How We Discovered the Healing Benefits of Breadfruit Flower Extract
by Team Altilis Beauty
You’ll find a handful of ingredients in most popular skincare products, such as peptides and hyaluronic acid, but breadfruit flower extract is unique to Altilis Beauty. We discovered the unique extract and its powerful skincare benefits. We created our skincare line around the extract to deliver skincare with anti-aging, skin-protecting and soothing benefits naturally. Our breadfruit extract also is sourced sustainably to respect the origins of the plant. It’s this antioxidant-rich ingredient that makes us stand out from the pack — so how did we discover it?
How Altilis Discovered Breadfruit Flower’s Power
We discovered the skincare benefits of the male breadfruit inflorescences (flowers) in 2017 when looking for a non-food use for this tropical staple crop.
Breadfruit trees are abundant throughout the tropics, and many grow wild on people’s properties. The fruit from one tree can feed a family of four for up to 50 years without leaving them malnourished. This is because breadfruit contains essential amino acids and protein that the human body relies on. Families and large communities benefit from the plant as food security.
Breadfruit flowers, however, were considered a waste product and left to compost until we discovered their skin-healing benefits. We developed an extract and isolated the compound responsible for bioactivity and structurally characterized that bioflavonoid plant compound as having higher antioxidant activity than vitamin E and vitamin C . We patented that process and became the first-ever skincare brand to offer products made from breadfruit flowers, creating a second stream of income for those with breadfruit trees on their properties.
Today Altilis Beauty is a proud member of the breadfruit community, and we are dedicated to protecting the plant’s origins and the communities that it grows within. Every aspect of our brand is meant to celebrate this unique plant, including our packaging, which features traditional Polynesian patterns often found on sarongs. We attended the first breadfruit summit in 2019, hosted by the renowned Dr. Tusi, with the University and Cultural Centre of Hawaii . We work closely with local partners in tropical islands around the world to source breadfruit flowers to help bring new income opportunities into the communities.
This has led us to a sustainability commitment that extends past the discovery of a new use for breadfruit flowers. For example, because the adulteration of raw materials and unsustainable plant material sourcing are disturbing growing trends, we ensure our ingredients are sourced holistically and that our products are vegan, cruelty-free, fragrance-free and all-natural.
Why Breadfruit Flower in Skincare?
There’s a reason why we work so hard to extract the bioactive properties of the breadfruit flower: It’s just that effective in skincare. We’re bringing you the highest dose of antioxidant superpower — even higher than vitamins C and E can offer. Breadfruit extract makes skin shine, thanks to the way it replenishes the skin’s natural moisture barrier. It’s that fatty acid profile that gives skin the lit-from-within glow. Breadfruit extract is also soothing, protective and skin brightening, which makes it stellar for all skin types, and even for those with the most sensitive skin.
The anti-aging benefits of breadfruit just can’t be beat. The extract contains tyrosinase inhibitors, which help prevent the appearance of sunspots and age spots and have even been shown to reduce the damage already done to the skin from radiation. This damage also can be caused by acne or rosacea, both of which benefit from breadfruit’s anti-inflammatory properties.
Learn more about the science behind the breadfruit flower extract.
How We Use Breadfruit Flower Extract
Breadfruit flower extract is a key natural ingredient in all Altilis Beauty products, but it’s not the only one. Breadfruit works with other sustainably sourced ingredients that, when combined, create the most effective products for the skin. There’s a term in cosmetics known as the “1 percent line.” This means that ingredients of less than 1 percent can be listed in any order in an ingredient list. This can be deceiving to customers, as ingredients are often only added for marketing purposes, when in fact the product contains an ineffective amount of that listed ingredient. Our products only use necessary ingredients in proper concentrations so each serves a unique and effective purpose. Breadfruit flower extract is one of those important irreplaceable ingredients.
Learn a little more about how breadfruit flower works in our products and you’ll see why we had to make a skincare line out of the superstar novel ingredient..
This luxe, whipped formula contains ultra-moisturizing ingredients, such as cannabis sativa (hemp seed oil) and aloe vera. With omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, hemp seed oil increases the health of even the driest skin. Aloe vera, on the other hand, while hydrating, also helps reduce fine lines and age spots. Combine these ingredients with shea butter, gotu kola — which supports collagen production — and, of course, antioxidant-rich breadfruit flowers and you have a lotion that leaves skin both stronger and baby soft.
InflorEsscence Clarifying Gel Mask
This gel mask contains a combination of hyaluronic acid, lactic acid, and breadfruit flower extract, each with its own unique purpose. Hyaluronic acid plumps skin cells and locks in moisture, while lactic acid smooths out uneven texture by sloughing off dead skin cells and increasing cell regeneration. It’s safe for all skin types, especially with the addition of skin-soothing and protecting breadfruit extract.
Our serum brightens dull skin with this antioxidant-rich face oil. It contains vitamin C to even the skin’s tone and brighten skin overall, as well as kukui nut oil to soothe dry skin, psoriasis and sun damage. The addition of the fatty acids in breadfruit ups the antioxidant power even more, as well as reduces the appearance of redness and rosacea.
Those with sensitive, combination and aging skin will find this lightweight, hydrating moisturizer especially effective at replenishing that youthful glow. Breadfruit flowers soothes and protects skin’s natural moisture barrier. Hyaluronic acid works to hydrate and plump, while ferulic acid reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. This combination of ingredients — while highly effective — can result in a “hotdog” scent. But because we are committed to never adding fragrances to our products, we’ve left it in its natural form. The addition of both ceramides and honey bush ensure that skin is left stronger and smoother than ever.
InflorEsscence Facial Cleanser
Cleansing your skin shouldn’t leave it feeling stripped and dry. This fragrance-free, lightweight natural exfoliant removes makeup, excess oils and impurities while leaving skin feeling refreshed and hydrated. That’s thanks to antioxidant-rich breadfruit flower and smoothing and protecting honey bush. The addition of lactic acid sloughs off dead skin cells and improves both the texture of skin and the appearance of acne, fine lines and wrinkles. Really, what can’t this cleanser do?
Hydrate dry, cracked lips with a blend of organic peppermint essential oil, hemp seed oil and shea butter. Not only does this balm leave lips feeling soft and silky, it protects the skin against environmental factors with omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids and antioxidant-rich breadfruit extract.
Final Thoughts
Though breadfruit flower extract is key to our product’s effectiveness, it’s impact goes far beyond skincare. The community ethos of this superfood ingredient informs everything we do at Altilis Beauty — from the sourcing practices we employ, to the packaging we use to ship our products in.
Ready to get started? Try our complete skincare system today in a 7-day trial size!
Elizabeth Denton is an LA-based beauty and fashion writer.
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