Aphora ingredients
Every botanical Aphora uses
Plain-English explanations of each ingredient — what it does in cosmetic formulation, Aphora’s rationale for using it, and any sensory or caution notes. Never medical claims.
Deep dives
Tap any ingredient for the long-form story — origin, evidence, and how Aphora formulates with it.
calming active
Bisabolol
Chamomile-derived calming ingredient used in cosmetic formulation for comfort-led textures.
facial oil
Camellia Oil
Cold-pressed seed oil with a light, silky finish, traditional in East Asian beauty rituals.
antioxidant
CoQ10 (Ubiquinone)
A naturally occurring antioxidant included in cosmetic formulation to support the look of vitality and freshness.
essential oil
Frankincense Carterii Essential Oil
Sacred botanical essential oil with a meditative, resinous aroma; used in ritual skincare for sensory depth.
botanical extract
Green Tea (Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract)
Antioxidant-rich botanical extract with a cosmetic role supporting the look of comfort and freshness.
luxury cosmetic
Hydrolyzed Pearl Powder
Fine, marine-derived powder used in heritage cosmetic formulation for an opulent finish.
botanical butter
Murumuru Butter
Amazonian rainforest butter; rich, velvety, used in luxury body and face formulation.
biomimetic emollient
Olive Squalane
Plant-derived squalane (from olives) that mimics the skin's own lipids — a quietly luxurious silky finish.
botanical extract
Orchid Extract
Botanical extract from orchid flowers; valued in cosmetic formulation for radiance and sensory luxury.
facial oil
Passionfruit Seed Oil
Cold-pressed seed oil prized for its silky finish and bright, fresh sensory profile.
facial oil
Prickly Pear Seed Oil
Rare seed oil pressed from the prickly pear cactus; prized in luxury formulation for its botanical antioxidant profile.
botanical aroma
Rose Wax Absolute
Concentrated wax fraction of rose distillation; used for sensory richness in luxury balms and oils.
essential oil
Sandalwood Album Essential Oil
Heart-note essential oil with a soft, woody, devotional aroma.
antioxidant
Tocopherol (Vitamin E)
Naturally occurring antioxidant used cosmetically to support formulation freshness and skin comfort.
botanical extract
Tremella Mushroom
A botanical mushroom extract valued in cosmetic formulation for its water-binding properties — designed to support a soft, plump skin feel.
From the Aphora product range
Every botanical that appears across the Aphora range, with its INCI / Latin name and what it does in formulation. Sourced from aphorabotanicals.com/ingredients/glossary.
Aloe Vera
Aloe barbadensis
Soothing, hydrating, and healing. Used in our after-sun products and sensitive skin formulations.
Amaranth CO2 Extract
Amaranthus caudatus seed extract
One of the richest botanical sources of squalene and phytosterols — the same lipid class skin produces in youth and makes less of over time. Replenishes the lipid layer directly. In our Recovery Night Face Oil.
Argan Oil
Argania spinosa
Rich in vitamin E and fatty acids. Deeply nourishing for hair, skin, and nails without heaviness.
Australian Kaolin Clay
Kaolinite
Gentle mineral-rich clay that purifies and detoxifies without stripping moisture. Used in our clay soaps and masks.
Bakuchiol
Psoralea corylifolia
A plant-derived meroterpene that signals the same collagen-related pathways as retinol without binding retinoic acid receptors — turnover support without the irritation, redness, or sun sensitivity. The hero active in our Recovery Night Face Oil.
Bisabolol
from Matricaria chamomilla
Calms reactive, sensitive, and barrier-compromised skin. Used where comfort matters more than activity. In our Lumé Deep Hydration Face Cream.
Calendula
Calendula officinalis
Anti-inflammatory and wound-healing. Ideal for sensitive and irritated skin conditions.
Camellia Seed Oil
Camellia oleifera
Restores barrier lipid balance without occlusion — light enough that skin does not feel sealed. In our Lumé Deep Hydration Face Cream.
Castor Oil
Ricinus communis
Thick, humectant oil that draws moisture into the skin. Used for deep conditioning treatments.
Ceramide Support
plant-lipid complex
Aphora does not add synthetic ceramides. We formulate with cold-pressed plant lipids and phytosterols that support the skin's own ceramide production and the intercellular lipid matrix that holds the barrier together.
Chamomile
Matricaria chamomilla
Calming and anti-inflammatory. Soothes redness, irritation, and sensitive skin conditions.
Cocoa Butter
Theobroma cacao
Rich in polyphenols and fatty acids. Creates a luxurious, protective moisture barrier.
Coconut Oil (Virgin)
Cocos nucifera
Cold-pressed from fresh coconut meat. Antimicrobial, deeply conditioning, and gentle on sensitive skin.
