Skincare Ingredient Glossary
Understanding what goes into your skincare matters. Every product carried at LexEnhance Aesthetics & Wellness is physician-selected for ingredient quality, clinical evidence, and results. This glossary is a reference for the active ingredients you may find across our medical-grade skincare—from antioxidants and peptides to humectants, exfoliants, and barrier-support botanicals. Use it to better understand your regimen, ask informed questions during your consultation, and feel confident in the products you bring home.
If you'd like a personalized recommendation based on your skin concerns, our clinical team is here to help. Call us at (859) 346-8707 or schedule a consultation online.
How to Use Our Glossary
Ingredients are listed alphabetically. Use the letter index below to jump to a specific section or scan top to bottom to browse the full library.
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A
Acai: Antioxidant that fights free radicals and environmental stressors. Contains vitamin C to brighten uneven skin tone.
Ac Net™: A targeted sebum-regulating complex that helps reduce oil congestion, support clearer-looking pores, and improve the appearance of breakout-prone skin.
AHA Fruit Acid Complex (Sugar Cane + Lemon + Orange + Apple): Mild resurfacing blend used to smooth texture and refine tone.
Algae Extract: Tightens and firms the skin, smooths the appearance of fine lines, and supports collagen.
Allantoin: An emollient that increases skin smoothness, soothes the skin, and promotes wound healing. Helps protect against transepidermal water loss (T.E.W.L.) while supporting recovery in compromised or stressed skin.
Aloe Vera: A calming botanical that conditions, soothes, and hydrates skin. Anti-inflammatory properties help heal and balance reactive skin and reduce visible irritation, supporting hydration in sensitized or post-procedure repair.
Antioxidant: A category of ingredients that helps neutralize free radicals from sun exposure, pollution, and environmental stress, supporting the appearance of brighter, firmer, more resilient skin.
Apple Stem Cell Extract: Cellular technology that helps improve the appearance of fine lines and maintain strength and integrity in the delicate eye area.
Apricot Oil & Sweet Almond Oil: Contains essential fatty acids that help reinforce the skin's lipid barrier, reduce irritation, and improve overall skin softness and resilience.
Arbutin: Helps visibly reduce the look of discoloration and uneven tone by targeting pigment formation.
Argireline®: A wrinkle reducer that inhibits the formation of new lines and relaxes the appearance of facial muscles.
Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C): High-potency brightening and antioxidant support for visibly more even tone and firmer-looking skin.
Ascorbyl Palmitate: An antioxidant additive used to stabilize oils, fats, and color. In skincare, it acts as a free radical scavenger and is used in oil-based formulations to improve the appearance of aged or fragile skin.
Avocado Oil: Fatty-acid-rich emollient that replenishes depleted lipids and improves long-term softness in chronically dry lips.
Azelaic Acid: Decongests skin while visibly improving the look of post-breakout discoloration.
B
Bakuchiol: Supports retinal performance with improved tolerability, helping refine texture while providing antioxidant support.
Bamboo & Rice Powder: Delivers ultra-fine exfoliation that smooths skin texture while helping maintain barrier health and firmness.
Bearberry & Mulberry Extract: Contains natural arbutin to help address the appearance of post-inflammatory pigmentation.
Beeswax: Used as a structural agent in skincare and lip care due to its high melting point. Locks in moisture and reduces water loss.
Bentonite Clay + Kaolin Clay: Absorbs excess oil and lifts remaining debris to target blackhead and T-zone buildup.
Benzyl Nicotinate: Targeted vasodilator that increases localized blood flow, enhancing oxygen delivery and cellular activity within the skin.
Berry Wax (Rhus Verniciflua Peel Wax): A plant-derived occlusive that forms a breathable protective seal.
Beta Glucan: A humectant containing antioxidants that helps repair the skin, boost barrier function, and hydrate deep into the epidermis.
Biocellulose Mask Matrix: Adheres like a second skin to drive hydration without sliding or shifting.
Bioflavonoid: Citrus fruit peel extract that delivers heavy antioxidant support to nourish and moisturize skin and fight free radicals.
Bisabolol: Potent antioxidant that helps heal and calm irritated skin.
Black Currant Extract: High in vitamin C and fatty acids. Reduces the appearance of inflammation and helps bind moisture to the skin.
Blackberry & Blueberry Purée: Natural exfoliating fruit enzymes that improve texture and skin tone.
Blue Tansy Oil: Rich in chamazulene to calm visible redness and soothe stressed or reactive skin.
Burdock Root: Astringent and antibacterial botanical that helps decrease the look of inflammation, calm and smooth the skin, and provide antioxidant support for problematic, acne-prone skin.
Burdock Root + Horsetail Extract: Clarifying antioxidant-rich botanicals that help reduce visible inflammation, balance oil, and refine the look of texture in breakout-prone areas.
C
Caffeine: An antioxidant that fights free radicals and a vasoconstrictor that helps firm the appearance of lines and skin.
Calendula: Antifungal, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties help heal wounds and soothe the skin.
Camphor + Eucalyptus Oils: Cooling, clarifying botanicals that help reduce the appearance of post-exfoliation redness.
