Menu

Skin Actives

Skin actives are ingredients with demonstrated effects on skin function: cell turnover, pigmentation, oil production, and barrier repair. This category includes niacinamide, retinol, salicylic acid, and alpha hydroxy acids. Browse 32 entries in this category.

Amber skincare vial with serum, cream, and powder textures
Editorial illustration

Illustrated guides

Selected entries interpreted through varied editorial art and photography.

Handmade collage of grain heads, seed textures, and an ivory cream swatch

Azelaic Acid

A multitasking acid for acne, rosacea, and dark spots — and one of the few actives considered safe in pregnancy.Paper collage surrounding a dish of clear serum

Ectoin

A microbial stress-protection molecule studied in specific moisturizers for impaired skin barriers.Risograph-style protein and skin-barrier delivery illustration

Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF)

A signaling protein used in specialty skincare and post-procedure research, with delivery and product-specific evidence limits.Clear serum droplet on rippled glass beside a plain vial

Ethylated Ascorbic Acid

A modified vitamin C ingredient with laboratory pigmentation research and published contact-allergy cases.Cut-paper collage of sugar cane, translucent liquid, and crystalline texture

Glycolic Acid

The smallest, strongest AHA — the exfoliating workhorse behind every glow toner, chemical peel, and resurfacing serum.Pastel illustration of powder and a watery emulsion dish

Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate

A vitamin C derivative whose delivery-system research cannot establish identical results for an ordinary serum.Fine niacinamide-like powder beside a clear serum swatch

Niacinamide

A form of vitamin B3 that repairs the skin barrier, brightens tone, and calms breakouts — the most versatile skincare active.Mixed-media paper fragments connected by thread beside a translucent swatch

Peptides

Short chains of amino acids that act as cellular messengers — the anti-aging 'signals' in modern serums and creams.Amber vial and a warm yellow skincare serum swatch

Retinol

The gold-standard anti-aging and anti-acne active; the OTC member of the retinoid family backed by decades of research.White crystalline powder in a glass dish with a laboratory spatula

Salicylic Acid

The oil-soluble exfoliant (BHA) that clears pores from the inside — the workhorse of acne skincare and the anti-acne OTC drug standard.Gouache painting of a serum bowl, spatula and orange peel

Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate

A vitamin C derivative with a small controlled acne trial; not interchangeable with every vitamin C serum.

Skin Actives

  1. 01AdapaleneThe OTC retinoid — prescription-strength acne and anti-aging benefits at drugstore prices, gentler than tretinoin.
  2. 02AdenosineThe energy molecule turned anti-aging active — adenosine smooths wrinkles by signaling skin repair, a quiet K-beauty staple.
  3. 03Alpha ArbutinThe hydroquinone cousin without the controversy — a stable, slow-but-gentle tyrosinase blocker for dark spots.
  4. 04Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs)Water-soluble surface exfoliants — glycolic, lactic, and friends — that smooth texture, brighten, and boost hydration.
  5. 05ArgirelineThe 'Botox in a jar' peptide — weakens muscle contraction for softening expression lines, with modest but real evidence.
  6. 06Azelaic AcidA multitasking acid for acne, rosacea, and dark spots — and one of the few actives considered safe in pregnancy.
  7. 07BakuchiolThe plant-based retinol alternative — wrinkle results comparable to retinol in a head-to-head trial, with far less irritation.
  8. 08Benzoyl PeroxideThe strongest OTC acne antibacterial — kills C. acnes without resistance, but bleaches fabric and dries skin.
  9. 09EctoinA microbial stress-protection molecule studied in specific moisturizers for impaired skin barriers.
  10. 10Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF)A signaling protein used in specialty skincare and post-procedure research, with delivery and product-specific evidence limits.
  11. 11Ethylated Ascorbic AcidA modified vitamin C ingredient with laboratory pigmentation research and published contact-allergy cases.
  12. 12Ferulic AcidThe antioxidant that supercharges vitamin C — ferulic acid's UV defense and the chemistry behind the iconic C E Ferulic.
  13. 13Glycolic AcidThe smallest, strongest AHA — the exfoliating workhorse behind every glow toner, chemical peel, and resurfacing serum.
  14. 14HydroquinoneThe gold-standard skin lightener — the most effective dark-spot treatment, prescription-only in the US, and controversial.
  15. 15Kojic AcidThe fermentation-derived dark-spot brightener — effective but slow, unstable, and potentially irritating.
  16. 16Lactic AcidThe gentlest AHA — the skin's own exfoliant and humectant, ideal for sensitive-skin resurfacing and hydration.
  17. 17Magnesium Ascorbyl PhosphateA vitamin C derivative whose delivery-system research cannot establish identical results for an ordinary serum.
  18. 18Mandelic AcidThe gentle giant AHA — large-molecule exfoliation from bitter almonds, built for sensitive and deeper skin tones.
  19. 19MatrixylThe collagen-signaling peptide — the original 'message molecule' skincare active, with modest but replicated anti-aging data.
  20. 20NiacinamideA form of vitamin B3 that repairs the skin barrier, brightens tone, and calms breakouts — the most versatile skincare active.
  21. 21PeptidesShort chains of amino acids that act as cellular messengers — the anti-aging 'signals' in modern serums and creams.
  22. 22Polyhydroxy Acids (PHAs)The gentle exfoliators — polyhydroxy acids deliver AHA-like renewal without the sting, built for sensitive and rosacea-prone skin.
  23. 23ResorcinolThe peeling-keratolytic phenol cousin — an acne and chemical-peel staple, with thyroid-systemic concerns at high concentrations.
  24. 24RetinaldehydeThe middle step in the retinoid ladder — one conversion from retinoic acid, with much of retinol's power and less irritation.
  25. 25RetinolThe gold-standard anti-aging and anti-acne active; the OTC member of the retinoid family backed by decades of research.
  26. 26Retinyl PalmitateThe gentlest, weakest retinoid — the storage form of vitamin A, best for beginners and the subject of one overblown scare.
  27. 27Salicylic AcidThe oil-soluble exfoliant (BHA) that clears pores from the inside — the workhorse of acne skincare and the anti-acne OTC drug standard.
  28. 28Sodium Ascorbyl PhosphateA vitamin C derivative with a small controlled acne trial; not interchangeable with every vitamin C serum.
  29. 29SulfurThe century-old acne treatment that still works — keratolytic sulfur topicals, plus MSM's quieter joint-and-recovery claims.
  30. 30ThiamidolThe patented hyperpigmentation inhibitor — head-to-head data against 2% hydroquinone, without the prescription baggage.
  31. 31Tranexamic AcidThe anti-bleeding drug turned brightening star — one of the best-evidenced treatments for stubborn dark spots and melasma.
  32. 32TretinoinThe prescription gold standard — all-trans retinoic acid, the most powerful and most evidence-backed anti-aging and acne active that exists.