Understanding Ingredients
You don't need to be a chemist, but understanding key ingredients helps you make informed choices about what you put on your skin.
Here are the most important ingredients to know about.
You don't need to be a chemist, but understanding key ingredients helps you make informed choices about what you put on your skin.
Here are the most important ingredients to know about.
Holds up to 1000x its weight in water. Draws moisture into skin, providing plump, hydrated results. Suitable for all skin types.
A simple but effective hydrator that draws water to the skin's surface. Found in many moisturizers and cleansers.
Lipids that naturally occur in skin. Help restore and maintain the skin barrier, preventing water loss and protecting against irritation.
A form of vitamin B3 that improves skin texture, reduces redness, and strengthens the barrier. Gentle and versatile.
Naturally calming and hydrating. Soothes irritation and provides gentle moisture without heaviness.
Also called cica. Supports healing, reduces inflammation, and calms reactive skin. Excellent for sensitive types.
A vitamin A derivative that increases cell turnover. Effective but can cause irritation. Start slowly, use at night, and always pair with SPF.
Protects against environmental damage and brightens skin tone. Use in the morning under SPF for maximum benefit.
Water-soluble acids that gently dissolve dead skin cells on the surface. Improve texture and radiance. Use carefully to avoid over-exfoliation.
Oil-soluble acid that penetrates pores to clear congestion. Especially helpful for oily or acne-prone skin.
Chains of amino acids that support skin structure and firmness. Gentle alternative to more aggressive anti-aging ingredients.
Ingredients like vitamin E, green tea, and resveratrol protect skin from environmental stressors and free radical damage.
You don't need every trendy ingredient. Focus on gentle hydrators and consistent protection. If you want to add actives, introduce one at a time and give your skin time to adjust. More isn't better—effective and consistent is better.