Ingredient Library

Ceramides for Skin: The Essential Building Blocks of a Healthy Skin Barrier When it comes to hydrated, resilient and healthy-looking skin, Ceramides are non-negotiable. These naturally occurring lipids are essential for maintaining the skin barrier, locking in moisture and protecting skin from environmental stress. Often described as the “glue” that holds skin cells together, Ceramides are one of the most important ingredients for dry, sensitive or compromised skin. What Are Ceramides? Ceramides are naturally occurring lipids (fats) found in the outermost layer of the skin. They make up nearly 50% of the skin barrier and play a critical role in keeping skin hydrated, strong and protected. Healthy ceramide levels help prevent moisture loss while defending the skin against irritants, pollution and environmental damage. However, factors like ageing, over-exfoliation, harsh weather and aggressive skincare can deplete the skin’s natural ceramide levels. How Do Ceramides Work in Skincare? Ceramides work by replenishing and reinforcing the skin barrier, helping skin retain moisture while reducing visible dryness and sensitivity. Their barrier-supportive properties help to: Lock in hydration Reduce transepidermal water loss Strengthen the skin barrier Improve skin softness and smoothness Protect against environmental aggressors Support skin recovery and resilience Because they mimic the skin’s natural lipids, Ceramides are exceptionally effective at restoring balance to stressed or compromised skin. Clinical Benefits of Ceramides Ceramides are widely recognised in dermatology and skincare for their ability to support long-term skin health and hydration. Potential skincare benefits include: Deep, long-lasting hydration Improved skin barrier function Reduced dryness and flaking Smoother, softer-looking skin Reduced appearance of sensitivity and irritation Enhanced skin resilience against environmental stress They are particularly beneficial for dry, sensitive, mature or over-processed skin. Where Are Ceramides Used? Ceramides are commonly found in: Moisturisers Barrier repair creams Hydrating serums Overnight masks Cleansers for dry or sensitive skin Recovery treatments Preventative-ageing skincare They work beautifully alongside ingredients like hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, Ectoin and calming botanicals for complete barrier support. Products Containing Ceramides At Founders Formula, Ceramides are used in formulations designed to deeply hydrate, restore and strengthen the skin barrier for healthier-looking skin. Featured products include: Snake Vine Super Anti-Oxidant Pro-Aging Moisturiser Why We Love Them Ceramides are the foundation of healthy skin. Whether your skin is dry, sensitive, stressed or simply in need of extra support, these essential lipids help restore balance, comfort and resilience. Because strong skin is beautiful skin — and Ceramides help build it from the barrier up.  

Ectoin for Skin: The Stress-Defence Molecule Protecting Modern Skin In a world of pollution, blue light, UV exposure and overactive skincare routines, modern skin is constantly under stress. That’s where Ectoin comes in — a powerful skin-protective molecule known for helping defend, hydrate and strengthen the skin barrier. Loved in advanced skincare for its multitasking protective benefits, Ectoin is quickly becoming a hero ingredient for sensitive, dehydrated and environmentally stressed skin. What Is Ectoin? Ectoin is a naturally derived amino acid molecule originally discovered in microorganisms that survive in extreme environments like salt lakes and deserts. These organisms produce Ectoin to protect themselves from dehydration, temperature changes and environmental stress. In skincare, Ectoin works as a powerful protective ingredient that helps support skin hydration, strengthen the barrier and reduce visible signs of irritation.   How Does Ectoin Work in Skincare? Ectoin works by forming a protective hydration shield around skin cells, helping defend the skin against environmental aggressors and moisture loss. Its unique mechanism helps to: Support long-lasting hydration Strengthen the skin barrier Reduce visible signs of irritation Protect against environmental stressors Improve skin resilience Because it focuses on protection and repair, Ectoin is especially beneficial for skin exposed to pollution, harsh climates, over-exfoliation or daily environmental stress. Clinical Benefits of Ectoin Ectoin is widely used in high-performance skincare due to its impressive skin-protective and hydration-supportive benefits. Potential skincare benefits include: Increased skin hydration Reduced appearance of redness and sensitivity Strengthened skin barrier function Protection against environmental damage Improved skin smoothness and comfort Support for stressed or compromised skin It is particularly popular in formulations targeting sensitive skin, dehydration and preventative ageing. Where Is Ectoin Used? Ectoin is commonly found in: Hydrating serums Barrier repair treatments Sensitive skin moisturisers Recovery skincare Anti-pollution products Overnight hydration masks Preventative-ageing skincare It pairs exceptionally well with ingredients like hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, ceramides and calming Australian botanicals. Products Containing Ectoin At Founders Formula, Ectoin is featured in formulations designed to deeply hydrate, strengthen and protect the skin barrier while supporting healthy-looking skin. Featured products include: CALM Tasmanian Mountain Pepper Berry Serum Australian Botanicals Pro-Aging Treatment Concentrate Serum Phyto-A+ Australian Native Tobacco Serum   Why We Love It Ectoin is the ultimate modern skincare ingredient — intelligent, protective and incredibly versatile. It helps skin adapt to the everyday stressors of modern life while supporting hydration, resilience and overall skin health. For skin that feels overwhelmed, sensitised or depleted, Ectoin delivers exactly what it needs: protection, balance and support.  

