Ingredient encyclopedia
91 INCI ingredients decoded. Every scientific name explained in plain language with safety scores, comedogenic ratings, and skin-type fit.
Avobenzone
Avobenzone
A chemical UVA filter widely used in US sunscreens. Provides broad-spectrum protection but is photo-...
Cera Alba
Beeswax
Natural wax produced by honey bees. Creates a protective, occlusive barrier on skin. Used in balms a...
Benzoyl Peroxide
Benzoyl Peroxide
The most effective OTC anti-acne ingredient. Kills acne-causing bacteria (C. acnes) on contact. Avai...
Butylene Glycol
Butylene Glycol
A lightweight humectant and solvent that helps other ingredients penetrate the skin. Also acts as a ...
Carbomer
Carbomer
A synthetic polymer used to thicken and stabilise gel and cream formulations. Creates the gel-like t...
Cetearyl Alcohol
Cetearyl Alcohol
A fatty alcohol (not a drying alcohol) used as an emulsifier and thickener. Gives products a creamy,...
Cetyl Alcohol
Cetyl Alcohol
A fatty alcohol that acts as an emollient and thickener. Not a drying alcohol. Gives products a smoo...
Citric Acid
Citric Acid
A weak organic acid naturally found in citrus fruits. Used primarily as a pH adjuster and chelating ...
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
A mild amphoteric surfactant derived from coconut oil. Much gentler than SLS. Commonly used in 'gent...
Dimethicone
Dimethicone
Silicone-based emollient that creates a smooth, protective film on skin. Gives products a silky feel...
Disodium EDTA
Disodium EDTA
A chelating agent that binds to metal ions in water, preventing them from destabilising the formula....
Ethylhexylglycerin
Ethylhexylglycerin
A preservative booster and skin conditioning agent derived from glycerin. Often paired with phenoxye...
Glyceryl Stearate
Glyceryl Stearate
One of the most common emulsifiers in skincare. Helps oil and water phases stay mixed. Also acts as ...
Kojic Acid
Kojic Acid
A tyrosinase inhibitor derived from fungi, used to brighten skin and fade dark spots. Effective but ...
Petrolatum
Petrolatum (Vaseline)
The most effective occlusive available, reducing transepidermal water loss by 99%. Cosmetic-grade pe...
Phenoxyethanol
Phenoxyethanol
The most common preservative in modern skincare, replacing parabens. Safe at the EU limit of 1%. Use...
Polysorbate 20
Polysorbate 20
A mild non-ionic surfactant and emulsifier derived from sorbitol and lauric acid. Helps oil and wate...
Saccharomyces Ferment Filtrate
Saccharomyces Ferment Filtrate (Pitera)
Yeast ferment filtrate made famous by SK-II's Facial Treatment Essence. Contains amino acids, minera...
Snail Secretion Filtrate
Snail Mucin
Filtered secretion from Cryptomphalus aspersa snails, a K-beauty hero ingredient. Contains glycoprot...
Sodium Hydroxide
Sodium Hydroxide
A pH adjuster (lye) used in tiny amounts to bring formulas to skin-compatible pH. Despite sounding h...
Stearic Acid
Stearic Acid
A saturated fatty acid used as an emulsifier, thickener, and cleansing agent. Found naturally in coc...
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Tea Tree Oil
An essential oil with proven antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Clinical evidence suppo...
Aqua
Water
The most common first ingredient in skincare. Acts as a solvent and carrier for active ingredients. ...
Xanthan Gum
Xanthan Gum
A natural polysaccharide produced by bacterial fermentation. Used as a thickener and stabiliser. Giv...
Cocos Nucifera Oil
Coconut Oil
A popular natural oil rich in lauric acid (antibacterial). Highly comedogenic (4/5) for facial use. ...
Homosalate
Homosalate
A chemical UVB filter commonly used in US sunscreens. SCCS has recommended restricting to max 1.4% d...
Paraffinum Liquidum
Mineral Oil
A petroleum-derived occlusive emollient. Very effective at preventing moisture loss. Cosmetic-grade ...
Nylon-12
Nylon-12
A synthetic polymer used for mattifying and oil-absorbing properties. Creates a soft-focus, blurred ...
Octocrylene
Octocrylene
A chemical UV filter that stabilises avobenzone. Generates benzophenone (a suspected endocrine disru...
