Chemical identity:
Niacinamide is the amide form of niacin (vitamin B3). Its proper name is nicotinamide.
Vitamin class:
Part of the B-complex vitamins, specifically B3 — an essential nutrient the body cannot make on its own.
Molecular nature:
A small, stable, low-molecular-weight molecule, which is why it penetrates skin easily when formulated correctly.
Physiological presence:
Naturally present in the human body as part of normal cellular energy and repair cycles.
Dietary origin:
Found in foods such as meat, fish, nuts, seeds, and grains, or synthesised industrially for supplements and cosmetics.
pH behaviour:
Chemically stable across a broad pH range (roughly pH 5–7).
Manufacturing source:
Commercial niacinamide is synthetically produced to pharmaceutical or cosmetic grade for purity and consistency.
Regulatory status:
Classified as a vitamin active, not a drug. Approved globally for cosmetic and dietary use.
INCI name:
Listed simply as Niacinamide on ingredient labels.

What does it do?

Visibly minimize enlarged pores.
Tightens lax or stretched out pores.
Improves uneven skin tone.
Helps with dark spots and hyperpigmentation.
Softens fine lines and wrinkles.
Diminish dullness
Strengthens a weakened skin surface.
Increases the skin’s ability to maintain hydration.

How does it work?

Reduces the impact of environmental damage on your skin
It has the ability to improve skin's lipid barrier (the layer of water and oil that protects your skin and the first line of defence).
Helps lock moisture in and keep pollutants or other potential irritants out.
Makes your skin more hydrated and less sensitive.
Helps skin to repair signs of past damage. Left unchecked, this type of daily assault makes skin appear older, dull and less radiant

Why is Niacinamide used in Rainne Skincare Products?

Besides all the wonderful benefits above it is a great multitasker and support product for dry & eczema skin types.

Back to Index

Salicylic Acid

What is Salicylic Acid?

Chemical identity:
It is an organic compound and a plant hormone. The name is from Latin 'salix' for willow tree, from which it was initially identified and derived. Salicylic acid is an aromatic hydroxy acid. Its proper chemical name is 2-hydroxybenzoic acid. It is classed as a cosmetic active/exfoliating acid rather than a nutrient like niacinamide.
Molecular nature:
A small, low-molecular-weight organic acid with a molecular weight of 138.12 g/mol, which helps explain why it can penetrate into the upper layers of skin effectively when properly formulated.
Physiological presence:
It is not an essential human nutrient, but small amounts of salicylic acid can be found in humans naturally, including from diet, and it is also the principal metabolite of aspirin in the body.
Dietary origin:
Salicylic acid and related salicylates occur naturally in plant foods, especially certain fruits, vegetables, herbs, spices, legumes and some cereals.
pH behaviour:
It is a weak acid with a pKa of about 2.97, so it remains more in its free-acid form at lower pH and becomes more ionised as pH rises. That is why salicylic acid products are usually formulated in an acidic range rather than near-neutral pH.
Manufacturing source:
Although historically linked to willow-derived compounds, commercial salicylic acid is usually made synthetically on an industrial scale, commonly by the Kolbe–Schmitt process from sodium phenoxide and carbon dioxide, to achieve reliable purity and consistency.
Regulatory status:
Salicylic acid is a regulated cosmetic and pharmaceutical active. In the EU, it is a restricted cosmetic ingredient under Annex III and also allowed as a preservative under Annex V with concentration limits and conditions of use; the SCCS concluded it is safe at 0.5% as a preservative, with certain other cosmetic uses allowed up to 3% in rinse-off hair products and 2% in many other product types, subject to restrictions. In the US, FDA’s OTC acne monograph permits salicylic acid at 0.5% to 2% in topical acne drug products.
INCI name:
Listed simply as Salicylic Acid on ingredient labels.

What does it do?

