WHAT'S IN BIOCÉ?

Arbutin

Arbutin is a naturally occurring glucoside or molecule, found in the bearberry plant. It is a clinically tested, safe active used in skin whitening and depigmenting formulations. Arbutin reduces the production of melanin by inhibiting the enzyme tyrosinase and halting UVB absorption, thus preventing the appearance of pigmentation spots.

BIOCÉ PEPTIDE

Our patented compound is derived from the cell walls of Nicotiana sylvestris, a white flower native to southern climates. It's the first of its kind to combine three functions essential to healthy skin: reducing free radicals, activating skin's cellular DNA repair, and boosting collagen renewal.

CAFFEINE

Harvested from abundant, sustainable plants, caffeine is known for its ability to help detoxify skin tissues. We also use it to shrink fat deposits and reduce puffiness.

CI AGE DV

age-control complex that helps prevent aging based on its anti-glycation and collagen-protecting properties. This complex helps increase skin hydration, firmness, elasticity and smoothness.

COLLAGEN ACTIVATOR

Collagen is basically the protein that holds skin tissue together. Collagen Type I is the most abundant type, but it also decreases with age. This active complex boosts Collagen Type I production in skin, restoring its firmness and elasticity.

EYE CONTOUR SOLUTION

This patented blend adapts three potent ingredients to care for the delicate eye area: a botanical extract with strong antioxidant properties, an organic polymer that reinforces skin's structure and elasticity, and VITAMIN B3, to help collagen regenerate and strengthen the skin barrier.

FORTIFYING AND RESTRUCTURING AGENT

A powerful active ingredient that helps fight cell dehydration and has antioxidant properties. Also, helps visibly decrease the appearance of sagging and wrinkly skin, improving firmness and elasticity.

Glaucine

A natural compound found in various plant species that helps improve contours and skin firmness and helps visibly decrease the appearance of cellulite.

HEMATITE EXTRACT

This iron-rich, crystalline mineral helps restore skin's structure from within by boosting pro-collagen synthesis; pro-collagen is one of the building blocks of collagen. The result on skin is better tone, strength and radiance.

HYALURONIC ACID

Able to hold up to 1,000 times its weight in water, this acid naturally occurs in skin, keeping it plump and smooth. Because aging depletes the amount our skin makes, our formulas restore the element, so skin stays hydrated and vibrant.

KIGELIA EXTRACT

A tropical African flowering tree, Kigelia africana is known for the antibacterial properties of its fruit, and used in traditional remedies. We use it to help tone and strengthen facial contours, improving skin firmness and elasticity.

LACTIC ACID

As one of the alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs), lactic acid is naturally derived from fruit sugars or milk. In our formulas, it helps exfoliate and stimulates cell growth in skin. It's also moisture-retaining, to keep skin soft and smooth.

LARCH EXTRACT

Extracted from the unused portion of already harvested trees, macromolecules in larch offer excellent moisture control. When absorbed, the extract helps skin molecules hold onto water, reducing moisture loss from skin.

L-ARGININE

An essential amino acid, L-Arginine is known as a Natural Moisturizing Factor (NMF), because it helps the skin do what it does naturally: attract and hold water. Ours is sourced from plants, and works as a conditioner to maintain skin hydration.

MARSH SAMPHIRE EXTRACT

This extract comes from Salicornia, a hardy coastal plant with an extraordinary ability to protect itself from its dry, salt-air climate. It's been clinically shown to help skin adapt by carrying and holding water and fortifying skin's moisture barrier, for smooth, supple skin.

MULTI-MINERAL CHRONO-ENERGISER

Our blend combines three essential minerals–ZINC, MAGNESIUM and COPPER–to excite the energy in skin cells and boost metabolism. By increasing cell vitality, it protects and revitalizes skin tone.

NATURAL ANTIOXIDANT COMPLEX

This all-plant complex, including VITAMIN E, SOYBEAN OIL, and SUNFLOWER SEED OIL, is a natural defense against free radicals. Plus, it helps preserve the integrity of our formulas against oxidation.

SOLANUM LYCOPERSICUM LEAF CELL CULTURE

Obtained from tomato cell cultures, this plant-based ingredient helps protect the skin from pollution, free radicals and premature aging.

SEA FENNEL EXTRACT

This extract is drawn from Crithmum maritimum, an aromatic medicinal plant native to coastal Great Britain. It's used in our formulas to help regenerate skin cells, add moisture, and eliminate bacteria.

