Founder’s Formula : Wild-Harvested Kakadu Plum Vitamin C Serum

Even with the heat of summer, it’s still important to remember to keep skin moisturised and protected. As always, at The Amazing Blog, our mission is to find the more unusual and innovative serums that have ideally organic and vegan formulas. Founder's Formula is one of those brands that ticks those boxes. Regular readers will be familiar with this brand (which we’ve previously reviewed here), this time it’s with their Wild-Harvested Kakadu Plum Vitamin C Serum, that’s full of potent vitamin C and waratah extract that enhances its antioxidant activity.

In February 2021, Founder’s Formula was officially launched by anthropologist Dr. Annie Holden; however, the story begins much earlier. Three years before the launch, Annie took a trip to Bologna, Italy, to attend the world’s biggest international beauty fair, Cosmoprof. There, she made an astonishing realisation. There were no beauty products containing Australian botanicals. With this in mind, she went back home to Australia with a burst of inspiration and an idea in mind. Annie began her research on Australian botanicals to find a way to incorporate them into daily skincare. As an anthropologist, Dr. Holden spent 35 years working with indigenous peoples in the most remote places of Australia. Having sensitive skin herself, she built a lab where she tested gentle formulas with wild-harvested and organic ingredients. Australia has a very extreme and harsh climate. This has made for unique and exotic plants, with Australia hosting 70% of the world’s most unique plant species. Australian plants have evolved, powerful adaptation mechanisms to store vast quantities of Phyto-compounds needed to survive the Australian climate. There are about 23,000 known species in Australia, but only 1,000 are studied. Dr. Holden was more than excited to have these unique plant-based ingredients to create a new and innovative range of products for her skincare line. Annie explains how she creates her products "I start with an Australian Botanical with proven benefits, then I consider the most suitable application for that ingredient and with Toni, my chemist, we build a formula around it." By working with leading chemists and research from Australia’s leading 5-Star Plant Sciences universities, the company created a range of skincare products that target four things in the formulation: hydration, anti-inflammation, depigmentation, and pro ageing. Dr. Holden mentions that even though she’d love to include fragrances and essential oils in her products, she’d rather keep the formulas as natural and straightforward as possible adding that “kind skincare has little or no smell.” The brand is certified by Certclean and meets the Australian Certified Organic Standard. The brand is proud to be manufactured in Australia and is cruelty-free, toxin-free, and vegan. It has won 14 international beauty awards since its launch.

Wild-Harvested Kakadu Plum Vitamin C Serum hydrates and promotes dewy skin. This product is a recent Winner at The Global Makeup Awards 2022 for both Best 50+ anti-ageing product’ and ‘Best Innovative Beauty Product’. With the blend of Australian botanical extracts, it’s clear why this is an award winner. The ingredients are organic and natural and help to reduce uneven skin tone, promote collagen production and create a more dewy skin. There is organic aloe, propanediol, wild-harvested kakadu plum, finger lime caviar, waratah, organic natural glycerin, water, sodium levulinate, sodium anisate, and sodium hyaluronate.

Let’s look at the three hero native Australian ingredients starting with the kakadu plum. It’s a fruit known for its source of vitamin C and is thought to be the richest source of vitamin C of any known plant! It contains high levels of phytonutrients and bioflavonoids that enhance the formula's efficiency and may assist in transporting vitamin C. Plus, its insoluble fibre helps stabilise vitamin C and makes it easier for the skin to tolerate ascorbic acid. Vitamin C improves skin luminosity and pigmentation by inhibiting the enzyme tyrosinase, which helps prevent melanin production and reduce skin issues caused by UV exposure, such as redness and sun damage.

The waratah extract found in the serum intensifies the antioxidant activity. The extract itself has powerful antioxidants that reduce cell death and injury, which are a significant cause of ageing and helps build collagen and elastin, which keeps skin firm and plump.

The third ingredient is the finger lime caviar extract which is high in ferulic acid, which helps stabilise the vitamin C in the serum, which is why this product is suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin. Not only that, but the plant is said to help fight fine lines, hyperpigmentation, acne, and dry skin.

Other ingredients here are organic aloe vera made up of 80% water, together with vitamins A, B, C, D, E, and more unusually, vitamin B12. It soothes and moisturises, and also fights skin ageing and pigmentation. Propanediol is derived from corn acts as a humectant and emollient and helps reduce moisture loss. Organic natural glycerin is extracted from vegetable oils and has anti-bacterial qualities, adds a silky smooth texture, is suitable for skin sensitivity and improves the barrier function. Sodium levulinate is a natural preservative obtained from starch and vegetal inulin. Sodium anisate is from fennel, it’s antimicrobial and when paired with sodium levulinate, the two ingredients work in tandem to make a very efficient preservative controlling microorganism colonies, without altering the integrity of the formula. Finally, sodium hyaluronate attracts moisture in skin cells and due to its low molecular weight can provide a more significant hydrating effect than hyaluronic acid.

