic acid and madecassoside in photoaged human skin." Experimental dermatology 17.11 (2008): 946-952.
Jung, Eunsun, et al. "Madecassoside inhibits melanin synthesis by blocking ultraviolet-induced inflammation." Molecules 18.12 (2013): 15724-15736.