Clears and unclogs blocked pores.
Helps reduce blackheads and whiteheads.
Improves the appearance of enlarged pores.
Gently exfoliates dead skin cells.
Helps smooth rough and uneven skin texture.
Reduces excess surface oil.
Improves overall skin clarity.
Promotes a fresher, brighter-looking complexion

How does it work?

Penetrates into the pores and helps dissolve the mixture of oil and dead skin that causes blockages.
Breaks down the bonds between dead skin cells so they can shed more easily.
Helps keep pores clear by preventing the build-up of excess oil and debris.
Supports the natural skin renewal process by gently exfoliating the surface layer.
Reduces congestion that can lead to blackheads, whiteheads and blemishes.
Leaves skin looking clearer, smoother and more refined over time.

Why is Salicylic Acid used in Rainne Skincare Products?

We use Salicylic Acid for its Antimicrobial and Anti-Irritant benefits.
Salicylic acid can improve skin thickness, barrier functions, and collagen production.
It penetrates into the pore and exfoliates inside the pore as well as on the surface of the skin.
Effective for reducing blemishes, blackheads, whiteheads and reducing acne.
For oily skin its great because it removes excess oil and unclogs pores significantly.
We do not recommend it for dry or eczema skin types.

Back to Index

Carrier Oil

Grapeseed Oil

Grapeseed Oil is the quiet achiever in skincare, lightweight, fast-absorbing, and full of skin-loving nutrients. Non-comedogenic (won’t clog pores)
Perfect for oily, acne-prone, or sensitive skin. Rich in antioxidants, especially vitamin E and polyphenols, which fight free radicals and slow down skin ageing.
Tightens & tones and therefore naturally astringent, it firms skin and reduces the appearance of pores.
Boosts collagen contains proanthocyanidins, known to improve elasticity and support collagen production.
Moisturising without heaviness, it really hydrates deeply while still feeling light on the skin and has no greasy residue.
Bonus features:
It Soothes inflammation which is great for calming redness, acne, and irritation.
It supports scar healing and with regular use can help fade acne scars and improve overall skin texture.
This is why Rainne uses Grapeseed Oil because it improves absorption and also carries the active ingredient of niacinamide deeper into the skin, making it a perfect base oil.
Ideal for dry, eczema, psoriasis and sensitive skin types.
"Lightweight. Powerful. Skin-Loving."
Grapeseed Oil hydrates and firms all without clogging pores.

Back to Index

Essential Oils

Geranium Essential Oil

Geranium Essential Oil is like nature’s balancing act floral, fresh, and brilliant for both skin and mood.
Ideal for both oily and dry skin, helping regulate oil without drying or clogging. It has Anti-inflammatory properties that reduces redness, swelling, and skin sensitivity.
It has Antibacterial & Antimicrobial properties and therefore helps keep breakouts at bay and supports clear skin.
Naturally astringent, so it firms skin and reduces the appearance of pores.
Encourages cell regeneration and can fade scars and blemishes over time. Blends well with lavender.
Ideal for dry, cracked, combination, or mature skin. Daily skincare routines needing balance and tone.
"Balance in a Bottle"

Back to Index

Essential Oils

Lavender Essential Oil

Lavender fields in full bloom stretching toward the horizon.

Lavender Essential Oil is the ultimate all-rounder, gentle, soothing, and incredibly versatile.
As an Anti-inflammatory, it calms redness, irritation, and flare-ups.
It is Antibacterial and helps prevent and heal skin issues by reducing bacteria on the skin. Soothing & Healing by speeding up skin recovery from cuts, burns, bites, and blemishes.
Balances oil production and gently supports both dry and oily skin types. Anti-ageing, it contains antioxidants that fight free radicals and reduce fine lines.
Also known for easing stress, anxiety, and nervous tension. It Improves sleep, promotes restful sleep and reduces insomnia when inhaled or applied before bed.
Blends beautifully with oils like Geranium & Tea Tree.
Ideal for gentle facial & body oils to aid anyone with sensitive, irritated, or stressed-out skin.
"Soothes skin. Calms the mind."

