Kefir Polyhydroxy Acid Water

Kefir Polyhydroxy Acid Water
CTFA Name: Water, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Fruit Extract (Prickly Pear Extract),  Lactobacillus Ferment (Natural Preservative)
INCI Name: Water, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Fruit Extract (Prickly Pear Extract),  Lactobacillus Ferment (Natural Preservative)
Country of Origin: USA

Packaging: Buckets, HDPE jugs, amber glass bottles
Description: Colorless free-flowing liquid; mild aroma
Applications: Skincare, Hair care

Benefits: exfoliation, alternative to AHA/BHA, increased cellular renewal, collagen synthesis, excellent for sensitive skin, reduces hyperpigmentation, scalp cleansing

Suggested Usage: 1-10%

Kefir Water is a mild alternative to AHA or BHA products. Kefir Water is considered a polyhydroxy acid, which is a gentle, surface-level exfoliant ideal for sensitive skin types and daily usage for exfoliation. This Kefir skin care product ingredient is derived from fermented Prickly Pear extract and is preserved with a natural preservative.

Daily exfoliation is a key process in keeping skin looking healthy and clear. The use of stronger AHA’s such as Lactic Acid and Tartaric Acid can be too much for daily use. Plant based acids, such as Kefir Water and AHA Fruit Enzyme Blend, can be incorporated into daily skincare routines without the fear of drying out skin, or damaging the top skin layer.

Kefir Water Polyhydroxy Acid works to reduce hyperpigmentation, gently exfoliate the top layer of dead skin cells, promotes collagen synthesis, and promotes cellular turnover. Kefir Water can be used in the water phase of your skin care product formulas in place of your water (so, if you have 50% water and you want a 10% load of Kefir, you would do 40% water and 10% Kefir equal to your original water content).

Kefir Water is created through the fermentation process of water kefir grains harvested from prickly pear cactus, along with bacteria and yeast. The Kefir scoby is then removed and the resulting water is full of the minerals and polyhydroxy acids created during this fermentation process (kefir is also a beverage that you can purchase in many health food stores BUT this one is not for internal consumption).

Just like Kefir is a great ingredient to be consumed internally, this PHA Kefir Water contributes many rejuvenation benefits to the skin when used topically. Kefir polyhydroxy acid water is high in gluconic acid. Gluconic acid is taken internally to help maintain healthy gut bacteria. When applied topically, products rich in gluconic acid works as that gentle exfoliant.

Kefir PHA Water also works great to help cleanse the scalp and promote healthy hair growth. Shampoo, conditioner and hair products create build-up on the scalp. This can lead not only to flat, dull hair, but also to conditions such as dandruff and psoriasis on the scalp. Incorporating gentle, vegan exfoliants like Kefir PHA Water can help to reduce build-up and promote hair growth. You can use Kefir PHA Water in your shampoos, both liquid and bars, or in scalp serums or masks.

Hydroxy acids are a common addition to personal care products to provide consumers a mechanism to address problem skin, uneven skin texture and a dull complexion. Hydroxy acids are organic compounds containing a carboxylic acid moiety. Hydroxy acids can be further categorized by chemical structure. Alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), such as glycolic or lactic acid, contain a hydroxyl group on the first carbon, or the alpha position, from the carboxylic acid. Beta hydroxy acids (BHAs), such as salicylic acid, contain a hydroxyl group on the second carbon, or the beta position, from the carboxylic acid. Polyhydroxy acids (PHAs), such as lactobionic and gluconic acids, contain multiple hydroxyl groups, including alpha and beta positions.

While all of these hydroxy acids serve as exfoliators, the positions of the hydroxyl groups ultimately determine the function. AHAs typically penetrate the skin more readily, while BHAs like salicyclic acid migrate into pores and sebum rich areas due to its lipophilic structure. PHAs present with less irritation for the consumer as the acids work exclusively on the skin’s surface without interacting with deeper portions of the skin. Dead skin cells can clog skin or pores and while the skin naturally undergoes cellular turnover, exfoliation efficiently removes the barrier of dead cells making way for a more effective skin care routine and brighter complexion.

As a PHA, gluconic acid interacts with cells on the skin’s surface to encourage cellular renewal by dissolving the bonds holding dead skin cells together. Imagine the skin is like a brick wall with the corneocytes as the bricks. These top layer bricks are dead, dried out skin cells that are getting ready to shed. The mortar between the bricks or corneocytes is the intercellular matrix that holds the bricks together. PHA materials, such as gluconic acid, influence cellular renewal by dissolving the glue or intercellular matrix that binds the skin cells together. This breakdown accelerates the elimination of dead skin cells, therefore allowing the lower epidermis layers to expedite the tissue renewal process.

Formulation guidelines: incorporate in the water phase of your formula. You can add Kefir PHA Water directly to one of our bases, like our Lotion Base or our Aloe Gel Base and have a ready-to-use product. Simply determine the strength level, then add in to the pre-made base and you’re ready to go! You can also combine Kefir PHA Water with one of our other exfoliating ingredients to create a compound product.

Exfoliating the skin is an integral part of rejuvenating the skin. We do a lot of damage to our skin, from sun exposure to the chemicals in our air, food and some skincare products. Using formulas with natural exfoliation properties encourages cell turnover and helps to repair our skin from all that damage. In addition, frequent exfoliation, both from a physical exfoliant like a face scrub and “chemical” exfoliations like an alpha hydroxy cream, helps to having healthier skin over the long term. When I say “chemical” exfoliations, this includes products made with our natural AHA’s like Tartaric Acid, Lactic Acid, and multi fruit AHA blends.

A new new trend in hair care formulas are exfoliating treatments, cleansing the scalp and hair follicles of product buildup, allowing for new hair growth. Lactic Acid can be incorporated into scalp serums and hair masks at treatment levels.

Kefir PHA Water is sold in 4 ounce amber glass bottles, 8 ounce amber glass bottles, 16 ounce amber glass bottles, ½ gallon HDPE jugs, 1 gallon HDPE jugs, 5 gallon buckets, or 55 gallon drums.  Any orders larger than 55 gallons please email us for pricing.

This information is for reference only. These recommendations have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not meant to treat, cure or remedy any diseases.