DEVITA SKINCARE INTERNATIONAL

INFORMATION

WHAT IS DEVITA'S PHILOSOPHY?
For thousands of years, rare essential and vegetal oils such as frankincense, rose, sage, chamomile and avocado were a pure and natural source of healing power for the body and spirit, and were considered to be more valuable than gold. Today, essential oils remain the oldest form of medicine and cosmetic known to man, and are even more valuable as essential nutrition for your skin Devita specializes in high-tech natural therapeutic skin care products also known as "cosmeceuticals" which utilize organic and ethically wild crafted 100% pure essential oils, whole herb extracts and amino acids. We use a scientifically advanced botanical delivery system engineered by nature for optimum results...healthy, vibrant skin. Devita, meaning "of life", is the philosophy behind our exclusive natural skin care product line, developed through this perfect combination of nature and science. We believe essential oils are truly gifts from nature, and can’t be duplicated. We are committed to delivering the best nature has to offer to our clients, and will continue to preserve our relationships without compromise.

WHAT MAKES DEVITA DIFFERENT?
Thank you for this opportunity to share with you the most exciting development in scientifically advanced botanical skin formulas that harness and actually help to minimize the visible signs of both biological and environmental aging while delivering therapeutic concentrations of phyto-intensive skin nutrition. All of our products have been formulated for those living with sensitive skin, mature skin and troubled, acne-prone skin.

Our team of estheticians, natural cosmetic chemists and dermatologists combine their expertise to ensure the effectiveness and quality of all of our products. With Devita, you don't have to choose which product is right for you... each formulation utilizes the bio-intelligence of nature’s rare essential oils to balance, restore, enhance the skin's natural biochemistry.

Our exclusive line of cosmeceuticals gets down to the root cause of premature aging skin and helps your body naturally heal itself. All of the extracts and essential oils used in the Devita Natural Skin Care line are alcohol, fragrance and pesticide free. Additionally, care was taken to assure no animal testing was used in the development and production of these exclusive formulas.

While many companies offer you one product in a jar "that does it all," chemistry shows this combination can cancel out the effectiveness of some of the active compounds in some products. We worked closely and diligently with leading skin care specialists and always reached the same conclusion... the only way to really benefit from each product is to keep them apart... so we’ve kept them apart. Literally days after using our entire skin care line for your regime, you’ll discover the ease of its design and experience maximum results.

• Provides all-natural & organic, aloe vera based spa quality products, containing fast acting bio-active ingredients at an appreciably lower cost per oz. than comparable products found in natural product stores, salons, spas and medical offices.
• All Devita products are paraben free.... preservative free on most products.  Uses advanced information practices and small manufacture ring management to provide the preservative-conscious consumer the ease of mind when they buy.
• Consumers will see an improvement in their skin within 10-14 days.
• Special attention given during the ingredient and formulation process keeping the sensitive-skin consumer in mind.
• "Balance Approach" to skin care takes the guesswork out of product choice and regime planning.
• One of the few all-natural product lines endorsed by many aesthetic surgeons throughout the U.S.
• PETA certified

WHAT IS THEIR POLICY ON ANIMAL TESTING?
Their company was established in 1998 and they have not tested and do not test any of the products in the Devita Skincare Products line on animals.  As of Feb. 2003, they are proud to join many manufacturers and distributors that can offer certification from the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA).  When introducing new ingredients into their products, it is their policy to check that the ingredient has not been tested on animals in the last four years and we would only include such ingredients if they comply with our policy. 

At Devita, customer safety is also very important to them.  In developing products they use ingredients with a history of safe human use and natural ingredients like green tea.  Their product ingredients are subject to non-animal tests such as Skin tex or Eyetex, and are developed using controlled testing on carefully monitored groups of human volunteers. They also encourage ingredient suppliers to stop animal testing.  They will not purchase any ingredient that they have tested or re-tested on animals for cosmetic purposes since at least 31st December 1990.  This purchasing rule meets and exceeds the Humane Cosmetics Standard operated by leading animal groups including The Humane Society of the United States, Doris Day Animal League and People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.  The rule is not the same as the 'fixed cut off date' operated by a number of personal care companies.  In their view, a conventional 'fixed cut off date' does little to persuade suppliers to stop animal testing.  This is because 'fixed date' companies are concerned with the date an ingredient was first released and not necessarily with the last animal testing date.  As a result, those companies may purchase ingredients recently retested by their own suppliers.  This would not happen under The Devita Rule.  However, no policy works without effective monitoring of ingredients and suppliers.  Devita Natural Skin Care sends out supplier ingredient declarations every year.  Their suppliers must certify that the ingredients they sell to us comply with their purchasing rule.  If, despite follow-up, a supplier fails to complete the declaration or reports conducting an animal test after 31st December 1990, they stop buying the ingredient from them and look for an alternative source that meets their purchasing rule.  If no source can be found, and they cannot reformulate the product, they will stop making it.

IS THIS PRODUCT VEGAN?
Yes it is.

WHAT ARE THE ACTIVE INGREDIENTS?
They are: Aloe Vera, A full 1.0% Hyaluronic Acid, Alpha Hydroxy acids (not synthetic), Beta Hydroxy acids (not synthetic), Grape Seed Extract, Co-enzyme Q10, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Beta-Glucan, Vitamin K, Essential Oils, Amino Acids,
Marine Pentapeptides.  (vitamins are not synthetic and are not part of a synthetic base).

WHAT CAN ALOE VERA DO FOR MY SKIN?
Aloe Vera enhances bioavailability and provides a natural time-release effect!  Aloe Vera is a natural moisturizer, natural antiseptic, a natural carrier and a natural healer.  Aloe Vera has exceptional ability to enter skin (4 times faster than water!). 

