PRODUCTS I LOVE : BIO-EXTRACTS CONCENTRATED FACE SERUM BOOSTS
A younger me (16 years old?) dressed as Spock from Star Trek.
When I was growing up in Connecticut two hours from NYC, we had a choice of three television channels and one of them was barely watchable, with its terrible, grainy reception. I dealt with it, though. I was a huge science fiction fan and was content to watch Star Trek on repeat all day, at all times of the day. And it aired quite often. Yes, I was a Trekkie. In fact, I didn’t even need to wait for Halloween to dress as my fave Star Trek character, Mr. Spock.
But when I was around 12-13 years old, everything changed. The town, Cheshire, was finally wired for cable TV! Suddenly, we had a choice of 30-40-50 channels and my first real taste of personalization began. Suddenly the sci-fi fan in me had what seemed like millions of options. It was perfect timing. I was fiercely individual as a teenager and hated doing what everyone else was doing. After all, I had one of the most unique names anyone had every heard of. It’s rare even today. Hey, besides me, how many Carmines do you even know?! And, no, that Italian restaurant on Times Square doesn’t count. I don’t even think a man named Carmine founded it!
The intensity of my individuality is embodied in the quotation I chose for my high school yearbook entry. Yes, I was quoting Star Trek!
““In this galaxy there’s a mathematical probability of three million Earth-type planets. And in the universe, three million million galaxies like this. And in all that, and perhaps more...only one of each of us.”
-Dr. McCoy, Star Trek: The Original Series, “Balance of Terror””
Of course, the lack of customization back when I was a teen applied to skin care. We didn’t have separate moisturizers for dry skin, oily skin, or combination skin. We just had moisturizers. Some were thicker, some were lighter. That younger Carmine would be stunned by the choices I have today. In fact, I feel like I’m living in an episode of Star Trek right now. The future I dreamt about is suddenly here. My iPhone is a miniature Starship Enterprise computer in the palm of my hand. Here in New York City, I have the choice of eating basically any cuisine from any culture on Earth (and I’ve never been to Carmine’s!). And skin care? Everything my own skin needs any day, any time, is at my fingertips. In fact, I am now able to customize an individual moisturizer to alter its function each day, something that wasn’t even possible a couple of years ago.
Me acting like a mad scientist.
Let me introduce you to Bio-Extracts, customizable skin care straight out of Star Trek!
Bio-Extracts has perfected the concept of customization with 100% vegan, plant-based formulas that tailor your skin care to your skin’s precise needs at any given moment — as your lifestyle changes, as the weather changes, as your mood changes. Seriously. Bio-Extracts makes it all possible.
U.K.-based Bio-Extracts is the brainchild of Marina Nubo and her daughter Irina, who were inspired by the indigenous tribes they encountered on trips to Mozambique and Peru. They observed that the distinct peoples had distinct lifestyles and beauty practices — and continued to rely on unique natural sources for their skincare. Even today.
Bio-Extracts formulated what they term “boosts” — ten distinct serums packaged in a cylinder that resembles an IV needle. The genius format enables you to inject a targeted serum into your moisturizer based on your skin’s needs right now. Each formula is powered by cutting-edge biotechnology and infused with highly purified plant extracts. The innovative technology allows their scientists to tap “the heart of the plants and harness the most beneficial active molecules that make a real difference to the skin.” In other words, this isn’t your average skin care!
“We reinvented conventional skin care by creating a high performance line to satisfy your daily needs and easily adapt to your lifestyle.”
- Bio-Extracts
Is your skin acting up today? Go ahead and boost your moisturizer or serum with a couple of doses of the Bio-Extracts Redness Relief Boost — a calming, anti-inflammatory serum that helps prevent and correct redness in sensitive and sensitized skin. Skin feeling dehydrated this morning? Try a shot of the HA Hydro Boost to quench thirsty skin. It’s formulated with a powerful botanical extract that acts like natural hyaluronic acid.
The Bio-Extracts Redness Relief Boost soothes irritation when mixed with a moisturizer or used alone.
