Knowledge · Active ingredients
Was in The Duo works
Our active ingredients have been carefully selected and specifically combined to support regeneration processes and slow down skin ageing at cellular level. Dermatologically tested and suitable for all skin types. Here we explain each one – what it does, why it's in there and who it's for.
The short answer
The Duo kombiniert neun aktive Wirkstoffe mit fünf Pflanzenextrakten: 2% Hyaluronsäure aus drei Molekülgrössen, 2% Vitamin C (3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid), 5% Niacinamid und 1% Zink PCA — ergänzt durch Ceramide, Vitamin E, Panthenol, Jojobaöl und Squalan sowie Aloe Vera, Bakuchiol, Edelweiss, Enzianwurzel und Tamarindensamen.
Part 1
Aktive Wirkstoffe
Nine active ingredients in sensible concentrations – high enough for visible effects, gentle enough for sensitive skin.
3x hyaluronic acid
Hyaluronsäure ist ein körpereigener Feuchtigkeitsbinder, der ein Vielfaches seines Eigengewichts an Wasser speichern kann. Wir setzen 2% Hyaluronsäure aus drei verschiedenen Molekülgrössen ein: Grosse Moleküle bilden einen Feuchtigkeitsfilm auf der Hautoberfläche, mittlere und kleine ziehen tiefer ein und polstern von innen auf. Das Ergebnis ist intensive Feuchtigkeit auf mehreren Hautebenen, ein pralleres Hautgefühl und sichtbar gemilderte Fältchen und Trockenheitslinien. Weil Hyaluron praktisch kein Reizpotenzial mitbringt, eignet es sich auch für empfindliche Haut — morgens und abends.
Ideal for: trockene Haut, feine Linien und Haut, die trotz Creme spannt.
Read the guide: combining vitamin C & hyaluronic acid →
Vitamin C (3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid)
With 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, we use one of the most stable and effective forms of vitamin C. Unlike classic ascorbic acid, it doesn't break down on contact with light and air, so it stays effective for as long as you use it. Vitamin C has an antioxidant effect, protects against premature skin ageing and can visibly reduce dark spots and scars. The 2% concentration is a deliberate choice: high enough for visible effects, gentle enough for sensitive skin.
Ideal for: fahle Haut, Pigmentflecken und erste Zeichen der Hautalterung.
Read the guide: the stable form of vitamin C →
Niacinamid
Niacinamide – vitamin B3 – is considered one of the best-researched and best-tolerated active ingredients in skincare. At a 5% concentration, it refines pores, reduces redness and minimises blemishes without irritating the skin. At the same time, it supports the skin barrier and the skin's own collagen production – so it works on the cause and on the look of your skin at once. Niacinamide combines easily with all the other active ingredients in the Duo and can be used morning and evening.
Ideal for: Haut, die gleichzeitig zu Rötungen und Unreinheiten neigt.
Read the guide: combining niacinamide & vitamin C →
Zink PCA
Zinc PCA combines the trace element zinc with PCA, one of the skin's natural moisturising factors. The combination regulates sebum production, has an antibacterial effect and calms inflammation – without drying out the skin, as classic anti-blemish ingredients often do. At the same time, the PCA component supports the moisture balance and the skin's natural renewal. That's exactly why zinc PCA also suits sensitive, blemish-prone skin for which harsh active ingredients are not an option.
Ideal for: Mischhaut und Unreinheiten bei gleichzeitig empfindlicher Haut.
Ceramide
Ceramides are lipids found naturally in the skin – the mortar between skin cells that holds the skin's protective layer together. With age and external stressors, their levels decrease; the skin loses moisture more quickly and reacts more sensitively. In skincare, ceramides replenish this lipid layer from the outside: they strengthen the skin barrier, ensure long-lasting moisture and support a stable, healthy skin structure. One of the most important active ingredients for skin that reacts to a lot.
Ideal for: Haut, die trotz Creme kurz nach dem Auftragen wieder spannt.
