Ocinium Journal

Clean, natural, organic, vegan, cruelty-free—when it comes to beauty products, there is little if no regulation on how brands can use these words. Definitions are subjective and often change from brand to brand, package to package, making it nearly impossible to navigate—or decipher—the truth from greenwashing. Here, we break down the most common buzzwords for some much-needed clarity. WHAT DOES CLEAN...

We all know the importance of protecting our skin from the damaging effects of UV rays—but preventing visible signs of aging and achieving healthy skin doesn’t stop at SPF! Pollution particles consisting of smoke, soot, acids and emissions consist of particle sizes smaller than pores, allowing them to infiltrate into deeper layers of the epidermis. Once pollution enters the skin, it...

Do you really know why you’re supposed to use it, or why most dermatologists consider it pure magic? Do you even really know how to apply it? We are here here to break down everything you’ve ever wanted to know about retinol, so you can reap all of its smoothing, brightening, firming, and acne-killing benefits fast, without hardcore irritating your skin. ...

There is a sophisticated and complete antioxidant system in the skin, which is used as a defense to the oxidation reactions and free radicals induced by sun exposure, UV and ozone pollution.  The skins antioxidant defence consists of two systems, including the enzyme antioxidant system which consists of [superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT)] and a non-enzymatic antioxidant system (vitamin C, vitamin...

One of the biggest misconceptions in natural skincare is the consumer messaging on the avoidance of skincare ingredients that you don’t recognise or simply cant pronounce the names of. Well if that was the approach you were taking then you have just dismissed the majority of active ingredients that are going to do all that hard work for your skin...

An increased understanding of the skin’s cellular and molecular biology including gene regulation, protein expression and enzyme activity has evolved the beauty landscape to the emergence of “hybrid” skincare ingredients that levitate the boundaries between traditional cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. Advancements in scientific research coupled with the development of biotechnologies has enabled increased understanding on how to interfere with skin cell...

Atmospheric ageing is the biggest cause of accelerated skin damage in today’s modern world. From UV damage to ozone pollution, there are an abundance of factors, which can contribute to increased levels of oxidative stress damage to the skin. The good news is, there are steps you can take to minimise the effects of atmospheric aging on the skin and increase...

You’ve probably heard the term probiotic in relation to gut health before but did you know that probiotics are also a highly effective tool in achieving glowing and age defiant skin? While the use of probiotics in skincare is still a relatively new field of research, the results indicate that the inclusion of probiotic ingredients in skincare are beneficial in...

Is there any better feeling than waking up well rested, full of energy and ready to take on the day? We all know what we ‘need’ to be doing to feel like this in the mornings, but unfortunately Netflix sometimes gets the better of us. #truth You’ve probably also read many articles on ‘switching off’ at 8pm, putting your phone...

Epigenetics represents the reversible heritable mechanisms that occur without any alteration of the underlying DNA sequence and are therefore capable of being reversed. Epigenetic changes can either be spontaneous or driven by external or internal influences. Genotype + (Diet + Lifestyle + Environment) = Phenotype a fundamental process that determines which genes are “turned on or turned off” and why...

From sauerkraut to kefir, fermented foods have long been known for their gut-health promoting properties and immune-boosting abilities, so it’s hardly surprising that it only took a matter of time before the industry used this knowledge and applied it to skincare. Fermentation and fermented skincare is all about powerful fermented ingredients that literally feed your face with nourishing goodness.  The Facts...

For hundreds of years, people have been making broth from the bones and leftover parts of animals. When vinegar is added, the broth becomes medicinal as the acid releases minerals and proteins from within the bones and cartilage that are readily absorbable. This virtual liquid vitamin is especially beneficial for healing and nourishing the gastrointestinal tract and increasing collagen production...