Here’s the 411 on ‘Formula 47’

Find out why Silver chitosan aka ‘Formula 47’ is labelled our miracle ingredient!

Whilst you’ve probably heard on the grapevine about the anti-inflammatory and healing properties of using silver in skincare, you might not be as familiar with the genuine game changing ingredient that is: Silver chitosan aka ‘Formula 47’. If you’re looking for brighter, smoother, more toned skin – with less scarring and fine lines (we know, who isn’t right?) then this ingredient is all you need, and here’s the low down on why it’s often referred to as pure skincare magic.

What is ‘Formula 47’ exactly?

‘Formula 47’ aka Silver chitosan is a chemical compound of a single atom of Silver combined with chitosan – an active ingredient that is obtained from the shells of crustaceans. When the two elements are bonded together and used in skincare, miraculous results happen. The atom-thick layer of silver creates an antibacterial shield over the skin whilst simultaneously allowing the chitosan to form a lattice-like structure that encourages the skins cells to regenerate themselves. Together, they are both the attack and defence that your skin needs to be clear, hydrated and free from harmful bacteria.

Fun fact: we call Silver chitosan ‘Formula 47’ because we believe in it so much, we patented it! This means 47 Skin’s products are the only products in the world to contain the benefits of this results-driven ingredient and if we’re being honest, the proof is in the pictures.

So, what are the benefits of ‘Formula 47’ to my skin?

Clinically proven to have a 100% kill rate on bacteria whilst being incredibly gentle on the skin, ‘Formula 47’ has certain abilities that have rendered it a ‘miracle ingredient’.

• Aids the production of Hyaluronic Acid – naturally!
  

Hyaluronic acid (HA) is found naturally in your skin and is a key molecule involved in maintaining skin hydration with the ability to hold up to 1,000 times it’s weight in water. Many premium products on the market tend to contain it, claiming that it is a ‘valuable ingredient’. However due to its high molecular weight, it cannot successfully penetrate the skin’s surface and often sits there proving little to no use at all.

Since ‘Formula 47’ contains the building blocks of HA, it is proven to effectively penetrate through the skins layers and help your skin make and replenish its own hyaluronic acid - naturally! This means that it can help to increase your skin’s water content, resulting in a smoother and plumper complexion working from the inside out and with what you already have!

• Anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory

 For centuries, silver has been used around the world as an antiseptic, anti-inflammatory agent with the ancient Greeks, Romans and Egyptians using it topically to treat infections. As we already said, you might know this about Silver (it’s pretty highly regarded in the skincare world) but what makes ‘Formula 47’ so special is that due to the unique blend of Silver with chitosan, it is mucoadhesive. This means that ‘Formula 47’ can deliver the silver it contains right into the root of the bacterium and ultimately destroy it, making it a key ingredient in fighting angry, inflamed skin and acne break outs.

• Reduces hyperpigmentation and scarring

It’s proven that ‘Formula 47’ has the ability to lessen the appearance of facial hyperpigmentation and scarring. The active properties in chitosan can reduce the production of melanin, a pigment that gives skin its colour alongside encouraging your skin to produce new skin cells at a faster rate. This means your skin sheds its older skin cells much quicker, allowing for a brighter more even complexion and pigment reduction.

Fun fact #2: chitosan is also commonly used when it comes to wound healing in the medical profession. By increasing the production of new skin cells, Silver chitosan is able to dramatically speed up the rate at which a wound heals while ensuring that it heals in a healthy way. Who said that science wasn’t cool…?

But is it environmentally friendly?

Whilst one of our active ingredients is primarily obtained from shellfish, no sea creature has ever been captured primarily for their chitosan . The crustacean shells that chitosan is derived from are a by-product of other industries. Each year in the EU, there are roughly 750,000 tones of crustacean shells disposed of in unkept landfills. Being able to find a tangible and helpful use by recycling the otherwise wasted shells makes chitosan quite an environmentally efficient ingredient. What’s more, as the protein is removed during processing (otherwise known as dectalation) Silver chitosan hasn’t been shown to affect those who have shellfish allergies – however, if you’re worried always contact your doctor before use.

Whether you’re a 47skin lover or you’re new to the brand, we hope this cleared up what makes our products stand out from the crowd and what makes ‘Formula 47’ a skincare phenomenon. Try it for yourself and reap the benefits – we promise you’ll be back for more.