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

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

Tocopherol (Vitamin E) – Benefits, Side Effects & Uses

by ThankMeNow Editors on Sep 10, 2025
Tocopherol, widely known as Vitamin E, is a fat-soluble antioxidant that serves two critical roles in skincare: protecting the product and protecting the skin. In the bottle, it prevents oils from oxidizing (turning rancid), ensuring the formula remains stable and non-irritating. On the skin, it integrates into the lipid barrier to provide antioxidant defense and a "cushioned" emollient feel. Because it is lipid-soluble, it excels at reducing the "stressed, tight" sensation common in barrier-impaired routines. It is rarely the star of the show, but it is the ultimate "supporting actor," making high-potency actives like Retinol and Vitamin C easier to tolerate by reinforcing the skin’s natural comfort levels and preventing oxidative stress.

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

Trehalose – Benefits, Side Effects & Uses

by ThankMeNow Editors on Sep 10, 2025
Trehalose is a naturally occurring disaccharide (sugar) renowned for its remarkable ability to mimic the "Anhydrobiosis" process—the survival mechanism used by desert plants to endure extreme drought. In skincare, Trehalose acts as a high-performance humectant that goes beyond simple hydration. It forms a protective complex that stabilizes cell membranes and proteins, effectively "locking" the skin’s structure in place when faced with dehydration, heat, or cold. This makes it an essential ingredient for environmental protection, ensuring that skin remains flexible and "cushioned" even in harsh conditions like dry air conditioning or winter winds.

Ingredient Encyclopedia

Sodium PCA – Benefits, Side Effects & Uses

by ThankMeNow Editors on Sep 10, 2025
Sodium PCA (Sodium Pyrrolidone Carboxylate) is a high-performance humectant that serves as a cornerstone of your skin's Natural Moisturizing Factor (NMF). While most humectants are foreign molecules that attract water from the outside, Sodium PCA is "skin-identical"—it is already naturally present in your skin cells to maintain hydration and elasticity. It is exceptionally hygroscopic, meaning it can hold several times its weight in water, yet it possesses a unique, non-sticky finish that makes it superior to traditional glycerin for those who dislike a heavy feel. By replenishing the NMF, Sodium PCA doesn't just "wet" the surface; it restores the skin's internal ability to remain flexible and resilient against environmental stress.

Ingredient Encyclopedia

Pentylene Glycol – Benefits, Side Effects & Uses

by ThankMeNow Editors on Sep 10, 2025
Pentylene Glycol is a high-performance diol (a liquid humectant) that serves as a cornerstone for "elegant" skincare formulations. Unlike glycerin, which can sometimes feel heavy or sticky, Pentylene Glycol provides a weightless, silky finish while effectively binding moisture to the skin. Its unique molecular structure makes it a dual-threat: it acts as a penetration enhancer, helping other active ingredients reach deeper into the skin, and as a preservative booster. By making the environment hostile for bacteria, it allows brands to use fewer traditional preservatives, making it a favorite for Sensitive-Skin and minimalist formulas.

Ingredient Encyclopedia

Butylene Glycol – Benefits, Side Effects & Uses

by ThankMeNow Editors on Sep 10, 2025
Butylene Glycol is a versatile, water-soluble diol (humectant) that serves as the structural backbone of high-performance skincare. While it lacks the "marketing buzz" of fancy botanicals, it is essential for ingredient solubility—ensuring that actives like Niacinamide or Salicylic Acid are dissolved evenly throughout a formula rather than clumping. It provides a weightless, non-greasy "slip" that eliminates the tackiness found in cheaper glycerin-heavy products. By acting as a penetration enhancer, Butylene Glycol helps water-based actives bypass the skin’s oily surface layer, delivering hydration and treatment exactly where they are needed most.

Ingredient Encyclopedia

Propylene Glycol – Benefits, Side Effects & Uses

by ThankMeNow Editors on Sep 10, 2025
Propylene Glycol is a versatile, low-molecular-weight diol (humectant) that serves as one of the most reliable multi-taskers in skincare. While it is often unfairly scrutinized, its primary role is to act as a solvent and delivery vehicle, ensuring that active ingredients remain stable and are distributed evenly across the skin. Its small molecular size allows it to penetrate the surface layer more efficiently than larger humectants, carrying hydration and actives deeper into the stratum corneum. It provides a "slippery" glide that makes products feel effortless to apply, and unlike drying alcohols, it leaves behind a subtle, hydrated finish that prevents the "tight" sensation common in treatment-heavy routines.

