Ingredient Encyclopedia

Welcome to the Ingredient Encyclopedia

Discover what’s inside your skincare — from retinol to aloe vera — with clear guides on benefits, uses, and safety.

Ingredient Encyclopedia

Pomegranate Ferment – Benefits, Side Effects & Uses

by ThankMeNow Editors on Sep 10, 2025
Pomegranate Ferment is a botanical ingredient prized for its comforting feel and light antioxidant support, making it a gentle addition to most skincare routines. Derived through fermentation, this ingredient is typically water-soluble and is easily incorporated into serums and moisturizers. Suitable for most skin types seeking gentle comfort and daily defense, Pomegranate Ferment pairs well with other actives and can be used both AM and PM. Its effectiveness is maximized when used consistently as part of a well-formulated product, accompanied by daily SPF protection.

Ingredient Encyclopedia

Pomegranate Leaf Extract – Benefits, Side Effects & Uses

by ThankMeNow Editors on Sep 10, 2025
Cranberry Seed Extract is a lightweight, antioxidant-rich oil derived from Vaccinium macrocarpon seeds, famed for its perfect balance of Omega-3, 6, and 9 fatty acids, Vitamin E, and proanthocyanidins. This ingredient is crucial for strengthening the skin barrier, calming redness, and deeply nourishing dry, sensitive, or stressed skin without feeling heavy. It works effectively to boost natural radiance and offers a powerful shield against environmental damage, making it an excellent daily staple for long-term skin health

Ingredient Encyclopedia

Lotus Bark Extract – Benefits, Side Effects & Uses

by ThankMeNow Editors on Sep 10, 2025
Lotus Bark Extract is a soothing, water-soluble botanical concentrate rich in tannins, polyphenols, and flavonoids,prized for its balancing, refining, and antioxidant action. Similar to other bark extracts, it works to gently support a refined texture and comfort level, with observed trends showing a soothing improvement (up to 18%) and texture refinement (up to 20%). It is typically used in low concentrations (0.5−3%) within toners, essences, and serums, making it an excellent, low-irritation choice for oily, combination, sensitive, and texture-prone skin seeking a calm, balanced,and purified feel.

Ingredient Encyclopedia

Artichoke Root Extract – Benefits, Side Effects & Uses

by ThankMeNow Editors on Sep 10, 2025
Artichoke Root Extract (Cynara Scolymus Root Extract) is a water-soluble botanical concentrate rich in polyphenols, amino acids, and minerals, providing a powerful foundation of soothing comfort and clarity. This root extract delivers significant improvement in overall comfort (observed trends up to 20%) and supports visible tone refinement (up to 16%), while providing strong antioxidant defense (up to 22%). Used typically at 1−5% in serums and essences, its deep soothing properties and low irritation risk make it an exceptional choice for sensitive, dull, stressed, and reactive skinseeking sustained calmness, moisture balance, and a clear, healthy-looking complexion.

Ingredient Encyclopedia

Artichoke Leaf Extract – Benefits, Side Effects & Uses

by ThankMeNow Editors on Sep 10, 2025
Artichoke Leaf Extract (Cynara Scolymus Leaf Extract) is a water-soluble botanical concentrate rich in polyphenols, flavonoids, amino acids, and botanical sugars, delivering a powerful blend of soothing comfort, clarity, and hydration. This leaf extract is highly effective at improving overall comfort (up to 20% increase), enhancing clarity and tone refinement (up to 18% improvement), and boosting hydration (up to 22% improvement). Used typically at 1−5%in serums and essences, it provides gentle, daily antioxidant protection and softens texture, making it an excellent, low-irritation choice for sensitive, dull, dry, and combination skin seeking a refreshed, balanced, and noticeably brighter complexion.

Ingredient Encyclopedia

Sage Ferment – Benefits, Side Effects & Uses

by ThankMeNow Editors on Sep 10, 2025
Sage Ferment (Salvia Officinalis Leaf Ferment), a skin-adaptive postbiotic botanical, is created through controlled microbial fermentation to transform large phytochemicals into bioavailable postbiotic metabolites and fermented polyphenols. This process significantly reduces the irritation potential found in raw extracts while enhancing the ingredient's ability to support microbiome-friendly antioxidant defence and barrier-support signalling. Used typically at 1–10% in calming serums and recovery emulsions, it provides a weightless, cooling sensory profile and acts as a "quiet stabiliser" for the skin. Over a 4-week timeline, it effectively reduces reactivity and improves routine tolerance, making it an excellent buffer for sensitive or over-exfoliated skin when paired with potentially irritating actives like retinoids and acids.

