Ingredients Library

Glycerin is an increasingly popular viscous compound derived from sources like palm oil. Glycerin has high demand beckoning across industries from cosmetics to food, even medical. Demand for a highly refined moisturizing agent in the skin care industry is well matched by the sustainable and gentle glycerin. As a humectant, glycerin attracts moisture from the air and locks it into the coat. This humectant property, along with the particle size of our silk, make a sensational duo and powerful transport for nourishment at the particle level in our Strength and Shine Coat Moisturizer.

It almost feels like this ingredient only requires one word: duh! Aloe Vera gel is truly renowned and unbeatable when it comes to its properties of relief. Aloe vera gel is a clear, gentle, and cooling gel. Popularly, Aloe Vera gel is used in its pure form to hydrate and refresh sun-kissed skin. In our formulas, as an emollient, Aloe Vera gel will absorb into the coat quickly to supple and soften. Packed with antioxidants such as Vitamins C, E, and A, aloe gel helps to create a hydrated and shiny coat for the horse.

The super ingredient in Strength and Shine Coat Moisturizer comprises 18 amino acids, making a powerful cortex-repair therapy for hair. Well balanced with the moisturizers, it is a quintessence kernel for creating restorative results for thriving hair and skin!

This particular silk version is special for its particle size. Unique from its silk equivalents, the chemical composition of Silk Amino Acids is very similar to hair and skin. It is literally the perfect transport for nourishment and hydration. The particle size can penetrate the hair structure deeply within the cuticle and cortex to deliver strength, nutrients, and moisture.

When the silk dries after the formula has been absorbed into the coat, its structure forms a protective, crystalline film around the hair strands. The dried silk can create an attractive, elastic sheen, meaning: hello, radiant, beautiful, and protected coat. . . hello, lovely flowing mane and tail! Silk amino acids is the featured ingredient in Strength and Shine Coat Moisturizer and will cause longer locs and real glow glamour.

Macadamia Nut carrier oil is in a category of its own for a sweeping profile of fatty-moisturizing and barrier-replenishing properties. Macadamia nut carrier oil contains monounsaturated fatty acids, omega 3s, and omega 6s. Linoleic acid, only one of the fatty acids, helps to restore the skin barrier and reduce transepidermal moisture loss; hydration lock!

To ensure the maximum benefits and a quick absorption rate, RH sources a virgin macadamia carrier oil; keeping the formula lightweight. Virgin macadamia nut carrier oil easily adds featherlight moisture, softness, and radiance to the coat. 

L-Arginine is an amino acid found naturally in skin and hair. Proteins like keratin and collagen are built from chains of amino acids where arginine is major. L-Arginine is a moisturizing agent that enhances hydration levels of hair and skin and supports the barrier function of skin. As an essential building block of the proteins in hair and skin, like elastin and collagen, L-Arginine encourages suppleness, elasticity, and firmness of hair and the skin barrier. L-Arginine, itself, shows weak antioxidant abilities; more notably supports antioxidant activities, reducing dullness and improving appearances affected by environmental stressors like free-radicals and oxidative stress. L-Arginine is widely known for its role as the precursor for producing nitric oxide (NO). The gas molecule is a vasodilator that improves blood circulation and lowers blood pressure. In this way, L-Arginine may improve the length and appearance of hair by enhancing blood flow to the hair follicles. Fun fact, nitric oxide also facilitates and has a crucial part in the healing of superficial wounds and the regeneration of tissues.

Hibiscus seed oil is a sublime, powerhouse ingredient. Derived from the flower hibiscus sabdariffa, or roselle, this luxuriously rich oil is packed with antioxidants, vitamins, and amino acids. Antioxidants like flavonoids, carotenoids, and tannins preserve the color of hair against harmful compounds in the environment. This sweet-scented oil is known to brighten and enrich the colors and vibrancy of hair. Hibiscus oil improves the strength and elasticity of hair, adding support and protection for healthy hair length! Finally, and my personal favorite touch, are the natural alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) in the oil, which work to gently loosen and release debris from the inner dust layers of the coat and surface layer of the skin.

Sweet almond oil is a seed carrier oil added to our Strength and Shine formula. Sweet almond oil is a nutty, rich, and sweet oil with an impressive entourage of properties. Sweet almond oil is typically considered a milder, gentler carrier oil. The oil contains vitamins E, A, and B7 (biotin), fatty acids like oleic and linoleic acid, and mineral zinc. The seed oil is a handsome option for moisturizing and skin barrier hydration control. 

Xanthan gum is a natural polysaccharide used in a wide range of industries. Most notably it is found in food, personal care product, and cosmetic industries to enhance the texture of a product and stabilize its ingredients. Compared to its counterparts of gum thickeners, xanthan gum excels exceptionally at ingredient suspension. The natural gum, derived from microbial fermentation, improves viscosity, stabilizes emulsions, and will enhance the foaming of a surfactant system. For luxurious feel and great slip, xanthan gum has lubricant qualities making it an amazing ingredient to add to personal care products. (...For horses!...In our case. Industrially known as grooming aids!)

Guar gum is a cosmetics do-it-all. Made from the guar bean, it is a naturally derived texture enhancer, stabilizing agent, and shelf life extender. Guar gum transforms the viscosity of a formula. In our Coat Moisturizers, guar gum makes an extra soft, unbelievably plush texture. Adding this linking agent boosts the effects of the moisturizer base, relating the water, the oils, and the other ingredients in the formula together into a dreamy, cushiony soft, ultra-hydrating compound. 

Citric Acid is used in a wide range of industries and products. Citric Acid, in a similar fashion to Guar Gum and Glycerin, has many industry standard and practical uses. Citric Acid exists naturally and is derived by (microbially) fermenting sugar. In a formula, Citric Acid adjusts pH. It also acts as a chelating agent, antioxidant, and stabilizer. Being in the family of the alpha hydroxy acids, Citric Acid, especially in higher concentrations, can act as an exfoliant. To not ironically go over-the-top as a cosmetic ingredient, Citric Acid is a gentle astringent, adding to a formula soft cleansing properties of hair and skin on top of its ion sequestering. Don't bat your eyes at this industry super ingredient! The celebrity status on this one is certainly earned.

Potassium sorbate is the salt of sorbic acid used widely in the personal care product, cosmetic, and food industries as a preservative. As the inactive salt, potassium sorbate readily converts to its active form, sorbic acid, when dissolved in water. It is an effective product shelf life extender. It can preserve against and inhibit the growth of mold, yeast, and some aerophile bacteria. 

Our formulas utilize essential oils (EO) for many incredible reasons. Essential oils are one of many alternatives to Fragrance (Parfum).

Essential oils are a potent raw material which is why Reflexion Horse takes great care to stabilize the concentration levels of EOs used in our formulas. RH encourages safe use of essential oils. The essential oils we use in our luxury formulas are chosen carefully, while absolutely avoiding oils that can be harmful. Our formulas follow safe concentration level guidelines to make sure your equine friends get the most benefit of the super ingredient(s) while avoiding any adverse reactions that can occur from improper concentrations.