African Botanics Nutritive Molecule Serum is an extremely rejuvenating serum that incorporates advanced biotechnology to supplement and support skin. It is designed to protect skin against the main types of free radicals: oxygen, carbon, and nitrogen. This serum improves skin’s texture and brightness while providing a nourishing blend of key ingredients.
The serum is enriched with botanical peptides and moisture barrier enhancers, making it a potent yet lightweight addition to any skincare routine.
Key Features and Benefits
- Rejuvenates and protects skin
- Improves skin texture and brightness
- Provides a strong protective barrier against pollution and cellular damage
- Enriched with botanical peptides and moisture barrier enhancers
The serum is designed to combat dark spots, hyper-pigmentation, dullness, and uneven texture, making it a comprehensive solution for various skin concerns.
Advanced Antioxidant Content
This serum infuses skin with a powerful array of antioxidants to accelerate antioxidant activity:
- Vitamin E
- Ferulic Acid
- Tannic Acid (naturally occurring plant polyphenol)
- Niacinamide
- Superoxide Dismutase
- Resveratrol
- Green Coffee and Yeast
These potent antioxidants help prevent wrinkles, sun damage, and fade dark spots.
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3 Types of Highly Stable & Oil-Soluble Forms of Vitamin C
Nutritive Molecule Serum is infused with highly stable forms of Vitamin C. Unlike many Vitamin C-based serums, African Botanics Nutritive Molecule Serum includes three different forms of Vitamin C:
- Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate (THD Ascorbate): The most stable and non-acidic form of Vitamin C, this oil-soluble form can penetrate the lipid bilayer of the skin. It is able to successfully penetrate the epidermis and move to the layer underneath called the dermis. It’s in the dermis that collagen, a protein that gives skin its youthful firmness and ability to resist wrinkles, is made.
- Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate: One of the most stable forms of Vitamin C, it helps protect skin from sun damage and boost UVA protection.
- Ascorbyl Methylsilanol Pectinate: This form complements the other two, enhancing the overall effectiveness of the serum.
The RIGHT way to use Vitamin C (and mistakes to avoid!)
Detailed Ingredient Analysis
Let's take a closer look at some key ingredients in the African Botanics Nutritive Molecule Serum:
Aqua (Deionized Water)
Good old water, aka H2O, is the most common skincare ingredient of all. The water used in cosmetics is purified and deionized, meaning that almost all of the mineral ions inside it are removed.
Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Extract
Witch hazel is a smallish tree native to North America, known for its astringent, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-bacterial properties. It's also a well-known vasoconstrictor, promoting the healing of broken skin by tightening up the skin proteins and thus creating a protective covering.
The main biologically active components in Witch Hazel are hamamelitannin (a potent astringent and antioxidant), catechins (anti-inflammatory and antioxidant) and gallic acid (antibacterial).
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Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate is a stable, oil-soluble form of Vitamin C. Because it's oil-soluble, its skin penetration abilities seem to be great. So great in fact, that it surpasses the penetration of pure vitamin C threefold at the same concentration and it penetrates successfully into the deeper layers of the skin (that is usually important to do some anti-aging work).
Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
The sodium salt form of Vitamin C, SAP is a promising derivative that has great stability up to pH 7. A 2005 study showed in vitro (in test tubes) that 1% SAP has a strong antimicrobial activity on evil acne causing P. acnes and it also showed in vivo (on real people) that 5% SAP can strongly improve the inflammatory and non-inflammatory lesions of acne vulgaris.
Adansonia Digitata (Baobab) Seed Oil
Baobab is a really big, iconic tree native to Africa. It's the largest succulent plant in the world and almost all parts of it have traditional medicinal uses in Africa. The seed oil contains skin regenerating vitamin A, antioxidant vitamin E, and vitamin D3 that helps with calcium absorption.
Sodium Hyaluronate
It’s the - sodium form - cousin of the famous NMF, hyaluronic acid (HA). As far as skincare goes, sodium hyaluronate and hyaluronic acid are pretty much the same and the two names are used interchangeably. It's a huge polymer found in the skin that acts as a sponge helping the skin to hold onto water, being plump and elastic.
Potassium Sorbate
It's one of those things that help your cosmetics not to go wrong too soon, aka a preservative. It’s not a strong one and doesn’t really work against bacteria, but more against mold and yeast.
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Panthenol (Pro Vitamin B5)
An easy-to-formulate, commonly used ingredient that’s also called pro-vitamin B5. Its main job in skincare products is to moisturise the skin. It’s a humectant meaning that it can help the skin to attract water and then hold onto it. Another great thing about panthenol is that it has anti-inflammatory and skin protecting abilities.
Sclerocarya Birrea (Marula) Seed Oil
If you have an interest in elephants and Africa, you have probably heard of elephants getting drunk from the fruit of the Marula tree. So the Marula oil - similar to many other plant oils - is a really nice nourishing and moisturizing oil that can improve skin hydration and smoothness and it can even reduce skin redness.
Malus Domestica Fruit Cell Culture (Swiss Apple)
Also-called: Liposomal Preparation of Apple Stem Cells If you have already heard of the "plant stem cells trend" in beauty products you probably know about this guy as it was the first ingredient based on plant stem cells on the cosmetic market. It's a liposomal preparation of apple stem cells but not just any apples. It comes from the rare swiss apple called "Uttwiler Spätlauber" and the stem cells are claimed to be rich in epigenetic factors and metabolites, which might support the longevity of skin cells.
Xanthan Gum
It's one of the most commonly used thickeners and emulsion stabilizers. If the product is too runny, a little xanthan gum will make it more gel-like. Btw, Xanthan gum is all natural, a chain of sugar molecules (polysaccharide) produced from individual sugar molecules (glucose and sucrose) via fermentation.
Linoleic Acid
The famous omega-6 fatty acid, the mother of all ω-6 fatty acids in our body. It is also an essential fatty acid meaning our body cannot synthesize it and has to take it from food.
How to Use
Apply 2 pumps to clean face and neck every morning and evening with uplifting strokes, patting gently on the skin to aid absorption.
Ingredients
Aqua (Deionized Water), Hamamelis Virginia (Witch Hazel) Extract, Glycine Soja Protein (Soy Peptides), Superoxide Dismutase, Oxido Reductases, Niacinamide (Vitamin B3), Yeast Beta-Glucan, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein (Di- and tripeptides), Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate (Vitamin C), Bulbine Frutescens*, Myrothamus Flabellifolius (Resurrection)** Plant, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate (Vitamin C), Adansonia Digitata (Baobab)** Seed Oil, D-alpha Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Glycerin, Panicum Miliaceum (Millet) Seed Extract, Tannic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Potassium Sorbate, Honeybush* Leaf Extract, Carbomer, Citrillus Lanatus (Kalahari Melon)** Seed Oil, Rosa-Senensis (Hibiscus) Extract, Panthenol (Pro Vitamin B5), Azelaic Acid, Sclerocarya Birrea (Marula)** Seed Oil, Allantoin, Aspalathus Linearis (Green Rooibos)* Tea Extract, Malus Domestica Fruit Cell Culture (Swiss Apple), Xanthan Gum, Lecithin, Aloe Ferox Leaf Extract*, Acetamide MEA, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Hyaluronic Acid, Phytic Acid, Triticum Vulgare (Wheat) Germ Oil, Linoleic Acid, Sommondsia Chinensis (Jojoba)* Seed Oil, Butylene Glycol, Sorbitol, Ascorbyl Methylsilanol Pectinate (Vitamin C), Urtica Dioica (Nettle) Extract, Equisetum Arvense (Horsetail) Extract, Cucumis Sativus (Cucumber) Extract, Hydrocotyl (Centella Asiatica)* Extract, Chamomile Martricaria Extract*, Chlorella Vulgaris (Green Algae) Extract, Hydrolyzed Algin, Sea Kelp, Aminomethyl Propanol, Arnica Cordifolia (Arnica) Extract, Moringa Oleifera (Moringa)** Seed Oil, Calendula Officinalis* Flower Extract, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower)* Seed Oil, Ethyl Ferulate (Ferulic Acid), Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary)* Leaf Extract, Resveratrol, Disodium Uridine Phosphate, Green Coffee Bean Extract, Helichrysum Angustifolium (Everlasting/Immortelle)* Flower Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol.