Tasmanian Pepper Berry for Skin: The Australian Botanical That Helps Calm and Protect When skin feels reactive, stressed or out of balance, few Australian botanicals are as impressive as Tasmanian Pepper Berry. Grown in the cool forests of Tasmania, this powerful native ingredient is celebrated for its ability to visibly calm skin while delivering potent antioxidant protection. Once traditionally used by Indigenous Australians for its medicinal properties, Tasmanian Pepper Berry is now a standout ingredient in advanced skincare formulations designed for sensitive and stressed skin. What Is Tasmanian Pepper Berry? Tasmanian Pepper Berry (Tasmannia lanceolata) is a native Australian shrub that produces dark purple berries and aromatic leaves. Both the berries and leaves are rich in naturally occurring antioxidants and skin-soothing compounds. One of its most notable active components is polygodial — a naturally occurring compound known for its calming and comforting properties — making this botanical especially beneficial for reactive or redness-prone skin. How Does Tasmanian Pepper Berry Work in Skincare? Tasmanian Pepper Berry works by helping reduce visible signs of irritation while supporting the skin’s natural barrier function. Its bioactive compounds help to: Calm the appearance of redness Support sensitive or reactive skin Defend against environmental stressors Help minimise visible irritation Promote a healthier-looking complexion Because it is both soothing and antioxidant-rich, Tasmanian Pepper Berry is often used in formulations designed to comfort compromised skin without feeling heavy or harsh. Clinical Benefits of Tasmanian Pepper Berry Tasmanian Pepper Berry is highly regarded in skincare for its ability to visibly soothe skin while helping protect against environmental damage. Potential skincare benefits include: Reduced appearance of redness and sensitivity Improved skin comfort and hydration Antioxidant protection against free radicals Support for a healthy skin barrier Calmer, more balanced-looking skin Enhanced resilience for stressed skin It is particularly beneficial in skincare routines focused on barrier repair, post-treatment recovery and preventative skin health. Where Is Tasmanian Pepper Berry Used? Tasmanian Pepper Berry is commonly found in: Calming serums Sensitive skin moisturisers Barrier repair treatments Recovery masks Anti-redness skincare Hydrating facial oils After-sun formulations It works beautifully alongside ingredients like Centipeda, niacinamide, ceramides and hyaluronic acid for comprehensive skin support. Products Containing Tasmanian Pepper Berry At Founders Formula, Tasmanian Pepper Berry is featured in formulations designed to soothe, protect and strengthen stressed skin using high-performance Australian botanicals. Featured products include: CALM Tasmanian Mountain Pepper Berry Serum Australian Botanicals Pro-Aging Treatment Concentrate Serum Australian Botanicals Nourishing Facial Oils   Why We Love It Tasmanian Pepper Berry is proof that powerful skincare doesn’t need to be harsh. This uniquely Australian botanical delivers calm, comfort and antioxidant protection in one beautifully balanced ingredient. For sensitive, stressed or easily overwhelmed skin, it’s a botanical worth knowing about.

Wild Rosella is featured in formulations designed to deliver hydration, radiance and antioxidant-rich botanical support.