Propylene Glycol
Propylene Glycol
A synthetic humectant and penetration enhancer. Effective but can irritate sensitive skin. Being rep...
Sodium Laureth Sulfate
Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES)
A milder cousin of SLS (ethoxylated version). Still a relatively harsh surfactant but less irritatin...
Alcohol Denat.
Denatured Alcohol
Denatured ethanol used as a solvent and to improve product feel (fast-drying, lightweight). At high ...
Parfum
Fragrance (Parfum)
Umbrella term for any scent blend, which can contain hundreds of undisclosed chemicals. The #1 cause...
Isopropyl Myristate
Isopropyl Myristate
An emollient and penetration enhancer with the highest comedogenic rating (5/5). Makes products feel...
Polyethylene
Polyethylene
A synthetic plastic polymer. Used as a binder, film-former, or in scrubs as microbeads (now banned i...
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS)
A harsh anionic surfactant used in cleansers. Creates rich lather but strips the skin barrier aggres...
Hydroquinone
Hydroquinone
The most effective depigmenting agent known, but banned in EU cosmetics due to cytotoxicity and safe...
Methylisothiazolinone
Methylisothiazolinone (MI)
Preservative that became the 'Allergen of the Year' in 2013. Powerful sensitizer that caused an epid...
Benzophenone-3
Oxybenzone
Chemical UV filter with broad-spectrum protection but significant safety concerns. Endocrine disrupt...
Adapalene
Adapalene
A third-generation retinoid available OTC (Differin). More stable and less irritating than retinol w...
Adenosine
Adenosine
A naturally occurring nucleoside with proven anti-wrinkle properties. Stimulates collagen production...
Allantoin
Allantoin
A gentle skin-soothing and conditioning agent found naturally in comfrey root. Promotes cell regener...
Alpha-Arbutin
Alpha-Arbutin
Biosynthetic derivative of hydroquinone, but without the toxicity. Inhibits tyrosinase to reduce mel...
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Argan Oil
Moroccan argan oil, rich in vitamin E, oleic acid, and linoleic acid. Non-comedogenic despite being ...
Ascorbyl Glucoside
Ascorbyl Glucoside
A stable vitamin C derivative that converts to ascorbic acid in the skin. Less potent than L-ascorbi...
Azelaic Acid
Azelaic Acid
A multi-tasking acid naturally produced by yeast on normal skin. Anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, a...
Bakuchiol
Bakuchiol
Plant-derived retinol alternative from the Babchi plant. Mimics retinol's anti-aging effects (collag...
Beta-Glucan
Beta-Glucan
A polysaccharide with potent wound-healing and immune-boosting properties. Deeply hydrating, soothin...
Bisabolol
Bisabolol (Alpha-Bisabolol)
A terpenoid derived from chamomile. Potent anti-inflammatory and skin-soothing agent. Also enhances ...
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
A light, skin-friendly emollient derived from coconut oil. Acts as a carrier for other ingredients a...
Centella Asiatica Extract
Centella Asiatica (Cica)
Ancient medicinal plant, a K-beauty hero ingredient. Contains madecassoside, asiaticoside, and asiat...
Ceramide AP
Ceramide AP
One of three essential ceramides in the skin barrier (with NP and EOP). Helps maintain the lipid mat...
Ceramide EOP
Ceramide EOP
The third essential ceramide in the skin barrier trio. Works synergistically with ceramides NP and A...
Ceramide NP
Ceramide NP
One of the three essential ceramides (NP, AP, EOP) that make up 50% of the skin barrier. Restores an...
Cholesterol
Cholesterol
A lipid naturally found in the skin barrier. Works with ceramides and fatty acids to repair and main...
Avena Sativa Kernel Flour
Colloidal Oatmeal
Finely ground oats with FDA-approved skin protectant status. Clinically proven to relieve itching, i...
Copper Tripeptide-1
Copper Peptide (GHK-Cu)
A naturally occurring copper-binding peptide with remarkable wound-healing and anti-aging properties...
Ferulic Acid
Ferulic Acid
A plant-derived antioxidant that doubles the photoprotective power of vitamins C and E when combined...
Gluconolactone
Gluconolactone (PHA)
A polyhydroxy acid (PHA) that exfoliates more gently than AHAs. Larger molecule size means slower pe...
Glycerin
Glycerin
The most widely used humectant in skincare. Draws water from the environment and deeper skin layers ...
