KISS ME Nº1 White Rabbit

All the ingredients have eco-certification, except for the red pigment, which is classified as food colouring matter.

Orchid extract – This component is extracted from the flower of the species of Orchis Mascula, which grows mainly in Mediterranean Europe, the North of Africa and the Southwest of Asia. Its flower is usually of purple colour, with lighter shadows and small dark spots, though it can also be found in a white colour. It contains a high number of mucilages that give it moisturising, emollient properties, which makes these flowers an appropriate ingredient for both moisturising cosmetic products and products for the hair and also for specific products to be used in sensitive skin.

Orchid extract is rich in minerals such as zinc, calcium, magnesium, iron and copper, and also contains a high percentage of anthocyanin pigments that in vitro act as free radical scavengers or inhibitors; this results in an antioxidant and anti-irritant action, so they are ideal to be considered in the formulation of both anti-ageing cosmetic products and for thin sensitive skin.

Cotton oil – It is extracted by cold pressure from the cotton plant seeds and its composition includes most remarkably fatty acids -mainly linoleic, palmitic and oleic-, vitamin D and tocopherol, which is one of the existing forms of vitamin E.

We will first focus on fatty acids, as they are particularly interesting for us. Why? Because the human body cannot synthesise them and we must obtain them from the outside, basically through diet. In case of lack of these essential fatty acids, our body reacts with scaling, dryness and impairment of the skin in general; from these symptoms, we wanted to investigate in the laboratory how our skin would act if oils containing fatty acids were applied topically, and it was shown that these problems improved noticeably, so they are used in both dermatology and in cosmetics.

Tocopherol (vitamin E) is an antioxidant with the capacity to protect the fatty acids present in cell membranes from oxidative impairment. Therefore, its presence is highly valuable in moisturisers and anti-ageing products.

In summary, the cosmetic properties to be highlighted in cotton oil are its capacity to restore the barrier function of the epidermis and its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial actions.

Mango butter – It is obtained from the mango fruit seed, as with other vegetable butters such as those of cacao and shea; for instance, and, also like them, it is particularly rich in essential fatty acids -in particular oleic acid- that, as explained above, are very interesting for our skin. It also contains polyphenols, carotenes and vitamins and it has the characteristic that it is absorbed fast, so it does not leave an oily sensation. It has skin emollient, smoothing, nourishing, healing and regenerating properties and is generally used in products for the care of both the skin and the hair and in colour cosmetics.

Shea butter – It is taken from nuts or seeds of this tree and is used as food to prepare traditional meals and sauces in some African countries, but also for cosmetic purposes to care for the skin and hair. Its composition includes essential fatty acids -at a higher percentage oleic and stearic-, vitamins A, D and E, minerals -calcium, magnesium and iron, amongst others- and catechins; all of this gives nourishing, antioxidant, soothing, smoothing and healing properties. In addition, upon applying it on the skin it can form an invisible film that prevents dehydration. This oil or butter is used in many cosmetic preparations for the face, body and hair, and even in solar products for both before and after the sun exposure.

Abyssinica seed oil – Abyssinia was also the name of the ancient empire of Ethiopia that existed between the years 1137 and 1974 and later became the country today known simply as Ethiopia. The oleaginous plant called Crambe Abyssinica has its origin there and is still grown there, as well as in other countries of the Mediterranean basin. Although the oil of its seeds has been already present in cosmetics for the skin and hair for several years, it is still a poorly known ingredient, though not less interesting.

It is very rich in Omega 3, Omega 6 and Omega 9 fatty acids and its cosmetic properties are excellent for mixed and oily skins, because it penetrates easily and does not leave an oily sensation; on the contrary, it provides a satin effect that is favourable for the skin. It is moisturising, nourishing and smoothing and an excellent pigment dispersant, so it is ideal for the formulation of these lipsticks.

Jojoba oil – Jojoba is a shrub from the area that includes North-Eastern Mexico and the south of Arizona and California. Jojoba oil is extracted from its seed, and is very rich in monounsaturated fatty acids and vitamin E. It is an excellent carrier, both to mix with other oils and with essential oils and for the formulation of cosmetic products for both the skin and the hair. It is a non-comedogenic oil, that is, it does not clog skin pores, so it can be used in any type of skin, even in oily ones. Its ceramides are very similar to those of our skin, which makes it an ideal element for repairing and strengthening the cell structure of the epidermis, cleaning and regulating oil production and avoiding dehydration. It also has antioxidant, wetting, antibacterial, antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties.