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride: Replenishes lightweight moisture to keep skin balanced and smooth.
Capsicum Fruit Powder: Skin-warming botanical that intensifies circulation, helping mobilize stagnant blood and support acne-prone skin through increased oxygenation.
Carrageenan: Moisture-locking matrix that keeps patches in place and enhances hydration delivery.
Castor Seed Oil: An occlusive lipid that forms a protective seal over compromised skin to reduce moisture loss and support faster visible recovery.
Ceramides: Lipid molecules naturally found in the skin barrier. Topical ceramides help reinforce barrier function, lock in moisture, and reduce the appearance of dryness and sensitivity.
Chamomile: Anti-inflammatory botanical that helps calm the look of redness while softening skin and protecting it against free radicals.
Cherry Pepper Extract: Invigorates the skin with a vitamin-packed punch that increases circulation and offers antibacterial and anti-inflammatory benefits.
Chlorophyllin-Copper Complex: Antioxidant ingredient that helps calm the look of inflammation and post-breakout marks.
Chrysin (Bioflavonoid): A plant-derived flavonoid (commonly found in passionflower and honeycomb sources) that reduces the look of fatigue and under-eye discoloration for a brighter eye area.
Cocoa Seed Butter: A powerful antioxidant that provides a barrier to support the skin.
Coconut Alkanes: Fast-evaporating base that allows exfoliated skin cells to be brushed away.
Coenzyme Q-10: Ultra-healing antioxidant that helps reduce the appearance of premature aging by supporting collagen and elastin.
Cogon Grass: Long-lasting hydration that helps skin hold moisture for healthy hydration.
Copper PCA & Zinc PCA: Minerals that support a healthy barrier, sebum regulation, and skin strength.
Copper PCA + Zinc PCA + Sodium PCA (Tri-Mineral Complex): A mineral and natural moisturization factor (NMF) trio that helps balance sebum, support hydration, and keep skin clear and resilient.
Crambe Seed Oil: Ultra-light moisturizing oil with a high concentration of omega fatty acids that renews the lipid layer.
D
DermBrite: Complex that inhibits melanin synthesis, helping control melanin formation.
E
Emollient: A category of moisturizing ingredient that softens and smooths the skin's surface by filling in gaps between skin cells.
Eyeliss™ Peptide: Targets under-eye puffiness by improving the look of fluid retention and smoothing the eye contour.
F
Ferulic Acid: A plant-derived antioxidant that stabilizes vitamin C and vitamin E formulations and helps defend skin against environmental stress.
G
Glutamine: A skin-replenishing amino acid that helps strengthen the skin's support.
Glycerin: Draws moisture into the skin to maintain hydration and prevent barrier disruption during cleansing.
Glycolic Acid: An alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) derived from sugar cane that exfoliates the skin's surface to improve the appearance of texture, tone, and fine lines.
Glycosaminoglycans: Long-term moisture support that helps reinforce the skin's hydration reservoir.
Gotu Kola: Antioxidant rich in amino acids — beneficial for a compromised barrier because it supports the skin's healing process.
Green Tea: Potent antioxidant that soothes skin and reduces the appearance of inflammation.
H
HALOXYL®: Brightening complex that reduces the appearance of dark circles and under-eye discoloration.
Hexylresorcinol: A skin-brightening compound that supports a more even tone by helping reduce the appearance of dark spots and discoloration.
Honey: Natural humectant that improves skin moisture levels. Soothes and calms reactive skin and improves the skin's natural moisture barrier.
Horsetail Extract: Antioxidant that helps enrich skin texture.
Humectant: A category of ingredient that draws moisture into the skin, including hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and honey.
Hyaluronic Acid: Attracts and retains moisture in the skin, creating a plumping effect that reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Hyaluronic Filling Spheres: Plump the appearance of wrinkles and infuse intense moisture by releasing beneficial hyaluronic acid into the deeper layers of the lips.
Hyperpigmentation: Areas of skin that appear darker than surrounding skin due to excess melanin, often from sun exposure, hormonal shifts, or post-inflammatory response.
I
Ivy Gourd: Fruit extract that hydrates and conditions the skin while providing additional antimicrobial and antioxidant benefits.
J
Jojoba Oil: Pressed from the seeds of the jojoba plant. Locks in moisture and is rich in fatty acids that help nourish and restore dry skin.
K
Kaolin Clay: Absorbs sebum and draws out impurities from pores.
L
Lactic Acid: A gentle alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) that exfoliates while supporting hydration, making it suitable for sensitive or dry skin.
Lactobacillus Ferment: Enhances the antimicrobial properties of the skin while reducing the appearance of inflammation and supporting blemish recovery.
Licorice Root: An antioxidant that targets uneven skin tone and irritation. Contains glycyrrhizic acid, which is anti-inflammatory and helps improve the look of dark spots and skin tone.
M
Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate (Vitamin C): Water-soluble, oil-loving vitamin C that promotes hydration deep into the skin and remains stable longer to ensure a full dose of antioxidants while brightening and minimizing the appearance of aging.
Mandelic Acid: A gentle AHA that penetrates the skin slowly, making it suitable for sensitive, inflamed skin. It increases cell turnover, reducing the appearance of skin damage, acne, and hyperpigmentation.
