Hyaluronic Acid
Sodium hyaluronate, HAHyaluronic acid is a water-binding humectant that helps skin look plumper and feel more comfortable. It works best when applied to damp skin and sealed in with a moisturizer.
Skincare Ingredients Glossary
Plain-English guides to the actives you see on ingredient lists, from hyaluronic acid to snail mucin. Learn what each one does, how to use it and what to pair it with.
Hydration & Barrier
Ceramides
Ceramide NP, ceramide AP, ceramide EOPCeramides are the fats that fill the gaps between skin cells and keep water from escaping. Adding them back topically helps a dry, stressed or over-exfoliated barrier feel calmer and more resilient.
Squalane
Olive squalane, sugarcane squalaneSqualane is a lightweight, shelf-stable oil that closely resembles a lipid skin already makes. It softens and smooths without a greasy finish, which makes it one of the most versatile facial oils.
Glycerin
Glycerol, glycerineGlycerin is a simple, inexpensive humectant that pulls water into the skin and helps it stay flexible. It is in so many products that it is easy to overlook, but it is one of the best-studied moisturizing ingredients.
Urea
CarbamideUrea is part of the skin's own natural moisturizing factor. At lower strengths it hydrates, and at higher strengths it helps soften rough, thickened skin on areas like heels and elbows.
Shea Butter
Butyrospermum parkii butter, Vitellaria paradoxaShea butter is a rich, creamy fat from the nuts of the shea tree. It softens dry skin and slows moisture loss, making it a classic choice for cold weather and very dry areas.
Beta-Glucan
Oat beta-glucan, yeast beta-glucanBeta-glucan is a sugar-based molecule from oats, yeast and mushrooms that hydrates and soothes skin. Many people use it as a calming alternative or partner to hyaluronic acid.
Soothing & Calming
Panthenol
Provitamin B5, D-panthenol, dexpanthenolPanthenol is a form of vitamin B5 that hydrates, soothes and helps skin recover after irritation. It is gentle enough for sensitive skin and appears in many Korean cica and barrier creams.
Madecassoside
Centella triterpeneMadecassoside is one of the key active compounds isolated from centella asiatica. It offers a more targeted, consistent dose of cica's calming and barrier-supporting qualities.
Allantoin
Allantoin is a mild, well-tolerated ingredient that soothes, softens and protects the skin. It is a quiet workhorse in many cleansers, toners and moisturizers aimed at sensitive skin.
Aloe Vera
Aloe barbadensis leaf juiceAloe vera is a cooling, water-rich gel that soothes and lightly hydrates skin. It is a classic after-sun and post-shave ingredient and a common base in Korean soothing gels.
Colloidal Oatmeal
Avena sativa kernel flourColloidal oatmeal is oat ground into an ultra-fine powder that disperses in water. It helps relieve dryness and itch and is one of the most trusted ingredients for very sensitive skin.
Brightening & Tone
Niacinamide
Vitamin B3, nicotinamideNiacinamide is a form of vitamin B3 that does a little bit of everything: it supports the barrier, helps balance oil, refines the look of pores and evens out skin tone. It is gentle, stable and easy to pair.
Vitamin C
L-ascorbic acid, ascorbyl glucoside, ethyl ascorbic acidVitamin C is one of the most researched antioxidants in skincare. It helps brighten dull skin, fade the look of dark spots and support firmness, especially when paired with daily sunscreen.
Alpha-Arbutin
Alpha-arbutin glycosideAlpha arbutin is a gentle brightening ingredient that helps reduce the look of dark spots by slowing pigment production. It is well tolerated and a popular choice in Korean brightening serums.
Tranexamic Acid
TXATranexamic acid is a gentle brightening ingredient that helps fade the look of stubborn discoloration. In topical skincare it is well tolerated and pairs easily with other brighteners.
Licorice Root Extract
Glycyrrhiza glabra root extract, glabridin, dipotassium glycyrrhizateLicorice root extract is a gentle plant-based brightener that also helps calm redness, which makes it a favorite in Korean formulas for uneven, easily irritated skin.
Kojic Acid
Kojic acid dipalmitate (a more stable derivative)Kojic acid is an effective but somewhat temperamental brightening ingredient: it helps fade stubborn dark spots, yet it can irritate and breaks down easily in light and air.
Glutathione
L-glutathione, reduced glutathione (GSH)Glutathione is the body's master antioxidant and a trendy brightening ingredient, but the evidence that it works when applied to skin is still limited and uncertain.
