Stress Less

Stress Less is designed to improve sensitive, damaged, irritated or dehydrated skin with the combination of Beta-Glucan & Madecassoside, two supermolecules with remarkable skin soothing, repairing and hydrating abilities. 

Beta-Glucan is the most bioactive and valuable part of Oat with intensive skin repairing, skin smoothing & wound healing properties, while Madecassoside is one of the main active components of Centella Asiatica, a medicinal plant that has well-established soothing, wound healing and antioxidant activities.

5-5.5 pH
0.2% Betaglucan
0.3% Madecassoside

We use 0.2% Beta-Glucan and 0.3% Madecassoside in this formula. While these numbers might not sound high, when it comes to these two actives, they are. Studies use Madecassoside from as low as 0.05% (shown to inhibit UV induced melanin production) or at 0.1% combined with 5% Vitamin C for anti-aging benefits. 0.2% of Madecassoside has remarkable barrier-supporting, skin moisturizing, as well as redness & itching reducing properties in atopic or psoriasis-prone skin.  In-vivo studies (made on real humans) by the manufacturer of Beta-Glucan show that the molecule improves skin barrier recovery used at 0.05%, while its moisturizing ability is as good as that of hyaluronic acid or even greater. Used at 0.1%, Beta-Glucan makes the skin firmer, smoother and more elastic.  

Geek tip: use Stress Less with C-Glow in the morning for added smart-aging benefits.

Pretty much everyone, but we especially recommend Stress Less if your skin is prone to dehydration, sensitivity, redness and irritation, or you are using strong actives (e.g. anti-acne such as benzoyl peroxide or anti-aging such as tretinoin) known to dry the skin or compromise the skin barrier.

Skin Type: all skin types, especially sensitive
Skin Problem: sensitivity, irritation, weakened barrier, dehydration
Texture: silky, lightweight, non-sticky, gel texture

Apply a few drops to the face after cleansing, before using creams. Can be used either in the AM and/or PM.
Shelf life: 2 years from production (unopened), 6 months PAO (period after opening)

key ingredients:

Madecassoside: One of the main biologically active components of the famous medicinal plant Centella Asiatica, also known as Gotu Kola or Cica. It has well-established wound healing, skin soothing and antioxidant activities.

Beta-Glucan: A supermolecule coming from Oat that has intensive skin-repairing and wound healing properties, while being a great skin soother and moisturizer, even showing some anti-aging benefits. It is a large polysaccharide (sugar) molecule, somewhat similar in structure to Hyaluronic Acid hence showing similar (or some claim even greater) skin hydrating properties. While the larger beta-glucan fractions stay on the top of the skin to hydrate & smooth it, the smaller fractions penetrate deeply (even into the dermis, the middle layer of the skin) showing promising anti-aging benefits.

Saccharide Isomerate: A skin-idententical carbohydrate molecule that binds to the skin like magnet and keeps the skin hydrated longer than most other humectants.

full inci list:

Aqua (Water), Methyl Gluceth-20, Saccharide Isomerate, Glycerin, Madecassoside, Beta-Glucan, 1,2-Hexanediol, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Caprylyl Glycol, Carbomer, Sodium Hydroxide, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol

research:

International Journal of Cosmetic Science, Volume 27 (5) – Oct 1, 2005, Anti‐Wrinkle Therapy: Significant New Findings in the Non‐Invasive Cosmetic Treatment of Skin Wrinkles with Beta‐Glucan

Phytotherapy Research, , Volume 28 (2) – Oct 1, 2005, Skin Health Promotion Effects of Natural Beta‐Glucan Derived from Cereals and Microorganisms: A Review

Shen, Xueqing, et al. "Propionibacterium acnes related anti-inflammation and skin hydration activities of madecassoside, a pentacyclic triterpene saponin from Centella asiatica." Bioscience, biotechnology, and biochemistry 83.3 (2019): 561-568.

Liu, Mei, et al. "Madecassoside isolated from Centella asiatica herbs facilitates burn wound healing in mice." Planta medica 74.08 (2008): 809-815.

Haftek, Marek, et al. "Clinical, biometric and structural evaluation of the long‐term effects of a topical treatment with ascorbic acid and madecassoside in photoaged human skin." Experimental dermatology 17.11 (2008): 946-952.

Jung, Eunsun, et al. "Madecassoside inhibits melanin synthesis by blocking ultraviolet-induced inflammation." Molecules 18.12 (2013): 15724-15736.