Skincare ingredients explained

Ingredient lists look intimidating, but most products are built from a few familiar groups: ingredients that hold water, ingredients that soften, and ingredients that seal everything in. Once you know the groups, labels start to make sense.

A clear, faintly golden drop of serum falling from a coral bottle onto the back of a hand

Get comfortable reading the label

An ingredient list can help you compare products, but it cannot tell you everything about how a finished formula will feel. Start with the question you want answered.

An ivory moisturizer dispensed from a RENU Advanced cream jar

Understand the order and the names

How to read skincare ingredient labels explains ingredient order, fragrance wording and why a long list is not automatically a reason to put a product back.

Understand your moisturizer

Moisturizer ingredients explained looks at the roles of humectants, emollients and other familiar formula ingredients, with examples from RENU Advanced.

Check what is in a drink mix

If you are comparing beauty supplements, collagen powder vs a plant-based drink mix explains the difference in composition. REDOX Radiance is plant-based and contains no collagen.

For the ingredient list and directions of a particular product, visit its product guide.

Explore the guides

Quick answers

Why is water first on most ingredient lists?
Water is the base of many formulas. Ingredients are generally listed by amount, with exceptions for low concentrations and colorants.
What is a humectant?
An ingredient that draws water into the top layer of skin, such as glycerin or hyaluronic acid.
Is a short ingredient list better?
Not automatically. A short list is easy to read, but what matters is whether the product suits your skin and your routine.

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The simple routine checklist

Morning

  • Cleanse
  • Optional layers
  • Moisturize
  • Sunscreen

Evening

  • Remove makeup
  • Cleanse
  • Optional layers
  • Moisturize

Notes

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