Like the other serums in the range, this has a stylish, clear glass bottle and dropper for application. It is fragrance-free, vegan and not tested on animals. It’s also certified organic, spray-free and has wild-harvested ingredients. It’s a serum that can be ‘layered’ or paired with others like the Phyto-A+ Australian Native Tobacco Serum particularly if you have sun-damaged and pigmented skin like us. Did you know that approximately 1 in 50 people are sensitive to vitamin C in skincare? What we like about this Wild-Harvested Kakadu Plum Vitamin C Serum, is that it’s packed full of natural vitamin C, which is less irritating than the synthetic forms of vitamin C found in other serums. We’re always nervous when using skincare high in vitamin C due to having had adverse reactions and redness. However, we found this extremely gentle and hydrating on our sensitive skin. As Annie states, “The skin will only absorb as much vitamin C as it needs.,” and went on to say, “if your skin is dull and dry, or your nutrition is poor, and you are concerned that your skin needs higher amounts of vitamin C. We recommend you use your vitamin C serum on clean skin twice a day. A little applied more often is better than a high % applied only once.” They also have clinical studies on this Wild Harvested Kakadu Plum Vitamin C Serum, where they measured the skin luminosity with its 'Gloss value'. The average improvement in gloss value with 20 volunteers, the average age of 37, was 17%. On the best volunteer, Kakadu Plum Extract was shown to induce skin luminosity up to 21% after 15 days and up to 30% after 30 days.

In the heat, we’ve been using this serum and an SPF and found that no extra moisturiser is needed. As you can probably tell, we’re smitten with Founder’s Formula. They’re extremely innovative with their use of these extraordinary native botanicals. Not only that, we love that they’re all natural formulations and have clinical trials and science to back them up. Curious to try? Then see here for the 30ml Wild-Harvested Kakadu Plum Vitamin C Serum at $120 AUD. 

Skin Virtue : Future Advanced Eye Serum & Pure Eye Radiance Cream

And when it comes to eye care, we’re battling dark circles, dehydration and fine lines together with our skin reacting badly to the cold. It’s an area that some of us need a little added extra help, which is why at The Amazing Blog, we were delighted to return to the nature meets science-based Australian skincare Skin Virtue  (which we previously reviewed here), but this time it’s with their hydrating and age-defying Future Advanced Eye Serum and the Pure Eye Radiance Cream. 

Skin Virtue is an evidence-based skincare, with premium products that have been developed to address a multitude of skin issues. Founded in 2008, skincare expert Nina Gajic with a mission, “To bring beauty to life by crafting skincare regimes that are proven by science and enhanced by nature, for clients who demand results and value.” The inspiration for the brand began with Nina herself, who had been struggling with sensitive and easily irritated skin, and was determined to understand why. In order to help resolve her own skin issues, she began researching formulation science and teaming up with certified dermatologists and Italian biochemists to create targeted skincare. Nina was already running a clinic working with clients who also had skin sensitivity which is when Skin Virtue came to life during this journey. The principal goal was to create effective products that incorporated the most effective botanical aspects of both science and nature. The brand has developed highly-effective formulas using advanced ingredients and technologies using natural multi-functional actives, potent vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and calming marine and botanical extracts. The Skin Virtue range harnesses the power of these ingredients to help slow down skin ageing and restore the skin's health. This is done by strengthening the skin barrier, promoting skin cell longevity, and targeting skin-related concerns through specific treatments. Skin Virtue has three targeted skincare collections: Super Clear Collection (for oilier skin types) to help with skin issues like breakouts, redness, clogged pores, and inflammation, the Pure Anti-Aging Collection (for drier skin types) to hydrate and protect the skin from premature ageing, and the Future Advanced Treatment Collection (for all skin types) which can be used with the other two collections to target skin-ageing issues like discolouration, wrinkles, or volume loss. Skin Virtue dedicates itself to providing skincare that is also suitable for sensitive skin, as all their products are fragrance-free, noncomedogenic, anti-irritating, anti-allergen, paraben-free, and made without mineral oil. For skincare suggestions or to check out the founder’s own skincare routine, see here. They also have a questionnaire on their website to personalise your skincare experience here to help you determine the best products to add to your personalised skincare routine. 

