For decades, fragrance has been the main point of attraction when shopping for body care, leaving us smelling good but our skin issues unsolved. While we adore the sensorial experience of scent, it does not provide a real benefit. In fact, it can be a potential irritant for sensitive skin and these skin concerns. To ensure our range welcomes all skin types and conditions, products in the Soft Services assortment are first launched (and always available) as fragrance free.
Soft Services’ formulas are developed around high-performance ingredients that are results-driven and expert-vetted to address the skin concerns they’re targeting. Here are some of the ingredients that make “the juice worth the squeeze:”
Urea
This natural compound is most commonly known for its unglamorous origin story: It was discovered in pee—but not to worry, it's been synthesized in labs since 1828. Gotta love science!
While it was first used for wound care, this combo humectant-emollient (water binding-skin conditioning) ingredient has been adopted and praised by dermatologists, aestheticians, chemists, and skincare savants alike for its ability to boost hydration levels, deeply moisturize, and plump the skin. Urea is also a keratolytic agent—it helps to shed dead skin cells from the surface of the skin, softening it over time.
It does this very gently, making it less likely to be irritating for dry and sensitive skin.
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Salicylic acid
Salicylic acid is a beta hydroxy acid (BHA), which is a type of chemical exfoliant that helps shed dead skin cells.
Because of its oil soluble nature, it can penetrate into pores and decongest them of oils, bacteria, debris, and other build-up—which is one of the main culprits of acne.
Apart from its deep-clean properties, salicylic acid is anti-inflammatory, helping to calm down redness and swelling, and balancing oil production, making it a one-stop-shop for the acne-prone folks.
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Lactic acid
Alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) is another type of chemical exfoliant that helps shed dead skin cells. Its molecular size is larger than BHA’s so it works right at the skin’s surface.
It functions by dissolving the bonds that hold dead skin cells together (in your POV this can appear as dull, rough, bumpy, or flakey skin) thus bringing to the surface fresh, new skin.
This type of acid is particularly beneficial for dry skin, as AHAs also have hydrating benefits—we love a 2-fer!
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Retinol
Slow and steady wins the race. If you’re entering a new age bracket you might be starting to think about retinol,
a vitamin A derivative that’s an expert-favorite for its ability to “slow down the clock.”
But how does it work? As we age, our skin cell turnover rate slows down; a process that takes a few weeks to run before the age of 25, drags out to a few months as we advance in age. Retinol helps jump start this process again. Since each “cycle” takes about a month, this process can take a few months to fine-tune itself… but good things come to those who wait, right?
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Niacinamide
Also known as vitamin B3, niacinamide helps to decongest skin, refines the appearance of enlarged pores, helps even discoloration, decreases dullness, and brightens overall skin tone. It’s a humectant so it clings on to water in the skin, in addition to helping strengthen and maintain the skin's natural moisture barrier.
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Glycerin
As a humectant, glycerin works by attracting and retaining moisture from the environment, helping to keep the skin hydrated, soft, and supple. Often outshined by other water-loving ingredients (ahem, hyaluronic acid), glycerin is actually able to penetrate much deeper in the skin thanks to its smaller molecular size—drenching the skin with hydration and plumping it for maximum bounce.
Apart from hydration benefits, it helps with irritation and redness, acting as a skin protectant for wound healing, enhancing absorption of other ingredients, and conditioning the skin.
It works great alone, though is a team player at its best, thriving alongside other humectants and emollients, which is why it’s in every single Soft Services formula.
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Zinc PCA
We don’t hear much buzz about zinc PCA (or “zinc salt”) and what a shame! This ingredient is anti-inflammatory, so it helps to decrease redness and irritation.
It also assists with regulating your skin’s oil production and supports the general healing process of skin, making it a great addition in routines that target acne.
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Colloidal oatmeal
Colloidal oatmeal is one of the few natural ingredients that the FDA recognizes as an OTC skin protectant.
This ingredient has been used as a remedy for skin ailments since 2000 BC.
Made of actual oats that are finely milled, colloidal oatmeal is an emollient (an ingredient that softens skin and locks in moisture, preventing dryness) that has proven moisturization, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, barrier protection and soothing benefits (among others), making it a savior for sensitive skin and those seeking relief from irritation.
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Panthenol
Panthenol, or pro-vitamin B5, is a 2-pack bargain since it’s not only a humectant, but also an emollient—yum! In addition to these benefits, it helps with calming irritation, wound healing (think: cuts, burns, acne, redness, etc) and keeping our skin barrier—the natural oils and lipids that protect our skin from water loss, allergens, and bacteria—strong and protected. This makes it ideal for all skin types, though especially sensitive and irritated.
We’re proud to be “the solution” for many of you. If you ever have questions, shoot us an email any time!
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