WHAT IS HYALURONIC ACID?
Some want to refer to it as the Fountain of Youth for our millennium. I'll just say it has a very good effect on the skin.  Hyaluronic acid is normally found in great quantities in youthful skin under 30.  Over time, free radicals destroy hyaluronic acid in our skin and by 50-years-old we possess half of the Hyaluronic Acid than in our youth. 

Unlike collagen, hyaluronic acid is extremely hydrophilic (loves water) and can absorb… 1000 times its weight in H2O !  Normally used in concentrations of
0.001%-0.05% in preparations for visible effectiveness.  Devita Natural Skin Care uses no less than 1.00% Hyaluronic Acid in its products!  Traditionally, the source of Hyaluronic Acid for many companies is an animal source… A Scandinavian company has created a “Probiotic,” non-animal-based hyaluronic acid through a process of bacterial fermentation, extraction, and purification. This product is the only source of Hyaluronic Acid in Devita Natural Skin Care Products. This same process is used for our elastin and collagen ingredients.

WHAT IS DMAE (Dimethylaminoethanol)?
DMAE is a nutrient found in high concentrations in fish, such as wild salmon. It has been demonstrated that DMAE causes some degree of skin firming or tightening which is why it is often found in anti-aging skin care products.  In a number of studies, DMAE has been shown to reduce age-related decline in cognitive ability and memory, and hence has been referred to as brain food by those who study it. It was also found to modestly increase life span of laboratory animals.  

Characteristics:  DMAE inhibits and reverses the cross-linking of proteins and removes lipofuscin from the skin, which allows for skin firming. DMAE - like other products of wild salmon such as Astaxanthin - in conjunction with the antioxidants Vitamin C Ester and alpha lipoic acid can have a profound effect on skin health and vitality, including delaying aging and liver spots.

Benefits:  Skin firming is as important for facial rejuvenation as any other facet of skin care, and the brain-beauty connection (DMAE is often called brain food) is an important reason to consider using DMAE.

WHAT IS ASTAXANTHIN?
Function: Astaxanthin, which is famous for making wild salmon look pink or red, traps more types of free radical molecules that are destructive to cells than
any other antioxidant.  Astaxanthin is a strong weapon in the battle against free radicals and the many age-related diseases associated with them. Thus, it is used in the most effective anti-aging skin care creams and supplements. 

Characteristics: Astaxanthin is a red pigment occurring naturally in a wide variety of living organisms. Most crustaceans, including shrimp, crawfish, crabs and
lobster, are tinted red by accumulated astaxanthin; the pink flesh of healthy wild salmon is a clear example.

Benefits: Astaxanthin is a powerful biological antioxidant, especially effective at preventing lipid peroxidation, with up to 500 higher efficacy than vitamin E, and up to 10 times stronger than beta-carotene. Like other products of wild salmon such as DMAE, it is a common ingredient in effective anti-aging creams and supplements.

WHAT IS CENTELLA ASIATICA?
Centella Asiatica also known in Western Culture as Gotu Cola is acknowledged to have value in strengthening the blood vessels and thereby improving
circulation

WHAT IS NaPCA?
NaPCA is a humectant for long lasting moisturization

WHAT IS PENTAPEPTIDE (MATRIXYL)?
Matrixyl(tm) 3000 contains twp matrikines(tm), Pal-GHK and Pal-GQPR which act in synergy to restore and maintain skin's youthful appearance.  These matrikines which are messengers of cutaneous restructuration and repair.  They can used in formulations for:  anti-aging, face-lifting and wrinkle treatment products; suitable for gels, serums, lotions and creams.

HOW SAFE IS YOUR PRODUCT IF YOU ARE NOT USING A SYNTHETIC PRESERVATIVE?
The issue of product preservation is a center point for discussion among consumers as well as for natural product formulators.  Many avenues of distribution require manufacturers to use traditional paraben-based preservatives in their products in order to have access to their industry.  Many products, due to their low pH, are self-preserving and do not need the assistance of ANY type of preservative. These products include: Cleansers containing anti-bacterial ingredients; Toners; Alpha & Beta Hydroxy products containing sufficient amounts of acid for effectiveness; Witch Hazel products.  There are also alternative ingredients that offer preservative benefits: Lecithin, Tea Tree, Green Tea, Vitamin E, Grapeseed Oil, Grapeseed Extract, Grapefruit Seed Extract.

WHAT IS THE SHELF LIFE FOR THIS PRODUCE LINE?
Alternative preservatives allow for an average of an 18-month shelf life once they are placed on the store shelves…As a small manufacturer, we create products in small quantities – they are fresh when you receive them…

I WAS WONDERING IF YOUR PACKAGING (PLASTIC BOTTLES ETC) HAVE BISPHENOL (BPA) IN THEM? I HEARD THAT BPA LEACHES FROM THE PLASTIC BOTTLE INTO THE CONTENTS?
The company responded to this question, and here is their answer: "Good Question...Derived from petroleum, bisphenol A is the chief ingredient in polycarbonate, the rigid, translucent hard plastic used in water bottles and many baby bottles.  We use PET for the manufacture of our bottles. The barrier/plasticizer chemical used in PET bottles is based off of rapeseed/canola oil Erucic acid, using a aminated version.  Erucic acid is pretty much totally safe, unless you eat a lot of it, like most fats. Also, PET can contain trace amounts of Antimony Trioxide, which is one of the catalysts used in it's manufacture. But you probably inhale more antimony from dirt dust.

WHAT DO YOU RECOMMEND FOR SCARRING FROM BLEMISHES?
Cherylanne recommends our Devita High Performance AHA to speed up the cell renewal cycle.

HOW MUCH ZINC OXIDE IS USED IN THE SOLAR CREAM?
Cherylanne notified us that it is 7%.