Hyperpigmentation Series: jeune d’age organics 5% Glycolic Pumpkin Masque

Today we continue the Hyperpigmentation Series with a product that is Certified Vegan and Paraben free.

I love my little off the beaten path beauty discoveries! While recently in LA I was introduced to a newly launched line of organic skin care products, jeune d’age organics. While the line contains certified organic ingredients, it is not 100% organic. Most of the ingredients are organic, but the brand feels that ignoring the properties of non organic products like Hyaluronan and DMAE (which are natural but not organic) would be to deny introducing the best possible ingredients to their products and customers. I’m all for organic, but efficacy is king…it is refreshing to discovery a product line that balances the two!

Twice a week for the past six weeks I have been using jeune d’age organics Pumpkin Masque. The 5% glycolic mask is now a staple in my “mask/ special treatment” arsenal. As most of you know, I have acne prone skin and lately have been treating my Hyperpigmentation…so having said that, I understand the benefit of a treatment product that gently and effectively exfoliates to expose smooth and silky new skin.

Pumpkin is somewhat of a magical ingredient because it contains over 100 beneficial nutrients. It is exceptionally high in beta carotene (a precursor to Vitamin A) and an excellent free radical fighter. In addition, pumpkin is richly packed with vitamins, protein, and essential fatty acids. The enzymes in pumpkin mimic the benefit of alpha-hydroxy acids, thus increasing the rate of cell renewal. Individuals with sensitivity to AHAs may find success with pumpkin, as it is a natural alternative. Over time the jeune d’age organics 5% Glycolic Pumpkin Masque clarifies and brightens complexion. It smoothes skin texture and evens out blotchy skin tone due to hyperpigmentation. The 5% Glycolic Pumpkin Masque helps promote skin cell regeneration and improve fine lines/wrinkles. The deep penetrating mask is rich with Beta Carotene, Vitamins B, C, E, antioxidants, potassium, magnesium, zinc, iron, copper, and exfoliating enzymes…everything you need for healthy glowing skin!

After experiencing great success with jeune d’age organics 5% Glycolic Pumpkin Masque, I am itching to try their Premier Cleanser (93% Organic), Hydrating Firming Anti-Aging Serum, and Marin Toner (98% Organic).

In an age of “proprietary” ingredients that sometimes leave the average consumer clueless, jeune d’age organics is all about transparency. The brand provides a complete ingredient list for every product in the collection. This empowers the consumer!

If you are an ingredient hound, below you will find jeune d’age organics’ complete ingredient run-down/ ingredient efficacy explanation for the 5% Glycolic Pumpkin Masque:

Cucurbita pepo (Pumpkin), Vaccinium myrtillus (Bilberry) Fruit extract, Saccharum officinarum (Sugar Cane) Extract, Acer saccharinum (Sugar Maple) Extract, Citrus aurantium dulcis (Orange) Fruit Extract, Citrus medica limonum (Lemon) Extract, Aqua (Water), Kosher Vegetable Glycerin, Glycolic Acid, Tetrasodium EDTA, Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Phenoxyethanol, Limnanthes alba (Meadowfoam Oil), Xanthan Gum (Polysaccharide gum), Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C), Cinnamomum cassia (Cinnamon) Bark, Zingiber officinale (Ginger) Root Powder, Pimenta officinalis (Allspice) Powder, Myristica fragrans (Nutmeg) Powder, Rosmarinus officnalis (Rosemary Oleoresin), Azadirachta indica (Neem) Oil

• Organic Bilberry Extract, Sugar Cane Extract and Sugar Maple Extract all help to reveal new skin cells and stimulate the production of collagen and elastin. The peeling action uncovers a fresh, luminous layer of skin.
• Orange Fruit Extract and Lemon Extract are known for toning, cleansing and purifying properties as an astringent and good for oily skin. Alpha Hydroxy Acids gently remove dead skin and provide an added antioxidant. In our formula we use the gentle and natural form of AHA’s that occur in natural fruit extracts. All of these ingredients work as a synergetic blend to create an effective and wonderful serum.
• Kosher Vegetable Glycerin is used for the hygroscopic (water retention) capabilities and for viscosity boosting.
• Glycolic acid improves the appearance and texture of the skin. It may reduce wrinkles, acne scarring, hyper-pigmentation and improve many other skin conditions, including actinic keratosis, hyperkeratosis, and seborrheic keratosis. Glycolic acid reacts with the upper layer of the epidermis, weakening the binding properties of the lipids that hold the dead skin cells together. This removes dead skin cells and exposes the live skin cells. Please use an SPF product after use.
• Tetrasodium EDTA is derived from sodium salts. EDTA is used as a chelating agent. EDTA not only is added to create a stable product, but it also pulls heavy metals from your skin when you apply the cosmetic. EDTA is widely used for chelation therapy, which is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a treatment for lead and heavy metal poisoning.
• Vitamin E. As an antioxidant vitamin E is vital in protecting skin cells from ultra violet light, pollution, chemicals, and other elements that produce cell damaging free radicals. The benefits of vitamin E for healthy skin care also include its ability to regulate vitamin A in the body, which itself is important for healthy skin. It helps skin look younger by reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Also, free radicals are believed to play an important role in skin aging and therefore the antioxidant activity is quite valuable for this skin problem.
• Phenoxyethanol is a cosmetic preservative that is considered one of the less irritating ones to use in formulations. It does not release formaldehyde. Phenoxyethanol is an organic chemical compound, a glycol ether, derived from sage essential oil. Phenoxyethanol also works as a topical antiseptic; it provides broad spectrum anti-microbial activity against bacteria, yeasts and molds.
• Meadowfoam is an herbaceous winter annual plant native to the Pacific Northwest. It is recognized for its outstanding oxidative stability. It is unique in that it contains over 98% fatty acids. Meadowfoam Seed Oil is said to moisturize the skin better than most oils, and it helps prevent moisture loss. Containing one of the most stable lipids known, Meadowfoam Seed Oil lends stability to other oils that are combined with it.
• Xanthan Gum is produced by a process involving fermentation of glucose or sucrose by a bacteria found in plants. In cosmetics xanthan gum is used to prepare water gels. Is also used in oil-in-water emulsions to help stabilize the oil droplets against coalescence. It has some skin hydrating properties. One of the most remarkable properties of xanthan gum is its capability of producing a large increase in the viscosity of a liquid by adding a very small quantity of gum, on the order of one percent.
• Vitamin C Ester is a form of skin-compatible Vitamin C. It is a powerful antioxidant that protects the skin from damage by free radicals, reducing lines, wrinkles and discoloration and results in an improvement in skin tone and texture. Is its also known to lighten melasma on the skin and protect it from harmful UVB rays.
• Cinnamon is included for its tonic and antiseptic properties as well as the great scent! It increases blood flow to the skin.
• Ginger, in addition to the tonic and antiseptic properties, is an anti-inflammatory.
• Allspice contains eugenol. Eugenol when applied to the skin acts as a vasodilator, opening the vessels. Allspice also contains tannins, which give it mild anesthetic properties.
• Studies indicate that Nutmeg has been shown to lighten the skin based on the ability to inhibit tyrosinase activity. Tyrosinase is an enzyme present in tissue and plants that catalyzes the production of melanin and other pigments from tyrosine by oxidation.
• Rosemary extract is great for wound healing because of antiseptic, antibacterial and antimicrobial properties. In addition to the tonic and astringent qualities it also increases blood circulation.
• Neem Oil relieves dry skin. It soothes itchiness, redness and irritation. It improves general skin health and immunity, combating bacterial infections.