Anti-Congestive

Anti-Congestive at a glance

Anti-Congestive is a ready made botanical complex from France, also sold under the name Ennacomplex 261. It brings together six classic plant extracts in one liquid: red grape, St. John's wort, arnica, witch hazel, chestnut and ivy. The liquid is yellow to brown and water-soluble. The supplier gives a broad use level of 1 to 10% of the finished product, which lets it work both as a supporting extract in a cream and as the main active in a depuffing gel.

The idea of a depuffing complex

Puffiness under the eyes, tired looking legs at the end of the day and a congested, dull complexion all share a visual story: skin that looks swollen, heavy and less toned. Cosmetic care answers this with cooling textures, massage and plant extracts that have a long tradition in refreshing, toning products. Anti-Congestive collects six of the best known of these plants, so a formulator gets a complete story with one weighing.

The six plants

Red grape and chestnut

Red grape leaves and fruit are rich in polyphenols, the same family of antioxidants that gives red wine its color. Chestnut is a traditional ingredient in leg care and in products for a lighter, fresher feeling. Both are often used for a toned, refreshed look.

Witch hazel and ivy

Witch hazel is known for its astringent, toning feel, which helps skin look tighter and less puffy. Ivy has a long history in body care products for smoother looking skin and is a common part of massage and contouring products.

Arnica and St. John's wort

Arnica flowers and St. John's wort are traditional soothing plants. In this complex they help the skin feel comfortable and calm, which suits sensitive areas such as the eye contour.

Dosing

Light creams and lotions with a refreshing message use 1 to 3%. Eye gels and serums work well at 3 to 5%. Leg gels, massage gels and intensive body products can use 5 to 10%.

How to formulate

Add the complex to the water phase at cool-down below 40 °C. Its color is yellow to brown, so clear gels take on a light amber shade; this is normal for a plant blend. Cooling agents such as menthol derivatives fit leg gels well. For eye care, combine it with caffeine for a brighter, less puffy look and with hydrolyzed sodium hyaluronate for hydration. More refreshing actives are listed in the cosmetic actives section.

Product ideas

Depuffing eye gels, eye roll-ons, cooling leg gels, light legs lotions, refreshing massage gels, toning body sprays and morning face gels for a less tired look are the main concepts.

Sample recipe: cooling leg gel, 100 g

Distilled water 83.30 g, Anti-Congestive 8.00 g, glycerin 3.00 g, propanediol 2.00 g, menthyl lactate 0.50 g, carbomer 0.60 g, sodium hydroxide solution 1.10 g, panthenol 0.50 g, preservative 1.00 g. Disperse the carbomer in the water, add glycerin and propanediol, dissolve menthyl lactate in propanediol first, neutralize with the sodium hydroxide solution to about pH 6, then add Anti-Congestive, panthenol and the preservative.

Massage and use

The effect of depuffing products depends a lot on how they are applied. Recommend gentle upward strokes on the legs, from ankle to knee, and light tapping with the ring finger around the eyes. Storing eye gels in the fridge adds an extra cooling effect.

Claims

Use refreshing, cosmetic language: legs that feel lighter and fresher, an eye area that looks less puffy and more rested, and a complexion that looks less tired.

Storage

Store in a cool, dark place in a tightly closed container. A certificate of analysis comes with every lot.