Ingredient library
Skincare ingredients, decoded
What each active actually does, who it suits, and how to use it — no hype, no paid placement.
Salicylic acid (BHA)
An oil-loving acid that gets inside pores to clear them and smooth bumpy skin.
Glycolic acid (AHA)
Works on the surface to brighten and smooth dull, uneven skin.
Niacinamide
A form of vitamin B3 — calms redness, keeps oil in check, and fades dark spots.
Hyaluronic acid
Pulls water into your skin so it looks plump and dewy.
Centella (Cica)
Calms irritation and helps repair stressed, sensitive skin.
Snail mucin
Hydrates and helps skin heal — great for rough texture and stressed skin.
Retinol
The gold standard for fine lines, texture, and tone. Use at night only.
Retinaldehyde
A faster-acting form of retinol for lines and texture. Night only.
Vitamin C
Brightens, fades dark spots, and protects skin from daytime damage.
Ceramides
Your skin's own building blocks — they rebuild it and seal in moisture.
Peptides
Tiny messengers that tell your skin to firm itself up over time.
Panthenol
Vitamin B5 — soothes easily-irritated skin and hydrates deeply.
Green tea
Calms skin and shields it from everyday damage.
Propolis
A bee-made ingredient that soothes skin and supports its barrier.
Ginseng
A traditional booster for brighter, more awake-looking skin.
Bakuchiol
A plant-based alternative to retinol — gentle enough for sensitive skin.
Caffeine
Tightens the look of puffiness and dark circles.
Zinc
Balances oil and calms active breakouts.
UV filters
Blocks the sun's UV rays — the single biggest thing you can do to prevent aging.
Rice extract
Softens skin and evens out tone for a lit-from-within glow.
Birch sap
Light, watery hydration.
Tea tree
Targets blemishes and excess oil.
Milk vetch root
A calming, hydrating root extract.
Lady's mantle
A botanical that helps balance and tone skin.
Wild rose
A vitamin-rich botanical that brightens.
Leopard lily
Cuts shine and refines the look of pores.
Glycerin
A classic ingredient that keeps skin soft and comfortably hydrated.
Benzoyl peroxide
Kills the bacteria behind acne. Keep it separate from retinol.
Squalane
A lightweight plant oil that softens skin without clogging pores.
Mugwort
A K-beauty favorite that calms redness and irritated skin.
Collagen
A plumping protein that keeps skin looking supple and hydrated.
Kojic acid
Fades dark spots for brighter, more even-looking skin.
Arbutin
Gently fades dark spots over time.
Tranexamic acid
Fades dark spots and discoloration — gentle enough for sensitive skin.
Lactic acid
A gentle acid that smooths and hydrates — kinder than glycolic for sensitive skin.
Mandelic acid
A gentle acid that's easy on acne-prone and sensitive skin.
Azelaic acid
A multitasker: calms redness, fades spots, and clears blemishes. Safe in pregnancy.
Why you can trust this: Vaiya's recommendations are commission-blind — what we suggest and what we flag as unsafe is decided by an engine that never sees affiliate data, and that separation is enforced by an automated test in our build. We can't be paid to fake a safe.
Build your free routine →