Inside the Extrait de Maison Series — Part 2
the Fatty Acid Profile
The skin requires an abundant and steady supply of bioactive lipids in order to function and thrive. The epidermis (outermost layer of the skin) is comprised largely of lipids (oils) which is why it is important to nourish it with the right fatty acids and other lipid elements like cholesterols, phospholipids, triglycerides, etc. By providing the skin the right lipids, in the right proportions, we are nourishing it with the nutrients required to remain healthy, manifested in a luminous and supple complexion. This is something we went the extra mile to achieve.
“Maison/Made is the first skincare company to provide a detailed analysis of the fatty acid profile of our products. The exact composition of our Extrait de Maison Rejuvenating Face Oil are publicly available below for everyone to see precisely what is inside our bottles, all the way down at a molecular level.”
When formulating a skincare product we review each ingredient’s lipid profile which consists primarily of fatty acids. Without dissecting the science too much, fatty acids are long-chain hydrocarbons. What this basically means is that fatty acids are made up of a long sequence of primarily carbon and hydrogen atoms which the skin uses to maintain the stratum corneum, and when necessary, repair, restore, and balance when imbalances or stressors inside and/or outside the body throw the natural state of the skin out of equilibrium.
When we analyze a particular plant oil, one of the main aspects we consider is the different percentages of fatty acids. To do this, we and our suppliers send our ingredients to be tested at 3rd party laboratories that provide the breakdown, which is typically called a Certificate of Analysis. For the ingredients that we decide to include in a product, we consider not only the plant oil’s fatty acid profile on its own, but also how its inclusion (and at what percentage) contributes to the overall profile of the product.
More simply, we do not include ingredients in our formulas “just because”. Each of them is scrutinized to help make the whole greater than the sum of its parts. Two of the most important elements for the skin are the essential fatty acids. These are the fatty acids that the body cannot synthesize on its own and requires to receive them from external sources: either from our diets or from topical application. They are more commonly known as Omega 6 (linoleic acid) and Omega 3 (alpha-linolenic acid), and, after numerous studies on these omegas and their utilisation in the skin over the past few decades, it has been determined that the ideal ratio for most skin is 3:1 of omega 6 : omega 3.
In order to verify years of research and formulation revisions, we found a reputable laboratory that could test and evaluate our Extrait de Maison in a similar manner that would be used for a single ingredient. The results, above, show that our essential fatty acid ratio is almost exactly at the ideal 3:1 balance to provide the skin the necessary lipids for it to be healthy, resilient, and nourished. The other fatty acids of note are punicic, gamma-linolenic, oleic, palmitic, and palmitoleic acids which provide additional benefits. Not to mention the antioxidants, which we covered in more detail here.
We are proud and exuberant to offer a face oil that has decades of research to support the performance we sought for. The skin is quite literally receiving the exact profile ideal for skin restoration and equilibrium. This level of detail inside the bottle is an extra step we took because it is important to us to provide unmatched assurance and trust with the people who entrust their skin with our products. With this information anyone can be sure that when they purchase a Maison/Made product, they know they are receiving the best of the best. The proof is in the science.