Every ingredient, explained.
What it is, what it does, who it’s for, and how to use it. Tap any card to read the full guide.
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Aloe vera
A gentle, soothing botanical best when the overall formula is simple and fragrance-free.
Read full guide →Azelaic Acid
A multi-purpose active with strong evidence for rosacea, acne, and pigmentation. One of the more broadly tolerable actives available, including during pregnancy.
Read full guide →Bifida Ferment Lysate
A ferment-based ingredient that supports barrier function and ceramide production. Low-drama and broadly tolerated.
Read full guide →Caffeine
Useful for temporary de-puffing and a more awake look, especially around the eyes.
Read full guide →Centella Asiatica (Cica)
A well-studied calming ingredient that supports barrier recovery and soothes irritated skin without drama.
Read full guide →Ceramides
Essential barrier lipids with rock-solid evidence. If you do one thing for your skin, maintaining ceramide levels is near the top of the list.
Read full guide →Collagen (topical)
Can improve skin feel and hydration, but it’s not a literal ‘collagen rebuilding’ topical.
Read full guide →EGF (Epidermal Growth Factor)
A bioengineered growth factor with genuine wound-healing evidence. Promising for aging skin, but long-term safety questions remain for cosmetic use.
Read full guide →Exosomes
A cutting-edge concept with exciting biology but very limited topical skincare evidence. Currently more hype than proven results for consumer products.
Read full guide →GABA
A neurotransmitter-based ingredient that temporarily smooths fine lines by relaxing skin micro-musculature. Interesting but still building its evidence base.
Read full guide →Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate
A fermentation-derived ingredient that brightens, refines texture, and controls sebum. Watch for fungal acne sensitivity.
Read full guide →Ginseng
A traditional hanbang ingredient with emerging evidence for anti-inflammatory and collagen-support properties. Best approached as a long-term maintenance ingredient.
Read full guide →Heartleaf (Houttuynia Cordata)
A calming, sebum-regulating botanical that's particularly well-suited for oily and acne-prone skin. Gentle enough for sensitive types.
Read full guide →Hyaluronic acid
A hydration-support humectant that helps routines feel comfortable and maintainable.
Read full guide →Kojic Acid
A well-established tyrosinase inhibitor for dark spots and uneven tone. Effective but can irritate, especially at higher concentrations. Sun protection is non-negotiable.
Read full guide →Mugwort (Artemisia)
A calming botanical with real antioxidant and sebum-regulating properties. Good for irritated or oily skin, but watch for ragweed cross-reactivity.
Read full guide →NMN (nicotinamide mononucleotide)
An emerging ‘longevity’ trend ingredient. Treat as optional until your routine basics are locked.
Read full guide →Panthenol (Pro-Vitamin B5)
A deeply boring, deeply reliable ingredient. Moisturizes, calms, and supports healing with virtually zero irritation risk.
Read full guide →PDRN (polydeoxyribonucleotide)
A trend ingredient positioned around repair. Treat as optional and choose conservative formulas.
Read full guide →Peptides
A maintenance-friendly category that can support hydration and the look of firmness depending on type and formula.
Read full guide →Propolis
A bee-derived ingredient with genuine antibacterial and calming properties. Strong traditional use, moderate clinical evidence. Allergy risk is the main concern.
Read full guide →Retinol
A high-evidence aging-well active, but it demands pacing and barrier-first support.
Read full guide →Rice Ferment Filtrate
A gentle brightening ingredient rooted in traditional rice-water skincare. Contains natural kojic and ferulic acids. Watch for fungal acne sensitivity.
Read full guide →Snail Mucin
A hydrating, multi-component ingredient with real wound-healing history. Not for everyone ethically or allergy-wise, but well-tolerated by most.
Read full guide →Snow Mushroom (Tremella Fuciformis)
A natural humectant that holds up to 500x its weight in water. Smaller molecular size than HA means potentially better penetration, though head-to-head data is limited.
Read full guide →Squalene / Squalane
A stable emollient (usually squalane) that supports comfort and barrier-first routines.
Read full guide →Tranexamic Acid
One of the more compelling pigmentation actives. Backed by solid evidence for melasma and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, often gentler than alternatives.
Read full guide →Vitamin C
A cornerstone antioxidant for long-term skin support and uneven tone when tolerated.
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