Ingredient Encyclopedia

Polyglutamic Acid – Benefits, Side Effects & Uses

by ThankMeNow Editors on Sep 10, 2025
Polyglutamic Acid (PGA) is a high-performance biopolymer produced via fermentation that has revolutionized the "surface-glow" category of skincare. While Hyaluronic Acid is famous for pulling moisture into the skin, PGA is valued for its ability to form a breathable, hydration-preserving film that prevents water from escaping. With a molecular size typically larger than HA, it sits primarily at the surface to smooth micro-texture and provide an immediate "cushiony" bounce. Beyond simple hydration, PGA has been shown to inhibit the enzyme (hyaluronidase) that breaks down the skin's natural hyaluronic acid, effectively acting as a hydration stabilizer that makes your entire routine last longer.

Ingredient Encyclopedia

Phytic Acid – Benefits, Side Effects & Uses

by ThankMeNow Editors on Sep 10, 2025
Phytic Acid is a plant-derived chelating agent and mild exfoliant that stands out for its "smart" approach to skin refinement. Unlike stronger Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs) that aggressively dissolve cellular bonds, Phytic Acid works primarily by binding to mineral ions—like copper and iron—on the skin's surface. These minerals can otherwise trigger oxidative stress and contribute to a "filmy," dull complexion. By neutralizing these ions and providing a low-irritation resurfacing effect, Phytic Acid improves light reflection and tone clarity without the typical redness or peeling associated with chemical peels. It is the ideal "bridge" ingredient for sensitive skin types who want the benefits of exfoliation without compromising their barrier.

Ingredient Encyclopedia

Hexylresorcinol – Benefits, Side Effects & Uses

by ThankMeNow Editors on Sep 10, 2025
Hexylresorcinol ($C_{12}H_{18}O_{2}$) is a powerful alkylresorcinol that serves as a multi-pathway tone stabilizer. While traditional brighteners often rely on aggressive exfoliation, Hexylresorcinol acts as a tyrosinase inhibitor, directly modulating the rate-limiting enzyme in melanin production. Its lipid-soluble nature allows it to integrate seamlessly with the skin’s barrier, providing antioxidant protection and reducing the effects of protein glycation (the "yellowing" of skin) and oxidative stress. Because it is highly effective at concentrations as low as 0.5%, it offers a "precision strike" against hyperpigmentation without the inflammatory rebound often seen with harsher bleaching agents.

Ingredient Encyclopedia

Ellagic Acid – Benefits, Side Effects & Uses

by ThankMeNow Editors on Sep 10, 2025
Ellagic Acid ($C_{14}H_{6}O_{8}$) is a naturally occurring polyphenol antioxidant that provides a "barrier-first" approach to skin brightening. Found in high concentrations in pomegranates and berries, it serves a dual purpose: it acts as a tyrosinase inhibitor to help regulate melanin production and functions as a powerful scavenger of free radicals. Unlike more aggressive acids, Ellagic Acid doesn’t rely on exfoliating the skin’s surface; instead, it provides an oxidative buffer, neutralizing the environmental stressors (like UV and pollution) that signal the skin to produce excess pigment. This makes it an ideal choice for stabilizing uneven tone and fading post-blemish marks without the risk of "inflammatory rebound."  

Ingredient Encyclopedia

Aloe Vera Leaf Juice – Benefits, Side Effects & Uses

by ThankMeNow Editors on Sep 10, 2025
Aloe Vera Leaf Juice (Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice) acts as a functional hydration layer and a "middle-ground" botanical, offering a higher bioactive density than aloe water while remaining more routine-friendly than concentrated extracts. By concentrating water-soluble polysaccharides, it forms a soothing hydration film that reduces the "hot, tight, stressed" sensation common in reactive or over-treated skin. Typically utilized at 1–99% in toners, essences, and gel-creams, it serves as an essential active-buffer, making potent ingredients like retinoids and acids more wearable by reducing perceived irritation signals. While it provides instant cooling relief, its true value lies in supporting routine stability and long-term comfort. To prevent dehydration rebound in dry climates, this water-phase ingredient must be paired with barrier lipids (ceramides) and sealed with a moisturiser. Consistent use over a 4-week timeline results in a more supple, resilient baseline, making it the ideal "comfort backbone" for sensitive and dehydrated skin types.

