Ingredient Encyclopedia

Vitamin C

Ascorbic Acid

Neutralizes free radicals, brightens dull skin, and supports collagen production.

Ascorbyl Glucoside

Delivers a stable, water-soluble form of vitamin C that converts to active ascorbic acid in skin.

Ascorbyl Palmitate

An oil-soluble vitamin C ester used for antioxidant protection and to help stabilize formulas against oxidation. Its lipid solubility makes it easy to include in anhydrous and oil-based products.

Astaxanthin

A carotenoid antioxidant derived from microalgae, studied for reducing oxidative damage and supporting skin elasticity.

Beta-Carotene

A carotenoid antioxidant and precursor to vitamin A that helps protect skin from oxidative stress and conditions the surface. It also lends a natural orange tint to formulas.

BHT

A synthetic antioxidant that protects the oils and fragrance in a formula from going rancid. It is used at very small levels and its target is the product in the bottle, not the skin the product goes on.

Sulforaphane

Brassica Oleracea Italica (Broccoli) Sprout Extract

An indirect antioxidant from broccoli sprouts that switches on the skin’s own protective enzymes rather than being consumed itself.

Caffeine

A stimulant antioxidant that constricts blood vessels and helps reduce puffiness, redness, and photoaging markers.

EGCG (Green Tea)

Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract

The main polyphenol in green tea, delivering strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory action.

Carnosine

A dipeptide antioxidant that helps protect skin proteins from glycation and oxidative stress, supporting the look of firmer, healthier skin. It is used in anti-aging antioxidant blends.

Curcumin (Turmeric)

Curcuma Longa Root Extract

The main antioxidant compound of turmeric, used to help defend skin against oxidative stress and calm the look of irritation. It has a long history in traditional care.

Turmeric Extract

Curcuma Longa Root Extract

A root extract whose curcuminoids are strongly anti-inflammatory, sold either as the yellow whole extract or as its colourless derivative.

Epigallocatechin Gallate

The main catechin in green tea, isolated rather than left in a whole leaf extract. It is one of the most studied plant antioxidants in the laboratory, where it also shows calming activity, and appears in serums framed around pollution and redness.

Ergothioneine

A sulphur-containing amino acid derivative concentrated in certain mushrooms, which the body takes up through a dedicated transporter. In formulas it acts as a stable antioxidant, often paired with vitamin C or E to spread the workload.

Ferulic Acid

Neutralizes free radicals and dramatically boosts the stability and potency of vitamin C.

Fullerene

Fullerenes

A carbon-cage nanomaterial studied as a potent free-radical scavenger for anti-aging formulations.

Ginkgo Biloba Extract

Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract

A leaf extract rich in flavonoid antioxidants used to protect skin from oxidative stress and support a calmer, more comfortable surface. It is a common botanical in protective formulas.

Sea Buckthorn

Hippophae Rhamnoides Oil

A carotenoid- and fatty-acid-rich oil that supports antioxidant defense and skin barrier repair.

Hydroxyacetophenone

A multifunctional ingredient used as an antioxidant and soothing agent that also helps stabilize formulas and support preservation. It is valued for calming and protective roles.

Idebenone

A synthetic antioxidant related to coenzyme Q10 that helps neutralize free radicals and protect skin from oxidative and environmental stress. It is used in anti-aging and protective formulas.

Edelweiss Extract

Leontopodium Alpinum Extract

An alpine-plant extract rich in antioxidant compounds that helps protect skin from environmental stress and supports a calmer surface. It is popular in protective and anti-aging formulas.

Lycopene

A carotenoid antioxidant, responsible for the red color of tomatoes, used to help defend skin against free-radical and light-induced stress. It is a potent lipid-soluble antioxidant.

Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate

Provides a stable, water-soluble vitamin C derivative that supports brightening and antioxidant defense.

Melatonin

A hormone that is also a potent antioxidant, used topically at night to reduce oxidative stress rather than to affect sleep.

Niacinamide

Calms redness, tightens the look of pores, and rebuilds the skin barrier.

Ginseng Extract

Panax Ginseng Root Extract

A root extract whose ginsenosides give antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity, and a long history in Korean formulation.

Phloretin

A polyphenol from apple that scavenges free radicals and gets through the stratum corneum unusually well for its class. It is almost always sold inside a fixed combination with vitamin C and ferulic acid.

Pine Bark Extract

Pinus Pinaster Bark Extract

A maritime-pine bark extract rich in proanthocyanidin antioxidants used to protect skin against free-radical and environmental stress. It is a popular potent botanical antioxidant.

Pomegranate Extract

Punica Granatum Extract

A fruit extract high in polyphenol antioxidants, including ellagic acid, that helps protect skin against environmental stress. It is valued for antioxidant and conditioning support.

Quercetin

A plant flavonoid antioxidant that helps neutralize free radicals and calm the look of stressed skin. It is found widely in fruits and vegetables.

Resveratrol

A potent plant polyphenol that neutralizes free radicals and supports collagen-protective antioxidant defense.

Rosemary Extract

Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract

A botanical extract rich in antioxidant polyphenols that helps defend skin against oxidative stress and is also used to stabilize oils in formulas. It has mild soothing character.

Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate

Delivers a stable vitamin C derivative with additional evidence supporting anti-acne and antioxidant activity.

Spirulina Extract

Spirulina Platensis Extract

A cyanobacteria extract carrying phycocyanin, amino acids and minerals, used as a supporting antioxidant.

Superoxide Dismutase

An antioxidant enzyme that helps neutralize superoxide free radicals, supporting the skin's defenses against oxidative stress. It is used for protective and soothing purposes.

THD Ascorbate

Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate

Offers a highly stable, oil-soluble vitamin C form that penetrates the skin barrier efficiently.

Alpha Lipoic Acid

Thioctic Acid

A potent antioxidant that neutralizes free radicals and regenerates other antioxidants like vitamin C and E.

Vitamin E (Tocopherol)

Tocopherol

A fat-soluble antioxidant that protects skin lipids from oxidative damage and works best paired with vitamin C.

Tocopheryl Acetate

A stable ester form of vitamin E that conditions skin and provides antioxidant support once converted in the skin. Its stability makes it a very common addition to moisturizers and sunscreens.

Tocotrienols

The second branch of the vitamin E family, sitting alongside the far more familiar tocopherols and usually extracted from annatto, palm or rice bran. Their shorter, unsaturated tail moves more freely through lipid layers than tocopherol does.

CoQ10

Ubiquinone

A mitochondrial antioxidant that neutralizes free radicals and supports collagen-producing cells.

Coenzyme Q10

Ubiquinone

A fat-soluble antioxidant the body makes itself, which declines with age and is used topically to reduce oxidative damage.

Bilberry Fruit Extract

Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract

An extract of the European blueberry, rich in the deep-purple anthocyanins that behave as antioxidants in laboratory testing. It is also a mild source of plant acids, which is where the marketing habit of calling it a 'natural AHA' comes from.