Before starting Riversol, Dr. Rivers had an encounter with a forestry expert at the University of British Columbia. Through this conversation, he learned about beta-thujaplicin (BAY-ta-THOO-ya-PLEE-sin), or beta-t for short.

Beta-t is a powerful antioxidant derived from the oil of the Pacific red cedar tree.

Dr. Rivers began his own research into this compound and realized the incredible potential it held for skincare. With over 120 peer-reviewed scientific papers on beta-t, the research was undeniable.

What can beta-t help with?

• As a powerful antioxidant, it helps prevent or reduce the effects caused by the oxidative damage from free radicals and environmental stresses such as pollution and UV rays.
• It has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antifungal properties, which help to minimize redness, flakiness and superficial irritation.
• By blocking the enzyme that triggers melanin production (tyrosinase), beta-t helps with the treatment of hyperpigmentation.

Like many other potent ingredients, beta-t is also highly unstable. To get it into a form that’s not only stable but also able to penetrate the skin took Riversol chemists years of work. It remains a rare ingredient in the skincare industry, but one we believe so strongly in that it’s featured in nearly every one of our products. You could say that beta-t is in our DNA.

Possibly the most well-known antioxidant – but also the most misunderstood. Not all vitamin C compounds are the same. It’s possible that 20% vitamin C serum might deliver drastically fewer benefits than an 8% serum. That’s because there are many different forms of vitamin C that penetrate to different depths of the skin, as well as its infamous instability. Vitamin C is so fussy that it can quickly break down if temperature, light, pH and even oxygen levels aren’t ideal.

That’s why Riversol uses only a particularly stable form of vitamin C (aminopropyl ascorbyl phosphate), which is 10x more stable than traditional forms of vitamin C.

What can vitamin C help with?

• It does all the things other antioxidants do to protect against free radicals, but it can actually also improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles as well as overall skin texture.
• It has anti-inflammatory properties that control sebum (oil) production in the skin, helping to not only control the formation of acne but also fading past acne scars.
• When used in combination with a broad-spectrum sunscreen, vitamin C can help protect the skin from harmful UV rays. It can also reduce the appearance of hyperpigmentation by blocking the production of pigment in the skin.

Think of vitamin E as vitamin C’s mighty little sister.

Known as “the protector” vitamin E is a workhorse that’s in many of our products.

What can vitamin E help with?

• As a powerful antioxidant it protects the skin from free radicals, UV rays and pollution. These aggressors are everywhere, which is why vitamin E in your daily skincare is a great way to protect skin and slow down the signs of aging and inflammation.
• In terms of UV protection, vitamin E has both immediate and long-term benefits. It helps reduce redness, swelling and sunburn development. It can even enhance the effectiveness of sunscreens (but it’s not a substitute for broad spectrum sunscreen!). Long-term, it will lessen signs of photoaging such as wrinkles and hyperpigmentation.
• Unlike many other antioxidants, vitamin E is oil-soluble, meaning it feels more “cushiony” than others. It’s a very hydrating element because not only does it serve as a humectant (attracts water into skin), it’s an emollient as well (trapping that water in the skin, preventing evaporation). It's another way to protect your skin's ability to keep the good stuff in and the bad stuff out.