Ingredient Encyclopedia

Licorice Root Extract – Benefits, Side Effects & Uses

by ThankMeNow Editors on Sep 10, 2025
Licorice Root Extract (Glycyrrhiza glabra) is a time-tested botanical powerhouse that has earned its place in modern "calm-brightening" routines.1 Unlike acids that resurface the skin through friction or peeling, Licorice Root utilizes bioactive compounds like Glabridin (2$C_{20}H_{20}O_{4}$) and Liquiritin to inhibit tyrosinase activity at the source.3 It is particularly valued for its dual-action personality: it simultaneously interrupts the pigment-production pathway while providing significant anti-inflammatory benefits.4 This makes it a "precision tool" for fading post-blemish marks and evening out tone in sensitive or reactive skin types that cannot tolerate aggressive chemical exfoliants.5

Ingredient Encyclopedia

Centella Asiatica Extract – Benefits, Side Effects & Uses

by ThankMeNow Editors on Sep 10, 2025
Centella Asiatica Extract (often marketed as Cica) is the "functional cornerstone" of the Centella family, specifically concentrated to provide targeted barrier recovery and active-ingredient buffering. While Centella water offers light hydration, the extract is rich in potent triterpenoids—most notably asiaticoside and madecassoside—which act as biological signal modulators to dampen the skin's inflammatory response. It serves as a routine stabilizer, bridge-building between aggressive treatments (like high-strength retinoids or chemical peels) and the skin's need for recovery. By reinforcing the lipid bilayer and reducing perceived stinging, it allows for a more aggressive treatment schedule without the typical "burnout" or barrier collapse. Over a period of 2 to 6 weeks, it transforms a reactive, unpredictable complexion into one that is grounded and resilient, providing the necessary "quiet" for long-term skin health to flourish.

Ingredient Encyclopedia

N-Acetyl Glucosamine – Benefits, Side Effects & Uses

by ThankMeNow Editors on Sep 10, 2025
N-Acetyl Glucosamine ($C_{8}H_{15}NO_{6}$), often called NAG, is a skin-identical amino sugar that bridges the gap between hydration and tone correction. Unlike exfoliating acids that dissolve surface bonds, NAG works by modulating the natural desquamation (shedding) process from within and serving as a key precursor for the skin's production of Hyaluronic Acid. Because it is a molecule your body already recognizes, it provides a "low-drama" pathway to smoother texture and increased moisture retention. It is most famous in clinical literature for its synergistic relationship with Niacinamide, where the two work together to interrupt pigment pathways more effectively than either could alone.

Ingredient Encyclopedia

Coenzyme Q10 (Ubiquinone) – Benefits, Side Effects & Uses

by ThankMeNow Editors on Sep 10, 2025
Coenzyme Q10 ($C_{59}H_{90}O_{4}$), also known as Ubiquinone, is a fat-soluble, vitamin-like substance found in every cell of the human body. It acts as a vital co-factor in the Electron Transport Chain, the process by which mitochondria generate ATP (cellular energy). In skincare, Q10 serves a dual purpose: it is a potent antioxidant that protects cell membranes from lipid peroxidation, and it acts as a biological "battery pack," providing the energy required for skin cells to repair damage and synthesize collagen. Because natural levels of Q10 peak in childhood and decline significantly after age 30, topical application is essential for maintaining the "bio-energy" needed to resist environmental aging and maintain structural density.

Ingredient Encyclopedia

Resveratrol – Benefits, Side Effects & Uses

by ThankMeNow Editors on Sep 10, 2025
Resveratrol ($C_{14}H_{12}O_{3}$) is a potent phytoalexin—a protective antibiotic produced by plants (like red grapes and Japanese Knotweed) in response to environmental stress. In human skin, it is celebrated as a "longevity molecule" because it activates Sirtuins (SIRT1), specialized proteins that help coordinate cellular repair and promote cell survival. By upregulating the Nrf2 pathway, Resveratrol doesn't just neutralize external free radicals; it triggers the skin's own internal antioxidant production. This makes it an elite choice for reducing the "background noise" of chronic low-grade inflammation (often called "inflammaging") that leads to premature sagging and uneven tone.