Centipeda for Skin: The Australian Botanical Known for Calm, Balanced Skin Native Australian botanicals are redefining modern skincare, and Centipeda cunninghamii is quickly becoming one of the most exciting ingredients for sensitive, stressed and reactive skin. Traditionally used by Indigenous Australians for its soothing properties, Centipeda is now gaining recognition in skincare for its ability to help visibly calm redness, support the skin barrier and promote a healthier-looking complexion. What Is Centipeda? Centipeda cunninghamii is a flowering herb native to Australia, commonly found in wetlands and river regions across the country. Sometimes referred to as “Old Man Weed,” this powerful botanical has a long history of traditional use thanks to its naturally soothing and restorative properties. Rich in bioactive compounds including flavonoids and sesquiterpene lactones, Centipeda is prized in skincare for helping comfort stressed skin while supporting overall skin resilience. How Does Centipeda Work in Skincare? Centipeda works by helping reduce visible signs of irritation and supporting the skin’s natural protective barrier. Its calming botanical compounds help: Soothe the appearance of redness Support compromised or stressed skin Help reduce the feeling of sensitivity Defend against environmental stressors Promote a healthier, more balanced complexion Because of its gentle nature, Centipeda is especially loved in formulations designed for reactive, dehydrated or easily irritated skin. Clinical Benefits of Centipeda Centipeda has become increasingly popular in advanced skincare formulations due to its skin-calming and antioxidant-supportive properties. Potential skincare benefits include: Reduced appearance of redness and irritation Improved skin comfort and hydration Support for a healthy skin barrier Antioxidant protection from environmental stress Calmer-looking, more balanced skin Enhanced skin resilience over time Its soothing profile makes it particularly beneficial after exfoliation, during seasonal skin flare-ups or whenever skin feels overwhelmed. Where Is Centipeda Used? Centipeda is commonly used in: Calming serums Barrier repair treatments Moisturisers for sensitive skin Recovery masks Hydrating facial oils After-sun skincare Redness-focused treatments It pairs especially well with ingredients like niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, ceramides and other Australian botanicals focused on skin nourishment and repair. Products Containing Centipeda At Founders Formula, Centipeda is featured in formulations designed to comfort stressed skin while delivering high-performance botanical support. Featured products include: ·      Centipeda and Manuka Honey B+ Refining Toner ·      Centipeda and Snowflower Australian Clay Mask   Why We Love It Centipeda perfectly reflects the future of Australian skincare — intelligent botanical science backed by traditional knowledge and designed for real skin concerns. For skin that feels stressed, reactive or out of balance, this native Australian powerhouse delivers the kind of calm  

Kakadu Plum for Skin: Australia’s Vitamin C Powerhouse When it comes to Australian botanicals, few ingredients have earned cult status quite like Kakadu Plum. Wild-harvested from remote regions of Northern Australia, this small green fruit is celebrated for its incredibly high natural vitamin C content and powerful antioxidant properties — making it a standout ingredient in modern skincare. What Is Kakadu Plum? Kakadu Plum (Terminalia ferdinandiana) is a native Australian fruit traditionally used by Indigenous Australians for generations. It grows in the Kimberley and Arnhem Land regions and has become one of the most sought-after botanical ingredients in skincare due to its nutrient-rich profile. Often referred to as the world’s richest natural source of vitamin C, Kakadu Plum also contains polyphenols, gallic acid, ellagic acid and essential antioxidants that help support healthy-looking skin. How Does Kakadu Plum Work in Skincare? Kakadu Plum works by helping defend the skin against oxidative stress caused by environmental aggressors like UV exposure, pollution and daily stressors. Its naturally occurring vitamin C helps to: Brighten dull-looking skin Support collagen production Improve the appearance of uneven skin tone Help reduce the visible effects of environmental damage Unlike some synthetic vitamin C ingredients that can feel harsh or unstable, Kakadu Plum offers a gentler, botanical-based alternative suitable for a wide range of skin types. Clinical Benefits of Kakadu Plum Research surrounding Kakadu Plum continues to grow, with studies highlighting its impressive antioxidant activity and skin-supportive properties. Potential skincare benefits include: Brighter, more radiant-looking skin Improved skin texture and luminosity Reduced appearance of pigmentation and dark spots Antioxidant protection against premature ageing Support for collagen health and skin firmness Calming benefits for stressed or tired-looking skin Because antioxidants help neutralise free radicals, Kakadu Plum is particularly popular in preventative-ageing skincare routines. Where Is Kakadu Plum Used? Kakadu Plum is commonly found in: Serums Facial oils Moisturisers Brightening treatments Masks Eye creams Cleansers It pairs beautifully with ingredients like hyaluronic acid, niacinamide and native Australian oils, making it a versatile addition to both simple and advanced skincare routines. Products Containing Kakadu Plum At Founders Formula, Kakadu Plum is featured in formulations designed to nourish, brighten and support healthy-looking skin using high-performance Australian botanicals. Featured products include: ·      Wild-Harvested Kakadu Plum Vitamin C Serum ·      Australian Botanicals Pro-Aging Treatment Concentrate Serum ·      Australian Botanicals Nourishing Facial Oils ·      Australian Botanicals Brightening Facial Oils   Why We Love It Kakadu Plum represents everything we love about Australian skincare — powerful natural actives, sustainably sourced botanicals and results-driven formulations inspired by the land they come from. Small but mighty, this iconic native fruit proves that some of the world’s most effective skincare ingredients have been growing in Australia all along.