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

Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate (HPR) – Benefits, Side Effects & Uses

by ThankMeNow Editors on Sep 11, 2025
Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate (HPR), also known as Granactive Retinoid, is a gentle yet powerful next-gen retinoid that delivers smoother skin, refined texture, fewer fine lines and clearer pores with far less irritation than traditional retinol. This in-depth guide explains its benefits, side effects, comparisons, skin-type routines, mixing rules and best pairings — ideal for beginners and sensitive skin.

Ingredient Encyclopedia

Retinyl Propionate – Benefits, Side Effects & Uses

by ThankMeNow Editors on Sep 11, 2025
Retinyl Propionate is a gentle, beginner-friendly Vitamin A ester that smooths fine lines, brightens dullness, refines texture, and boosts collagen with far less irritation than traditional Retinol — making it ideal for sensitive skin and first-time retinoid users.

Ingredient Encyclopedia

Retinyl Palmitate – Benefits, Side Effects & Uses

by ThankMeNow Editors on Sep 11, 2025
Retinyl Palmitate is a stabilized Vitamin A ester formed by combining Retinol with Palmitic Acid. It offers gentle, gradual anti-ageing benefits with minimal irritation — making it ideal for retinoid beginners and sensitive skin users. Expect smoother texture, subtle radiance, reduced early fine lines, and improved long-term skin quality.

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

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.