Read the guide: combining ceramides & vitamin C →
Vitamin E
Vitamin E (Tocopherol) is the classic protective antioxidant in skincare. It neutralises free radicals caused by UV light and environmental influences, protecting skin cells and the lipids of the skin barrier from oxidative stress. It also supports the skin's natural regeneration. In the Duo, it deliberately works together with vitamin C – the two antioxidants complement and reinforce each other.
Ideal for: Haut, die täglich Umwelteinflüssen ausgesetzt ist.
Panthenol
Panthenol – provitamin B5 – is the classic among soothing active ingredients. It calms an irritated skin feel, strengthens the moisture balance and helps the skin recover. Because it has practically no irritation potential of its own, it is one of the active ingredients that even very sensitive and stressed skin usually tolerates well – and it is especially suitable when your skin needs a rest after too many active products.
Ideal for: gereizte Haut nach einer Phase mit zu vielen Produkten.
Jojobaöl
Strictly speaking, jojoba oil isn't an oil but a liquid wax – and its structure is so similar to the skin's own sebum that the skin absorbs it particularly well. It keeps the skin supple, supports its natural balance and absorbs without leaving it greasy or clogging the pores. That's why it works equally well for dry and blemish-prone skin.
Ideal for: alle Hauttypen, die Pflege ohne schweres Hautgefühl wollen.
Squalan
Squalane is the stable form of squalene, a natural component of the skin's own hydrolipid film. It lies on the skin like a breathable protective layer, prevents moisture loss and makes the skin noticeably soft and supple – no fragrance, no irritation potential, no greasy film. A quiet active ingredient that backs up the work of the moisturisers in the Duo, so that moisture stays where it belongs.
Ideal for: trockene und empfindliche Haut.
Part 2
Pflanzenextrakte
Specifically selected to soothe and protect the skin and support its regeneration – for a balanced complexion, even with sensitive skin.
Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is the base of both products – in our ingredient list, the juice comes first, even before water. It provides intense moisture and at the same time has an anti-inflammatory effect. Aloe vera helps the skin to regenerate and relieves redness and irritation. For sensitive or stressed skin in particular, this ensures a balanced, calm complexion.
Ideal for: sensible und gestresste Haut.
Bakuchiol
Bakuchiol is obtained from the seeds of the babchi plant and works in a similar way to retinol – but is much gentler and better tolerated, even by sensitive skin. It promotes cell renewal, smooths fine lines and can reduce blemishes, without the typical adjustment phase with redness and peeling that many people know from retinol. At the same time, it strengthens the skin's structure without irritating it.
Ideal for: alle, die Retinol nicht gut vertragen haben.
Read the guide: bakuchiol or retinol? →
Edelweiss
Edelweiss survives extreme UV radiation and temperature swings in the high mountains – made possible by its exceptionally high levels of antioxidants. The extract uses exactly these protective substances: it protects the skin from free radicals and environmental influences and is also anti-inflammatory and soothing. Our edelweiss extract comes from Switzerland.
Ideal for: sensible Haut, die schnell auf Stress oder äussere Reize reagiert.
Enzianwurzel
Gentian root is rich in natural bitter compounds – and these are exactly what make it interesting for the skin. The extract helps to stabilise the skin barrier, has a soothing effect on irritated skin and can reduce redness and even out the complexion. It helps the skin regain its natural resilience. Our gentian root extract is organic and comes from Switzerland.
Ideal for: reaktive Haut mit Rötungen.
Tamarindensamen
The polysaccharide from tamarind seeds binds moisture in the skin and improves its elasticity. It acts like a natural moisture booster that makes the skin look plumper and more supple, and complements the hyaluronic acid in the Duo with a plant-based moisture component. Ideal when your skin needs new freshness.
Ideal for: trockene oder fahle Haut.
All 14 in two products
The Duo combines these active ingredients and extracts in one serum and one cream – the same two steps morning and evening, fragrance-free, developed and made in Switzerland.
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