ION BLUE RESEARCH DIRECTORY

Ingredients

Cited, sourced skincare ingredient explainers.

Each entry is verified against primary literature before it is published here. More are added as they are sourced.

INGREDIENT

Glycolic Acid

Glycolic acid is an alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) — the smallest AHA, derived from sugar cane. It's water-soluble, so unlike oil-soluble salicylic acid it works mainly on the skin's surface: it loosens the bonds between dead cells so they shed, leaving skin smoother, brighter and more even in tone. It also raises sun sensitivity, so daily sunscreen is required.

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INGREDIENT

Hyaluronic Acid

Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a sugar-based polymer (a glycosaminoglycan) your body makes naturally — it's the skin's main water-binding molecule. On product labels it usually appears as its salt, Sodium Hyaluronate. As a skincare ingredient it's a humectant: it holds water at the skin's surface.

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INGREDIENT

Niacinamide (Vitamin B3)

Niacinamide (nicotinamide), the amide form of vitamin B3 — a water-soluble cell-signaling vitamin and NAD+ precursor.

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INGREDIENT

Retinol

Retinol is the alcohol form of vitamin A (INCI: Retinol) and one of the most-studied over-the-counter anti-ageing actives. It works as a pro-drug: skin enzymes convert it into retinoic acid, the molecule that actually drives its effects on collagen, cell turnover and tone.

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INGREDIENT

Salicylic Acid

Salicylic acid is a beta-hydroxy acid (BHA) — the only common BHA in skincare. It's oil-soluble, which lets it get into the oil-filled pores where acne starts, and it works by loosening the dead-cell buildup that clogs them. Best known as an OTC acne ingredient, capped at 2% in US over-the-counter products.

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INGREDIENT

Vitamin C

L-ascorbic acid — a water-soluble antioxidant and collagen cofactor.

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95 more ingredients are being researched and cited — added as each is verified.