Beauty Ingredient Encyclopedia

Also: Argireline, Botox-like peptide, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8

A neurotransmitter-inhibiting peptide that relaxes expression lines without needles.

Also: Synthetic polymer, Acrylic copolymer

A synthetic polymer thickener and film-former classified as an intentional microplastic by the EU.

Also: Denatured Alcohol, Ethanol, SD Alcohol

Denatured ethanol used as a solvent, preservative, and penetration enhancer — but drying and disruptive to the barrier.

Also: α-Arbutin, 4-Hydroxyphenyl-alpha-D-glucopyranoside

A highly effective and safe tyrosinase inhibitor for fading dark spots and uneven skin tone.

Also: Plant retinol, Psoralea Corylifolia Seed Extract

A plant-derived retinol alternative that activates the same skin pathways without the irritation or pregnancy restriction.

Also: Oat Beta-Glucan, Yeast Beta-Glucan, β-Glucan

A powerful anti-inflammatory humectant from oat or yeast that strengthens the skin's immune response.

Also: Trimethylglycine, TMG

A gentle amino acid-derived humectant sourced from sugar beets.

Also: Alpha-Bisabolol, Chamomile extract (source), Levomenol

A chamomile-derived anti-irritant that soothes, softens, and reduces redness.

Also: Paraben

The highest-concern paraben — a strong oestrogen mimicker that accumulates in body tissue.

Also: Cica, Gotu Kola, Tiger Grass

A healing botanical with powerful anti-inflammatory, wound-healing, and barrier-repairing properties.

Also: Ceramide 3, N-stearoyl phytosphingosine

The most abundant ceramide in human skin, essential for a healthy skin barrier.

Also: Fatty alcohol, Cetostearyl Alcohol

A fatty alcohol emollient and thickener — completely different from drying alcohols and actually moisturises skin.

Also: Skin cholesterol, Lanolin alcohol (related)

A lipid molecule that pairs with ceramides and fatty acids to maintain a healthy skin barrier.

Also: GHK-Cu, Copper peptide

A naturally occurring copper-peptide complex with powerful wound-healing and anti-ageing properties.

Also: Cyclopentasiloxane (D5), Cyclotetrasiloxane (D4), Cyclosilicone

A lightweight, evaporating silicone used as a carrier in hair products — but EU-restricted in wash-off products.

Also: Polydimethylsiloxane, PDMS, Silicone

A skin-conditioning silicone that creates a smooth, protective film and fills in fine lines.

Also: Dimethylol dimethyl hydantoin, Formaldehyde releaser

A formaldehyde-releasing preservative that slowly emits formaldehyde — a known carcinogen — into the product.

Also: 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, EA

A highly stable Vitamin C derivative favoured in Korean beauty formulations.

Also: Plant-based antioxidant

A plant-derived antioxidant that doubles the efficacy of Vitamins C and E when combined.

Also: Glycerol, Glycerine

A gentle humectant that draws moisture from the air into the skin.

Also: AHA, Alpha Hydroxy Acid, Sugar cane acid

The most potent AHA exfoliant — it dissolves dead skin bonds to reveal brighter, smoother skin.

Also: Homomethyl salicylate, HMS

A UVB chemical filter that accumulates in the body and has weak endocrine disruption evidence.

Also: HA, Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate (salt form)

A powerful humectant naturally found in skin that holds up to 1,000× its weight in water.

Also: 1,4-Benzenediol, HQ

A potent skin lightener banned in EU cosmetics — effective but linked to ochronosis and carcinogenicity.

Also: Granactive Retinoid, HPR

A next-generation retinoid ester that binds directly to retinoid receptors without conversion, causing far less irritation.

Also: Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Jojoba Esters

A liquid wax from jojoba seeds that closely resembles skin's natural sebum.

Also: 5-hydroxy-2-hydroxymethyl-gamma-pyrone

A fungal-derived melanin inhibitor that lightens dark spots and brightens skin tone.

Also: Vitamin C, Ascorbic Acid, LAA

The most potent and research-backed form of Vitamin C — a brightening antioxidant and collagen co-factor.

Also: AHA, Milk acid

A gentle AHA exfoliant with added humectant properties — the best entry-point acid for beginners.

Also: AHA, Almond acid

A gentle, large-molecule AHA that exfoliates superficially with additional antibacterial benefits.

Also: Paraben, E218, Methyl p-hydroxybenzoate

A synthetic preservative with endocrine-disrupting properties that mimics oestrogen.

Also: Vitamin B3, Nicotinamide

A multi-tasking Vitamin B3 active that minimises pores, regulates sebum, fades dark spots, and strengthens the barrier.

Also: Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, OMC

A widely used UVB filter that penetrates skin and has mild endocrine disruption evidence.

Also: Benzophenone-3, BP-3

A highly effective chemical UV filter that absorbs UVB and UVA2 — but is a known endocrine disruptor.

Also: Matrixyl, Pal-KTTKS

The most studied signal peptide — it triggers collagen, elastin, and fibronectin synthesis.

Also: Petroleum Jelly, White Petrolatum, Vaseline

The most effective occlusive moisturiser known, creating a near-impermeable barrier on skin.

Also: Phenoxetol, Ethylene Glycol Monophenyl Ether

The most widely used synthetic preservative in modern cosmetics — a paraben replacement.

Also: Sphingosine (related), Ceramide precursor

A ceramide precursor with anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties that rebuilds the skin barrier.

Also: PE, Polyethylene Beads, Micro-PE

A solid plastic polymer used in scrubs and exfoliants that pollutes waterways and marine ecosystems.

Also: Paraben, E216

A stronger endocrine-disrupting paraben linked to decreased fertility and reproductive harm.

Also: Retinaldehyde, RAL

One step closer to active retinoic acid than retinol — significantly more potent with faster visible results.

Also: Vitamin A, ROL

The gold-standard over-the-counter retinoid for anti-ageing, acne, and skin renewal.

Also: BHA, Beta Hydroxy Acid, Willow bark (natural source)

An oil-soluble acid that penetrates pores to dissolve blackheads and excess sebum.

Also: Butyrospermum Parkii Butter

A rich, nourishing fat from the shea tree that deeply moisturises and softens skin.

Also: SAP, Stable Vitamin C

A stable, gentle Vitamin C derivative that converts to active ascorbic acid on skin.

Also: Benzoic Acid (related), E211

A preservative that in the presence of Vitamin C can form benzene — a known carcinogen.

Also: HA salt, Hyaluronic Acid (sodium salt)

The sodium salt form of hyaluronic acid — smaller, more stable, and better at penetrating skin.

Also: NaPCA, Pyrrolidone Carboxylic Acid

A component of the skin's own natural moisturising factor (NMF) that binds water to the skin surface.

Also: Olive squalane, Sugarcane squalane

A lightweight, stable plant-derived oil that mimics the skin's natural sebum.

Also: TiO2, CI 77891, Mineral sunscreen

A mineral UV filter and white pigment — excellent UVB protection, more limited UVA coverage than zinc oxide.

Also: TXA

A newer anti-inflammatory brightening agent effective against melasma and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.

Also: TCS, Irgasan

An antimicrobial agent banned by the FDA in hand soaps — an endocrine disruptor that contributes to antibiotic resistance.

Also: Tocopherol, Alpha-Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Acetate

A fat-soluble antioxidant that protects skin lipids from oxidative damage and supports barrier repair.

Also: ZnO, Mineral sunscreen

The broadest-spectrum mineral UV filter — protects against UVA and UVB without hormone disruption.