For Hydration and Barrier Support:
Hyaluronic Acid: Attracts and retains water, making the skin plump and hydrated. This is a potent humectant (moisture-binding molecule) that attracts and retains large amounts of water in the skin, providing hydration and a plump appearance to reduce the look of fine lines.
Ceramides: Lipids that are crucial for maintaining the skin's natural barrier, preventing moisture loss, and protecting against environmental aggressors. These are natural fatty molecules (lipids) that help maintain and replenish the skin's healthy protective barrier, which prevents moisture loss and protects against external irritants.
Glycerin: A humectant that draws moisture into the skin.
For Exfoliation:
Alpha-Hydroxy Acids (AHAs): Such as glycolic and lactic acid, they work on the skin's surface to remove dead skin cells, improve texture, and can help with hyperpigmentation. Their function is to exfoliate the skin surface by breaking down the "glue" that binds dead skin cells, helping to improve skin texture, reduce fine lines, and even out skin tone. (Glycolic Acid (derived from sugarcane) and lactic acid are common AHAs)
Beta-hydroxy Acids (BHAs): Like salicylic acid, BHAs can penetrate oily pores to exfoliate and unclog them, making them great for acne-prone skin. thier function as an oil-soluble exfoliant that penetrates deep into the pores to unclog them, making it highly effective for treating acne, blackheads, and controlling oil production.
(Salicylic acid is the most common BHA)
For Anti-Aging and Cell Turnover:
Retinoids (Vitamin A derivatives): A powerful ingredient that improves the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, boosts collagen, and accelerates skin cell turnover. These stimulate rapid skin cell turnover and promote new collagen formation. They are widely used to treat acne, minimize fine lines and wrinkles, and fade hyperpigmentation.
Peptides: Amino acid chains that signal the skin to produce more collagen, helping to improve elasticity and firmness. These are chains of amino acids that serve as building blocks for proteins like collagen and elastin. They signal the skin to produce more collagen, helping to improve the skin firmness, elasticity, and reduce wrinkles.
Snail Mucin: also known as snail secretion filtrate, is a natural substance produced by snails. Hydrating, healing, and anti-aging are some of the benefits. It's rich in antioxidants, which help treat signs of aging, improve skin regeneration, and protect against free radicals. Additionally, snail mucin may aid in wound healing, reduce acne, and lessen the appearance of scars and other skin damage.
Snow Mushroom (tremella mushroom)-renowned for their exceptional hydration, collagen-boosting, and antioxidant properties.
For Brightening and Protection:
Vitamin C: A potent antioxidant that protects the skin from free radicals, brightens the complexion, and promotes collagen production. Vitamin C neutralizes free radicals caused by sun exposure, pollution, and environmental damage.
Niacinamide (Vitamin B3): Improves the skin's barrier function, reduces the appearance of pores, evens out skin tone, and can soothe inflammation. This is a versatile ingredient that strengthens the skin's barrier, reduces inflammation and redness (beneficial for conditions like rosacea), helps minimize the appearance of pores, and balances oil production.
Antioxidants (e.g., Vitamin E): neutralize free radicals caused by UV rays and pollution, helping to protect the skin from environmental damage. Neutralizes free radicals caused by sun exposure, pollution, and environmental damage.
Broad-Spectrum Sunscreen: Essential for protecting the skin from both UVA and UVB rays, preventing sun damage.
Sunscreen Ingredients (Zinc Oxide, Titanium Dioxide): Provides broad-spectrum protection against the sun's harmful UVA/UVB rays, which is the most crucial step
preventing sun damage.
For Specific Concerns:
Benzoyl Peroxide: An effective ingredient for treating acne by killing acne-causing bacteria.
Azelaic Acid: Helps to brighten the skin, reduce inflammation, and can be effective against acne and rosacea.