Matrixyl®: Supports collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid — clinically associated with up to a 28% lift effect and 31% reduction in the appearance of wrinkles.
Maxilip®: Powerful natural peptide that supports collagen and glycosaminoglycans to firm and smooth the appearance of the lips.
N
Natural AHA Fruit Blend: Sugar cane, apple, lemon, and orange blended to create a natural AHA exfoliation that improves the skin's texture and tone.
Neem Leaf Extract: Clarifies and brightens skin while reducing the look of inflammation and helping balance oil production.
Neodermyl®: Copper-based complex that supports wound healing and cellular regeneration. Stimulates collagen and elastin to enhance the skin's appearance.
Neroli (Orange Blossom): A natural skin conditioner that calms the skin and reduces the look of redness.
Niacinamide: A powerful vitamin B3 that helps reduce the appearance of inflammation and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Non-Comedogenic: A formulation designed not to clog pores, often preferred for breakout-prone skin.
O
Occlusive: A category of moisturizing ingredient that forms a protective seal over the skin to reduce water loss, including beeswax, shea butter, and squalane.
Oligopeptide 51: Contains 11 amino acids that help strengthen the skin's barrier and offers lightening and brightening properties to help prevent the appearance of photo-aging and age spots.
P
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-37: Potent peptide associated with up to a 45% reduction in the appearance of wrinkles in 28 days.
Peptides: Short chains of amino acids that signal the skin to support collagen, elastin, and barrier function — used to address the appearance of fine lines, firmness, and tone.
Panthenol (Vitamin B5): A vitamin that helps heal, protect, and rebuild the skin barrier.
Phenylethyl Resorcinol: A potent skin-brightening ingredient derived from natural sources that helps reduce the appearance of dark spots and uneven pigmentation while supporting overall tone clarity.
Pumpkin Extract: Alpha hydroxy acid that gently exfoliates and naturally contains zinc and antioxidants to help support the skin.
R
Resveratrol: Potent antioxidant that calms and softens the appearance of aging and helps defend against environmental stress.
Retinol: A vitamin A derivative that supports cell turnover and helps reduce the appearance of fine lines, uneven tone, and texture. A cornerstone ingredient in many medical-grade anti-aging regimens.
Retinaldehyde: A vitamin A derivative that converts to retinoic acid more efficiently than retinol, offering visible results with generally improved tolerability.
Retinyl Palmitate: Stable form of vitamin A that offers antioxidant protection and helps counteract the appearance of dry, flaky skin.
Rosehip Seed Oil: An emollient that softens and replenishes skin. Its fatty acid content is particularly helpful for dull, dry skin. Also helps support skin elasticity and reduce the appearance of fine lines.
Rosemary Leaf Extract: A powerful antioxidant that provides anti-inflammatory support and helps promote a clear and more balanced complexion.
Rutin: A powerful antioxidant that helps tighten the look of fine lines and enhance the appearance of elasticity.
S
Sepilift® DPHP: Plant-derived, oil-soluble wrinkle-correcting agent that moisturizes and helps stimulate collagen.
Shea Butter: Emollient that moisturizes and softens skin. Its slight occlusive properties lock in moisture and help prevent transepidermal water loss.
SPF (Sun Protection Factor): A measure of how well a sunscreen protects against UVB rays. Broad-spectrum SPF protects against both UVA and UVB rays.
Squalane: Antimicrobial that locks moisture in and is similar to a natural sebum found in the body. Non-greasy emollience helps support the skin's moisture barrier and reduces transepidermal water loss.
Syn-Ake® Peptide: Helps relax the appearance of muscles to reduce the look of fine lines and wrinkles.
T
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate: Stable, oil-soluble form of vitamin C that penetrates deep into the skin to help reduce the appearance of redness, support breakout-prone skin, and even skin tone.
Tocopherol (Vitamin E): Helps support the skin's healing process, boost UV defense, and prevent the appearance of dryness.
Turmeric: Derived from Curcuma longa root, turmeric extract is rich in antioxidants and helps visibly calm reactive skin. An anti-inflammatory that minimizes the appearance of dark spots and helps brighten skin overall.
V
Vitamin C (BV-OSC): Vitamin C that penetrates deep into the skin and stays stable, ensuring a full dose of antioxidants to minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and promote even skin tone.
Z
Zinc Oxide: Mineral sun protection that helps minimize the appearance of irritation, supports the skin, and offers antimicrobial benefits.
Want to Understand Why These Ingredients Matter?
Skincare ingredients work best when they’re matched to what is changing beneath the skin. Our guide to facial aging explains how skin changes shift over time—and how physician-selected skincare can support healthier-looking skin at each stage. See our guide to Understanding Facial Aging.
Schedule a Skincare Consultation
Have a question about an ingredient or want help building a physician-selected regimen tailored to your skin? Our clinical team at LexEnhance Aesthetics & Wellness in Lexington, KY can guide you through options from from doctor-led brands like Obagi, Nutrafol, Sorella, Alastin, Sonrei, and more. Call
(859) 346-8707 or book a consultation online to get started.