Almond oil – As most vegetable oils, this component is rich in essential fatty acids and, in this case, vitamins A, B, D and E which, to begin with, ensures hydration, nourishing and regenerating capacity for the skin. Almond oil is often included in the formulation of many cosmetics, but, as it is a very soft, light oil, it is also used directly as a massage oil and as a carrier for specific aromatherapy treatments -for the body or the face -, adding to it the adequate essential oils in each case.

For further information, please also read the post: The beauty of almonds.

Castor oil – This oil is taken from the seeds of castor oil plant; it is very rich in the Omega 9 fatty acid called ricinoleic, which has anti-inflammatory, antifungal and antibacterial properties and vitamin E, which adds the property of being antioxidant. It has a rather viscous texture, so it can be used as make-up remover and is not comedogenic, so it does not clog pores or leaves an oily sensation. It is also used to strengthen the eyelashes and the nails.

Cocoa butter – This butter is obtained during the chocolate preparation process when separating by pressure this fat part form the rest of the cocoa bean. If you have ever wondered how chocolate keeps for so long without impairing, the answer is its high content in vitamin E of cocoa butter, that makes it a potent antioxidant and that, in the case of chocolate, prevents it from going rancid. All this vitamin E, in addition to the rest of fatty acids contained in this butter, give it antioxidant, protective, wetting, lubricant, healing and regenerating properties, which are ideal for the very thin lip skin.

Beeswax – As its name suggests, this wax is segregated by bees to build the hexagonal nests forming their honeycombs. Wax is collected and refined, preferably using the heating and filtering method, and gets ready to be used. It has multiple uses in many types of industries, but the most common is probably its use in cosmetics and pharmacy. It has a significant smoothing, anti-inflammatory and protective capacity that makes it particularly suitable for sensitive skin.

Candelilla wax – t is a wax of vegetable origin, taken from a plant called Euphorbia Cerífera that grows in Mexico, specifically in the Chihuahuan Desert. Its properties are similar to those of beeswax, but it is somewhat harder, and its protective action stands out; it is very appreciated in the cosmetic industry where it is used for the formulation of lipsticks, providing consistency, and in other products for body and hair care.

Sappan bark – Caesalpinia Sappan or Indian redwood is a species of tree coming from the Southeast of Asia, to which different properties and uses are attributed. In this specific case where the extract of its bark is used, its antibacterial and skin conditioning properties are used, in addition to producing a reddish colour that makes it also appropriate for the manufacture of red colouring matters.

Vegetable squalane – Squalane (or squalene) is a natural organic compound that acts oxygenating cells, providing them with nutrients and protecting them from oxidation. It is present in our skin, but this presence decreases with age, so it is a component generally used in cosmetics to counteract this progressive loss and is also used in pharmacology. It was originally taken from shark liver oil, hence its name, squalane (as Squalus is a genus of sharks); however, squalane can also come from plant sources, such as olive oil, that is used in Kiss Me lipsticks.

For the actions discussed above, this compound acts as regenerator and moisturiser by helping limit the loss of moisture from the skin.

Natural micas – These are silicates of different minerals, characterised by their brightness, which makes them very interesting for various uses, including use in make-ups to which it provides radiance, and their high fragility, which makes it easier to turn them into a very thin powder which is contained in multiple cosmetic products and natural make-up.

Titanium dioxide – It is a chemical compound and one of the inorganic pigments most commonly used in several types of industry. In cosmetics it is generally used because it reflects light and gives the skin a better look, but it is even more interesting for its capacity to absorb ultraviolet light, as it makes it an excellent sunscreen.

Stevia and vanilla flavour – Both products have been used in Kiss Me lipsticks to balance the flavour and odour of lipsticks, though without dominating, but for the purpose of achieving a neutral flavour. They also provide lipsticks with the properties of stevia, which is antioxidant, antiseptic and healing.

Potassium Sorbate and Sodium Benzoate – They are two food preservatives approved by Ecocert (organic certification organisation).

Natural pigments based on iron oxides – Pigments also approved by Ecocert and used to achieve the different colours of the lipstick collection.

Synthetic red pigments classified as food colouring matters – Yes, a synthetic element. And you will wonder, why? Because they avoid the use of the carmine pigments obtained crushing an insect called cochineal and because, as they are also for food use, we make sure that they do not contain aluminium.

Water and wax and vegetable glycerine – These are other ingredients used to mix the formula, achieve the adequate texture of the lipsticks and, in the case of vegetable glycerine, provide extra smoothness to the product.