Exfoliating & Clarifying
Salicylic Acid (BHA)
BHA, beta hydroxy acidSalicylic acid is the go-to exfoliant for oily and acne-prone skin because it dissolves in oil and works inside the pore, not just on the surface.
Glycolic Acid (AHA)
AHA, alpha hydroxy acidGlycolic acid is the most powerful of the common alpha hydroxy acids, smoothing rough texture and reviving dull skin — as long as you introduce it slowly.
Lactic Acid (AHA)
AHA, alpha hydroxy acid; sodium lactate is a related humectant saltLactic acid exfoliates more gently than glycolic acid and doubles as a humectant, making it a favorite AHA for dry, dull and mildly sensitive skin.
PHA (Polyhydroxy Acids)
Gluconolactone, lactobionic acidPolyhydroxy acids are the gentlest members of the acid family, offering slow, surface-level exfoliation plus hydration for skin that can't handle stronger AHAs.
Azelaic Acid
Azeloyl glycine (a related derivative)Azelaic acid is a rare multitasker: it helps with breakouts, visible redness and post-blemish marks while being gentle enough for many sensitive skin types.
Tea Tree Oil
Melaleuca alternifolia leaf oilTea tree oil is a plant essential oil with antimicrobial properties that may help mild blemishes, but it must be diluted and used with care to avoid irritation.
Sulfur
SulphurSulfur is one of the oldest acne ingredients still in use, helping to dry out blemishes and absorb oil with a gentler feel than many stronger treatments.
Anti-Aging
Peptides
Palmitoyl pentapeptide-4, acetyl hexapeptide-8, palmitoyl tripeptide-1Peptides are short chains of amino acids that act as messengers or helpers in skin. They are a gentle option for supporting firmness and smoothness, especially for people who cannot tolerate stronger actives.
Retinol
Vitamin A; retinyl palmitate and retinyl retinoate are milder relativesRetinol is a vitamin A derivative that helps smooth fine lines, refine texture and even tone, and it rewards patience more than any other anti-aging ingredient.
Retinal (Retinaldehyde)
RetinaldehydeRetinal is a retinoid that sits one conversion step closer to the active form than retinol, so it tends to work faster while staying a cosmetic-level ingredient.
Bakuchiol
Psoralea corylifolia (babchi) seed extractBakuchiol is a plant-based ingredient often called a retinol alternative because it may help with fine lines and tone while being far gentler on skin.
Adenosine
Adenosine is a gentle, cell-energy-related compound that shows up in a huge number of Korean creams and serums aimed at smoothing the look of wrinkles.
Collagen
Hydrolyzed collagen, soluble collagen, marine collagenCollagen in skincare is an excellent hydrator, but applying collagen to your face does not rebuild the collagen inside your skin.
Copper Peptides
GHK-Cu, copper tripeptide-1Copper peptides combine a naturally occurring peptide with copper, and they are prized for supporting skin repair, firmness and recovery.
K-Beauty Signatures
Centella Asiatica
Cica, tiger grass, gotu kolaCentella asiatica, often called cica, is a plant extract prized in Korean skincare for calming redness and supporting skin recovery. It is gentle, versatile and suitable for most skin types.
Mugwort
Artemisia, ssukMugwort is a traditional Korean herb, known as ssuk, used in skincare to calm redness and support stressed skin. It is a signature ingredient in many soothing Korean essences and masks.
Green Tea
Camellia sinensis leaf extract, EGCGGreen tea extract is rich in antioxidant compounds called catechins. In skincare it is used to help defend against environmental stress, calm redness and keep oily skin feeling balanced.
Snail Mucin
Snail secretion filtrateSnail mucin is one of K-beauty's most famous ingredients, a hydrating and soothing filtrate that helps skin feel bouncy and recover from stress.
Rice Extract
Oryza sativa (rice) extract, rice bran extract, rice ferment filtrateRice extract is a gentle, centuries-old East Asian beauty staple that helps soften, soothe and brighten the look of skin.
Propolis
Bee propolis extractPropolis is a resin bees make to protect their hives, and in skincare it brings antioxidant, soothing and clarifying benefits — along with a real allergy risk for some people.
Ginseng
Panax ginseng root extract, red ginsengGinseng is the signature root of Korean herbal tradition, used in skincare for antioxidant support and a revitalized, radiant look.
All Ingredients A–Z
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