Glycolic Acid
Glycolic Acid (AHA)
The smallest alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA), derived from sugarcane. Penetrates deeply for effective exfol...
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Green Tea Extract
Rich in EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate), one of the most potent natural antioxidants. Anti-inflammat...
Houttuynia Cordata Extract
Heartleaf Extract
The trending K-beauty ingredient (Anua, Skin1004). Powerful anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and an...
Hyaluronic Acid
Hyaluronic Acid
A naturally occurring molecule that holds up to 1,000x its weight in water. The ultimate hydrator fo...
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Jojoba Oil
Technically a liquid wax, not an oil. Closely mimics human sebum, making it one of the most skin-com...
Lactic Acid
Lactic Acid (AHA)
A gentle AHA naturally found in milk. Larger molecule than glycolic acid, so less penetrating but al...
Madecassoside
Madecassoside
The most active compound from centella asiatica. Potent anti-inflammatory and wound-healing molecule...
Mandelic Acid
Mandelic Acid
An AHA derived from bitter almonds with a larger molecular size than glycolic acid. Gentler exfoliat...
Niacinamide
Niacinamide
Vitamin B3 derivative and one of the most versatile skincare actives. Strengthens the skin barrier, ...
Panthenol
Panthenol (Pro-Vitamin B5)
Pro-vitamin B5 that converts to pantothenic acid in the skin. Deeply hydrating, soothing, and wound-...
Pentylene Glycol
Pentylene Glycol
A plant-derived humectant with antimicrobial properties. Also acts as a preservative booster, allowi...
Phytosphingosine
Phytosphingosine
A ceramide precursor naturally found in the skin. Anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial. Part of the C...
Propanediol
Propanediol
A plant-derived alternative to propylene glycol. Humectant and solvent that helps active ingredients...
Propolis Extract
Propolis Extract
A resinous substance collected by bees with powerful antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxida...
Retinol
Retinol
Vitamin A derivative and the gold standard anti-aging active. Promotes cell turnover, stimulates col...
Rosa Canina Seed Oil
Rosehip Seed Oil
A dry, lightweight facial oil rich in omega-3, omega-6, and vitamin A (retinoids). One of the few pl...
Salicylic Acid
Salicylic Acid (BHA)
Beta-hydroxy acid (BHA) that penetrates into pores to dissolve sebum and dead skin cells. The gold s...
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Shea Butter
Rich plant butter from the African shea tree. Loaded with fatty acids, vitamins A and E. Deeply nour...
Sodium Hyaluronate
Sodium Hyaluronate
The sodium salt form of hyaluronic acid. Smaller molecular weight allows deeper penetration into the...
Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
One of the gentlest surfactants available. Amino acid-derived, does not strip the skin barrier. Used...
Squalane
Squalane
Hydrogenated form of squalene, naturally found in human sebum. Lightweight, non-greasy oil that mimi...
Sucralfate
Sucralfate
Originally a stomach ulcer medication, repurposed for skin repair. Creates a protective film that pr...
Titanium Dioxide
Titanium Dioxide
Mineral UV filter that primarily blocks UVB rays. Physical sunscreen that sits on skin surface. Ofte...
Tranexamic Acid
Tranexamic Acid
Originally a blood-clotting medication, now a rising star in skincare for hyperpigmentation. Inhibit...
Trehalose
Trehalose
A natural sugar with exceptional water-binding properties. Found in organisms that survive extreme d...
Tretinoin
Tretinoin
Prescription-strength retinoid (Retin-A). The most potent and most studied anti-aging and anti-acne ...
Urea
Urea
Natural moisturising factor (NMF) component. At low concentrations (2-10%) it's a powerful humectant...
Ascorbic Acid
Vitamin C (L-Ascorbic Acid)
The most potent form of Vitamin C for skin. A powerful antioxidant that brightens skin, fades dark s...
Tocopherol
Vitamin E (Tocopherol)
Fat-soluble antioxidant that protects cell membranes from oxidative damage. Synergizes with vitamin ...
Zinc Oxide
Zinc Oxide
Mineral (physical) UV filter that blocks both UVA and UVB rays. Sits on top of skin and reflects UV....
Zinc PCA
Zinc PCA
Zinc salt of pyrrolidone carboxylic acid. Controls sebum production, has antimicrobial properties, a...