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

Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C) – Benefits, Side Effects & Uses

by ThankMeNow Editors on Sep 10, 2025
Your glow isn’t just appearance — it’s confidence made visible. Ascorbic Acid (pure Vitamin C) is dermatology’s most studied topical antioxidant. In the right formula, it defends against pollution and sunlight stress, evens tone, and supports firmness. Here’s your detailed, evidence-based guide to using it safely, effectively, and joyfully.

Ingredient Encyclopedia

Sodium Hyaluronate – Benefits, Side Effects & Uses

by ThankMeNow Editors on Sep 10, 2025
Sodium Hyaluronate is the water-soluble salt form of Hyaluronic Acid ($C_{14}H_{22}NNaO_{11}$). In cosmetic chemistry, it is often preferred over pure Hyaluronic Acid because it is more stable, less prone to oxidation, and has a significantly smaller molecular size. This smaller structure allows it to move past the skin's top layer more easily. As a powerful humectant, it can bind up to 1,000 times its weight in water. Its primary function is to increase the hydration of the skin's intercellular matrix, which physically "puffs up" the skin, smoothing out dehydration lines and creating a temporary "plumping" effect.

Ingredient Encyclopedia

Retinal – Benefits, Side Effects & Uses

by ThankMeNow Editors on Sep 10, 2025
Your skin is not a rush job — it’s a relationship. Retinal (short for retinaldehyde) is a next-generation topical vitamin A derivative that sits one metabolic step away from retinoic acid (the active form used by skin cells). That proximity makes retinal generally faster-acting than retinol at similar comfort levels when well-formulated. Used patiently, retinal helps refine texture, soften fine lines, improve clarity, and support a more even look — while good routines keep your barrier calm.

Ingredient Encyclopedia

Retinol – Benefits, Side Effects & Uses

by ThankMeNow Editors on Sep 10, 2025
Retinol is a powerful Vitamin A derivative known for boosting collagen, smoothing fine lines, brightening dark spots, and refining texture. This guide explains how retinol works, who can use it, how to start safely, side effects, timelines, and expert tips for achieving smoother, clearer, youthful-looking skin with consistent use.

Ingredient Encyclopedia

Niacinamide – Benefits, Side Effects & Uses

by ThankMeNow Editors on Sep 10, 2025
Niacinamide, also known as Vitamin B3, is one of dermatology’s most versatile actives — a daily essential that strengthens the barrier, refines pores, and reduces visible redness. Scientifically proven to improve hydration, oil balance, and tone, it works gently yet effectively across skin types, from sensitive to oily. This evidence-based guide explains how niacinamide modulates melanin transfer, boosts ceramide production, and supports long-term clarity. With exact layering steps, do/don’t tables, and timelines, it helps you build a calm, bright, balanced complexion that lasts.

Ingredient Encyclopedia

Beta-Glucan – Benefits, Side Effects & Uses

by ThankMeNow Editors on Sep 10, 2025
Beta-Glucan is a high-molecular-weight polysaccharide (a complex carbohydrate) comprised of linked glucose molecules. In skincare, it is typically derived from the cell walls of oats, yeast, or medicinal mushrooms. Unlike many large molecules that sit only on the surface, Beta-Glucan is a "biological response modifier." It works by binding to specific receptors (such as Dectin-1) on macrophages—the "scout" cells of the skin’s immune system. This interaction signals the skin to accelerate repair, quieten inflammatory cytokines, and stimulate fibroblasts to produce collagen. Often cited as being 20% more hydrating than Hyaluronic Acid at the same concentration, Beta-Glucan acts as a "Deep Hydrator," providing both immediate surface plumping and long-term resilience.

Ingredient Encyclopedia

Aloe Vera – Benefits, Side Effects & Uses

by ThankMeNow Editors on Sep 10, 2025
Aloe Vera (Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice / Gel), the most recognized cooling botanical, functions as a universally trusted hydration-support agent by delivering a complex matrix of Polysaccharides, Amino Acids, and Trace Phenolics. Unlike specialized extracts, it provides a gel-like to lightly viscous sensory profile that offers an immediate "cushiony" cooling response, making it a cornerstone for sensitive, dehydrated, or sun-stressed skin. Typically used at 1–100% depending on the product format, it acts as a reliable routine-buffer that improves the skin’s tolerance to more aggressive actives like retinoids and strong acids. While its soothing relief is felt instantly, consistent application over a 4-week timelinepromotes more stable, calm skin behavior and enhanced comfort perception. Highly compatible with a pH range of 5.0–6.5, Aloe Vera remains a foundational "familiar calm" in modern skincare, though it requires layering with occlusive moisturisers in cold or dry climates to prevent moisture evaporation.

