Cucurbita Pepo Seed Extract
INCI: CUCURBITA PEPO SEED EXTRACT
Type: Botanical extract, active ingredient
Origin: Extracted from the seeds of pumpkins and related squash (Cucurbita pepo), often using upcycling methods. Our specific ingredient is an upcycled vegetable collagen obtained through a hydrolysis process.
What it does
This extract is a source of plant-derived amino acids and peptides, often referred to in cosmetics as vegetable collagen. Its primary functions are:
- Skin conditioning and hydration: The amino acid peptides are humectants, helping to attract and bind moisture in the skin, improving hydration and suppleness
- Supporting skin structure: Provides building blocks that the skin can use to support its own collagen and elastin production, contributing to skin firmness and resilience
- Barrier function: Can help reinforce the skin's natural protective barrier.
Why we use it
We selected this ingredient for our night repair cream for its innovative, sustainable origin and its role in providing humectant and skin-conditioning benefits. It complements our barrier-supporting actives by helping to improve skin hydration and overall texture, promoting a plump, resilient complexion. Our ingredient producer uses upcycled pumpkin seeds, aligning with the principles of reducing agricultural waste and creating value from by-products. Mode of action: It does not contain collagen as found in human skin (which is animal-derived), but rather provides small peptide fractions that are bioavailable to the skin and can support its natural processes.