Ingredient library
Every ingredient SkinAtlas knows about — all 2165 of them. What each one does, what it works well with, and what to watch for.
Inorganic salt used to stabilize emulsions and increase viscosity in cream formulations. A functional excipient with no direct skin-benefit role.
Extract from Amaranthus caudatus (love-lies-bleeding amaranth); provides antioxidant betacyanins and conditioning squalene, used for brightening and protective benefits in premium toners.
An extract from the seeds of Amaranthus caudatus (love-lies-bleeding), naturally rich in squalene, protein, and polyphenols. Used in cosmetics for antioxidant and conditioning properties.
An extract from saskatoon berry (Amelanchier alnifolia) fruit rich in anthocyanins and polyphenols, providing antioxidant and mild brightening benefits.
A stable aminopropyl ester of ascorbyl phosphate that acts as a vitamin C pro-drug, converting to ascorbic acid in skin for brightening and antioxidant benefits.
An ammonium salt of an acrylate copolymer used as a rheology modifier and film-former, particularly in toners and lightweight emulsions.
A crosslinked copolymer of ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate and beheneth-25 methacrylate used as a rheology modifier and emulsion stabilizer in serums and emulsions.
A synthetic copolymer (Aristoflex AVC) used to create elegant, lightweight gel textures and stabilize emulsions.
A synthetic acrylic polymer (ammonium salt form of polyacryloyldimethyl taurate) used to thicken and stabilize gel and emulsion formulas.
Amomum xanthioides (Sha Ren, lesser cardamom) seed extract is derived from an aromatic spice plant widely used in Traditional Chinese Medicine and Korean herbal formulations. Its essential oil fraction (camphor, borneol, bornyl acetate, linalool) gives it a distinctive warm, spicy-camphoraceous scent and antimicrobial properties. In cosmetics its primary role is fragrance; linalool must be declared per EU Cosmetics Regulation and camphor has defined concentration limits.
Extract from the root of Ampelopsis japonica (Japanese porcelain berry), used in East Asian herbal medicine; provides stilbenoid antioxidants in Korean hanbang prestige skincare.
An essential oil steam-distilled from the bark of Amyris balsamifera (West Indian rosewood), used in cosmetics primarily as a fragrance ingredient with a warm, woody-balsamic scent; composed mainly of sesquiterpene alcohols and considered relatively low-risk among essential oil fragrances, though it contains trace eugenol.
An extract from Anastatica hierochuntica (Rose of Jericho / Resurrection Plant), a desiccation-tolerant plant known for its high concentration of flavonoids and polyphenols, used for antioxidant and soothing effects in cosmetics.
An extract of anemarrhena root, a traditional East Asian botanical rich in mangiferin and steroidal saponins, used for antioxidant and soothing benefits in K-beauty formulas.
Trans-anethole, an aromatic ether with a characteristic anise/licorice scent, is the primary aromatic component of anise and fennel essential oils. Used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetic products.
A Japanese angelica root extract that soothes skin and offers antioxidant support.
Angelica Acutiloba Root Water is a hydrosol or aqueous extract from the roots of Angelica acutiloba (Toki, Japanese angelica), a plant in the Apiaceae family central to traditional Japanese and Korean herbal medicine. The root is a classic ingredient in Oriental medicine for promoting skin clarity and improving complexion. Its aqueous fraction delivers ferulic acid, chlorogenic acid, ligustilide, and related bioactives. Distinct from Angelica dahurica (Bai Zhi, with furanocoumarin phototoxicity concerns) — Angelica acutiloba has a different phytochemical profile.
Callus (plant cell culture) extract from Angelica archangelica root. Used in premium K-beauty anti-aging products; provides a concentrated, standardised source of the plant's bioactive compounds without seasonal variation.
Root extract from garden angelica, rich in furanocoumarins and volatile coumarins. Documented antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity through NF-κB suppression and cytokine reduction; also inhibits UV-induced matrix metalloproteinases in human dermal fibroblasts. Used in small quantities in K-beauty calming formulas.
Angelica Dahurica Root Extract (Bai Zhi / 白芷) is derived from a root in the Apiaceae family deeply embedded in traditional Chinese and Korean medicine for brightening, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial activity. Its bioactives include coumarins, furanocoumarins, volatile oils, and polyacetylenes — the furanocoumarins (psoralen, bergapten) are photosensitizing agents that render standard extracts unsuitable for leave-on daytime use without confirmed furanocoumarin removal per SCCS limits.
An extract of Korean angelica (Angelica gigas) root rich in coumarins and pyranocoumarins, a valued K-beauty botanical with antioxidant and brightening properties.
Extract from Ashitaba (Angelica keiskei), a perennial herb native to Japan prized in traditional medicine. Contains unique yellow chalcones (xanthoangelol, 4-hydroxyderricin) with potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
A dehydrated xylitol derivative used as a humectant, typically found alongside xylitylglucoside and xylitol in biomimetic moisturizing complexes.
An essential oil steam-distilled from rosewood (Aniba rosodora) wood, used in cosmetics as a natural fragrance ingredient with a soft, floral-woody character.