CO2 Supercritical Extraction results in highly effective botanicals with superior activity
The purity, efficacy and environmentally friendly nature of botanicals are highly dependent on the process in which the plant materials are extracted. Doctor D. Schwab skincare has begun utilizing premium grade botanicals obtained through the latest, most advanced extraction method: supercritical CO2 extraction.
CO2 Extraction Process
The CO2 supercritical extraction process is a modern technology for producing plant extracts that is specially formulated to gently and effectively separate active ingredients from plant materials. The process uses carbon dioxide as a solvent, which is the gas in fresh, sparkling drinks. Carbon dioxide is a newly approved Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) solvent for lipophilic molecules. The extraction process is performed under high pressure, without the stress of high temperatures and without oxygen. It is gentle and leaves no solvent residue.
Superior Activity
The CO2 extraction process efficiently separates the plant materials’ bioactive substances such as antioxidants, essential oils and special fatty oils, resulting in the complete preservation of valuable plant ingredients. The CO2 extracted botanicals and herbal extracts have concentrated lipophilic ingredients that give them superior activity.
Pure Process
The CO2 extraction process is the purest, most environmentally friendly process available today. The extracts are produced free of solvents, inorganic salts and preservatives. Because of the manner in which the extracts are produced, they are sterile and need no preservation. This process produces extracts which have a higher purity and quality than is available through other extraction methods.
Environmental CO2 Extraction Process
The CO2 extraction process is an eco-friendly method for the separation of plant ingredients without harmful emissions and without environmental impact. The carbon dioxide used to extract the plant materials is highly purified natural carbon dioxide of volcanic origin. This naturally existing carbon dioxide is used for extraction purposes only and is neutral to the environment. It does not contribute to the global CO2 amount which is caused by burning of fossil fuels exclusively. The production process is also energy efficient. Energy savings are realized by using a heat pump system which utilizes waste heat from the extraction process for preparing the buildings‘ hot water and heating.
Certified Organic Plant Materials
When available, the raw plant materials are certified organic or are of controlled integrated cultivation which are produced under conditions respecting environmental protection. The process is certified for organic production according to the USDA NOP standard.