Ingredients Dictionary
Demystifying the science behind your favorite products. Understand what goes on your skin.
Hyaluronic Acid
A powerful humectant that can hold up to 1000x its weight in water.
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Salicylic Acid
A Beta Hydroxy Acid (BHA) that exfoliates inside the pore.
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Niacinamide
A form of Vitamin B3 that strengthens the skin barrier.
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Retinol
A Vitamin A derivative that speeds up cell turnover.
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Vitamin C (L-Ascorbic Acid)
A potent antioxidant that neutralizes free radicals.
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Squalane
A lightweight, non-comedogenic oil that mimics skin's natural sebum.
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Glycolic Acid
An Alpha Hydroxy Acid (AHA) derived from sugar cane that exfoliates the skin surface.
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Ceramides
Lipid molecules found naturally in skin that help form the skin barrier and retain moisture.
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Azelaic Acid
A naturally occurring acid that helps reduce inflammation and clear pores.
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Peptides
Short chains of amino acids that act as building blocks of proteins like collagen and elastin.
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Bakuchiol
A plant-based alternative to retinol that offers similar anti-aging benefits without the irritation.
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Centella Asiatica (Cica)
A botanical herb known for its incredible healing and soothing properties.
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Lactic Acid
A gentle Alpha Hydroxy Acid (AHA) that exfoliates and hydrates simultaneously.
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Panthenol (Pro-Vitamin B5)
A humectant that attracts and holds moisture while soothing the skin.
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Allantoin
A non-irritating ingredient that soothes and protects the skin.
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Alpha Arbutin
A safe and effective skin-brightening ingredient that fades hyperpigmentation.
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Tranexamic Acid
An amino acid derivative that helps fade discoloration and melasma.
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Ferulic Acid
A plant-based antioxidant that boosts the stability and efficacy of Vitamins C and E.
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Resveratrol
A powerful antioxidant found in grapes that protects the skin from environmental stress.
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Green Tea Extract
Rich in polyphenols, this extract provides potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits.
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Coenzyme Q10 (Ubiquinone)
An enzyme produced naturally in the body that helps energize skin cells.
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Mandelic Acid
A gentle AHA with larger molecules that penetrate the skin more slowly, making it ideal for sensitive skin.
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PHA (Gluconolactone)
A Polyhydroxy Acid (PHA) that provides gentle exfoliation and hydration.
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Glycerin
A classic humectant that draws moisture into the skin and strengthens the moisture barrier.
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Urea
A natural moisturizing factor (NMF) that hydrates and gently exfoliates extremely dry skin.
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Cholesterol
A vital lipid that works with ceramides and fatty acids to maintain a healthy skin barrier.
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Shea Butter
A rich emollient that provides intense nourishment and protection.
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Sulfur
A mineral that helps dry out the surface of the skin to absorb excess oil and unclog pores.
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Tea Tree Oil
A natural essential oil with powerful antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.
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Zinc PCA
A synthetic ingredient that helps regulate oil production and soothe inflammation.
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Kojic Acid
A natural ingredient derived from fungi that inhibits melanin production.
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Licorice Root Extract
A botanical ingredient that soothes the skin and helps fade hyperpigmentation.
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Aloe Vera
A cooling plant extract known for its soothing and hydrating properties.
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Calendula Extract
A flower extract that helps soothe and heal irritated skin.
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Silica
A mineral used in makeup to absorb oil and provide a smooth, matte finish.
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Mica
A natural mineral dust used to add shimmer and glow to makeup products.
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Kaolin Clay
A gentle clay that absorbs excess oil and impurities without stripping the skin.
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Bentonite Clay
A powerful clay that draws out toxins and deeply cleanses pores.
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Vitamin E (Tocopherol)
A fat-soluble antioxidant that helps protect the skin from oxidative stress and supports the skin barrier.
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Caffeine
A stimulant that can temporarily constrict blood vessels and reduce puffiness.
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Rosehip Oil
A pressed seed oil, rich in vitamins and essential fatty acids, known for its regenerative properties.
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Jojoba Oil
A liquid wax that closely resembles human sebum, making it highly compatible with skin.
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Argan Oil
A nutrient-rich oil from Morocco that provides intense hydration and antioxidant protection.
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Witch Hazel
A botanical extract with astringent properties that helps tighten pores and soothe skin.