At the heart of each Boost formula is a technology that Bio-Extracts calls “Youth Capsule” — a molecular transport system that carries potent actives deeper into the skin where they’re most effective. I reviewed a similar carrier technology in my blog article entitled GOOD SCIENCE BEAUTY FACIAL SKINCARE THAT WORKS not too long ago. You can read it here. By forcing actives deeper into the skin, you see more visible benefits from your skin care. Think about it. How wasteful is it when ingredients are unable to penetrate the skin barrier? To be honest, a lot of what we apply on our skin, particularly moisturizers, stays put and much of it evaporates, is rubbed off, or washed off with a cleanser at the end of the day. Sadly, as much time and resources as we put into our skin care, topical application of products is often more hype than help! (Note to self: I need to trademark that.)
Over the last few weeks, I’ve been delighting in these Bio-Extracts skincare boosters and want to highlight three of the 10 that are standouts for me.
The Anti-Oxidant Boost
With 50 shots per booster, I’ve been supercharging my morning regimen with a couple doses of the Anti-Oxidant Boost. This particular serum is powered by minerals, flavonoids and potent antioxidants, including, interestingly, Rosmarinic Acid — a natural anti-inflammatory that’s been relied on for centuries (dating back to the Roman Empire!). I can’t get enough antioxidants in my regimen. Antioxidants perform a powerful function in the skin, protecting cells from destructive forces and fighting a cellular process called oxidation. Along with sunscreen, antioxidants are central to any anti-aging skincare regimen. By defending skin against free radical attacks from smoke, pollution and even UV, antioxidants prolong and maintain youthful, healthy skin. When people ask me what I do to keep my skin looking so healthy, I always mention my diehard commitment to antioxidants.
The Anti-Oxidant Boost:
Helps neutralize free radicals
Shields from pollution
Helps deactivate toxins
Fights skin inflammation
Keeps skin looking younger for longer
Helps to even out skin tone
The Anti-Wrinkle Boost
I’ve been using the Anti-Wrinkle Boost in my PM regimen to infuse my skin care with deeply nourishing Green Marine Algae. This particular form of seaweed is a “multicellular algae” rich in calcium, magnesium, iodine, zinc and copper — along with 20 amino acids and plenty of nutritive vitamins. Think of it as adding a wheatgrass shot to your fresh juice!
Bio-Extracts also infused the Anti-Wrinkle Boost with an unusual extract derived from the Peruvian tara tree. This particular tree’s seeds (caesalpinia spinosa seed) have been used by generations of locals to disinfect wounds. I have long considered wrinkles to be essentially wounds in the skin and I really appreciate the savvy science behind this serum. Additionally, tara seeds contain a high concentration of tannins, known for their astringent and anti-inflammatory benefit. What I admire about this formula is that it enables you to add additional potency to a regimen without overcomplicating, say, a moisturizer. The science of skincare formulation is like baking a cake. How many ingredients do you need to bake a really good cake? And what happens if you put too many ingredients into that cake? It’s all about balance!
The Anti-Wrinkle Boost:
Helps boost collagen production
Helps strengthen skin from within
Promotes skin elasticity
Reduces lines and wrinkles
Provides deep hydration
Skin appears plumper and smoother
The Even Skin Boost
And that brings me to one of the more intriguing Bio-Extract Boosts of the ten. The brand’s Even Skin Boost’s Youth Capsule technology deeply infuses skin with Rye Bran Extract to help fade skin discoloration. Rye Bran Extract, or secale cereale seed extract, is found in traditional Chinese medicine and is used to boost energy and alleviate fatigue. In skin care, it’s believed to have the ability to enhance skin clarity and luminosity.
The Even Skin formula is packed with potent antioxidants to prevent discoloration and environmental damage. And, a high level of minerals helps to restore skin health and disperses water throughout the skin for more even, balanced hydration. By balancing hydration, you essentially assure that your skin is healthy throughout. If you aren’t thinking about the role minerals play in your skin, there is an excellent breakdown of the benefits of individual minerals here. I’ve talked frequently about the important role minerals play in a skincare formula and have highlighted that in several reviews of the K-Beauty brand Laneige. Many of their formulas are infused with mineral complexes to balance hydration. You can read about one of my faves here.
