Chirally Correct

What makes SIRCUIT® Cosmeceuticals products more effective than the brand I was using?

One reason is the ingredients we use and how they are formulated. SIRCUIT® products contain the highest concentrations of the newest, most effective, active ingredients. Unlike so many products on the market that contain only token amounts of active ingredients, SIRCUIT® products virtually overflow with state-of-the-art ingredients. Concentration is the key. We're also proud of the ingredients that are missing from SIRCUIT® products. They're free of artificial colors, artificial fragrance and artificial preservatives.

The second reason is that SIRCUIT® formulations are Chirally Correct. When a skin product's ingredients are Chirally Correct, the ingredients have the unique ability to link up properly with the skin's cell receptors (for better absorption) meaning that the product can deliver the most effective results with the fewest possible adverse reactions. It's a fact that Chirally Correct ingredients have the ability to deliver outstanding results - far superior to ordinary products you may be used to using. Be sure to check out the Why it Works page on our website for a thorough explanation and all the facts behind this breakthrough technology.

What does Chirally Correct mean?

Chiral Technology is based on the 1848 discovery by Louis Pasteur that all molecules have 2 identical sides or shapes. Scientific research has also confirmed that although both sides of a molecule may appear identical, they do not always feature the same properties or benefits. In contrast, it has also been firmly established that the human body is selective about which side of a particular molecule shape is able to form a perfect bond with the skin's cells (or cell receptors) in order for that particular ingredients benefits to absorb.

When a product is Chirally Correct, it means that it contains only the side of the molecules with the ability to give the desired results (by the way, always identified on the product label by either an L for the left side of the molecule or D for the right side, before each of the ingredients). When you use only the "effective" side of an ingredient molecule you are guaranteed that each ingredient has the greatest targeted benefits possible.

All SIRCUIT® Cosmeceuticals product formulations utilize advanced, "body friendly", Chiral Technology to separate out the correct side of the active ingredient molecule and only use the side of the ingredient molecule that fits, ensuring ultimate absorption. Another great benefit is, by eliminating the other, "ineffective" side of the ingredient molecule, you have less chance for any adverse reactions (which is great news for those of us with sensitive skin).

Why are Chirally Correct ingredients better than artificial ingredients?

Chiral technology makes it possible for us to give you a product that is better than synthetic or even natural alone, because the additional step of separating the molecules (Chiral purification) allows us to remove the undesirable side of the ingredient molecule and use only the desirable one. Which increases the absorption rate, resulting in ensuring you the full benefit of that particular ingredient.

Understanding Chiral Technology is the key to understanding why SIRCUIT® products are so wonderfully effective! This knowledge completely redefines what we should be putting on our skin. It is also why ALL products that are either ingested or applied topically should be Chirally Correct ... and one day soon, they will be!

But let's not confuse synthetic with artificial.

It is artificial ingredients that are often the dangerous ones, not the synthetic ones. The synthetic ones are only dangerous if they are not Chirally correct, and the same goes for natural ingredients. For both synthetic and natural it is important to use the molecule that is the most effective while also being the safest.

I’ll illustrate Vitamin E for example: D-alpha tocopherol is the natural form of vitamin E. When vitamin E is synthesized (made in a lab) it results in both the D-alpha tocopherol and the L- alpha tocopherol (DL alpha tocopherol). The L molecule is not desirable and is often the one that produces allergic reactions. However, the synthesized D molecules and the natural D molecules are identical.

There is no way that a scientist can tell the difference between a natural D-alpha tocopherol and a synthetic D-alpha tocopherol. So, if your product contains D-alpha tocopherol -- whether it is synthetic or natural, you will be getting the form that is the best. The fact that the D- alpha tocopherol was made in a lab makes absolutely no difference.

You do however want to avoid using DL alpha tocopherol (typical in many skincare products).

Now, let's take a natural ingredient as an example of why the correct chiral molecule makes all the difference. Limonene is a very active component of many fruits and vegetables. When you use a fruit or vegetable that contains limonene you will get both the d-limonene and the l-limonene.

The D molecule makes an excellent industrial cleanser, tire recycling agent and a great natural insect repellent but it can be very harsh on the skin. The L molecule provides all the benefits to the skin -- a mild cleanser, antibacterial agent, anti-fungal, etc -- all the benefits a skin care product needs.

If you use just the fruit or vegetable you would be getting both the harsh D molecule and the beneficial L molecule. However, if you separate the molecules (Chiral correction) it is then possible to eliminate the harsh D and use only the beneficial L molecule in the skin care product. It is more important that the intended ingredient be the right Chiral molecule, than whether or not it natural or synthetic.

What it should not ever be is artificial.

I was curious about the shelf-life of your products. How long are they good for from the purchase date?