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Rose Water
A gentle floral water that hydrates, soothes, and balances the skin's pH.
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Chamomile Extract
A soothing botanical known for its anti-inflammatory and calming effects.
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Cucumber Extract
A cooling extract that provides hydration and helps reduce puffiness.
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Ginseng Extract
A traditional herbal extract that helps energize and revitalize the skin.
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Mugwort Extract (Artemisia)
A powerful soothing ingredient that helps calm sensitive and acne-prone skin.
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Heartleaf Extract (Houttuynia Cordata)
A popular K-beauty ingredient known for its intense soothing and pore-clearing properties.
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Propolis
A resinous mixture produced by honeybees that has powerful antibacterial and healing properties.
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Honey
A natural humectant and antibacterial agent that hydrates and soothes the skin.
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Snail Mucin (Snail Secretion Filtrate)
A unique ingredient that hydrates, repairs, and improves skin texture.
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Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate
A yeast extract that helps brighten skin, refine pores, and control oil.
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Bifida Ferment Lysate
A probiotic ingredient that helps strengthen the skin's microbiome and barrier.
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Copper Peptides
A specialized peptide that promotes collagen and elastin production while healing the skin.
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Matrixyl 3000
A powerful anti-aging peptide complex that stimulates collagen synthesis.
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Argireline (Acetyl Hexapeptide-8)
A peptide often called "Botox in a bottle" for its ability to reduce expression lines.
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Idebenone
A synthetic analog of Coenzyme Q10 that is one of the most powerful antioxidants available.
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Astaxanthin
A keto-carotenoid that is significantly more powerful than Vitamin C as an antioxidant.
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Glutathione
A master antioxidant that helps brighten skin and reduce oxidative stress.
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Benzoyl Peroxide
A powerful antibacterial ingredient that kills acne-causing bacteria.
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Zinc Oxide
A mineral sunscreen filter that provides broad-spectrum UV protection and soothes skin.
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Titanium Dioxide
A mineral sunscreen filter that reflects UV rays and provides a brightening effect.
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Avobenzone
A chemical sunscreen filter that provides excellent UVA protection.
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Octocrylene
A chemical sunscreen filter that helps stabilize other filters and provides UVB protection.
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Phenoxyethanol
A common preservative used to prevent microbial growth in skincare and makeup.
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Ethylhexylglycerin
A skin-conditioning agent and preservative booster.
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Fragrance (Parfum)
A blend of natural or synthetic scents used to enhance the sensory experience of a product.
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Alcohol Denat.
A drying alcohol used to make products feel lighter and help ingredients penetrate better.
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Butylene Glycol
A common solvent and humectant that improves product texture and hydration.
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Propylene Glycol
A humectant and delivery ingredient that helps other ingredients penetrate the skin.
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Dimethicone
A silicone-based polymer that creates a smooth, protective barrier on the skin.
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Cyclopentasiloxane
A lightweight silicone that provides a silky feel and evaporates quickly.
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Talc
A mineral used in powders to absorb moisture and provide a smooth application.
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Charcoal Powder
An activated ingredient that acts like a magnet to draw out impurities and excess oil.
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Volcanic Ash
A natural exfoliant rich in minerals that helps clarify and brighten the skin.
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Sea Salt
A natural exfoliant that helps remove dead skin cells and provides minerals.
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Colloidal Oatmeal
Finely ground oats that provide exceptional soothing and anti-itch benefits.
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Madecassoside
One of the primary active compounds in Centella Asiatica, known for its intense healing properties.
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Bisabolol
A soothing ingredient derived from chamomile that helps reduce irritation.
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Adenosine
A yeast-derived ingredient that functions as a good soothing and skin-restoring agent.
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Rice Bran Extract
A traditional ingredient rich in antioxidants and vitamins that softens and brightens skin.
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Soy Isoflavones
Plant-derived compounds that help improve skin elasticity and reduce signs of aging.
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Pycnogenol (Pine Bark Extract)
A potent antioxidant that helps protect collagen and elastin from degradation.
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Retinaldehyde (Retinal)
A more potent form of Vitamin A than retinol, requiring only one conversion step to retinoic acid.
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Adapalene
A third-generation retinoid specifically designed to treat acne by regulating cell turnover.