As the skin around the eyes is thinner and more active than the rest of the face, particularly with all our squinting, frowning and laughing, these ingredients help slow down the signs of ageing. Also, as the eye area doesn’t create hydration or replace moisture, it’s more prone to dryness, or worse – wrinkles. Therefore including an eye serum and/or eye cream in a daily skincare routine is, in our view, essential!

The Future Advanced Eye Serum is featured in the Future Advanced Treatment Collection, aims to correct signs of skin-ageing and revive skin complexion. This anti-ageing serum is ultra-light and developed to lift, firm, and plump the eye area so that your skin doesn't sag or suffer from hollowness and deep-set wrinkles. The serum’s super-concentrated formula and targets age-related volume loss through molecular lifting technologies. It has 11 active ingredients that work together to improve skin elasticity and reduce fine lines.

Let’s start with the two patented ingredients, malus domestica cell culture extract, and adipofill’in™ (in ionosomes). Malus domestic is a liposomal preparation sourced from apple stem cells - specifically from a rare Swiss variety. These stem cells have a potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effect and help to protect skin against sun damage and fine lines. As for the adipofill’in™ (in ionosomes), its main purpose is to increase fatty tissue for facial rejuvenation, it has a ‘lipofilling-like" action and is designed to lift and plump.

There is acetyl hexapeptide-8 argireline, a peptide that restores the skin's natural water barrier by binding water to the skin which in turn helps improve elasticity. Next, there is hydrolysed pearl, which is easily absorbed by the skin offering plentiful anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and energising benefits. It’s also known to boost collagen production to strengthen the skin and help prevent the onset of dark patches. There is also glycine soja protein from the soya bean. It has several fatty acids such as, palmitic, stearic, oleic, and linoleic, that have anti-ageing and soothing properties, which leaves the skin feeling rejuvenated. Another key ingredient is one that we all know well is sodium hyaluronate. Sodium hyaluronate has a lower molecular weight than its cousin hyaluronic acid. It is synthesised small enough to penetrate deep into the skin, leaving a smoother, fuller, nourished, and more moisturised eye area. Finally, caffeine is present to reduce any puffiness and allay any hyperpigmentation or dark circles. 

We were excited to try this serum for its volumising properties, which for us, worked perfectly in tandem with the Pure Eye Radiance Cream.  As we have sensitive eyes that water, the fact that this is fragrance-free is a huge asset. We found that we needed only a tiny amount of this light serum, which we applied to the contour of the eye area, gently tapping it in with fingertips. It absorbed fast leaving skin feeling cool and hydrated. As Nina says about this Future Advanced Eye Serum, “it provides that lipofilling-like effect to sunken eyes, helping to plump up hollowing under the eye area and maintain firmness.” We found it effective to use independently, and together with the Pure Eye Radiance Cream (below).

Next, we tried the Pure Eye Radiance Cream, which is designed primarily to combat the look of puffy and aged skin. This eye cream is a part of the Pure Anti-Ageing Collection, which offers a range of products that use anti-ageing and pH strengthening active ingredients to help improve dry skin and prevent premature skin ageing. This age-defying rich cream leverages the power of biotechnological ingredients to smooth wrinkles and fine lines, reduce dark circles, target eye puffiness, and build skin health. Again this cream echoes some of the above serum’s ingredients with acetyl hexapeptide-8 argireline peptide and malus domestica stem cell liposomal formulas - both of these improve elasticity and support skin stem cell longevity around the eye. This eye cream certainly helps to revive the eye area with its 13 active ingredients, and wrinkle-smoothing peptides.

A few of the key ingredients worth mentioning are ginkgo extract, olea europaea (olive oil) unsaponifiables, vitamin A and E. These botanical extracts have soothing, toning, and antioxidant properties. The olea europaea oil unsaponifiables are a composition similar to sebum, with squalene and phytosterols that act as an intensive emollient. The hydrolysed elastin, marine collagen, has humectant properties for moisture retention, supporting cell growth and improving skin elasticity. Rich in vitamin A and E, both potent antioxidant that effectively fights free radicals - a major cause of wrinkles and dark spots. 

The Pure Eye Radiance Cream is super hydrating, rich in texture, but not thick or heavy, and again only a small amount is needed. It feels ‘protective’, particularly when used in cold winter weather. As mentioned, this can be used independently, and together with the Future Advanced Eye Serum, if intense hydration is required. We noticed with regular use, the skin around our eye area looked smoother and felt more hydrated, but to see longer-lasting and more defined results, we think it is probably best to use them both morning and night for an extended period of time. They are both this week’s #amazingfinds and we love that they are great value for money, priced at around only £40 each. The 15ml Future Advanced Eye Serum can be purchased here or £40 and the 15ml Pure Eye Radiance Cream can be purchased for £39 here.