Healthy, radiant skin depends on several fundamental biological processes: a strong epidermal barrier, balanced hydration, protection from oxidative stress and healthy cellular renewal. When these processes function optimally, skin appears smoother, brighter and more resilient.

The Velettà range has been formulated around ingredients that have been widely studied in dermatology and cosmetic science for their ability to support these processes. Many of the botanical oils, humectants and bioactive compounds used in the formulations have demonstrated benefits for hydration, barrier reinforcement, antioxidant defence and visible skin quality.

Rather than relying on a single active ingredient, the formulations combine complementary mechanisms so that the skin receives support from multiple directions — restoring moisture, protecting against environmental stressors and encouraging the skin’s natural renewal processes.

The following sections outline the scientific rationale behind the key products in the Velettà
range.

Nutrient-rich botanical oils for skin vitality
Facial oils play an important role in supporting the lipid barrier of the skin. The outer layer of the epidermis relies on a delicate balance of lipids to maintain moisture and protect against environmental stress. When this barrier becomes depleted, skin can appear dry, dull or less resilient.

Rejuvenating Oil combines a blend of botanical oils including avocado, meadowfoam, rosehip, marula, jojoba and argan, each selected for its fatty acid composition and antioxidant content.

Avocado oil has been shown to support collagen synthesis and wound-healing processes, suggesting a role in improving skin resilience and repair (de Oliveira et al., 2013). Argan oil has demonstrated measurable improvements in skin elasticity and hydration in human studies involving postmenopausal women (Boucetta et al., 2015). Oils such as marula and jojoba provide lipid components that help reinforce the skin barrier and maintain skin comfort (Komane et al., 2015; Tietel et al., 2024).

The formulation also contains totarol, a naturally occurring antioxidant compound derived from the New Zealand tōtara tree. Totarol has demonstrated antioxidant and antimicrobial properties that may help protect skin from oxidative stress and environmental damage (Hoisang et al., 2024).

Together, these ingredients support supple, hydrated and resilient skin, helping restore the natural luminosity associated with healthy skin.

Gentle cleansing that respects the skin barrier
Effective cleansing removes impurities without disrupting the skin’s protective lipid barrier. Lipid-based cleansers work on the principle that oil dissolves oil, allowing makeup, sunscreen and excess sebum to be lifted from the skin while preserving moisture balance.

The Cleansing Oil formulation contains castor oil, grape seed oil, safflower oil and avocado oil, providing both cleansing efficiency and skin-conditioning benefits. Castor oil is rich in ricinoleic acid, a fatty acid that helps dissolve oils and impurities while maintaining skin softness (Vieira et al., 2000).

Grape seed and safflower oils are particularly rich in linoleic acid, an essential fatty acid that plays an important role in maintaining the lipid structure of the stratum corneum and supporting healthy barrier function.

The formula also includes tamanu oil, known for its anti-inflammatory and skin-conditioning properties (Ansel et al., 2016), along with mānuka oil and totarol, which contribute antimicrobial and antioxidant activity that can help maintain a balanced skin environment (Porter et al., 2018; Hoisang et al., 2024).

These ingredients allow the cleanser to effectively remove impurities while leaving the skin clean, comfortable and balanced rather than tight or stripped.

Hydration and barrier reinforcement
Maintaining adequate hydration is essential for healthy skin function. The Nourishing Moisturiser combines humectants and lipid-rich botanical oils designed to replenish moisture and support the skin barrier.

Glycerin, one of the most extensively studied moisturising ingredients in dermatology, helps attract and retain water within the outer layers of the skin. Research shows that topical glycerin improves epidermal hydration and supports barrier recovery, particularly in dry skin conditions (Fluhr et al., 2008).

The formulation also contains botanical oils including avocado, argan, rosehip, marula and jojoba, which supply essential fatty acids and antioxidant compounds. Studies examining argan oil have demonstrated improvements in skin elasticity and hydration following topical use (Boucetta et al., 2015).

Together, these ingredients help support long-lasting hydration, smoother skin texture and improved skin comfort.

Supporting a brighter, more even complexion

Uneven pigmentation develops through complex biological pathways involving melanin production, oxidative stress and environmental exposure.

Bioactive Illuminating Serum contains several ingredients that target these pathways. The botanical complex OceanDerMX® Balance & Brighten has demonstrated measurable improvements in skin brightness parameters in clinical testing (Cerulli et al., 2022).

The serum also contains bakuchiol, a plant-derived compound that has been shown in a randomised double-blind clinical trial to improve hyperpigmentation and visible signs of photoageing with efficacy comparable to retinol, while producing fewer side effects (Dhaliwal et al., 2019).

