Skincare ingredients, explained properly
What each active actually does, what concentration is worth paying for, what to pair it with, and how long to give it before deciding it does not work.
Actives
Ingredients that change the skin.
Niacinamide
A well-tolerated form of vitamin B3 that helps regulate oil, calm redness, and support the skin barrier.
Retinol
The best-evidenced ingredient for texture, fine lines, and stubborn breakouts — and the one most people start too aggressively.
Salicylic acid
An oil-soluble exfoliant that works inside the pore, which is why it suits blackheads and oily skin specifically.
Azelaic acid
An unusually versatile active that treats redness, breakouts, and pigmentation at once — and is well tolerated by sensitive skin.
Tranexamic acid
A targeted pigmentation treatment that works on a different pathway to most brighteners, making it useful for stubborn melasma.
Alpha arbutin
A gentle brightening active that fades dark marks slowly and suits skin that finds stronger options irritating.
Antioxidants
Daytime protection against environmental damage.
Hydrators
Ingredients that hold water in the skin.
Barrier support
Ingredients that keep skin resilient while actives do their work.