Ingredient glossary
Every ingredient, decoded.
The back of the bottle is where the truth is, and it reads like a foreign language. So here is the whole cabinet in plain words: what each ingredient actually does, who it suits, and who should quietly skip it. No hype, no chemistry degree required.
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A
- Acetyl Tetrapeptide-5Promising, not proven
- AdapaleneWorth paying for
- AdenosineSolid and proven
- AllantoinSolid and proven
- AloeDecent support
- Alpha ArbutinSolid and proven
- AmodimethiconeDecent support
- Argan OilSolid and proven
- ArgirelinePromising, not proven
- Ascorbyl GlucosideSolid and proven
- AstaxanthinSolid and proven
- AvobenzoneSun protection
- Avocado OilSolid and proven
- Azelaic AcidWorth paying for
B
- BakuchiolSolid and proven
- BentoniteDecent support
- Benzoyl PeroxideWorth paying for
- Benzyl AlcoholScent, not skincare
- Beta-GlucanSolid and proven
- BetaineSolid and proven
- Bifida Ferment LysatePromising, not proven
- BisabololSolid and proven
- BromelainDecent support
- Buriti OilPromising, not proven
- Butylene GlycolSolid and proven
C
- C12-15 Alkyl BenzoateSolid and proven
- CaffeineDecent support
- Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideSolid and proven
- Capryloyl Salicylic AcidSolid and proven
- Caprylyl GlycolQuietly necessary
- Castor OilPromising, not proven
- Centella Asiatica ExtractSolid and proven
- Ceramide 1Worth paying for
- Ceramide 3Worth paying for
- Ceramide 6-IIWorth paying for
- Cetearyl AlcoholSolid and proven
- Cetearyl IsononanoateSolid and proven
- Cetyl AlcoholSolid and proven
- Cetyl EthylhexanoateSolid and proven
- Charcoal PowderMore hype than results
- CholesterolWorth paying for
- Citric AcidDecent support
- Cocamidopropyl BetaineDecent support
- Coco-Caprylate/CaprateSolid and proven
- Coco-GlucosideDecent support
- Coconut OilSolid and proven
- Coenzyme Q10Solid and proven
- Colloidal OatmealWorth paying for
- CyclohexasiloxaneSolid and proven
- CyclopentasiloxaneSolid and proven
- CysteamineWorth paying for
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
- Macadamia OilSolid and proven
- MadecassosideScent, not skincare
- Magnesium Ascorbyl PhosphateSolid and proven
- Malic AcidDecent support
- MaltitolDecent support
- Mandelic AcidSolid and proven
- Marula OilDecent support
- Meadowfoam Seed OilSolid and proven
- MentholMore hype than results
- MethylisothiazolinoneQuietly necessary
- MethylparabenQuietly necessary
- Mexoryl SXSun protection
- Mexoryl XLSun protection
- Mineral OilWorth paying for
- Mugwort ExtractDecent support
- Myristyl MyristateDecent support
N
O
P
- Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4Solid and proven
- Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1Decent support
- PapainPromising, not proven
- PDRNSolid and proven
- Peppermint OilMore hype than results
- PetrolatumWorth paying for
- PhenoxyethanolQuietly necessary
- Phenyl TrimethiconeSolid and proven
- Phytic AcidPromising, not proven
- Polyglutamic AcidPromising, not proven
- Potassium SorbateQuietly necessary
- Pro-vitamin B5Worth paying for
- PropanediolSolid and proven
- Propolis ExtractDecent support
- PropylparabenQuietly necessary
R
S
- Safflower Seed OilSolid and proven
- Salicylic acid (BHA)Worth paying for
- Sea Buckthorn OilDecent support
- Shea ButterWorth paying for
- Snail Secretion FiltrateSolid and proven
- Sodium Ascorbyl PhosphateWorth paying for
- Sodium BenzoateQuietly necessary
- Sodium Cocoyl IsethionateSolid and proven
- Sodium LactateSolid and proven
- Sodium Laureth SulfateSolid and proven
- Sodium Lauryl SulfateWorth paying for
- Sodium PCAWorth paying for
- SorbitolSolid and proven
- SqualaneWorth paying for
- Stearyl AlcoholSolid and proven
- Succinic AcidPromising, not proven
- SulfurSolid and proven
- Sunflower Seed OilWorth paying for
- Sweet Almond OilSolid and proven
T
- TallowDecent support
- Tartaric AcidDecent support
- TazaroteneWorth paying for
- Tea Tree OilDecent support
- TetrahydrocurcuminSolid and proven
- THD AscorbateSolid and proven
- ThiamidolWorth paying for
- Tinosorb MSun protection
- Tinosorb SSun protection
- Titanium DioxideSun protection
- Tranexamic AcidSolid and proven
- TrehalosePromising, not proven
- Tremella Fuciformis ExtractDecent support
- TretinoinWorth paying for