Great question! All SIRCUIT® products are formulated fresh with no preservatives, chemicals or fillers. They all have a "Half Life" of approximately 300 to 400 days depending on the product. A "Half Life" is the amount of time (measured in days) at which a product starts to degrade, once the formula has been activated. This also means that at the "Half Life" point the products don't expire, per-say, but begin to become less effective. So, assume approximately 12 months, from the time of purchase, to be on the safe side. FYI: Traditional skin care companies add artificial preservatives to keep the product "good" for usually 3 to 4 years, but those artificial preservatives are not good for the human body and should be avoided.

Are your products gluten free?

In skin care, products that are gluten free should not contain ingredients such as wheat protein, or ingredients derived from wheat or other grains -- athough rice is gluten free. The majority of our products do not contain those grains or anything derived from those grains. However, it is not that simple to make the claim that our products are gluten free as there is always the potential that ingredients can be contaminated in the processing stage if raw materials are put through machines that also process grains.

For example, our Happiness™ moisturizer and Crystal Creme™ conditioner do contain wheat germ oil and it is recommend that those who are extremely sensitive avoid these products as wheat germ oil may contain traces of gluten. If you do have celiacs disease and/or gluten sensitivities we recommend that you test products with an at home gluten testing kit before use.

Are your products safe to use during pregnancy?

Yes, however, we do not recommend using products that contain Salicylic Acid (similar to to the active component of aspirin) such as Savior™, SIRCUIT® Agent™ and Fixzit™. Also, remember that during pregnancy you can become sensitive to products that may not typically affect you. If you are unsure, it is always advised to check with your physician prior to use.

Why are your products so expensive?

That's a great question? We think the simple answer is that we are worth it. However, to answer that question fully, I need to give you a little background on how we formulate. SIRCUIT® products are formulated a very special way and are super concentrated. We do this for a couple of reasons. Because we formulate paraben free, with no artificial preservatives, we use the natural anti-bacterial and anti-fungal ingredients themselves to help preserve the product. SIRCUIT® formulates a pure product with only high levels of pure active ingredients, containing absolutely no fillers and as little water as possible. Using a pure product ensures a better result simply because there is a larger amount of the effective ingredients to do the job intended. In addition, using Chiral ingredients ensures that you get the full benefit of the ingredient, eliminating the potential for adverse reactions. Now compare this against any popular brand name product in the same category and price point and look how the "others" formulate. In general, traditional skin care products are all pretty much formulated the same way using basically the same or at least a very similar procedure.

Water is usually the first ingredient. Unfortunately, we never know how much water is actually used and since it's the first ingredient we only know it is the largest amount in the formula. Lots of variation can happen here and the whole purpose of the product can change even though it is listed as exactly the same ingredient list. Imagine a very watered down version of the same exact formula, it would read exactly the same, however the problem is the product will produce very different results. Next is usually the "active ingredients", giving the product the reason to exist (i.e. Vitamin C, Green Tea, Vitamin E, infusion of botanicals etc...). After that there are all sorts of chemicals and added fillers, and parabens to preserve the product etc. Following that it's finished off with scents and smells along with synthetic colors if necessary. These things are added mostly to hit the margin and price point for the manufacturer or retailer and of course to appeal to you, the consumer.

So can you start to see what we are talking about? Margin plays a huge role in the formulation process to hit the desired price point, not necessarily the products effectiveness.

Our sole focus is assuring you that SIRCUIT® products and formulations are the most effective product we could make. Period. The way SIRCUIT® products are formulated serves a couple of functions. One is that because they are super concentrated, you only need to use a small amount to achieve better results, and using smaller amounts of the product also means that they will last you longer. They are formulated to be supercharged (i.e.: Chiral technology pure products, high concentrations of active ingredients) compared with the "other way" to formulate. It is one reason why so many people complain that they don't see any results from most of the "other" skin care they use. How could they?

Now let's compare as an example our X-Trap™ cleanser (4 oz $38.00 retail) versus a $20.00 or $24.00 average price cleanser from our competitors. Because of our concentration levels we could actually split our X-Trap™ into three bottles. Even without adding the extra fillers and preservatives the “others’ do and just add additional water to top it off, we could sell the product for $20.00. In the end we would have 3 bottles of the same size 4 oz cleansers selling for $20.00 each and would make us $60.00 vs. $38.00. The bad thing for the consumer is that the product would be watered down, and simply not be as effective.

So who is really more expensive?

SIRCUIT® Cosmeceuticals formulates the product first, making sure it is pure, does the job it was designed to do and is extremely effective, then we price it out. What we do is simply choose to formulate a different way and will leave it up to our customers decide which product is more beneficial.

What is a comedone?

