Ingredient library
Every ingredient SkinAtlas knows about — all 2178 of them. What each one does, what it works well with, and what to watch for.
Extract from the bark of Phellodendron amurense (Amur cork tree). Rich in berberine, a bioactive alkaloid with antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. Used in Meishoku's Bigansui medicated facial wash for its acne-fighting properties.
A fruit extract from the Indian gooseberry (Phyllanthus emblica / Emblica officinalis) prized in Ayurvedic skincare for its very high content of tannins, polyphenols, and emblicanins that provide antioxidant, brightening, and anti-inflammatory activity.
Extract from Picea abies (Norway spruce) buds or meristem cells. Rich in polyphenols, flavonoids, and stilbenes. Meristem cell cultures contain concentrated growth factors and antioxidants associated with skin renewal and anti-aging.
An extract from mammalian placenta (typically porcine). Contains growth factors, amino acids, vitamins, and minerals associated with skin regeneration and brightening. A popular active in Japanese luxury skincare including Kiku-Masamune's sake-based products.
Placental Protein is a protein complex derived from animal or plant placenta, used in cosmetics primarily in Japanese skincare for its skin conditioning and purported anti-aging properties.
An extract of marine plankton biomass rich in amino acids, fatty acids, vitamins, and DNA repair enzymes, used in cosmetics for anti-aging, hydration, and skin conditioning.
A water-soluble azelaic acid derivative. Milder and more soluble than azelaic acid, it targets uneven tone, redness and excess sebum.
A potassium salt of 4-methoxysalicylic acid used as a regulated skin-whitening active in Japanese cosmetics (quasi-drug status). Inhibits melanogenesis and has mild exfoliating properties. Requires daily sun protection.
Extract from Psychotria leiocarpa, a plant native to the Amazon. Contains high levels of piceid, a natural precursor and glycoside of resveratrol. Used in luxury skincare (notably Clé de Peau Beauté) for its antioxidant and skin-brightening benefits.
An extract from Pteris multifida (spider brake fern) containing pterosins and polyphenols used for their antioxidant and brightening properties in cosmetic formulations.
The free alcohol form of vitamin B6, used in cosmetics as a skin-conditioning agent with noted sebum-regulating and anti-acne properties, distinct from pyridoxine HCl (the hydrochloride salt form).
The hydrochloride salt form of vitamin B6, with greater water solubility than the free pyridoxine form; used in cosmetics as a skin-conditioning and sebum-regulating agent, commonly found in oily and acne-prone skin formulas.
A more potent retinoid one step closer to retinoic acid than retinol.
A vitamin A derivative that accelerates cell turnover.
An ester of retinol (vitamin A) and acetic acid — the mildest retinoid ester, requiring two enzymatic conversion steps to reach retinoic acid, giving it a gentler profile than retinol.
The mildest common vitamin A ester. It converts slowly to retinol/retinoic acid in skin, giving low-irritation anti-aging benefits — weaker but gentler than retinol.
An ester of retinol (vitamin A) and propionic acid — a retinoid ester that converts to retinol and ultimately retinoic acid in the skin, delivering anti-aging activity with a gentler tolerability profile than retinol.
A naturally occurring deoxy sugar derived from plants (e.g. buckthorn, birch) with clinically demonstrated anti-aging activity: it stimulates collagen/elastin production and inhibits enzymes that degrade the extracellular matrix.
An extract from the root and stalk of Rheum palmatum (Chinese rhubarb) containing anthraquinones (emodin, aloe-emodin, chrysophanol) and tannins with brightening, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties.
Vitamin B2, a yellow flavin compound and essential coenzyme for cellular energy metabolism and antioxidant defense; used in cosmetics as a skin-conditioning agent and pigment (imparts yellow color at higher concentrations).
A fermented filtrate from rice bran. Fermentation by microorganisms enhances the bioavailability of ferulic acid, oryzanol, and ceramide precursors in rice bran. Used in Bijin Nuka's fermented rice skincare line.
An extract from royal jelly, the secretion fed to bee larvae and queen bees by worker bees, containing proteins (royalactin), amino acids, fatty acids, and vitamins used in cosmetics for nourishing and anti-aging skin benefits.
Leaf extract from garden sorrel (Rumex acetosa), used for its brightening activity via tyrosinase inhibition and antioxidant flavonoid content.
Whole-cell extract of brewer's yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae), providing amino acids, peptides, vitamins, and minerals that condition and energize skin.