Navigating the world of skincare can be overwhelming, especially when it comes to understanding the ingredients in your products. Each ingredient serves a unique purpose, whether it’s to hydrate, exfoliate, protect, or target specific skin concerns. To make your skincare routine more informed, here’s a glossary of some of the ingredients in our O Skin Studio product lineup.

A

• AHA (Alpha Hydroxy Acid): Water-soluble acids derived from fruits and milk, used primarily for exfoliation. They help remove dead skin cells to promote a smoother, brighter complexion. Common AHAs include glycolic acid and lactic acid.

• Aloe Vera (Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice):  It is widely recognized for its soothing and hydrating properties. Aloe Vera contains a variety of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that help calm and nourish the skin.

• Argan Oil (Argania Spinosa): Derived from the nuts of the argan tree, this oil is rich in fatty acids and vitamin E. It's an excellent moisturizer and helps protect skin from environmental damage. 

B

• Bamboo Charcoal: Known for its ability to draw out impurities and toxins from deep within the pores, helping to minimize their appearance.

• Beta Hydroxy Acid (BHA): Oil-soluble acids like salicylic acid, used for exfoliating the skin, particularly in acne treatments. BHAs penetrate deeper into the pores, helping to clear clogged pores and reduce breakouts.

C

• Cayenne (Capsicum Annuum):  It aids in the building of collagen, and improves the skin's ability to protect itself from oxidative damage.

• Ceramides (Glycosphingolipids): Lipid molecules found naturally in the skin that help maintain the skin’s barrier and retain moisture. They prevent dehydration and protect the skin from environmental damage.

• Coconut Oil (Organic Cocos Nucifera):  Cocos Nucifera Fruit Extract is highly moisturizing and nourishing, making it ideal for dry and sensitive skin. It helps to hydrate, soften, and protect the skin, while its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties promote healing and reduce irritation.

• Collagen (Vegetable Collage): A protein in the skin that provides structure, elasticity, and firmness. It declines with age, leading to wrinkles and sagging skin. Collagen-boosting ingredients help improve skin texture and appearance.

• Cucumber Extract (Cucumis Sativus): Known for its cooling and hydrating properties, cucumber extract helps soothe the skin and reduce puffiness.

D

• Dimethy Sulfone (MSM): A compound that helps firm and tighten the skin, often found in anti-aging products. MSM also works by enhancing skin elasticity and providing a lifting effect.

E

• Echinacea (Echinacea Purpurea): A plant extract used for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and healing properties. It’s often used in products designed to soothe irritated skin or reduce redness.

F

• Ferulic Acid: An antioxidant that helps stabilize other antioxidants like Vitamin C and E. It helps protect the skin from free radical damage and environmental stress.

• Fragrance (Parfum): Synthetic or natural scents added to products. While pleasant, fragrances can cause irritation, particularly in sensitive skin types.

G

• Ginseng (Quinquefolius Root):  Ginseng is brimming with antioxidants, polysaccharides, and other compounds that help regulate the production of sebum and protect the skin from oxidative stress. This, in turn, helps to reduce inflammation, unclog pores, and keep them small and tight.

• Glycolic Acid: A type of AHA derived from sugar cane, often used for its exfoliating properties.  It helps improve skin texture, brighten the complexion, and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

• Grapeseed Oil (Vitis Vinifera): It acts as a lightweight moisturizer, suitable for all skin types, and helps reduce the appearance of scars and stretch marks.  Its high antioxidant content combats free radicals, promoting youthful skin.  Rich in linoleic acid, it helps restore the skin's natural barrier, reducing dryness and irritation.

• Gree Tea Extract (Camellia Sinensis Leaf):  A powerful antioxidant that helps protect the skin from UV damage, reduce Inflammation, and fight premature aging.  It's also known for its anti-acne and anti-inflammatory properties.

H

• Hemp Seed Oil (Cannabis Sativa): Derived from the cannabis plant, hemp oil is rich in essential fatty acids and antioxidants. It’s hydrating, soothing, and helps balance oily skin while keeping it moisturized.

• Hyaluronic Acid (Cassia Angustifolia Seed Polysaccharide: Cassia Angustifolia Seed Polysaccharide is derived from the seeds of Cassia angustifolia. The seeds are a rich source of polysaccharides and are known for their hydrating and soothing properties. It is known for its ability to hold 1,000 times its weight in water.

J

• Jojoba Oil (Simmondsia Chinensis Seed): A plant-derived oil that closely resembles the skin's natural sebum. It’s lightweight, non-comedogenic, and helps moisturize and balance the skin without clogging pores.

