Skincare Ingredients

Every product in the grid sits under at least one active ingredient. Use the guide below to understand each one before you buy.

Active ingredients in skincare: what each one does

Hyaluronic acid

A humectant that holds water in the top layers of skin, so it suits every skin type, including oily. It works best on damp skin with a cream on top in dry AC air. Found in: Double Vitamin C Serum, the night cream in the Day and Night Cream Set, the Turmeric Face Wash (as sodium hyaluronate) and the Dark Spot Correcting Serum. Read our hyaluronic acid guide.

Niacinamide

A form of vitamin B3 that helps even out tone, supports the skin barrier and can make oily skin look less shiny. It is gentle enough for daily use. Found in: the Dark Spot Correcting Serum, both creams in the Day and Night Cream Set and the Turmeric Face Mask Sheet. See niacinamide benefits.

Arbutin and alpha arbutin

Both slow the enzyme that makes extra pigment, so dark spots look lighter over time. Alpha arbutin is the more stable, better-studied form. Found in: alpha arbutin is in the Turmeric Face Mask Sheet; arbutin is in the Dark Spot Correcting Serum and the night cream. Read about alpha arbutin.

Vitamin C

An antioxidant that helps skin look brighter and more even. Ascorbic acid is the pure form; it can tingle at first. Found in: the Double Vitamin C Serum (ascorbic acid) and the night cream. Learn what a vitamin C serum does.

Salicylic acid (BHA)

An oil-soluble exfoliant that gets inside pores, which is why it helps with blackheads and clogged skin. Start with two or three uses a week. Found in: the Salicylic Acid Face Mask, together with glycolic acid. Read our salicylic acid guide.

Glycolic acid (AHA)

A water-soluble exfoliant that loosens dead cells on the surface for smoother, brighter-looking skin. It raises sun sensitivity, so use sunscreen. Found in: the Salicylic Acid Face Mask. See glycolic acid.

Tranexamic acid

Helps fade stubborn brown patches, including the look of melasma, and pairs well with niacinamide. Found in: the Turmeric Face Mask Sheet. Read about tranexamic acid for skin.

Turmeric

A plant extract valued in skincare for its antioxidant compounds. It is a supporting ingredient, not a treatment on its own. Found in: the Turmeric Face Wash and the Turmeric Face Mask Sheet. See turmeric for face.

Licorice root and centella

Two soothing plant extracts. Licorice also helps with the look of uneven tone; centella (cica) helps calm stressed skin. Found in: licorice in the day cream of the Day and Night Cream Set; centella in the Double Vitamin C Serum. Read about licorice root and cica.

Amino-acid cleansers

Mild cleansing agents made from amino acids that clean without the squeaky, tight feel of harsh sulfates. Found in: the Amino Acid Gentle Bubble Cleanser, which also skips added fragrance.

How to read a skincare ingredient list

• Order matters: ingredients appear in order of amount, largest first, down to about 1%; below that the order can vary.
• Percentages are rare: a brand only shows them when it chooses to, so "contains niacinamide" tells you nothing about strength.
• Fragrance has many names: look for Parfum, Fragrance or Aroma if your skin is sensitive.
• Full lists are on every product page: open the Ingredients tab on any of our products to see the complete INCI list.

Which ingredients work well together?

Hyaluronic acid layers well with almost anything. Niacinamide and vitamin C are fine together for most people, despite old myths (see what to mix with niacinamide). Be careful stacking exfoliating acids such as salicylic and glycolic with other strong actives on the same night, and introduce one new product at a time.

Ingredient questions

What are active ingredients in skincare?

They are the ingredients added to do a specific job, such as fading spots or clearing pores. The rest of the formula (water, oils, thickeners) carries them and keeps the product stable and pleasant to use.

Do higher percentages always work better?

No. Stronger formulas often irritate more, especially in UAE heat. A well-made product used every day usually beats a very strong one you can only use now and then.

Are your products free from fragrance?

Not all of them. The amino acid cleanser, the vitamin C serum and the turmeric sheet mask have no added fragrance; others list Parfum or Aroma. Each product page says which.