20 Skincare Ingredients To Know

Why learn about skincare ingredients?

Here at SBS, we believe knowledge is power when maintaining skin health. All the skincare ingredients and brands on the market can make choosing a product straight-up overwhelming. We're here to help you grow a basic foundation on what ingredients do and how to use them. This information will be beneficial in weeding out the hype in the routine building process by understanding the "active ingredients" on the back of product labels. Use this guide as a simple skincare cheat sheet

How to use this guide

• Type of Ingredient — the purpose for formulation
• Main Benefits — expected results of ingredient
• Who Should Use It — intended skin types and concerns addressed
• Usage Tips — details on when to use the component and where to find it
• Pairing Info — info on mixing with other ingredients

YES: pairs well with

NO: do not mix

Here we are, in alphabetical order: 

20 Skincare Ingredients Explained

ALOE

• Type of Ingredient — soother
• Main Benefits — soothing from burns or irritation
• Who Should Use It — anyone in need of relieving from burns or irritation
• Usage Tips — best if applied 2 to 3 times daily, commonly found in moisturizers or masks
• Pairing Info —

YES: green tea, ceramides

NO: chemical exfoliants

AZELAIC ACID

• Type of Ingredient — exfoliant
• Main Benefits — reduces hyperpigmentation, fades dark spots, and kills bacteria
• Who Should Use It — all skin types suffering from acne, pregnancy safe
• Usage Tips — AM & PM, every other day for sensitive skin, most typically found in serums and peels
• Pairing Info — 

YES: AHAs, BHAs, and Retinol

NO: most if not all ingredients

BENTONITE CLAY

• Type of Ingredient — mineral clay
• Main Benefits — exfoliates, absorbs excess oil, anti-inflammatory properties
• Who Should Use It — oily or acne-prone skin
• Usage Tips — Usually  a few times a week depending on your skin and the product, commonly found in mask
• Pairing Info —

YES: other mild clays like kaolin, tumeric to reduce inflammation

NO: stronger exfoliants like acids and retinols

BETA-GLUCANS

• Type of ingredient — hydrator
• Main Benefits — antioxidant properties, supports skin barrier
• Who Should Use It — anyone, particularly those with a damaged (compromised) skin barrier
• Usage Tips — AM & PM, whenever, most likely found in moisturizers
• Pairing Info —

YES: dehydrating or irritating ingredients like retinol

NO: N/A

CAFFEINE

• Type of ingredient — anti-inflammatory
• Main Benefits — brightens skin, reduces fine lines, calms inflammation
• Who Should Use It — anyone with concerns of visible aging and puffiness
• Usage Tips — most useful once a day in the AM, commonly found in eyecare
• Pairing Info —

YES: vitamin c for extra brightening

NO: N/A

FERULIC ACID

• Type of ingredient — antioxidant
• Main Benefits — prevents fine lines and wrinkles, reduces inflammation, decreases uneven skin skin and brown spot formation
• Who Should Use It — anyone with an interest in anti-aging
• Usage Tips — best if used once a day in the morning, usually found in serums
• Pairing Info —

YES: other antioxidants like Vitamin C and Vitamin E

NO: exfoliating acids like glycolic and salicylic 

GLYCERIN

• Type of ingredient — humectant
• Main Benefits — draw water to and holds it in the skin, hydration
• Who Should Use It — anyone, specifically those prone to dry skin
• Usage Tips — AM & PM, typically found in moisturizers and creams
• Pairing Info — 

YES: pretty much all ingredients

NO: N/A

GREEN TEA

• Type of ingredient — antioxidant
• Main Benefits — protects, soothes, helps redness, anti-inflammatory properties
• Who Should Use It — suitable for all skin types
• Usage Tips — AM & PM, commonly found in eye care, gels
• Pairing Info —

YES: other antioxidants like Vitamin C & Vitamin E, combine with caffeine for boosted anti-inflammatory effects

NO: N/A

GLYCOLIC ACID

• Type of Ingredient — exfoliant (AHA)
• Main Benefits — speeds up cell turnover and fights acne
• Who Should Use It — all skin types, sensitive or dry skin types should start with low % and always patch test
• Usage Tips — depends on strength of the product, usually once a day in the PM, found in a variety of products
• Pairing Info —

