According to the latest scientific findings, so-called invisible micro-inflammations – untreated – lead to acne. They initially progress unnoticed until the immune system is alerted and tries to do something about it. Meet our softies (dexpanthenol, tranexamic acid, vitamin C with gold particles and ectoine) and learn what we can do about it: 

+ Dexpanthenol is a provitamin B5, which is converted into pantothenic acid (real vitamin B5) in the body and simply works magic: it supports the natural healing process of the skin, has an anti-inflammatory effect and repairs minor skin damage.
Moreover, it moisturises and helps against premature skin ageing by improving elasticity. It also helps to refine acne scars.

+ Tranexamic acid combats redness and pigmentation spots and refines acne marks and scars. We absolutely adore it due to its attributes, like restoring a fresh complexion of the face, soothing the skin and helping it to restore its natural protection.

+ Ectoine is a skin protection molecule (extremolyte) from microorganisms that live in extreme environmental conditions. It increases moisture in the skin cells, inhibits inflammation, soothes irritated skin and strengthens the skin barrier. It also influences water molecules in the skin, which then form a protective layer around proteins and cell membranes as well as the ectoine itself (ectoine hydro-complex). This protective complex can repel oils, dirt, fine particles and allergens.

As a result of the inflammatory reaction, there is excessive keratinisation and poor desquamation of dead skin cells. These can then block the excretory duct of the sebaceous glands and interrupt or disturb the sebum flow. Since this leads to the formation of blackheads, which can then develop into pimples, we would like to introduce our pimple police (ingredients) to you:

+ Azelaic acid normalises the cornification disorder (disturbed differentiation process). In addition to that, it acts like a gentle exfoliation (keratolytic) and removes dead cells. It inhibits the formation of new blackheads, cleanses the pores, refines the surface of the skin, acts as a powerful antioxidant to counteract harmful oxygen radicals and can reduce acne marks. It’s our hero (ingredient) since it intervenes in the skin flora and inhibits the Propionibacterium acnes, which has a decisive influence on the development of acne, from multiplying.

+ Lactic acid also has a gentle exfoliating effect, whereby the top layer of skin is removed and pores cannot clog. It reduces blackheads and even prevents the formation of new blackheads and pimples. It also moisturises, regulates the pH value and stimulates the collagen and ceramide production of the skin.

+ Sodium lactate is a moisturising substance produced naturally in the body. It acts synergistically with lactic acid for the regulation of keratinisation and ensures that the stratum corneum (the top layer of the skin) becomes more flexible. In addition, sodium lactate is a substance that occurs naturally in the body and, as part of your natural moisturising factors (NMF), moisturises the skin cells.

Seborrhoea describes the excessive sebum production due to hormonal imbalances, which unfortunately promotes the development of acne. Our fitness guru ingredients help your skin get back into balance! 

+ Chlorella vulgaris is a micro algae extract, which not only regulates the sebum production of the skin, but also reduces the number of blackheads (comedones) and counteracts redness. It is the ultimate superfood for your cells because it supplies the skin with vitamins, minerals, amino acids and secondary plant substances. The extract acts like a growth factor, so that skin cells renew and regenerate much faster. In addition, this extract has probiotic properties and maintains a balanced microbiome.

+ Niacinamide is a form of vitamin B3 and a true all-rounder in skin care. It can normalise the skin's sebum production, unclogs pores, helps to refine them and at the same time protects your skin from clogging. Its anti-inflammatory property not only protects against (acne-)bacteria, free radicals and UV radiation but also reduces redness. In addition, it strengthens the skin barrier and can lighten dark spots (acne marks).

+ Zinc PCA has an outstanding property in regulating sebum production. But the combination of zinc with pyrrolidone carboxylic acid (PCA) can benefit you skin even more, because it binds moisture and inhibits the growth of bacteria. PCA is also a component of your NMF (Natural Moisturising Factor), promotes elasticity and reduces irritation.

The almost unrestricted bacterial growth then ultimately leads to visible inflammations, because the sebum in combination with water and heat offers the bacteria an optimal breeding ground, in a sense a paradise for bacteria. Since we do not want these on the skin (and in the pores), we obviously must put an end to the harmful bacteria.

+ Azelaic acid, enka's Hero, inhibits the growth of bacteria and works very effectively so that your skin has time to defend itself.

+ Zinc PCA is the superstar of the sebum regulators. It supports the effect of azelaic acid and has an excellent antimicrobial effect against bacteria.

+ Lactic acid completes the trio with its antibacterial effect. Together, these three ingredients put an end to the acne bacteria on your face.

MSM (Metyhlsulfonylmethane) is a multi-talent with a caring effect. It refines pores and provides an even skin texture. It serves as source of sulphur, which the body needs for many processes. After calcium and phosphorus, sulphur is the third most abundant mineral in the human body. MSM is a natural analgesic (has a pain-relieving effect) and an amplifier element for vitamins and nutrients, such as vitamin C, whose absorption can thus be improved and their effectiveness prolonged. MSM is also a powerful antioxidant, capable of binding and deactivating free radicals. It forms hydrogen sulphide on the skin, which has a disinfecting effect and inhibits the growth of bacteria. Due to that redness, tightness and itching are significantly reduced. The excess oil is removed from the skin without drying it out.

Glycerin is an endogenous substance in your skin's natural moisturising system, the NMF (Natural Moisturising Factors). It functions as a humectant, helping the skin to retain moisture. As a bonus glycerin stabilises the skin barrier and improves the elasticity of the skin.