Codex Beauty Labs Launches Its AntüComplex: A Patent-Pending Protective Formula Made from Powerful Patagonian Plants
Codex Beauty Labs, the plant-based biotech beauty brand, is kicking off 2021 with its second collection of solution- oriented products - Antü, launching February 2021. This latest collection protects the skin’s barrier against reactive oxidative stress with ingredients sourced from the unique, low-pollution climate of the Patagonian rainforest. Designed to protect and restore the skin, the Antü collection includes a range of products to support the microbiome and strengthen the skin barrier in order to defend against UV exposure and particulate pollutants.
Named after the most powerful Pillan spirit in the mythology of the Mapuche native people of Chile, Antü represents the Sun, as well as light, wisdom and spirit and was said to have created the Andes mountains.
To further help stimulate skin barrier protection with its new collection, Codex Beauty Labs has designed the patent-pending AntüComplex, a protective formula made from three Patagonian plants and hydrolized hyaluronic acid, to soothe irritation and reduce inflammation:
+ Matico (Buddleja globosa): contains powerful antioxidants such as flavonoids which help soothe irritated skin.
+ Maqui (Aristotelia chilensis): traditionally used to treat inflammation, it contains polyphenols with a high anthocyanin content. It can help boost sun protection by inhibiting UVB-induced cell damage.
+ Murtilla (Ugni molinae): traditionally used to treat inflammatory conditions, it contains polyphenols such as flavonols and is a powerful source of antioxidants.
+ Hydrolized Hyaluronic Acid helps the skin hydrate and retain moisture, thereby providing priming to enhance the activity of the antioxidants
The AntüComplex is supplemented by other biotech processed plant or fruit actives from South America that are known for their immuno-stimulant and analgesic properties.
“Our patent-pending AntüComplex is focused on skin barrier protection and reduction of oxidative stress from mechanical stress (masks), pollution or UV exposure. These factors are a key root cause for skin irritation and acne, including mask-ne as we have recently seen,” says Barbara Paldus, CEO and Founder of Codex Beauty Labs. “At Codex, our goal is to combine indigenous knowledge with modern science to provide specific solutions for different skin conditions and types. The AntüComplex is named in honor of the Mapuche people, and we will abide by the Nagoya protocol to pay a royalty on sales for the intellectual property contributions of indigenous peoples. The beauty industry has exploited such knowledge for long enough, and it is time to set an example and directly give back.”
With its warm temperatures, moderate rainfall, high elevations, and small population resulting in low levels of pollution, Patagonia’s unique rainforest environment is the optimal setting to produce skin- protecting and healing ingredients such as maqui, matico, murta, boldo, and quillay. Many of the plants used in the Antü collection are the first to re-colonize land that has been eroded or destroyed by avalanches, fires, and droughts. These restorative botanicals help to improve the fertility of the land so that the native forest can regrow.
Harnessing the power of bio-actives from Patagonian plants long valued by the Mapuche people for their protecting and healing properties, Codex Beauty Labs maintains its uncompromised quality with its Antü Collection by collaborating with experts in botany, foraging, genetic analysis, biotech, and formulation to leverage the purest and most effective ingredients possible.
The supply chain plays an integral role in production: from partnerships with local Mapuche wild harvesters to gather the biomass in the native forest, through the extraction and bio- processing of the active ingredient. At all steps, Codex Beauty Labs ensures that these plant-based bio-actives meet the highest standards of activity and sustainability. A royalty on all Antü product sales will also be provided to fund local Mapuche initiatives.