In addition, Kakadu plum extract provides high levels of vitamin C and antioxidant polyphenols that help protect the skin from oxidative stress and support a brighter, more radiant complexion.

Together these ingredients help promote more even-looking skin tone and improved luminosity.

Antioxidant protection and hydration for the eye contour

The skin around the eyes is thinner and more delicate than the rest of the face, making it particularly susceptible to dehydration and environmental stress.

Revitalise Eye Cream contains squalane, a lipid structurally similar to natural skin sebum that helps support barrier function and reduce moisture loss (Huang et al., 2009). It also includes coenzyme Q10, an antioxidant that plays an important role in cellular energy metabolism and helps protect skin cells from oxidative stress (Knott et al., 2015).

Caffeine is incorporated to support microcirculation and reduce the appearance of puffiness, while LOOK Oleoactif®, containing Terminalia arjuna extract, contributes additional antioxidant protection.

Together, these ingredients help support hydration, antioxidant defence and a refreshed appearance around the eyes.

The serum also contains bakuchiol, a plant-derived compound that has been shown in a randomised double-blind clinical trial to improve hyperpigmentation and visible signs of photoageing with efficacy comparable to retinol, while producing fewer side effects (Dhaliwal et al., 2019).

In addition, Kakadu plum extract provides high levels of vitamin C and antioxidant polyphenols that help protect the skin from oxidative stress and support a brighter, more radiant complexion.

Together these ingredients help promote more even-looking skin tone and improved luminosity.

Renewing the skin and improving visible pigmentation

Youthful Glow AHA Radiance Treatment contains lactic acid, salicylic acid and liquorice root extract, ingredients that have been studied for their ability to improve uneven pigmentation and skin texture.

Lactic acid has been shown to inhibit tyrosinase activity, the enzyme responsible for melanin production, while also encouraging exfoliation of pigmented skin cells (Usuki et al., 2003). Salicylic acid contributes keratolytic activity that helps remove pigmented surface cells and refine skin texture.

Liquorice root extract has demonstrated the ability to suppress melanogenesis pathways and reduce melanin production in laboratory studies (Kang et al., 2022).

These combined mechanisms support brighter, smoother and more evenly toned skin.

Deep hydration and skin renewal

Youthful Glow Intensive Hydrating Treatment is designed to deliver intensive hydration while supporting skin renewal.

Humectants such as glycerin and sodium hyaluronate attract and retain water within the epidermis, improving hydration and skin elasticity (Fluhr et al., 2008; Milani et al., 2017). Botanical oils including avocado, argan, rosehip and marula help reinforce the lipid barrier and reduce moisture loss.

The formulation also contains retinyl palmitate, a vitamin A derivative associated with improved epidermal renewal and smoother skin texture, along with totarol, which provides antioxidant protection.

Together, these ingredients help support hydrated, resilient and revitalised skin.

Ansel J.L. et al. (2016). Biological activity of Calophyllum inophyllum oil. Journal of Ethnopharmacology.

Boucetta K. et al. (2015). Argan oil improves skin elasticity in postmenopausal women. Clinical Interventions in Aging.

Cerulli A. et al. (2022). Botanical ingredients for hyperpigmentation management. Cosmetics.

de Oliveira A.P. et al. (2013). Topical avocado oil enhances collagen synthesis during wound healing. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine.

Dhaliwal S. et al. (2019). Prospective randomized double-blind assessment of bakuchiol and retinol for facial photoageing. British Journal of Dermatology.

Fluhr J.W. et al. (2008). Glycerol and the skin: holistic approach to its origin and functions. British Journal of Dermatology.

Hoisang S. et al. (2024). Antimicrobial and antioxidant properties of totarol. Journal of Veterinary Medical Science.

Huang Z.R. et al. (2009). Biological and pharmacological activities of squalene and related compounds. Molecules.

Kang S. et al. (2022). Depigmenting effects of Glycyrrhiza extracts. International Journal of Molecular Sciences.

Knott A. et al. (2015). Topical Coenzyme Q10 improves skin energy metabolism. BioFactors.

Komane B. et al. (2015). Topical efficacy of marula oil. Journal of Ethnopharmacology.

Milani M. et al. (2017). Effects of hyaluronic acid moisturisers on skin hydration. Clinical Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology.

Porter N.G. et al. (2018). Chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of mānuka oil. Phytochemistry Reviews.

Tietel Z. et al. (2024). Anti-inflammatory and extracellular matrix effects of jojoba wax. International Journal of Molecular Sciences.

Usuki A. et al. (2003). Mechanism of action of alpha-hydroxy acids in hyperpigmentation treatment. Archives of Dermatological Research.

Vieira C. et al. (2000). Chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of castor oil. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry.