How little does it take to get a new idea. An e-mail from a Slovenian cosmetic company called Koko cosmetics caused some brainstorming. We had decided to create a new category on our blog: Slovenian cosmetics. Why? We just want people to realize that there are a lot of small companies, that create wonderful cosmetic products.
Natural cosmetics and certificates
What makes natural cosmetics different from conventional? Ingredients, ofcourse! Properties of extracts, hydrolates and oil are the ones that make natural cosmetics so special. But cosmetic manufacturers are not limited by any legislation and law, so the manufacturer himself decides whether he will work according standards that are defined by certificates. On the other hand the manufacturer can just advertise his cosmetics as natural and doesn’t work according to standards.
On the field of natural cosmetics exist numerous certificates that are very different from one another. Even in Slovenia a cosmetic brand can recieve a ‘’natural cosmetics’’ certificate by an institute called Kon-cert that prescribe, that cosmetic products don’t contain disputable ingredients.
Why is goats milk as an ingredient so desired in cosmetics?
The data from history reveals that Cleopatra took baths in goats milk. So it’s obviously something on this milk. Goats milk has a few special properties, because of which it shows good effects on the skin.
- It doesn’t cause inflammation or allergic reactions (cows milk can cause allergic reactions) – very suitable for sensitive skin
- Contains lactic acid, which is a alpha hidroxy acid (AHA) – AHA stimulate skin proliferation, increase skin moisture and work as a keratolytic (they accelerate exfoliation)
- Has a proper ratio between omega-6 : omega-3 = 5:1 fatty acids – omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids show a really good effect on the skin, they help to restore the skin barrier especially on the individuals with skin diseases
- It’s rich with retinoids (vitamin A) – retinoids normalize keratinization and posess anti-ageing properties (concentrations in goats milk are too smal to show that properties)
How about cannabis oil?
Cannabis oil is extracted from a plant named Cannabis sativa. Oil is rich with canabinoids, which are attributed with good effects on the skin. Cannabis oil is rich with omega-6 and omega-3 unsaturated fatty acids.
- Regulates skin inflammation – it exhibits anti-inflammatory properties with effect on immune system cells
- Can reduce pain and itchiness – stimulation of CBD2 in keratinocytes causes secretion of analgetic opioid peptydes, that reduce pain
- Regulates sebum secretion – with an effect on hair follicles it reduces sebum secretion from glands
Because of it’s anti-inflammatory properties it is recommended to people that suffer from skin disease’s such as atopic dermatitis, psoriasis and others. Because of it’s possibility to regulate sebum secretion and anti-inflammatory properties it is also good for acne-prone skin.
What is Koko cosmetics?
Koko cosmetics is a brand that creates 100% natural products. It combines unique properties of goat milk and Cannabis oil in all of their face creams. This two ingredients are enriched with addition of hydrolates, that are very good humectants.
How did their products do on a test?
For the testing we received: cleansing face milk, cleansing facial tonic and two face creams, one for sensitive skin named Madame Chamomile and one moisturizing cream named Lady Rose. To be honest none of us really likes the taste and smell of goats milk so we were concerned about the smell of the products. But let us tell you that yes, maybe creams have a little specific smell, but the other products smell like flower hydrolates.
All the products are packed in a quality, air-free packaging. This is so important when the products are natural, because the manufacturers are limited with preservative choices and that’s why this products are more likely to get a microbiological contamination.
We both have skin, that is quite hard to satisfy, since we get little pimples if the products does not fit our skin needs. The products did a really good job on a test, since we did not break out (yay!). Both of the creams are really moisturizing and the moisturizing cream does a really good job on greasy skin as well.
How did Koko products perform in a laboratory test?
This is where it gets interesting. We decided to test Koko cosmetics cream Madame Chamomile for sensitive skin. With the test we wanted to see whether the application on the cream on the skin will rise skin hydration. All of the measurements were made with a Corneometer – this is an equipment that measures hydration of upper skin levels.
Relative values of skin hydration are stated in arbitrare units and these units can not be equated with the percent of relative skin hydration.
| very dry skin | < 30 arbitrare units |
| dry skin | 30 – 45 arbitrare units |
| normal skin | > 45 arbitrare units |
We measured skin hydration before applying Koko face cream on colleague’s dry skin. After the measurement we applied the cream on the face for a half an hour to let is soak into the skin. After half hour we measured skin hydration again. This were the test results:
| Area | Skin hydration before applying cream (in arbitrare units) | Skin hydration after applying cream (in arbitrare units) |
| Cheeks | 43,3 | 65,2 |
| Forehead | 44,0 | 51,2 |
Skin hydration has risen after the application of Koko cosmetic product. We have to realize that the measurement’s weren’t made in the ideal environment, so they can deviate a little in a positivne or negative way. But after all the skin hydration did rise quite a lot.
We came across another beautiful Slovenian brand
Koko cosmetics turned out to be a wonderful brand, that performed good at home and laboratory tests. Ingredients in Koko products are just brilliant.