YES: moisturizing ingredients and SPF

NO: retinol and other strong exfoliants

 HYALURONIC ACID

• Type of Ingredient — hydrator
• Main Benefits — reduces appearances of wrinkles, moisturizes and plumps skin 
• Who Should Use It — suitable for all skin types although ideal for dry or dehydrated skin, sensitive skin may need a patch test to avoid irritation
• Usage Tips — AM & PM, most likely found in serums and moisturizers
• Pairing Info —

YES: most active ingredients

NO: N/A

LACTIC ACID

• Type of ingredient — exfoliant (AHA)
• Main Benefits — kills acne-causing bacteria, increases cell turnover, improves wrinkles
• Who Should Use It — anyone with acne-prone skin
• Usage Tips — once a day or a few times a week in the PM, typically found in peels and toners
• Pairing Info —

YES: hydrators like hyaluronic acid

NO: other exfoliating acids, retinols, or drying ingredients like benzoyl peroxide

NIACINAMIDE (VITAMIN B3)

• Type of ingredient — brightener
• Main Benefits — brightening, anti-inflammatory, soothing, and preventing signs of aging
• Who Should Use It — anyone with concerns of dullness, great for sensitive skin
• Usage Tips — AM & PM, typically found in serums and creams
• Pairing Info — 

YES: Most ingredients

NO: Vitamin C

POLYPEPTIDES

• Type of ingredient — protein
• Main Benefits — increases collagen production, strengthens skin barrier, reduces the appearance of fine lines
• Who Should Use It — generally safe for all skin types
• Usage Tips — AM & PM, best if used in a cream or serum
• Pairing Info — 

YES: retinoids

NO: N/A

RETINOL

• Type of ingredient — antioxidant
• Main Benefits — boost collagen production, increases cell turnover
• Who Should Use It — anyone looking to improve visible signs of aging, NOT recommended for pregnant or nursing women, those with sensitive skin, eczema and rosacea should avoid retinol
• Usage Tips — start with a few times a week to avoid irritation although it depends on the product
• Pairing Info — 

YES: hydrating ingredients like HA and ceramides

NO: any harsh products or ingredients, avoid scrubs, peels, AHAs, BHAs vitamin C, and drying ingredients like benzoyl peroxide

SALICYLIC ACID

• Type of ingredient — exfoliant
• Main Benefits — prevents and treats breakouts, removes excess oil, softens clogged pores
• Who Should Use It — oily skin, those with surface acne
• Usage Tips — start with once a day then can be increased to twice daily if no irritation, typically found in cleansers, toners and treatments
• Pairing Info — 

YES: skin soothers and hydrating ingredients

NO: harsh exfoliants, retinol

SQUALANE

• Type of ingredient — emollient
• Main Benefits — soothing, supporting skin barrier, calms redness and inflammation 
• Who Should Use It — all skin types
• Usage Tips — AM & PM, typically found in serums
• Pairing Info —

YES: great to combine with actives like AHAs & retinol

NO: most ingredients 

TITANIUM DIOXIDE

• Type of ingredient — mineral
• Main Benefits — blocks the absorption of UV rays, prevents pigmentation and visible signs of aging
• Who Should Use It — 
• Usage Tips — applied once daily in the AM, commonly found in makeup powders and sunscreens
• Pairing Info —

YES: most ingredients

NO: N/A

VITAMIN C

• Type of Ingredient — antioxidant
• Main Benefits — evens skin tone, prevents free radical damage and promote
• Who Should Use It — 
• Usage Tips — daily in the AM, usually more effective in serums
• Pairing Info — 

YES: other mild antioxidants like vitamin E

NO: strong exfoliants, drying ingredients like retinol, and niacinamide

VITAMIN E

• Type of ingredient — antioxidant
• Main Benefits — locks in moisture, soothes, prevents damage
• Who Should Use It — anyone with dry skin, not recommended for sensitive skin
• Usage Tips — once a day, usually in the PM
• Pairing Info —

YES: other antioxidants like vitamin C

NO: retinols

ZINC OXIDE

• Type of ingredient — mineral
• Main Benefits — blocks harmful UV rays, prevents cellular damage and pigmentation
• Who Should Use It — everyone
• Usage Tips — found in mineral sunscreens, to be applied daily in the AM and reapplied after prolonged sun exposure
• Pairing Info —

YES: most if not all ingredients

NO: zinc oxide supplements