Ingredient Encyclopedia

Centella Asiatica (Cica) – Benefits, Side Effects & Uses

by ThankMeNow Editors on Sep 10, 2025
Centella Asiatica (widely known as Cica or Gotu Kola) is the "foundational stabilizer" of the botanical world, specifically positioned in modern skincare to provide systemic calm and barrier resilience. Unlike singular actives that target one pathway, Cica works through a complex phytochemical profile—primarily triterpenoids like madecassoside and asiaticoside—to modulate the skin's response to environmental stress and treatment-induced irritation. It functions as a routine insurance policy, smoothing the "reactive spikes" that occur when introducing strong retinoids or acids. By supporting the skin's natural recovery processes without adding occlusive heaviness, Cica creates a neutral baseline, allowing users to remain consistent with their long-term goals. Over a 2 to 12-week timeline, the result is not just a reduction in redness, but a fundamental shift in skin behavior, moving from a state of hyper-reactivity to one of grounded stability.

Ingredient Encyclopedia

Benzoyl Peroxide – Benefits, Side Effects & Uses

by ThankMeNow Editors on Sep 10, 2025
Benzoyl Peroxide is a dermatologist-approved acne treatment that kills acne-causing bacteria, clears clogged pores, reduces inflammation, and prevents new breakouts. This guide explains how to use it safely, avoid irritation, pair it with other actives, and build an effective routine.

Ingredient Encyclopedia

Bakuchiol – Benefits, Side Effects & Uses

by ThankMeNow Editors on Sep 10, 2025
Bakuchiol is a gentle, plant-derived retinol alternative that smooths texture, brightens tone, and supports youthful-looking skin with far less irritation—perfect for beginners, sensitive skin, and anyone seeking effective, modern anti-ageing without the harshness of traditional retinoids.

Ingredient Encyclopedia

Retinal (Retinaldehyde) – Benefits, Side Effects & Uses

by ThankMeNow Editors on Sep 10, 2025
Retinal, also known as Retinaldehyde, is a powerhouse member of the vitamin A family. In the world of skincare, it occupies a high-efficiency middle ground. While standard Retinol must undergo two conversion steps inside your skin to become active, Retinal is only one step away from becoming Retinoic Acid (the active form your skin actually uses). Think of it like a relay race: Retinol has to pass the baton twice, while Retinal only has to pass it once to reach the finish line. Because it bypasses that first slow step, Retinal is estimated to act up to 11 times faster than traditional retinol. It specifically targets the cellular turnover rate, making it the ideal "next step" for those who want visible results for texture and fine lines without the intensity of a prescription.

Ingredient Encyclopedia

Aloe Vera – Benefits, Side Effects & Uses

by ThankMeNow Editors on Sep 10, 2025
Aloe Vera (Aloe barbadensis miller) is a desert succulent whose inner leaf gel contains over 95% water plus bioactive compounds like acemannan (polysaccharides), amino acids, vitamins A/C/E, and trace minerals. These molecules work together to form a thin hydrating film that traps moisture, giving skin a soft, soothed feel. When purified and preserved correctly, aloe becomes a lightweight humectant and comfort-booster suitable for almost every skin type.

Ingredient Encyclopedia

Licorice Root (Glabridin) – Benefits, Side Effects & Uses

by ThankMeNow Editors on Sep 10, 2025
Licorice Root Extract (specifically Glabridin, 1$C_{20}H_{20}O_{4}$) is an isoflavan found in the root of Glycyrrhiza glabra.2 In cosmetic chemistry, it is categorized as a competitive tyrosinase inhibitor. Unlike hydroquinone, which can be cytotoxic to pigment-producing cells, Glabridin works by binding to the active site of the tyrosinase enzyme—the "engine" of melanin production—effectively slowing it down without damaging the cell. Furthermore, it contains Licochalcone A, which inhibits the NF-kB pathway, a major inflammatory signaling route.3 This dual action makes it a "Signal Modulator": it simultaneously quietens the inflammation that triggers pigment and the enzymes that produce it, making it the premier botanical for post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH).

