The base for many skincare formulations.
Usually helps with
All skin types
A common humectant that helps draw moisture to the skin.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Watch for
Can be a mild irritant for some sensitive skin types.
A classic humectant that attracts water to the skin, keeping it hydrated and soft.
Usually helps with
All skin types
A solvent and humectant that can improve the absorption of other ingredients.
Usually helps with
All skin types
A form of Vitamin B3 that can help improve skin tone, reduce inflammation, and support the skin barrier.
Usually helps with
Most skin types, especially dull or uneven tone
Watch for
Can cause temporary flushing or irritation in some individuals, especially at higher concentrations.
Preservative
1,2-Hexanediol
A solvent and preservative with antimicrobial properties.
Usually helps with
All skin types
A salt form of hyaluronic acid that penetrates the skin to provide hydration.
Usually helps with
All skin types, especially dry or dehydrated
Active
Potassium Hyaluronate
Another salt form of hyaluronic acid, contributing to skin hydration.
Usually helps with
All skin types, especially dry or dehydrated
Active
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
A cross-linked form of hyaluronic acid that forms a film on the skin to reduce water loss.
Usually helps with
All skin types, especially dry or dehydrated
Active
Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
A cationic form of hyaluronic acid that binds to the skin for enhanced hydration.
Usually helps with
All skin types, especially dry or dehydrated
Active
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Hyaluronic acid broken down into smaller molecules that can penetrate deeper into the skin.
Usually helps with
All skin types, especially dry or dehydrated
A powerful humectant that draws moisture to the skin, plumping and hydrating.
Usually helps with
All skin types, especially dry or dehydrated
Active
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
A smaller molecular weight form of sodium hyaluronate for better skin penetration and hydration.
Usually helps with
All skin types, especially dry or dehydrated
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
A humectant and solvent that can also have antimicrobial properties.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Active
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
A derivative of hyaluronic acid that offers enhanced skin penetration and hydration.
Usually helps with
All skin types, especially dry or dehydrated
Deoxyribonucleic acid that has been broken down, often used for its potential skin-soothing and regenerative properties.
Usually helps with
Mature skin, sensitive skin
Watch for
Limited research on topical benefits; can be expensive.
A type of ceramide that is crucial for maintaining the skin's barrier function and preventing moisture loss.
Usually helps with
Dry, sensitive, or compromised skin
Pro-vitamin B5, known for its moisturizing, soothing, and healing properties.
Usually helps with
All skin types, especially dry or irritated
Active
Copper Tripeptide-1
A peptide that can help stimulate collagen production and support skin repair.
Usually helps with
Mature skin, skin with signs of aging
Watch for
Can be costly; results may vary.
Active
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
A peptide often marketed for its 'botox-like' effect, aiming to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Usually helps with
Mature skin, skin with fine lines
Watch for
Effectiveness is debated; results are often subtle and temporary.
Active
Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
A peptide that signals skin cells to repair themselves, potentially boosting collagen and elastin production.
Usually helps with
Mature skin, skin with signs of aging
Watch for
Can be expensive; requires consistent use for potential results.
A peptide that can help promote collagen synthesis and improve skin firmness.
Usually helps with
Mature skin, skin with signs of aging
Active
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
A peptide that works with other peptides to help rebuild collagen and improve skin texture.
Usually helps with
Mature skin, skin with signs of aging
Also known as EGF (Epidermal Growth Factor), it plays a role in cell growth and repair.
Usually helps with
Mature skin, skin needing repair
Watch for
Can be expensive; some concerns about potential long-term effects.
Also known as IGF (Insulin-like Growth Factor), it aids in cell proliferation and tissue repair.
Usually helps with
Mature skin, skin needing repair
Watch for
Can be expensive; requires consistent use.
Active
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
A peptide that can help reduce inflammation and support collagen production.
Usually helps with
Mature skin, skin with signs of aging
Watch for
Often found in peptide complexes; effectiveness can depend on concentration and formulation.
A peptide that may help improve the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines by supporting collagen.
Usually helps with
Mature skin, skin with fine lines
Watch for
Results can be subtle.
Thickener
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer
A synthetic polymer used to thicken formulations and improve texture.
Usually helps with
All skin types
An amino acid that helps with skin hydration and can support wound healing.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Thickener
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
A synthetic polymer used to thicken formulations and create a smooth texture.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Antioxidant
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Green tea extract, rich in antioxidants that can help protect the skin from environmental damage.
