Cosmetic active ingredients

Cosmetotextile is a technology that combines cosmetic care and the world of textiles. Thus, the effectiveness of our products comes from both a textile and cosmetic action. The benefits of a Textile action are often easier to understand than those of the cosmetic action. We will then try to explain the effectiveness of an active ingredient in cosmetics.

What is a cosmetic active?
A cosmetic active is "a substance or preparation intended to be placed in contact with the various superficial parts of the human body (epidermis, hair and capillary systems, nails, lips and external genitalia) or with the teeth and oral mucous membranes, with a view exclusively or mainly to cleaning, perfuming and protecting them in order to maintain them in good condition, modify their appearance or correct body odors" (art. L 5131-2 of the French Public Health Code).

In simpler terms, a cosmetic active ingredient is an ingredient present in a product that provides it with different virtues. Each active ingredient provides a specific action, and responds to a very precise problem. In most cases, a cosmetic product contains not just a single active ingredient, but a multitude ofcosmetic active ingredients. These active ingredients are then combined with an excipient and additives to preserve the product. The excipient is then the medium used to convey the active ingredient, often water or, even more rarely, oil. For Lytess the excipient used is oil.

Where can I find cosmetic active ingredients?

In the medical world, the term active ingredient refers to a molecule with a therapeutic effect in a drug. In cosmetics, active ingredients are neither drugs nor therapeutic products. Active cosmetic ingredients are found in a wide range of everyday products: suncare, hair care and personal care products, as well as make-up and perfume...

The proportions of each ingredient are different: while the cosmetic active is present in fairly low proportions (often 1%), the excipient represents around 80% of the product. In Lytess products, active cosmetics are over-represented compared to conventional cosmetics, representing 4% of the product.

Cosmetic active ingredients can be of natural or synthetic origin. Natural or organic cosmetics avoid the use of chemical ingredients as much as possible. Instead, it favors natural active ingredients, most often derived fromplant extracts. Indeed, plants are often rich in vitamins and minerals.

Focus on a few cosmetic active ingredients

Most cosmetic active ingredients have been used for thousands of years. The most ancient medicines used them to heal and protect the skin.

Caffeine: Caffeine is found in numerous plants such as coffee, cocoa, guarana...
It has a number of distinctive properties. Firstly, it is thought to have a slimming effect, since it promotes lipolysis, a natural reaction that breaks down lipids in the body, limiting fat storage. It also combats cellulite andorange-peel skin by activating cutaneous micro-circulation. It's also an ideal solution for combating dark circles, which are often due to poor blood circulation. 

At Lytess, caffeine is present in a number of products, including the slimming comfort leggings.

Aloe vera: this plant is very easy to grow. Its cosmetic properties are numerous. First and foremost,aloe vera heals and protects the skin, proving particularly useful in the event of burns, but also for skin diseases. What's more, this plant helps combat skin ageing by accelerating cell renewal. It also has moisturizing properties, making it ideal for dry skin .

Shea butter: rich in vitamins A, D and E, it can be used for both skin and hair. It is renowned for its deep moisturizing and nourishing properties. On the face, it provides a range of benefits, moisturizing and nourishing dry areas. It can also be used preventively as a protective balm against UV rays. Finally, it adds elasticity and suppleness to the epidermis, helping to combat skin ageing. Finally, for the body, in addition to its obvious moisturizing effect, shea butter can be used to combat stretch marks. For hair, shea butter is best suited to those with dry hair, providing moisture and shine while reviving color, as with the body shop's shampoo.

Red seaweed: Red seaweed has some very interesting virtues. Moisturizing, antioxidant and anti-aging, this seaweed is found in many cosmetics. It is often used in slimming cosmetic formulas to help eliminate fatty deposits. In fact, by promoting lymphatic drainage, it stimulates circulation and encourages theelimination of fatty acids. At Lytess, red algae is featured in a number of slimming products, including Capris minceur ventre plat.

Cosmetic active ingredients and slimming products

If you want to slim down, lose weight or simply reshape your figure, cosmetic active ingredients can be a real asset. They can be found in a variety of slimming products:

• Creams or oils : slimming, firming or anti-cellulite, they will help you to reshape and refine your figure. The active cosmetic ingredients in these products act directly on your skin's fat cells, destocking and eliminating them. Among the active ingredients in these creams, caffeine is the most widely used. Rich in antioxidants, it helps get rid of fat cells and combat water retention. Other ingredients include guarana, kelp, bladderwrack and theobromine. You can then choose between creams, oils and gels, all of which are equally effective, depending on your tastes.

• Slimming capsules. Here, too, the choice is varied: there are fat-eating capsules, calorie burners, fat-removing capsules and tummy-flattening capsules. You can buy these capsules in pharmacies, parapharmacies and on the Internet. If you follow the protocol, all you need to do is swallow one or two capsules a day for 2 to 3 months, depending on the protocol. These capsules will give you a feeling of satiety and prevent you from snacking. Combined with a diet, they will help you lose weight.
• Cosmetotextiles. This technique combines textile and cosmetic expertise in a single product. The result is thousands of microencapsulated cosmetic formulations: slimming, moisturizing, firming, anti-cellulite... combined with textile fibers. The Lytess brand is a pioneer in the field of cosmetotextiles. Find all Lytess ranges on our website.