Ingredient Encyclopedia

Green Tea (EGCG) – Benefits, Side Effects & Uses

by ThankMeNow Editors on Sep 10, 2025
Green Tea (EGCG) (Epigallocatechin Gallate) is the most biologically active and high-potency expression of the green tea plant, functioning as a precision antioxidant shield for modern environmental defense. Unlike whole-plant extracts that offer a broad but diluted profile, EGCG is a standardized bioactive molecule that neutralizes oxidative stress and calms inflammation pathways with extreme efficiency at concentrations as low as 0.05–1%. It serves as a daytime resilience anchor, specifically targeting the radical damage triggered by urban pollution and UV exposure before it manifests as visible aging or chronic redness. Because it is a fragile, water-soluble polyphenol, its efficacy depends entirely on stable formulation—ideally housed in opaque, airless packaging at a pH of 4.5–6.0. While immediate soothing is common, the true value of EGCG is cumulative cellular protection; consistent morning application over an 8-to-12-week timeline builds a fortified skin baseline that remains calm, defended, and visibly stable even under high-stress conditions.

Ingredient Encyclopedia

Centella Asiatica (Cica) – Benefits, Side Effects & Uses

by ThankMeNow Editors on Sep 10, 2025
Centella Asiatica (widely known as Cica or Gotu Kola) is the "routine stabilizer" of the botanical world, specifically valued for its ability to provide calm strength and barrier comfort. Unlike ingredients that force change through stimulation, Centella works by reducing "irritation noise," allowing the skin to exist in a low-stress state where its natural repair processes can thrive. At its chemical core, Cica relies on four key triterpenes—asiaticoside, madecassoside, asiatic acid, and madecassic acid—which are extensively studied for their roles in supporting collagen pathways and modulating the skin's inflammatory response. In a modern skincare routine, Centella serves as a biological buffer; it is the "safety net" that makes high-intensity actives like retinoids and Vitamin C tolerable for sensitive skin. Over a 6-to-12-week period, consistent use manifests as a visibly steadier complexion with fewer reactive episodes, making it an essential anchor for anyone navigating the balance between "active results" and "barrier health."

Ingredient Encyclopedia

Benzoyl Peroxide – Benefits, Side Effects & Uses

by ThankMeNow Editors on Sep 10, 2025
Benzoyl Peroxide is a powerful, dermatologist-approved acne treatment that kills breakout-causing bacteria, calms inflammation, prevents new pimples, and supports clear, healthy-looking skin when used consistently with proper moisturising and sun protection.

Ingredient Encyclopedia

PHA (Gluconolactone/Lactobionic Acid) – Benefits, Side Effects & Uses

by ThankMeNow Editors on Sep 10, 2025
PHAs (Gluconolactone & Lactobionic Acid) are gentle, hydration-boosting exfoliants ideal for sensitive or irritated skin. They smooth texture, brighten dullness, strengthen the barrier, and provide glow without irritation—making them the perfect beginner-friendly alternative to AHAs.

Ingredient Encyclopedia

Bakuchiol – Benefits, Side Effects & Uses

by ThankMeNow Editors on Sep 10, 2025
Bakuchiol is a gentle, plant-based alternative to retinol that smooths texture, brightens tone, and supports long-term anti-ageing—without irritation. This complete guide explains how it works, who it suits, how to use it (AM & PM), and what results to expect, helping you build a confident and effective routine.

Ingredient Encyclopedia

Retinal (Retinaldehyde) – Benefits, Side Effects & Uses

by ThankMeNow Editors on Sep 10, 2025
Retinal (1$C_{20}H_{28}O$), also known as Retinaldehyde, is a polyene chromophore and a member of the retinoid family.2 In the hierarchy of Vitamin A derivatives, it occupies a unique position. While Retinol must undergo a two-step oxidation process to become active, Retinal is only one metabolic step away from Retinoic Acid (the form the skin actually uses). it bypasses the first rate-limiting step, Retinal is estimated to be up to 11 times faster in its activity than traditional Retinol, yet it maintains a surprisingly high safety profile.3 It specifically targets the cellular turnover rate in the basal layer of the epidermis, making it the "powerhouse" choice for those who have plateaued with standard over-the-counter retinoids.

Ingredient Encyclopedia

Zinc PCA – Benefits, Side Effects & Uses

by ThankMeNow Editors on Sep 10, 2025
Zinc PCA (1$C_{12}H_{22}N_{2}O_{6}Zn$) is the zinc salt of L-pyrrolidone carboxylic acid (L-PCA).2 In dermatological chemistry, it is classified as a sebo-regulator and a physio-sebostatic agent.3 Unlike traditional alcohol-based toners that strip oil from the surface, Zinc PCA works by inhibiting the enzyme 5$\alpha$-reductase, which is responsible for converting testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT)—the primary hormonal signal that triggers sebum production in the sebaceous glands.4 Because the "PCA" part is a key component of the skin's Natural Moisturizing Factor (NMF), this molecule provides a unique "hydration-correction" effect: it reduces lipid output while simultaneously reinforcing the moisture-binding capacity of the stratum corneum.