The Even Skin Boost:
Reduces uneven skin tone
Skin appears more luminous
Skin tone appears more even
Protects from pollution
Reduces lines & wrinkles
Skin cells are energised
Customization is the future. And the future is here!
Check out Bio-Extracts and consider their innovative Boosts to power up your moisturizer and give your skin what it needs — not what skincare marketers say your skin needs. Only you know your skin.
That’s all for now, guys.
“Scotty, beam me up!”
🖤 SKINCARMA
**EXCLUSIVE FOR SKINCARMA FOLLOWERS**
Enjoy 40% off all Bio-Extracts Boosts and moisturizers on the Bio-Extracts website. Use code SKINCARMA at checkout. Available until Saturday, March 16th 2019.
**WATCH MY VIDEO REVIEW OF BIO-EXTRACTS AND THEIR INNOVATIVE BOOSTER SERUMS ON MY YOUTUBE CHANNEL HERE.**
The Ingredient List of the Bio-Extracts Anti-Oxidant Boost:
Rosmarinic Acid bio-extract from Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis leaf bio-extract)
One of nature’s most powerful anti-oxidants, Lemon Balm dates back to early Roman recipes. Due to its powerful anti-inflammatory properties, Romans used it to treat bee and even scorpion stings. Today we know that Rosmarinic Acid eliminates damaging free radicals 3.24 times more efficiently than Vitamin C and 1.6 times better than Vitamin E*. This rare, magnificent ingredient is difficult to obtain but it is the best active for an anti-oxidant rich product as it has anti-mutagenic properties, so it acts as a shield for DNA against solar UV and other ionising radiations.
Barley bio-extract (Hordeum distichon bio-extract)
Barley medicinal use dates back to 7000 BC. The unique combination of zinc and selenium found in Barley holds countless benefit for the skin. Zinc speeds up the body’s healing process while selenium preserves the skin’s elasticity and protects skin from free radical damage. Barley bio-extract has the ability to enhance skin’s elasticity giving your complexion more supple and toned appearance.
Manganese
A vital mineral for everyday skin health. It plays a crucial role in collagen production. Manganese also acts as an anti-oxidant in all skin cells, helping to neutralise free radicals and reducing skin damage caused by environment, pollution or stress.
Flavonoids
Flavonoids strengthen blood vessels and are therefore an essential component of effective skincare. They assist in stabilising elastin and collagen fibres, the two proteins that form part of the skin’s supporting network.
Rutin Sulphate
Traditionally used by ancient healers, this is one of the strongest anti-oxidants that helps protect cells from premature ageing caused by free radical damage.
Selenium
Selenium neutralises free radicals and other skin-damaging compounds before they can lead to wrinkles. Its action is similar to vitamin E and works to safeguard the protective coating around cells.
Zinc
Zinc has powerful healing properties and a history of being used to treat burns and scars. We used it due to its ability to strengthen the immune system of the skin. Zinc promotes skin tissue rejuvenation. It helps to prevent breakouts by regulating the activity of the oil glands. This universal ingredient is an anti-oxidant which promotes youthful looking skin by helping to reduce the impact of free radicals on the skin and promoting collagen production.
Youth Capsule®
The highly potent Youth Capsule® is at the heart of every BIO-EXTRACTS ultra-strength Boost. This technology delivers key active plant molecules right to the areas of your skin where they are most needed. Youth Capsule® holds within it the power to transform the skin’s appearance, nourishing it with the most precious plant bio-extracts.
The Ingredient List of the Bio-Extracts Anti-Wrinkle Boost:
Green Marine Algae bio-extract (Enteromorpha compressa bio-extract)
The use of Green Marine Algae in traditional medicine and beauty regiments dates back as far as the Roman times.