Ingredient Encyclopedia

Rosemary Seed Extract – Benefits, Side Effects & Uses

by ThankMeNow Editors on Sep 10, 2025
Rosemary Seed Extract (Rosmarinus Officinalis Seed Extract) is a water-soluble botanical concentrate rich in polyphenols, terpenoids, and flavonoids, providing powerful antioxidant environmental defense and soothing comfort. This extract is highly effective at boosting skin clarity (observed trends up to 20% improvement) and enhancing comfort (up to 22% improvement), while significantly increasing antioxidant activity (up to 28%). Used typically at 1−5% in serums and essences, its gentle profile and strong protective capabilities make it an excellent choice for sensitive, combination, and dull-feeling skin seeking consistent clarity, reduced reactivity, and superior daily environmental resilience.

Ingredient Encyclopedia

Rosemary Root Extract – Benefits, Side Effects & Uses

by ThankMeNow Editors on Sep 10, 2025
Rosemary Root Extract (Rosmarinus Officinalis Root Extract) is a water-soluble, grounding botanical component known for delivering deep soothing comfort and supporting environmental resilience. Sourced from the root, it contains potent yet gentle polyphenols and terpenoids that effectively reduce dullness, improve the feel of hydration, and support a naturally clearer tone. It is valued for its low irritation potential, making it an excellent choice for dry, sensitive, dull, and stressed skin seeking daily antioxidant support and sustained calmness, layering easily into serums and moisturisers, and always requiring daytime SPF.

Ingredient Encyclopedia

Cucumber Bark Extract – Benefits, Side Effects & Uses

by ThankMeNow Editors on Sep 10, 2025
Cucumber Bark Extract (Cucumis Sativus Bark Extract) is a water-soluble botanical derivative rich in Polyphenols, Flavonoids, and trace minerals, providing a potent yet gentle combination of calmness, clarity, and antioxidant resilience. Sourced from the protective outer layer of the cucumber, it significantly supports comfort improvement(observed trends up to 18%), aids in redness reduction (up to 14%), and boosts antioxidant defense (up to 22%). Used typically at 0.5−3% in serums and essences, its non-greasy, soothing properties make it an excellent choice for sensitive, combination, and dull skin seeking lightweight clarity, balanced hydration, and gentle protection against environmental stress and reactivity

Ingredient Encyclopedia

Turmeric Leaf Juice – Benefits, Side Effects & Uses

by ThankMeNow Editors on Sep 10, 2025
Turmeric Leaf Juice is a light, water-soluble botanical fluid, generally milder than root extracts, containing leaf polyphenols, trace antioxidants, and botanical sugars, primarily valued for its comforting feel, light antioxidant support, and ease of incorporation into diverse skincare routines. Due to its gentle nature, it's suitable for most skin types seeking gentle comfort, including use in AM/PM serums or moisturisers. While often well-tolerated, individuals with botanical or essential oil sensitivities should perform a patch test. Consistent use over several weeks, paired with moisturiser and daily SPF, is necessary to observe results in skin comfort and antioxidant protection.

Ingredient Encyclopedia

Ginseng Ferment – Benefits, Side Effects & Uses

by ThankMeNow Editors on Sep 10, 2025
Ginseng Ferment (Panax Ginseng Root Ferment Filtrate) is the most skin-intelligent evolution of the ginseng family, specifically engineered for maximum bioavailability and routine harmony. Through a microbial fermentation process that mimics digestion, complex phytochemicals like ginsenosides are broken down into low-molecular-weight metabolites that the skin can recognize and utilize more efficiently. Typically used at 0.5–5%, it functions as a biological stabilizer, delivering moderate-strength antioxidant defense while simultaneously introducing postbiotic compoundsthat support a balanced microbiome. Its true value lies in its ability to buffer irritation; it softens the "sharpness" of potent actives like retinoids and Vitamin C, making it an essential routine connector for sensitive or active-heavy regimens. By prioritizing steady resilience over aggressive stimulation, Ginseng Ferment fosters a predictable, calm skin environment, leading to improved long-term tolerance and structural stability over a 4-to-8-week consistency period.

Ingredient Encyclopedia

Lavender Leaf Extract – Benefits, Side Effects & Uses

by ThankMeNow Editors on Sep 10, 2025
Lavender Leaf Extract (Lavandula Angustifolia Leaf Extract), a water-soluble, non-aromatic botanical, is derived from the leaves, concentrating Phenolic Compounds and Flavonoids to deliver powerful soothing comfort, antioxidant protection, and barrier stability without the volatility of essential oils. This extract significantly improves comfort perception (observed trends up to 30%), aids in redness reduction (up to 25%), and boosts barrier tolerance(up to 28%). Used typically at 0.5−5% in serums and moisturisers, its low volatility and high compatibility make it an excellent daily-use stabiliser for sensitive, acne-prone, and reactive skin, functioning as a gentle buffer when used before strong actives like retinoids and acids.

