YOU SHOULDN'T NEED A CHEMISTRY DEGREE TO BUY SKINCARE.

Peptides.

Hyaluronic acid.

Niacinamide.

Glycolic acid.

Everywhere you look, another ingredient is being called the one thing your skin "needs."

It can get confusing quickly.

So let's simplify it.

Ingredients Made Simple is your straightforward guide to understanding popular skincare ingredients, what they're commonly used for and where they may fit into your routine.

No ingredient hype.

No complicated science lesson.

Just information you can actually use.

START WITH WHAT YOUR SKIN NEEDS.

Don't choose an ingredient because it's trending.

Choose it because it makes sense for your skin concern.

Here's where to start.

HYALURONIC ACID

THINK: HYDRATION

Hyaluronic acid is a humectant—an ingredient that helps attract and retain water.

It's commonly used in skincare to help skin feel more hydrated and appear plumper and smoother.

YOU MAY LIKE IT IF YOU'RE NOTICING:

• Dryness
• Dehydrated-looking skin
• Tightness
• Fine lines that look more noticeable when skin is dry

WHERE IT FITS

Usually during the serum or moisturizing stage of your routine, depending on the formula.

[SHOP HYDRATION]

NIACINAMIDE

THINK: MULTITASKER

Niacinamide is a form of vitamin B3 and appears in many skincare formulas because of its versatility.

Depending on the formulation, it can help support the skin barrier and improve the appearance of uneven tone, texture and visible pores.

YOU MAY LIKE IT IF YOU'RE NOTICING:

• Uneven-looking tone
• Visible pores
• Dullness
• Uneven texture
• Oiliness

[SHOP NIACINAMIDE]

PEPTIDES

THINK: FIRM + SMOOTH

Peptides are small chains of amino acids commonly incorporated into skincare products designed to support smoother and firmer-looking skin.

YOU MAY LIKE THEM IF YOU'RE NOTICING:

• Fine lines
• Loss of firmness
• Changes in skin texture

[SHOP FIRMNESS]

GLYCOLIC ACID

THINK: EXFOLIATION + RADIANCE

Glycolic acid is an alpha hydroxy acid, or AHA.

It exfoliates the skin's surface and can help improve the appearance of dullness and uneven texture.

YOU MAY LIKE IT IF YOU'RE NOTICING:

• Dull-looking skin
• Uneven-looking texture
• Roughness
• Uneven-looking tone

IMPORTANT

More exfoliation isn't always better.

Introduce exfoliating acids carefully, follow product directions and don't assume that stronger or more frequent use will produce better results.

Daily sun protection is especially important when using exfoliating acids.

[SHOP RADIANCE]

VITAMIN C

THINK: BRIGHTNESS + ANTIOXIDANT SUPPORT

Vitamin C is an antioxidant commonly used in skincare formulas designed to help support brighter, more even-looking skin and protect against environmental oxidative stress.

YOU MAY LIKE IT IF YOU'RE NOTICING:

• Dullness
• Uneven-looking tone
• Loss of radiance

[SHOP BRIGHTENING]

VITAMIN E

THINK: CONDITIONING + ANTIOXIDANT SUPPORT

Vitamin E is commonly included in skincare to help condition the skin and provide antioxidant support.

You'll often find it combined with moisturizing oils and other skin-conditioning ingredients.

WITCH HAZEL

THINK: REFRESH + OIL CONTROL

Witch hazel is commonly used in toners and products designed for oily or combination skin.

Depending on the overall formula, it may help skin feel refreshed and reduce the appearance of excess surface oil.

If your skin is particularly dry or sensitive, pay attention to how your individual skin responds.

[SHOP OIL + CONGESTION]

CHARCOAL + KAOLIN CLAY

THINK: OIL + CONGESTION

Charcoal and kaolin are commonly found in cleansing masks designed to absorb excess surface oil and help skin feel deeply cleansed.

YOU MAY LIKE THEM IF YOU'RE NOTICING:

• Excess oil
• Congested-looking pores
• Visible blackheads
• Shine

They don't permanently "erase" pores or blackheads, but they can be useful ingredients in a routine designed for oily or congested-looking skin.

[SHOP PORES + TEXTURE]

HOW MANY ACTIVE INGREDIENTS DO YOU ACTUALLY NEED?

Probably fewer than social media makes it seem.

You don't need to collect ingredients.

You need a routine.

Start with your biggest skin concern.

Choose products that address it.

Give your skin time to respond.

Then decide whether anything else is actually necessary.

More isn't automatically better.

STILL NOT SURE WHAT TO CHOOSE?

Don't worry about memorizing ingredients.

Tell us what you're noticing about your skin instead.

We'll help you find a simpler place to start.

[TAKE THE SKIN QUIZ]

Beauty After 40, Simplified.