Renew - inside ingredients - ilike's rose petal gel mask - Jan/Feb 2008 issue

a look at what goes into organic

vitamin C
One of the most widely used skin care ingredients, vitamin C is essential for synthesis of collagen and is an antioxidant that can help reduce skin damage caused by free radicals. Vitamin C can help reduce wrinkles, improve skin texture and rejuvenate the skin, says Szilvia Hickman of ilike organic skin care.

vitamin B₂
Water-soluble B₂, commonly known as riboflavin, is vital for normal reproduction, growth, repair and development of body tissues including the skin, hair and nails. It's essential for healthy skin, nails and hair. B2 helps prevent and treat a number of disorders such as acne, acne rosacea, dermatitis and eczema.

bioflavonoids
Bioflavonoids are vitamin-like substances found in plants. In plants, they fulfill many functions, including producing pigmentation in lowers and protecting from attacks by microbes and insects. In humans, there is evidence of their ability to modify the body's reaction to allergens, viruses and carcinogens. They show anti-allergic, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial and anti-cancer activity.

trace minerals
Active ingredients in the ilike organic products are grown in Hungary. The country lies in the Carpathian Basin, which used to be an antient seabed, making its soil extremely rich in minerals and trace elements, says Hickman. "This soil provides a great amount of mineral and trace elements to fruits, vegetables and herbs that are used in the products."

red rose petals
According to Hickman, red rose petals have been used for beautifying purposes fr thousands of years. "Even Cleopatra used the oils that were made from them to maintain her beauty. They supply deeply hydrating rose oil, bioflavonoids, minerals and trace elements that plant sucks up from the soil," she says. The rose petals are harvested at dawn, when the rose infuses the highest level of oil into the petals - this is also when you cans smell their aroma the most!

honey
Honey contains vitamins (especially B₂ and E), minerals and amino acids. "It's a wonderful beauty aid that nourishes the skin and hair," says Hickman. Researchers have discovered that honey contains as many antioxidants - which combat free radicals - as spinach, oranges or strawberries.