Ingredients.

The strongest common AHA exfoliant; smooths texture and fades dark spots.

A gentler AHA exfoliant that also hydrates; good for first-time acid users.

A classic soothing agent that calms irritated skin.

A lab-refined form of arbutin for fading dark spots.

A plant-derived brightener that fades dark spots by slowing melanin production.

Argan oil; smooths frizz and adds shine.

A stable vitamin C derivative that brightens gradually with low irritation.

Calms redness and fades post-acne marks; one of the few actives considered pregnancy-friendly.

A plant-based alternative to retinol with similar smoothing benefits and less irritation.

Kills acne-causing bacteria; a first-line anti-acne active.

An oil-soluble (BHA) exfoliant that clears pores from the inside; the go-to for blackheads.

Temporarily de-puffs and brightens the look of tired skin and under-eyes.

A skin-identical lipid that rebuilds the moisture barrier.

The 'cica' plant extract famous for calming stressed, sensitive skin.

An anti-fungal scalp active used against dandruff.

A moisture magnet that holds many times its weight in water.

The salt form of hyaluronic acid; draws water into the skin for instant hydration.

Protein fragments that patch damaged spots in the hair shaft.

A plant protein that strengthens and thickens the feel of hair.

A potent prescription-strength skin lightener; regulated in many regions.

A fermentation-derived brightener used to fade dark spots and uneven tone.

A large-molecule AHA that exfoliates very gently; popular for sensitive or darker skin tones.

An anti-dandruff active that targets the fungus behind flaking.

Pro-vitamin B5; soothes, hydrates, and helps repair the skin and hair surface.

A faster-acting cousin of retinol (vitamin A family) for cell turnover and anti-aging.

A gentle, weaker vitamin A derivative used for mild anti-aging benefits.

Snail mucin; a hydrating, repairing ingredient popular in K-beauty for plumping and soothing skin.

A stable, gentle vitamin C derivative for brightening.

A lightweight, skin-identical oil that moisturizes without clogging.

A mineral UV filter, gentle enough for sensitive skin.

A newer brightening active, especially studied for melasma and stubborn dark patches.

A humectant and gentle exfoliant in one; a dermatology staple for rough, very dry skin.

The most-studied anti-aging active; speeds up skin cell turnover and smooths fine lines.

A form of vitamin B3 that reduces redness, evens skin tone, and helps strengthen the skin barrier.

Pure vitamin C; an antioxidant that brightens and supports collagen.

A mineral UV filter that physically blocks both UVA and UVB.

A classic anti-dandruff active.

A silicone that smooths and seals; not water-soluble, so it can build up on hair.

Simple alcohol; gives a fast-drying feel but can dehydrate skin and hair.

Aloe vera juice; soothes and lightly hydrates.

A milder sulfate cleansing agent.

A sulfate cleansing agent similar to SLS.

A conditioning silicone that targets damaged areas of hair; not water-soluble.

Avocado oil; a rich emollient oil.

Coconut oil; an occlusive oil that can penetrate the hair shaft.

A volatile silicone that gives a silky feel.

A volatile silicone that gives slip and evaporates off.

Denatured alcohol; can be drying with frequent use.

Simple alcohol; can be drying with frequent use.

A blend of fragrance compounds; the most common trigger for fragrance sensitivity.

One of the most reliable moisture-binding ingredients in skincare.

A self-emulsifying form of glyceryl stearate.

A drying solvent alcohol.

A fatty acid common in coconut oil.

An omega-6 fatty acid; lighter than oleic acid.

A fatty acid used in cleansers.

A fatty acid rich in many plant oils.

Olive oil; a rich emollient for very dry skin and hair.

A fatty acid used as an emollient.

A common emulsifier that binds oil and water.

Specially denatured alcohol; can be drying.

Shea butter; a rich, occlusive moisturizer.

A common foaming cleanser, milder than SLS but still a sulfate.

A strong cleansing agent; effective but can be drying and irritating.

An emulsifier derived from sorbitol and oleic acid.

A fatty acid that thickens and conditions.

A sugar-derived ester used as a gentle emulsifier.

Vitamin E; an antioxidant that also conditions skin.