Anne Marie Camenzind, founder of the Euro Institute, believed passionately in the benefits of herbal medicines and natural ingredients in skincare. Her decades long research and experimentation with Chinese and Ayurvedic herbs and treatments led to the Euro Institute's Botanical skincare line - and one of the reasons why learning at the Euro is a truly unique experience!
The Euro's product knowledge class delves deeply into the study of these ingredients, their history and efficacy on the skin. The following is a short list of a few you'll find in our products. If you'd like a more complete list - contact us for a product manual.
Allantoin: (Euro Botanicals Sensitive Care Balm) In its organic form, allantoin is found in several plants, such as sugar beet, comfrey, chamomile, tobacco seed, and wheat sprouts.
Its gentle, non-irritating qualities make it an excellent addition to anti-aging products and for those with sensitive or easily irritated skin.
Allantoin is a known keratolytic, meaning that it can increase the water content of cells.
Allantoin may also help to:
Increase skin smoothness
Aid in wound healing
Promote cell proliferation and longevity
Boswellia: (Euro Botanicals Rosehip Seed Cleansing Crème)
A shrubby tree that grows across India, Yemen, Somalia, Saudi Arabia and Ethiopia.
The tree produces a golden resin or milky sap that native populations have used as a health and cosmetic remedy for thousands of years. When the sap is dried, it's called “frankincense,” which has long appeared in religious and ritual ceremonies. More recent research has found that boswellia has a powerful action that may not only provide health benefits, but reduce oily skin conditions and the appearance of wrinkles.
Chinese Schizandra Berry: (Euro Botanicals Aloe Salicylic Toner) Schizandra Berry (Schisandra Chinensis), also known as Wu Wei Zi, Youth Berry, or Magnolia Vine, grows from a deciduous woody plant native to China, Manchuria and part of Russia. This scarlet red medicinal berry has been used in traditional Chinese herbalism for more than 2,000 years. Modern research on this magic berry has shown it to be a safe and time tested “super herb” used to keep organ systems toned and skin more resilient to signs of aging. Packed with loads of antioxidants including key vitamins C and E, schizandra is a great superherb for skin wellness and protection. Schizandra’s strong astringent qualities enable the skin to hold in moisture.
Diatomaceous earth (DE): (Euro Botanicals Algae Lifting Mask) A fine powder made from the fossilized remains of tiny, aquatic organisms called diatoms whose skeletons are made of a natural substance called silica.
As well as containing up to 90% silica, which is used to build hair, skin and nails, DE has a negative ionic charge and is considered to be a very ‘hard’ substance. In fact, diatomaceous earth has a hardness of seven, while diamonds are a nine.
Gotu Kola: (Euro Botanicals Marine Silk Serum, Rose Herbal Synergy) Best known in the ancient world for its health benefits (improves brain function, eases anxiety, treats infections and is revered as an herb of longevity). Today, it’s one of the most common ingredients in skin care products, thanks to is potent combination of amino acids, beta carotene, fatty acids and phytochemicals—everything the skin needs to fight off the signs of aging and to protect itself from environmental stressors. It boosts the formation of collagen and skin tissue, which is crucial in maintaining the skin’s elasticity and youthful glow.
Kojic Acid: (Euro Botanicals Lightening Serum) Kojic Acid is found naturally in many species of fungi and is also the byproduct of Sake - a Japanese rice wine. Discovered in 1989, Kojic Acid acts as a tyrosinase inhibitor, which slows and prevents the formation of tyrosine, an amino necessary for the formation of melanin, the skin's own natural color. Kojic Acid provides a safe, effective alternative to Hydroquinone. Kojic Acid is antibacterial, which explains its frequent presence in acne skincare formulations. Because it acts as a skin lightener, it's an effective ingredient for post inflammation hyperpigmentation that can occur from acne lesions. Kojic Acid provides strong antioxidant protection, by shielding the skin from oxidative stress and free-radical damage.
Mamaku Fern:(Euro Botanicals Marine Silk Serum, Moor Multi Fruit Face & Body Mask) This giant black fern is native to New Zealand and protects native forests from water loss. Its extract does the same thing for skin and is sought after internationally for its ability to be a powerful skin hydrator, promoting healthy cell renewal as well as repairing DNA strains.
Mangosteen: (Euro Botanicals Multi Fruit Hydration Gel) Mangosteen has traditionally been used for a number of conditions, including eczema. It protects the skin in multiple ways with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits. By capturing free radical compounds, it helps prevent and combat environmental damage to the skin while anti-inflammatory benefits further protect skin cells from destruction.
Meadowfoam Seed Oil: (Euro Botanicals Beard Oil) Like jojoba oil, meadowfoam seed oil is slightly waxy and closely resembles human sebum. It is popular in skincare products due to its nourishing, high antioxidant composition and moisturizing components.
Neem Leaf Oil: (Euro Botanicals Renewal Serum) The neem tree is known for its powerful healing properties and its medicinal uses go back as far as 4500 years. This tree has many names, including “tree of the 21st century,” “tree of life,” and “village pharmacy.” Neem contains vitamin E, carotenoids, linoleic acid, oleic acid, vitamin C, and quercetin. One component, azadirachtin, is one of nature's most powerful insect repellents. These natural ingredients make neem oil a potent anti-fungal, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory. Neem oil is commonly used to combat bacterial skin infections and inflammations, such as eczema, dermatitis, and acne.
Reishi Mushroom: (Euro Botanicals Renewal Serum) Reishi contains a powerful supply of Beta-glucans, which can help calm dry, itchy skin. Beta-glucans are special sugars from mushrooms that have the ability to modulate the immune system, while penetrating deeply through multiple layers of skin. Because it is also anti-inflammatory it can reduce swelling, calm redness in the skin, reduce flakiness, decrease the chances of allergic reaction in people with sensitive skin, and protect the skin against daily damage.
Sea Buckthorn Oil: (Euro Botanicals Skin Balance Facial Oil) When used topically, it's a great natural cleanser and exfoliator. It can also help heal burns, cuts, wounds, sunburn, rashes, and other types of skin damage.
Using sea buckthorn oil daily helps slow down the signs of aging by nourishing the tissues in your skin. It is highly anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, and has a high amount of antioxidants.