Back to Index

Essential Oils

Tea Tree Essential Oil

Tea tree plantation on a green hillside under a blue sky.

Tea Tree Essential Oil is a powerful allrounder for clear and healthy skin.
Its sharp, purifying, and fast-acting.
Its Antibacterial & Antimicrobial, fights bacteria and keeps pores clean.
Its Anti-inflammatory, reduces redness, swelling, and irritation, great for blemishes and bug bites.
Its Antifungal, helps treat fungal skin issues like athlete’s foot or dandruff.
Its Cleansing, deep-cleans skin without stripping natural moisture.
It Controls, by balancing sebum(oils and prevents clogged pores).
Ideal for tackling inflammation caused by bacteria on broken skin.
"Purify. Soothe. Clear."

Back to Index

What is an Essential Oil?

Abstract illustration of essential oil molecules and active ingredients interacting

An essential oil is a concentrated hydrophobic(tending to repel or fail to mix with water) liquid containing volatile (easily evaporated at normal temperatures) chemical compounds from plants.
Essential oils are also known as volatile oils, ethereal oils, aetheroleum, or simply as the oil of the plant from which they were extracted, such as oil of clove.
An essential oil is essential in the sense that it contains the essence of the plant's fragrance, the characteristic fragrance of the plant from which it is derived.
The term "essential" used here does not mean indispensable or usable by the human body, as with the terms essential amino acid or essential fatty acid, which are so called because they are nutritionally required by a living organism

Back to Index

How do they work?

Active oil droplets penetrating the skin’s surface in a realistic skincare illustration.

Our skin is permeable, meaning it absorbs substances applied to its surface.
Essential oils, which are made up of plant compounds that can be absorbed through the skin.
The reputed benefits include having Antibacterial, Antifungal, Anti-Inflammatory, Protective Antioxidant and Antimicrobial properties, balancing or reducing skin oils, calming inflammation or irritation, helping to preserve skin moisture, supporting skin repair, improving the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and many other desirable actions.
Due to essential oils being the distillation of the aromatic leaves, flowers, barks, and roots of plants in concentrated form they are not meant for these oils to be applied directly to the skin.
Essential Oils are too potent, therefore they must be diluted into carrier oils otherwise they can cause reactions, such as severe irritation, flushing, or burning. Carrier oils dilute the essential oils and help “carry” them into the skin.

Back to Index

What is the difference between Essential Oils & Carrier Oils?

Torn blue paper revealing the text “What is the difference?” on a white background.

Essential Oils are steam-distilled.

Carrier Oils are cold-pressed.

Back to Index

Why do we prefer Essential Oils & Carrier Oils to be our base medium for our active ingredients?

Scientist measuring pH levels of a liquid using a digital pH meter beside a laboratory microscope.

Essential Oils and Carrier Oils do not need to follow the pH balance like water based products do.
When using water based products you have to add extra ingredients to maintain the pH and use preservatives to preserve the ingredients in the product. Thats why you will see a myriad of ingredients listed in these products.
Rainne Skincare products only have the active ingredient and the combination of carrier oils for their varied beneficial properties to dilute the combination of essential oils used for their desired properties to create our unique blend.
Essential Oils & Carrier Oils not only provide healing properties, they also give the skin a moisturised luxurious velvet feel and provides a wonderful natural fragrance embedded from their natural source.

Back to Index

Precautions

Warnings

For external use only.
Avoid contact with the eyes. If this happens rinse well with lukewarm water.
If irritation occurs, discontinue use.
Contains essential oils – not recommended for children under 13.
Keep in a cool dry place out of direct sunlight.
This product may increase your skin sensitivity to the sun. Always apply a good SPF if going into the sun for long periods.
Keep out of the reach of children.

Back to Index