Ambaville & our ingredients

The Ambaville range

Ambaville extracts (Hubertia ambavilla)

The plant

Ambaville, scientifically known as Hubertia ambavilla, is a densely branched shrub 1 to 4 m tall. Its stems are smooth and very leafy. The outer ray flowers are pale yellow to whitish, 3.5 mm in size. The fruit is an achene of 1.8–3 mm. Endemic to Reunion Island, Ambaville may have been introduced to Mauritius. In Reunion Island it is a common plant at 1,000 to 2,000 m altitude, found mainly in sun-loving forests, and sometimes lower down, to 300 m.

The benefits of Ambaville extracts

Ambaville is listed in the French Pharmacopoeia. It is traditionally used in baths or infusions to treat prickly heat, nappy rash, wounds, inflammation, intertrigo, herpes and even scabies. It is used as a “cooling” and purifying remedy for eczema and other skin conditions.

Ambaville leaves and stems contain phenolic compounds such as flavonoids and catechin tannins, which are responsible for the antioxidant effects attributed to the plant and its extracts.

The stems also contain terpene derivatives: 62 compounds have been identified, and they have been shown to have anti-inflammatory and soothing effects on the skin.

Ambaville is the signature active of the Ambaville range: three organic treatments formulated on Réunion Island.

Borage oil (Borago officinalis L.)

Borage oil is obtained from the borage plant (Borago officinalis L.). It has several benefits and uses in herbal medicine. It helps the body repair skin tissue and regenerate the skin, and restores elasticity, suppleness, vitality and tone. These properties come from its chemical composition: monounsaturated fatty acids (oleic acid, omega 9, 18–19%), polyunsaturated fatty acids (35–40% linoleic and 18–30% gamma-linolenic acid, omega 6; 0.2% alpha-linolenic acid, omega 3) and saturated fatty acids at around 12–22%, mainly palmitic and stearic acids.

Borage oil is part of the formula of our facial beauty oil.

Sunflower oil (Helianthus annuus)

Sunflower oil is obtained from sunflower seeds (Helianthus annuus). There are two varieties: “classic” oil (linoleic acid, omega 6, 65%, and oleic acid, omega 9, 19%) and “high-oleic” oil, rich in omega 9. These essential fatty acids, which the body cannot synthesise, are vital to its proper functioning. Its high omega 6 content supports the immune system and helps prevent ageing. It also has softening and nourishing properties, making it ideal for dry to very dry skin, and helps prevent skin dehydration.

Organic sunflower oil is found in both the facial beauty oil and the multi-purpose body and hair oil.

Jojoba oil (Simmondsia chinensis)

Jojoba oil is obtained from jojoba seeds (Simmondsia chinensis). It is made of 11-eicosenoic acid (66%), erucic acid (14%) and oleic acid (10%), and is known for its exceptional moisturising properties. This wax from the seeds of the jojoba shrub is nourishing, beautifying, moisturising and softening. It rebalances the hydration of the driest skin and protects it from UV. It revitalises skin suffocated by make-up and pollution and rebalances oily skin.

Jojoba appears in all three treatments brought together in the Ambaville discovery set.

Argan oil (Argania spinosa L.)

Argan oil is a plant oil from the argan tree (Argania spinosa L.), endemic to Morocco. It contains 43% oleic acid (omega 9), 36% linoleic acid (omega 6) and monoglycerides, as well as tocopherols (vitamin E), squalene, sterols and polyphenols. These properties make it valuable in cosmetics: it prevents skin dryness and deeply nourishes the skin. Argan oil suits all skin types and is especially good for dry and sensitive skin.

Prickly pear seed oil (Opuntia ficus indica)

It is obtained by cold-pressing the seeds of Opuntia ficus indica, the prickly pear cactus, which usually grows in arid and semi-arid climates.

Argan oil is one of the actives in our multi-purpose body and hair oil.

Composition

Fatty acids

Other components

Several minerals: potassium, phosphorus, sodium, iron and magnesium

The cosmetic benefits of prickly pear seed oil

Anti-ageing

The oil is rich in minerals and amino acids that stimulate collagen production and speed up cell renewal.

Its phytosterols stimulate collagen production in the deep layers of the epidermis.

Its exceptional linoleic acid content (60%), also called omega 6, has an anti-inflammatory effect, stimulates keratinisation of the epidermis and increases its elasticity, significantly reducing wrinkles.

Its high vitamin E content (100 mg/100 g) and several polyphenols give it a powerful antioxidant effect (10 times that of vitamin C), slowing skin cell ageing and stimulating their renewal.

The various phenols in this oil have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects that help protect the skin against pathogens and maintain its firmness.

Moisturising

Its richness in linoleic acid allows fast absorption and penetration into the upper layers of the epidermis, leaving skin smooth and silky without an oily feel.

The moisturising effect of its unsaturated fatty acids also gives the skin great elasticity, significantly reducing stretch marks or preventing them, for example during pregnancy.

Prickly pear seed oil is one of the few raw oils that can be applied around the eyes. Thanks to vitamin K, it helps fade dark circles and reduce under-eye puffiness by increasing skin elasticity.

Other benefits

Thanks to the anti-inflammatory power of its phenols and polyphenols and its moisturising effect, this oil helps clear acne and acne marks. It also helps fade scars and dark spots.

Thanks to vitamin E and polyphenols, it protects the skin against free radicals and the effects of pollution.

Its strong moisturising power also benefits dry, brittle hair. Rich in linoleic and oleic acids, it moisturises hair down to the ends and helps strengthen it. It also helps strengthen nails and make them less brittle thanks to its amino acids.

Among its phytosterols, β-sitosterol is particularly abundant; it has several health benefits, notably a very interesting anti-hair-loss effect.

References

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