You may have noticed on labels where it says "non-comedogenic". A comedone is a blockage of sebaceous oils and dead skin material stuck in the opening of a pore or hair follicle. The follicle may be open (blackhead) or almost closed (whitehead). Non-comedogenic ingredients do not promote blockage of pores. Some typical comedogenic ingredients (ingredients that cause blackheads and whiteheads) found in many products include: Isopropyl Myristate; Isopropyl Palmitate; Myristyl Myristate and the below mentioned Sodium Laurel Sulfate, which is why it's so important to check your labels.

What's so bad about Sodium Lauryl Sulfate? It's in everything!

Well, for starters, Sodium Laurel Sulfate (SLS) denatures protein (skin and hair are made up of protein). It is also a mutagen. This means that it is capable of changing the information in genetic material found in cells. It is also an eye irritant. One study, to determine the effect of SLS in the eye, found that SLS is rapidly taken up and accumulated by eye tissues and retained for up to five days which is particularly harmful to the developing eyes of young children (and I thought it was just about tears!).

It was also found to cause changes in some proteins of eye tissues and it can extend the healing time in injured eyes. SLS can damage the outer layer of skin, causing dryness, roughness, and scaling, fissuring, loss of flexibility and can reduce the barrier function of normal healthy skin.

Sodium Laurel Sulfate is also a comedogenic. It is the cheapest surfactant (sudsing agent) available to formulate products. It's in everything from dish soap to driveway degreasers. There are other options available for surfactants that are gentle and effective, so we don't believe SLS should be used on the skin.

SIRCUIT® Cosmeceuticals has never formulated with SLS.

Do you have to pay a steep price for a good product?

If you're asking, "do you get what you pay for", then the answer is "not always". Ingredients and technology determine how good a product will be and unfortunately too many skin care products, regardless of price, are composed of what we call "roses and vaseline".

By that we mean they're comprised of petroleum, mineral oil, wax, a great fragrance and only token amounts of active ingredients. Use of these products may give you what you believe to be a good result because the petrolatum and mineral oil will make the skin feel moist, the wax will coat the skin making it appear smoother and the fragrance makes you feel good.

Unfortunately, these ingredients are also clogging the pores, and interfering with the skin's ability to breathe and eliminate; which are 2 very important functions of the largest organ of our body.

If you doubt what I'm saying, just check out the ingredient list of the products in the stores. Recently, I discovered a very elegant cream selling for $450 an ounce (you know the one). The main ingredients... Petroleum, mineral oil, waxes, and lots of fragrance (?). Another "therapeutic" cream selling for $125 was so loaded with wax that the only way it would spread was to hold it between my fingers for a few seconds in order to soften it.

Of course, the salesperson was quick to tell me that this was a very special treatment cream which was why it couldn't be spread over the face without first holding it between the fingers. Yeah, right. Great marketing story! And for those of you, who believe it is possible to purchase an effective product for $12.00, think again.

Not only are the raw materials required for an effective product more expensive than that, the "big-business" manufacturers are charged a hefty fees to place their products on the shelves in the major stores and to produce huge ad campaigns. They, therefore, need a substantial markup. That $12.00 product probably cost no more than $1.50 to make and that's including the packaging, etc. How good could it be? You may even think it to be very good because of all the "wonderful herbs" it contains. Yes, there are 20 different beneficial herbs listed on the label, and it does contain all those herbs, but not in the way you might think. It contains only a few drops of an infusion of those various herbs. In other words, 20 different herbs were brewed into a "tea" and then a few drops of the "tea" were added to the product formula. If the product is inexpensive, the manufacturer cannot do it any other way.

What is an antioxidant?

An antioxidant is an ingredient to counteract oxidation and destroy, neutralize or re-direct free radicals (rogue oxygen molecules). They neutralize free radicals by donating one of their own electrons, ending the electron-"stealing" reaction. The antioxidant nutrients themselves don't become free radicals by donating an electron because they are stable in either form. Antioxidants act as scavengers, helping to prevent cell and tissue damage that could lead to cellular damage and disease. They chemically react with free radicals to convert the rogue oxygen (reactive oxygen species) into water. Antioxidants are important agents in protecting the cells from oxidative damage caused by rogue oxygen free radicals that can lead to premature aging.

What causes skin aging?

The number one cause of skin aging is from sun damage (excessive exposure to UVA and UVB rays) and environmental pollution such as cigarette smoke (one puff on a cigarette or breathing in second hand smoke introduces several trillion rampaging free radicals into your body and doesn't allow oxygen to reach the skin, and depletes the body of Vitamin C). Other contributing factors are smog, and chemicals. These factors cause cross-linking of collagen and elastin (the fibers become disorganized bundles instead of fibers that are lined up properly), which often results in a free radical cascade, causing your skin to age. The end result is sagging skin and deep facial lines. Additionally, the lack of circulation, lack of proper nutrition and/or lack of sleep are other reasons. Your family genes can also play a significant role in the way your skin responds to the aging process.