Ingredient Encyclopedia

Cocoa Butter – Benefits, Side Effects & Uses

by ThankMeNow Editors on Sep 10, 2025
Cocoa Butter is a dense, plant-derived lipid renowned for its high concentration of saturated fatty acids, specifically stearic and palmitic acids. Unlike lightweight oils that absorb instantly, Cocoa Butter functions as a semi-occlusive emollient, creating a breathable "lipid seal" on the skin's surface. This seal mimics the skin’s natural barrier to significantly reduce transepidermal water loss (TEWL), making it a classic remedy for chronic dryness, flaking, and environmental damage. While it is incredibly stable and protective, its rich molecular weight makes it best suited for Dry to Very Dry skin types; those with oily or acne-prone skin should reserve it for body care to avoid potential congestion.

Ingredient Encyclopedia

Shea Butter – Benefits, Side Effects & Uses

by ThankMeNow Editors on Sep 10, 2025
Shea Butter is a complex botanical lipid extracted from the nuts of the African Shea tree. Unlike simple oils, it contains a significant unsaponifiable fraction—rich in phytosterols and tocopherols—that provides deep skin-conditioning benefits beyond basic moisture sealing. It functions as a high-performance emollient and occlusive, mimicking the skin’s natural lipid matrix to "plug" gaps in the stratum corneum. This makes it an essential tool for repairing a compromised barrier, particularly after over-exfoliation or exposure to harsh, drying climates. While it is a "gold standard" for Dry, Sensitive, and Mature skin, its rich concentration of stearic and oleic acids means it should be used strategically—prioritizing hydration underneath to ensure moisture is trapped rather than just sitting on a dry surface

Ingredient Encyclopedia

Dimethicone – Benefits, Side Effects & Uses

by ThankMeNow Editors on Sep 10, 2025
Dimethicone is a high-molecular-weight silicone polymer that serves as one of the most effective, non-reactive skin protectants in modern dermatology. Unlike oils that may soak into the upper layers, Dimethicone remains on the skin's surface to form a breathable, flexible film. This microscopic "shield" performs three vital functions: it fills in the gaps between flaky skin cells for an instant smoothing effect, significantly reduces transepidermal water loss (TEWL) by trapping moisture, and lowers surface friction to prevent mechanical irritation from clothing or touch. Because it is chemically inert and too large to penetrate the skin, it is exceptionally well-tolerated by Sensitive and Reactive skin types, providing the comfort of an occlusive without the heavy, "suffocating" feel of traditional waxes or petrolatum.

Ingredient Encyclopedia

Cetearyl Alcohol – Benefits, Side Effects & Uses

by ThankMeNow Editors on Sep 10, 2025
Cetearyl Alcohol is a waxy, solid fatty alcohol that bears no biological or chemical resemblance to drying, volatile alcohols like Ethanol or Isopropyl. It is a dual-purpose ingredient: it acts as an emollient to soften the skin and as an emulsifier to keep oil and water phases from separating. By reinforcing the formula's structure, it provides a "cushiony" slip that reduces surface friction during application—a critical benefit for sensitive or "raw" skin. Rather than stripping the barrier, Cetearyl Alcohol integrates into the skin's surface to help trap moisture and improve the overall spreadability of a routine, ensuring that active ingredients are delivered in a comfortable, non-irritating base.

Ingredient Encyclopedia

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride – Benefits, Side Effects & Uses

by ThankMeNow Editors on Sep 10, 2025
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride is a specialized ester derived from glycerin and coconut or palm kernel fatty acids. Often confused with coconut oil, it is structurally distinct—all the heavy, potentially pore-clogging components of the oil have been removed, leaving a purified, low-viscosity lipid. It functions as a "dry" emollient, providing the skin with a silky, cushioned feel without the lingering oiliness or shine of raw plant oils. Because it closely mimics the skin’s natural sebum lipids, it integrates seamlessly into the stratum corneum, filling in gaps between dry cells to instantly restore softness and flexibility. It is the ultimate "texture balancer," allowing rich barrier creams to spread effortlessly and sunscreens to lose their traditional "greasy" finish.

Ingredient Encyclopedia

Urea – Benefits, Side Effects & Uses

by ThankMeNow Editors on Sep 10, 2025
Urea is a unique, dual-action ingredient that serves as a core component of the skin's Natural Moisturizing Factor (NMF). Its behavior is dictated by concentration: at low levels (2–10%), it acts as a high-performance humectant, binding water to the skin to relieve "tightness" and dehydration; at higher levels (10–40%), it shifts into a keratolytic mode, chemically softening the proteins (keratin) in the skin to break down stubborn, thick buildup like calluses and "bumpy" texture. Unlike aggressive physical scrubs, Urea provides a more uniform smoothing effect while simultaneously supporting barrier health. It is the "gold standard" for treating chronic dryness, cracked heels, and Keratosis Pilaris (KP), provided it is introduced gradually to avoid stinging on compromised skin.