SQUALANE

Squalane is a natural emollient with a great affinity for skin–since it's also found in sebum, skin's built-in moisturizer. We derive ours from olive oil, not animal sources, to help restore suppleness and flexibility to skin.

SWISS SPA WATER

Switzerland is well known for its scientific excellence–and is home to one of the world's most advanced labs, where our BioCé Peptide was born. It's also the source of our SWISS SPA WATER, rich in CALCIUM and MAGNESIUM, which has been known as a curative water source since the Roman era.

WHEAT MICROPROTEINS

Wheat peptides provide pleasant and soothing care. They help protect skin cells against UVB radiation and help reduce skin irritation.

WHAT'S NOT IN BIOCÉ?

ANIMAL AND ANIMAL-TESTED PRODUCTS

BioCé has strict ethical standards against animal cruelty; we don't use any animal-based ingredients, test on animals, or ask anyone else to do animal testing on our behalf.

BENZENE

Still used in some cosmetics as a solvent, benzene is flammable, petroleum-derived, and known to be carcinogenic (cancer-causing). What's more, it's produced from the combustion of fossil fuels, so it has negative environmental effects as well.

COMEDOGENICS

These refer to any ingredient that can clog pores and lead to acne, one sign of unhealthy skin.

FORMALDEHYDE-RELEASING INGREDIENTS

Known to cause cancer, formaldehyde also causes allergic reactions and irritation on contact, as well as headaches and chronic fatigue. Its vapor is extremely irritating to the eyes, nose and throat.

FRAGRANCE

Beyond the simple explanation–some people are allergic to certain fragrances–there are more complex reasons we avoid this. "Fragrance" can mean up to 4,000 separate ingredients, many of them toxic. The FDA and clinical studies have uncovered wide-ranging symptoms, from severe allergic reactions to depression.

IRRITANTS

When your skin is irritated, it's more vulnerable to the things that damage its DNA and collagen. That, in turn, leads to rough skin, acne, loss of elasticity, fine lines, and wrinkles.

NANO-PARTICLES

Your skin is meant to act as a barrier against unwelcome substances, but these microscopic particles can penetrate deeply into the skin–getting into cells, tissues, and your bloodstream. While the effects of nanoparticles themselves aren't fully known, they could carry harmful substances with them into your body.

NITROSATING INGREDIENTS

Nitrosamines are chemical compounds formed under certain conditions–high acidity or heat, for instance–that have been found to cause cancer and mutations in lab animals. We avoid any ingredient that could lead to nitrosamines in your system.

PABA

PABA is a compound formed by intestinal bacteria. Recent studies have linked it to certain cellular defects in humans, which damage DNA and increase the risk of skin cancer.

PARABENS

These are still the most widely-used preservatives in cosmetic and skin care products, even though they're known to disrupt hormone function, which has been linked to an increased risk of breast cancer and other types of toxicity.

PEGs (POLYETHYLENE GLYCOLS)

Used as emollients or emulsifiers–sometimes even in "natural" skin care–there's evidence that these contain toxic contaminants like heavy metals (i.e. lead, nickel, arsenic) and ethylene oxide, which studies suggest may increase the risk of uterine, breast and brain cancers.

PETROLATUM / MINERAL OIL

Mineral oil may sound harmless–baby oil, for instance, is 100% mineral oil–but it's actually a petroleum byproduct that coats the skin like plastic, clogging your pores. That leads to acne, interferes with your skin's ability to get rid of toxins, and slows down skin cell development, so your skin ages prematurely.

PHTHALATES

These are industrial chemicals known as "plasticizers," and you'll find them nearly everywhere in daily life–from toys, to food packaging, to shower curtains and shampoos. Yet they've been found to disrupt the endocrine system, damage men's reproductive systems, and even lead to liver cancer.

SODIUM LAURYL/LAURETH SULFATE

This is a common comedogenic (pore-clogger) that can also cause skin and eye irritation. Worse, when applied to skin, it can be absorbed and cause health problems from menopausal symptoms, to lower male fertility, to breast and other female cancers.

TOLUENE

This is a solvent derived from benzene (see above), that's equally risky to your skin and overall health. If it's swallowed, inhaled or comes into contact with eyes, its symptoms can range from severe irritation or numbness to liver, kidney and central nervous system damage.