Why does our skin deteriorate as we age and can I do anything about it? All the expensive department store products I've been using really don't seem to work, but I know I should be doing something.

Our skin deteriorates as we age because our natural elasticity diminishes and several things cause this. As our skin ages, the communication between the various layers of skin is hindered because of a critical decrease in the number of growth-factor receptors and due to constant free radical attack. To create a suppler, firmer texture, and to prevent loss of elasticity, SIRCUIT® Addict™and OMG™ Serum can be incorporated into your daily routine to encourage collagen production and promote healthier skin cells.

What are free radicals?

Free radicals are normal oxygen bearing units that wander off their intended paths of usefulness. They contain vital oxygen for the deepest tissue respiration. They are highly reactive chemicals that have unpaired electrons. This process is called oxidation. Generally, free radicals attack the nearest stable molecule, "stealing" its electron. When the "attacked" molecule loses its electron, it becomes a free radical itself, beginning a chain reaction. Once the process is started, it can cascade, finally resulting in the disruption of living cells. Some free radicals arise normally during metabolism and sometimes the body's immune system's cells purposefully create them to neutralize viruses and bacteria. However, environmental factors such as pollution, radiation, cigarette smoke and herbicides can also spawn free radicals. Normally, the body can handle free radicals, but if antioxidants are unavailable, or if the free-radical production becomes excessive, damage can occur. Free radicals can damage important cellular molecules such as DNA or lipids or other parts of the cell. Also, free radical damage accumulates with age.

What does Oxidative Stress mean?

Oxidative Stress (OS) is a general term used to describe the steady state level of oxidative damage in a cell, tissue, or organ, caused by the reactive oxygen species (ROS). This damage can affect a specific molecule or the entire organism. Reactive oxygen species, such as free radicals and peroxides, represent a class of molecules that are derived from the metabolism of oxygen and exist inherently in all oxygen breathing organisms. There are many different sources by which the reactive oxygen species are generated. Most reactive oxygen species are exogenous -- they originate or grow within an organism or tissue as by-products of normal and essential metabolic reactions, such as energy generation from mitochondria or the detoxification reactions involving the liver cytochrome P-450 enzyme system. Exogenous sources include exposure to cigarette smoke, environmental pollutants such as emission from automobiles and industries, excessive alcohol consumption, asbestos, and exposure to ionizing radiation, bacterial, fungal or viral infections.

What is the difference between moisturizing and hydrating your skin?

Moisturizers are more emollient, creating suppleness in your skin, while hydration replenishes lost moisture due to free radical stressors, harsh products or environments.

I have oily skin, why does it need moisture?

Even though your skin is oily, it can still suffer from dehydration. Molecular Mist™ is very effective at deep cellular hydration without adding extra, unnecessary oil.

The general public is starting to demand results driven skin care rather than just pampering products - what sort of results does this range give? What skin problems can it help?

This is a very good point. The general public is becoming increasingly aware of what they put in their bodies and what they apply topically to their skin.

SIRCUIT® Cosmeceuticals is more than just skin care - it's skin health! This is why we use Cosmeceuticals in our name. Our products are geared towards giving the user the healthiest skin they can possibly have. We've gone way beyond skincare at the cellular level - we work at the molecular level! Our products are anti-aging, gentle, effective and great for all skin types.

For example, our X-Trap™ daily cleanser is suitable for people with rosacea, extremely effective on acne and gentle enough for post-laser surgery. Also, Molecular Mist™ helps inactivate certain acne bacteria but can also help dry skin regain its pH balance and optimum moisture levels. So, really, our pure product formulations can not only address multiple skin issues but also feel nice and smell wonderful.

Why should I use a night cream?

While at rest, your skin has a more reparative process. Using Dreamweaver™ and Cloud 9™ as a night treatment helps regenerate collagen production and the growth of healthy young cells. Dreamweaver™ and Cloud 9™ help soothe stressed skin while nourishing and strengthening it.

When should I apply a serum?

Serums should be applied daily (both morning and night) to clean skin before moisturizers or eye treatment products.

Do I need to use a separate eye cream even though I use a regular moisturizer?

Yes, because the skin around the eye is thinner, it requires special attention. White Out™ moisturizes this sensitive area while helping eliminate dark circles as it optically brightens the contours of the eye. I. Cee U.™ firms the thin skin and decreases puffiness. Eye Dew™ hydrates, nourishes and protects from environmental pollutants and free radical damage.

Does using SIRCUIT® replace having professional facials?

Using SIRCUIT® as your daily, weekly and monthly skin care regime will augment your visits to the esthetician and leave you looking better between visits. Many times your skin care professional will have access to stronger strength products, or will know about any new product formulations and, after all, nothing replaces the human touch. P.S. It's always best to leave extractions to the professionals.