Colloidal Oatmeal
Avena sativa
A skin-protectant that calms itch and reactivity while supporting the barrier. Central to our Derma Calm Botanical Body Butter.
CoQ10
Ubiquinone, encapsulated
A cellular-energy coenzyme with antioxidant activity, encapsulated for stability so it stays active in the jar. In our Lumé Deep Hydration Face Cream.
Evening Primrose Oil
Oenothera biennis
High in GLA (gamma-linolenic acid). Supports skin elasticity and soothes inflammatory conditions.
Frankincense
Boswellia carterii
Resinous essential oil prized for its anti-ageing and skin-regenerating properties.
Geranium
Pelargonium graveolens
Balancing essential oil that helps regulate oil production and tones skin.
Grape Seed Oil
Vitis vinifera
Light, high in linoleic acid, absorbs without residue. A daytime carrier that does not sit heavily under sun protection. In our Protect Day Face Oil.
Jojoba Oil
Simmondsia chinensis
Technically a liquid wax, closely mimics skin's natural sebum. Excellent for all skin types.
Lavender
Lavandula angustifolia
Calming, antimicrobial, and healing. Used for its therapeutic aroma and skin-soothing properties.
Macadamia Oil
Macadamia integrifolia
Lightweight, fast-absorbing oil rich in palmitoleic acid — an omega-7 fatty acid that declines with age.
Magnesium
Magnesium chloride / sulfate
Absorbed through skin during a bath or body ritual, supporting muscle comfort and the nervous system's wind-down. In our Blissful Whipped Body Butter and bath soaks.
Murumuru Butter
Astrocaryum murumuru seed butter
An Amazonian butter rich in lauric and myristic acids that forms a soft, breathable lipid film. Adds cushion without heaviness. In our Lumé Deep Hydration Face Cream.
Pomegranate Seed Oil
Punica granatum
One of the only natural sources of punicic acid, a conjugated omega-5 with anti-inflammatory and lipid-membrane repair activity. Supports overnight barrier regeneration. In our Recovery Night Face Oil.
Prickly Pear Seed Oil
Opuntia ficus-indica
The highest tocopherol (vitamin E) concentration of any plant seed oil, with roughly 60% linoleic acid and significant phytosterols. Antioxidant defence plus deep barrier lipid replenishment. In our Recovery Night Face Oil and Lumé.
Rice Bran Oil
Oryza sativa bran oil
Carries gamma-oryzanol and natural tocotrienols — antioxidant support in a texture light enough for daily morning use. In our Protect Day Face Oil.
Rose Absolute
Rosa damascena flower extract
Steam-distilled from Damask rose. Present at the low concentration where it is a skin ingredient rather than a fragrance load. In our Protect Day Face Oil and Rose Tonic Mist.
Rosehip CO2 Extract
Rosa canina fruit CO2 extract
A concentrated carotenoid fraction extracted without solvents or heat, preserving the full phytochemical profile. Supports tone evenness over weeks, not days. In our Recovery Night Face Oil.
Rosehip Oil
Rosa canina
Rich in vitamins A and C, essential fatty acids, and antioxidants. Our star ingredient for skin regeneration.
Rosemary Extract
Rosmarinus officinalis
Natural antioxidant preservative. Also stimulates circulation and has antimicrobial properties.
Sea Buckthorn Oil
Hippophae rhamnoides
Exceptionally high in carotenoids and omega-7 palmitoleic acid — the antioxidant defence that sits beneath daily sun protection. The hero active in our Protect Day Face Oil.
Shea Butter (Unrefined)
Vitellaria paradoxa
Sustainably sourced from West Africa. Rich in vitamins A, E, F and deeply moisturising.
Soy Wax
Glycine max
Clean-burning, renewable wax used in our candle range. Holds fragrance beautifully.
Squalane
olive-derived, hydrogenated
Mirrors the squalene skin naturally produces, hydrogenated for stability without losing biocompatibility. Reinforces the lipid matrix and helps other actives absorb. Across the TERRA GLOW range.
Sweet Almond Oil
Prunus amygdalus dulcis
Gentle, nourishing oil perfect for sensitive skin. Rich in vitamin E and zinc.
Tea Tree
Melaleuca alternifolia
Powerful antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory. Used in targeted treatments for blemish-prone skin.
Tremella
Tremella fuciformis polysaccharide
Snow mushroom. Holds many times its weight in water at a smaller molecular size than hyaluronic acid, so hydration sits within the skin rather than on it. In our Lumé Deep Hydration Face Cream.
Vitamin E (Natural)
Tocopherol
Potent antioxidant that protects against free radical damage and extends shelf life naturally.
Ylang Ylang
Cananga odorata
Exotic floral essential oil that balances oil production and promotes a sense of calm.
Zinc Oxide
ZnO
Natural mineral sunscreen ingredient that provides broad-spectrum UV protection without chemicals.