INTRODUCTION TO ALPHA-HYDROXY FRUIT ACID TONERS

Contrary to popular advertising myth, the first available over-the-counter natural alpha-hydroxy fruit acid preparations in the world, were conceived, formulated and manufactured by the Gaia Research Institute, years before their current worldwide popularity. Since then many have followed our lead as science validated the amazing ability of properly used fruit acids to turn back the years in terms of visible aging. Today we still lead the field with genuine fruit acid preparations (Nos. 4-6) rather than the harsh cheap mimics (usually sugar-cane derived glycolic acid) used by most other manufacturers. We have also had vindicated by the test of time, our belief that AHA toner lotions are far more appropriate vehicles than creams. Our genuine Alpha Hydroxy Fruit Acid Toners deep cleanse the skin, including the portals of the pores, via natural herbal organic acids and essential oil solvents, which dissolve contaminated, oxidised and rancid sebum not reached by conventional cleansers. AHA and botanical astringents, on constricting the pores, cause dissolved spent wastes to ooze to the surface to be easily removed by wiping with cotton wool or tissue, a gentle, yet exceptionally efficacious process without equal.

For most of our existence, bar for the last few centuries, humans were primarily fruit eaters and so evolved an exquisite protective acid mantle of natural fruit acids brought to the skin during perspiration. Now, our specially extracted and balanced harmless alpha-hydroxy fruit acids can provide leading-edge biological visible age control via complex mechanisms that optimise the many natural functions of the skin and it’s sub-matrix and significantly improve texture and appearance, which condition peaks within 4-8 weeks with daily use, without the risk of sensitisation or skin damage attendant to many other acid preparations, even if excluding the chemical peels, which can leave disastrously permanent blemishes. Used properly, our AHA products redefine texture and visibly smooth out and retard development of fine wrinkles and significantly reduce the severity of deeper wrinkles by naturally stimulating, via polypeptide signaling, the endogenous production of collagen and elastin. Due to the early demise of spent surface cells, the skin is rendered slightly more vulnerable to UV light if and when a physical exfoliator is used to force the removal of cellular debris (perceived as dry skin), in which case we recommend the use of the most appropriate of our specially formulated biological solar defense products (Nos. 8, 9, 10, 12, 21, 22 & 24).

We have also led the entire field with the incorporation of green tea extracts, which are highly specific anti-irritants against possible inflammation, which is the main drawback of AHAs not formulated as we have done, and which has led to most manufacturers having to reduce their AHA concentrations to often practically useless levels. We note with interest that our most progressive competitors have only now started to follow our lead in these respects. Further benefits of topically applied green tea extracts include very powerful antioxidant properties, which retard the aging process as well as other constituents that actively protect against all serious forms of skin cancer.

All our AHA Toners contains: purified rainwater; distillate of witch hazel astringent; seaweed extract [iodine], partly for cell-optimising trace minerals, polysaccharides and sulphonated galactins; comfrey extract, especially for chlorophyll and healthy cell-proliferating allantoin; green tea extracts, partly for anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant polyphenols, chlorophyll, astringents and organic Germanium; stinging nettle extract, partly for gallic acid, organic silica and astringents; centella extract, partly for chlorophyll and immuno-stimulating and skin-healing accelerative asiaticosides; kombucha (green tea symbiont) extract (selenium), partly for hyaluronic acid and beta-glucan polysaccharides, rare anti-aging bio-actives normally only obtainable from placenta & healing mushrooms (selenium); expressed oil of lemon as natural solvent; vitamin C as cell-protectant, thymol as antiseptic and three genuine alpha-hydroxy fruit acids as astringents, preservatives and more specifically for their collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid stimulating cytokine reactivation activities. Each toner type has its own unique extras.

The ingredients listed above were scientifically selected following more than a decade of research for specific skin enhancing properties additional to basic nutritive and abovementioned co-constituents and properties, having valuable additional empirical bio-activities far too numerous to mention here. Each of the three toners additionally contains individualised ingredients. These are listed as contents for each AHA Toner entry. The toners form the skin-type specific basis for correct product selection for optimal results, with an appropriate cleanser and moisturiser being chosen to complement and synergise the anti-aging properties of the AHAs. There are no products capable of safely competing with properly formulated genuine alpha hydroxy fruit acids when it comes to delaying and reversing premature visible aging of the human face, neck, arms and hands. Gaia Organics introduced this natural organic anti-aging technology 16 years ago and even today remains the field leader in this respect.

Note: Genuine Fruit Acids cannot thin the skin as reported for other Alpha Hydroxy Acids. Only if spent surface cells are physically exfoliated, can skin become slightly more vulnerable to solar damage. Being fruit-eating animals by design, we are biologically constituted to eat fruit and perspire its acids.