The real power of multicellular algae lies in its ability to self-regenerate in extreme and constantly changing environments. Seaweed is brimming with minerals drawn from the deep blue; calcium, magnesium, iodine, zinc and copper, along with 20 amino acids and 13 different vitamins.
It is an antioxidant, an antiseptic and an anti-inflammatory agent. It helps to reduce ageing caused by inflammation. This exceptional ingredient promotes skin regeneration and boosts collagen production, which is crucial for younger looking skin.
Tree Tara bio-extract (Caesalpinia spinosa seed bio-extract)
Native to Peruvian high-altitude forests, Tree Tara’s seeds have been used by generations of locals for medicinal purposes such as disinfecting wounds. This bio-extract is effective in fighting the appearance of signs of ageing such as wrinkles and loss of elasticity.
Due to their high water-uptake and water-retention capacities, Tara Tree seeds have natural hydrating functions preventing the embryo from drying up, which is why we chose it to be the natural hydrating base of the Anti-Wrinkle Boost. Tara also has a high concentration of tannins which have astringent and anti-inflammatory properties. These qualities contribute to its effectiveness.
Calcium
Calcium supports the skin on a cellular lever, helping skin cells to become stronger and absorb more nutrients. It helps to strengthen skin cell walls. Calcium is widely used to increase skin firmness and combat over-sensitivity and to help sensitive skin become more resistant to environmental aggression.
Magnesium
This is one of four most common minerals in the cells. It’s essential for the optimisation of skin functions. It helps to protect skin from inflammation. Magnesium is also essential for preventing premature ageing of the skin.
Zinc
Zinc has powerful healing properties and a history of being used to treat burns and scars. We used it due to its ability to strengthen the immune system of the skin. Zinc promotes skin tissue rejuvenation. It helps to prevent breakouts by regulating the activity of the oil glands. This universal ingredient is an anti-oxidant which promotes youthful looking skin by helping to reduce the impact of free radicals on the skin and promoting collagen production.
Youth Capsule®
The highly potent Youth Capsule® is at the heart of every BIO-EXTRACTS ultra-strength Boost. This technology delivers key active plant molecules right to the areas of your skin where they are most needed. Youth Capsule® holds within it the power to transform the skin’s appearance, nourishing it with the most precious plant bio-extracts.
The Ingredient List of the Bio-Extracts Even Skin Boost:
Rye Bran bio-extract (Secale cereale bio-extract)
Used in Traditional Chinese Medicine to alleviate fatigue and boost energy, rye is now known as the ‘New Gold’ in skincare. This highly nutritious bio-extract holds countless benefits for the skin. It provides skin with clarity and luminosity. Powerful antioxidants combat free radicals to help protect the skin from environmental aggressors. Its high content of minerals, including calcium, iron and zinc plays a vital role in easing the signs of ageing such as fine lines and wrinkles.
Calcium
Calcium supports the skin on a cellular lever, helping skin cells to become stronger and absorb more nutrients. It helps to strengthen skin cell walls. Calcium is widely used to increase skin firmness and combat over-sensitivity and to help sensitive skin become more resistant to environmental aggression.
Iron
Iron provides skin with life-giving oxygen, thereby improving the appearance of skin and giving it a healthy, radiant glow.
Magnesium
This is one of four most common minerals in the cells. It’s essential for the optimisation of skin functions. It helps to protect skin from inflammation. Magnesium is also essential for preventing premature ageing of the skin.
Zinc
Zinc has powerful healing properties and a history of being used to treat burns and scars. We used it due to its ability to strengthen the immune system of the skin. Zinc promotes skin tissue rejuvenation. It helps to prevent breakouts by regulating the activity of the oil glands. This universal ingredient is an anti-oxidant which promotes youthful looking skin by helping to reduce the impact of free radicals on the skin and promoting collagen production.
Youth Capsule®
The highly potent Youth Capsule® is at the heart of every BIO-EXTRACTS ultra-strength Boost. This technology delivers key active plant molecules right to the areas of your skin where they are most needed. Youth Capsule® holds within it the power to transform the skin’s appearance, nourishing it with the most precious plant bio-extracts.
