Ingredients

A pharmacist-led guide to cosmetic actives. Every ingredient explained with scientific evidence: what it does, how to use it and what to combine it with.

Enoxolone: What is it used for in the skin? A Pharmaceutical Guide
anti-inflammatory
Enoxolone: What is it used for in the skin? A Pharmaceutical Guide
Enoxolone is a soothing and anti-inflammatory active ingredient derived from licorice, useful for sensitive, reddened...
Published: 03 June 2026
Devil's Claw extract in your routine: when yes and when no
anti-inflammatory
Devil's Claw extract in your routine: when yes and when no
I'll explain what harpagophytum extract is, what real benefits it can bring to the skin, what precautions you should ...
Published: 03 June 2026
Inulin: What it does for your skin and how to make the most of it
anti-inflammatory
Inulin: What it does for your skin and how to make the most of it
Inulin is a cosmetic prebiotic that helps strengthen the skin barrier, improve hydration, and soothe sensitive skin w...
Published: 03 June 2026
Benzoic acid in cosmetics: what it does and when it makes sense
anti-inflammatory
Benzoic acid in cosmetics: what it does and when it makes sense
A classic preservative with an antimicrobial function, useful in well-formulated products, but with nuances that are ...
Published: 03 June 2026
Topical vitamin B2: when it benefits the skin
anti-inflammatory
Topical vitamin B2: when it benefits the skin
Riboflavin in cosmetics: what role it plays, when it fits into a formula, and what realistic results can be expected ...
Published: 03 June 2026
Zinc sulfate in cosmetics: when it can make sense
acne
Zinc sulfate in cosmetics: when it can make sense
A functional ingredient with antimicrobial and soothing properties, but with important nuances depending on the formu...
Published: 03 June 2026
Ivy extract in cosmetics: when it can be beneficial
anti-inflammatory
Ivy extract in cosmetics: when it can be beneficial
It's not one of the most decisive botanical extracts, but it can fit into soothing and antioxidant formulas with real...
Published: 03 June 2026
Cyclopentasiloxane for Skin: What to Expect and What Not To
anti-inflammatory
Cyclopentasiloxane for Skin: What to Expect and What Not To
I'll explain what cyclopentasiloxane is, what it's used for in cosmetics, its safety, if it's safe during pregnancy, ...
Published: 03 June 2026
Ruscus extract: when does it make sense for skin with redness
anti-inflammatory
Ruscus extract: when does it make sense for skin with redness
An interesting botanical extract for soothing and comforting formulas, although its real role depends heavily on the ...
Published: 03 June 2026
Hotflux TM in cosmetics: localized heat, when it fits and when it doesn't
anti-inflammatory
Hotflux TM in cosmetics: localized heat, when it fits and when it doesn't
A warming ingredient that might make sense in body formulas, but it's not for every skin type or every area.
Published: 03 June 2026
Hydroxyacetophenone: what it is for and how to use it on your skin
anti-inflammatory
Hydroxyacetophenone: what it is for and how to use it on your skin
Hydroxyacetophenone is a functional ingredient with antioxidant, soothing, and antimicrobial properties that help imp...
Published: 03 June 2026

What are cosmetic active ingredients

Cosmetic active ingredients are the components responsible for making a product do what it promises. Unlike excipients (which provide texture, preservation or fragrance), actives are the ones that produce a real, measurable effect on the skin: stimulating collagen, inhibiting melanin, strengthening the skin barrier or accelerating cell renewal.

The problem is that most brands do not explain which actives they use, at what concentration or why. This pharmacist-led guide to cosmetic ingredients was created to change that: each article analyses an active ingredient with the available scientific evidence, without exaggeration or empty promises.

How to use this ingredient guide

Each article in this guide includes a summary card with the INCI name, effective concentration, potency, recommended skin type, routine step and compatibility with other actives. You will also find information on use during pregnancy and verifiable scientific references.

All content is written and reviewed by a licensed pharmacist with over 20 years of experience. This is not a standard cosmetic ingredient list — it is a professional guide designed to help you make informed decisions about your skincare.

Arancha Grediaga
Author and reviewer
Pharmacist · Dermocosmetics Expert · COFA License #6497
+20 years of community pharmacy experience · Technical Lead at EVUE Cosmetics