Usually helps with
All skin types, especially aging or irritated
Antioxidant
Oryza Sativa (Rice) Lees Extract
Extract from rice fermentation byproducts, potentially offering antioxidant and soothing benefits.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Watch for
Less common ingredient, benefits are not as extensively studied as other extracts.
Soothing Agent
Aloe Barbadensis Extract
Aloe vera extract, known for its soothing, hydrating, and anti-inflammatory properties.
Usually helps with
All skin types, especially sensitive or irritated
Soothing Agent
Glycyrrhiza Uralensis (Licorice) Extract
Licorice root extract, known for its skin-brightening and anti-inflammatory properties.
Usually helps with
All skin types, especially dull or inflamed
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
A preservative and skin-conditioning agent that can enhance the effectiveness of other preservatives.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Watch for
Can be a mild irritant for some.
Emulsifier
Polyglyceryl-10 Myristate
A gentle emulsifier derived from plant sources, used to blend oil and water.
Usually helps with
All skin types
A yeast-derived ingredient known for its anti-wrinkle and skin-restoring properties.
Usually helps with
Mature skin, all skin types
Emulsifier
Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate
A gentle emulsifier derived from plant sources.
Usually helps with
All skin types
A carbohydrate that can act as a thickener and skin-conditioning agent.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Thickener
Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
A polymer used to thicken formulations.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Film Former
PVM/MA Copolymer
A film-forming agent that can help provide a smooth feel and improve product texture.
Usually helps with
All skin types
A sugar beet-derived ingredient that acts as a humectant and skin conditioner.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Antioxidant
Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract
An extract from the gardenia fruit, often used for its antioxidant and coloring properties.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Watch for
Limited specific skincare benefits documented.
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
A skin-conditioning agent derived from coconut oil and glycerin, it helps to replenish skin.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Emulsifier
Hydrogenated Lecithin
A hydrogenated form of lecithin, used as an emulsifier and skin-conditioning agent.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Emulsifier
Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate
A gentle emulsifier derived from plant sources.
Usually helps with
All skin types
An amino acid that is a component of proteins, it helps with skin hydration and repair.
Usually helps with
All skin types
An amino acid that helps retain moisture and supports skin's natural moisturizing factors.
Usually helps with
All skin types
An amino acid that helps with skin hydration and can support cell function.
Usually helps with
All skin types
An amino acid that plays a role in protein synthesis and skin hydration.
Usually helps with
All skin types
A stable, hydrogenated form of squalene, it mimics the skin's natural oils to moisturize and soften.
Usually helps with
All skin types, especially dry or mature
An amino acid that can help with skin conditioning and hydration.
Usually helps with
All skin types
An amino acid that helps with skin repair and protein synthesis.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Lipids that are part of the skin's natural barrier, helping to maintain moisture and integrity.
Usually helps with
Dry, mature, or compromised skin
Watch for
Can be expensive.
An amino acid that helps with skin hydration and can support skin's structure.
Usually helps with
All skin types
An amino acid that is essential for collagen production and skin repair.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Active
Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
A stable, water-soluble form of Vitamin C that offers antioxidant protection and can help brighten skin.
Usually helps with
All skin types, especially acne-prone or sensitive
Watch for
Less potent than other Vitamin C forms; may take longer to see results.
An amino acid that plays a role in melanin production and can support skin health.
Usually helps with
All skin types
An amino acid that can help with skin conditioning.
Usually helps with
All skin types
An amino acid that helps with skin hydration and the formation of collagen and elastin.
Usually helps with
All skin types
An amino acid that is a key component of collagen, helping to maintain skin structure and firmness.
Usually helps with
All skin types, especially mature skin
An amino acid that helps with skin repair and can support the skin's natural moisturizing factors.
Usually helps with
All skin types
An amino acid that helps with skin repair and can support the skin's natural moisturizing factors.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Chelating Agent
Disodium EDTA
A chelating agent that helps improve the stability and efficacy of formulations by binding to metal ions.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Watch for
Can enhance penetration of other ingredients, which might be a concern with certain actives.
An amino acid that acts as an antioxidant and can help with skin repair.
Usually helps with
All skin types
An amino acid that has antioxidant properties and can help with skin detoxification.
Usually helps with
All skin types
An amino acid that is important for collagen production and has antioxidant properties.
Usually helps with
All skin types
An amino acid that can support skin repair and hydration.
Usually helps with
All skin types
An amino acid that can help with skin conditioning and may have antioxidant properties.
Usually helps with
All skin types