K

• Kojic Acid (Ganoderma Lucidum) : Derived from fungi, kojic acid is used in skincare to lighten dark spots and hyperpigmentation. It inhibits melanin production and is commonly used in treatments for age spots and melasma.

L

• Lactic Acid (Lactate): An AHA that exfoliates and moisturizes the skin. Lactic acid is milder than glycolic acid, making it a good choice for sensitive skin, and helps promote smoother, brighter skin.

• Licorice Extract (Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root): Known for its skin-brightening and anti-inflammatory properties, licorice extract is often used to reduce hyperpigmentation and calm irritated skin.

N   

• Niacinamide (Vitamin B3): A powerhouse ingredient that helps brighten the skin, reduce redness, improve the skin barrier, and regulate oil production. It’s a great option for acne-prone and sensitive skin.

O

• Oat Extract (Avena Sativa Seed): Known for its soothing properties, oat extract helps calm irritated skin, reduce inflammation, and provide relief for conditions like eczema and psoriasis.

P

• Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5:  This is a synthetic, patented signal peptide made from the amino acids lysine and valine combined with the fatty acid palmitic acid, which aids penetration. It has a visible impact on skin’s firmness and also helps smooth the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, including deep wrinkles.

• Peptides (Dipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate): Short chains of amino acids that signal skin cells to perform specific functions such as collagen production, hydration, and cell regeneration. Peptides are great for anti-aging and overall skin health.

R

• Retinoids (Vitamin A): A family of compounds that help increase cell turnover, reduce fine lines, wrinkles, and improve skin texture. They’re effective in treating acne and other skin concerns but may cause irritation for sensitive skin types.

• Retinol (Centersome®RL Liposomal Complex): A type of retinoid that promotes cell turnover, reducing wrinkles, fine lines, and acne. It’s highly effective for anti-aging but can cause irritation, especially for sensitive skin.

• Rosehip Oil (Organic Rosa Canina Fruit): A nourishing oil high in vitamins A and C, which helps improve skin texture, brighten the complexion, and reduce scarring.

• Rosemary Extract (Organic Rosmarinus Officinalis):  An organic plant extract that delivers a spectrum of healing benefits, aiding in skin revitalization and maintaining a healthy skin ecosystem.

S

• Salicylic Acid (Salix Alba Bark): A BHA that deeply penetrates the pores, helping to exfoliate the skin, clear acne, and reduce oiliness. It’s great for acne-prone skin and blackheads.

• Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate (Vitamin C): It is known for its photoprotective, collagen boosting, and skin-brightening properties. It also has been known to be beneficial against both inflammatory and non-inflammatory lesions of acne vulgaris. 

• Squalane (Olive Oil): A plant-derived emollient that hydrates and softens the skin. It’s lightweight and non-comedogenic, making it suitable for all skin types, even oily and acne-prone skin.

• Sunflower Oil (Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil): A light, non-greasy oil that’s rich in vitamins and antioxidants. It helps hydrate, protect the skin barrier, and soothe irritation.

T

• Tea Tree Oil (Melaleuca Alternifolia): Known for its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, tea tree oil is often used in acne products to fight blemishes and reduce redness.

• Tocopherol (Vitamin E): A potent antioxidant that protects the skin from free radical damage and helps improve the skin's moisture balance. It also has soothing properties for sensitive skin.

V

• Vitamin B3 (Niacinamide): A powerhouse ingredient that helps brighten the skin, reduce redness, improve the skin barrier, and regulate oil production. It’s a great option for acne-prone and sensitive skin.

• Vitamin B5 (Panthenol): Derived from Pantothenic Acid.  It is a common ingredient in a wide array of skin care and personal care products due to its moisturizing, soothing, and anti-inflammatory properties.

• Vitamin C (Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate) : A powerful antioxidant that helps brighten the skin, reduce hyperpigmentation, and stimulate collagen production. It also protects against environmental damage.

• Vitamin E (Tocopheryl Acetate): An antioxidant that moisturizes and helps protect the skin from oxidative stress. It also has anti-inflammatory properties and is often paired with Vitamin C in formulations.

W

• Witch Hazel (Hamamelis Virginiana): A natural astringent that helps tighten and tone the skin, reducing inflammation and irritation. It’s often used in products for acne-prone or oily skin.

This glossary provides an overview of some our more common skincare ingredients but always be sure to patch test new products and check the full ingredient list for any potential sensitivities. Understanding what’s in your products helps you make better choices for your skin!