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The best skin care and beauty ingredients

Explore ingredients that transform your beauty routine.

The best ingredients for skin and hair

Want to get more from your routine? Start with the ingredients. Whether you're shopping for a new serum or shampoo, understanding what’s inside the bottle is key to choosing the right product for your needs. This guide breaks down the best skin care ingredients for radiance, hydration, and anti-aging—plus the most effective hair care ingredients for strength, shine, and growth.

For the most up-to-date, personalized advice on skin care ingredients, we recommend consulting with a dermatologist.

Best ingredients for skin

Achieving radiant, healthy skin often comes down to a well-formulated routine featuring potent and beneficial ingredients. Look for a combination of hydrators, antioxidants, and reparative compounds.

  • Hyaluronic Acid: A powerful humectant, meaning it draws moisture from the air and locks it into the skin. It helps with providing intense hydration, plumping fine lines, and improving skin elasticity. It can be suitable for all skin types, including oily and sensitive.
  • Vitamin C (L-Ascorbic Acid and its derivatives): A superstar antioxidant that can help protect the skin from free radical damage caused by UV exposure and pollution. It can also help brighten the complexion and fade hyperpigmentation.
  • Retinoids (Retinol, Retinal, Tretinoin): Derivatives of Vitamin A, these can help accelerate cell turnover, help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, help improve skin texture and tone and can help with acne by unclogging pores. It is typically best to start with lower concentrations and gradually increase use as your skin adjusts.
  • Niacinamide: A versatile ingredient that may offer a multitude of benefits. It can help to strengthen the skin barrier, reduce redness and inflammation (making it excellent for sensitive or acne-prone skin), minimize the appearance of pores, regulate oil production, and improve overall skin tone.
  • Ceramides: Ceramides may help in maintaining skin hydration and protecting against environmental aggressors. Products rich in ceramides can help to repair and restore a compromised skin barrier, leading to healthier, more resilient skin.
  • AHAs (Alpha Hydroxy Acids - Glycolic Acid, Lactic Acid): AHAs can help improve skin texture, reduce the appearance of fine lines, and enhance brightness. Glycolic acid is potent, while lactic acid is gentler and more hydrating.
  • BHAs (Beta Hydroxy Acids - Salicylic Acid): Oil-soluble exfoliants that can penetrate pores, making them ideal for oily and acne-prone skin. Salicylic acid can help to unclog pores, reduce blackheads and whiteheads, and calm inflammation.

Best ingredients for hair

Healthy, beautiful hair starts with nourishing ingredients that address specific concerns from the scalp to the ends.

  • Argan Oil: Rich in vitamins, antioxidants, and essential fatty acids, argan oil can help nourish and moisturize hair, improve elasticity, add shine, and help to reduce frizz and split ends. It’s excellent for dry, damaged, or frizzy hair.
  • Keratin: The primary protein that makes up hair. When hair is damaged, its natural keratin structure can be compromised. Products containing hydrolyzed keratin can help to strengthen the hair shaft, reduce breakage, and improve overall hair health and smoothness.
  • Coconut Oil: A highly penetrating oil that can reduce protein loss in both damaged and undamaged hair. It deeply conditions, helps to prevent breakage, and can make hair softer and shinier.
  • Shea Butter: A rich emollient that provides intense moisture and nourishment to dry and brittle hair. It can help to seal in moisture, reduce frizz, and protect hair from environmental damage.
  • Aloe Vera: Known for its soothing and hydrating properties, aloe vera can help calm an itchy scalp, reduce inflammation, and provide light moisture to the hair without weighing it down. It also can help to balance the scalp's pH.

Best ingredients for shampoo

The right shampoo ingredients cleanse effectively without stripping, and often contribute to overall scalp and hair health.

  • Gentle Surfactants (e.g., Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Coco-Glucoside, Decyl Glucoside): These are cleansing agents that create lather and remove dirt, oil, and product buildup. Opt for shampoos with gentler, sulfate-free surfactants to avoid excessive stripping of natural oils, which can lead to dryness and irritation.
  • Panthenol (Pro-Vitamin B5): A humectant that may help attract and hold moisture in the hair, making it appear softer, smoother, and more pliable. It also can help to improve hair elasticity and reduce breakage.
  • Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein/Rice Protein: These small protein molecules can help penetrate the hair shaft to help strengthen it from within, repair damage, and add volume and shine without weighing hair down.
  • Tea Tree Oil: Known for its antifungal and antibacterial properties, tea tree oil can be beneficial for those with an oily or itchy scalp, helping to reduce dandruff and promote a healthier scalp environment.
  • Salicylic Acid: In shampoo, salicylic acid acts as an exfoliant for the scalp, helping to loosen and remove dead skin cells and product buildup, which can alleviate dandruff and soothe an itchy scalp.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are active ingredients in skin care?

Active ingredients are the components in skin care products that deliver specific results, like treating acne, fading dark spots, or reducing wrinkles. Common actives include retinoids, vitamin C, salicylic acid, glycolic acid, and niacinamide. These ingredients are clinically proven to make changes in the skin’s appearance or texture.

What ingredients are good for hair growth?

Ingredients that support hair growth include biotin, caffeine, rosemary oil, castor oil, and peptides. These work by stimulating hair follicles, improving scalp circulation, or strengthening the hair shaft to reduce breakage. You’ll often find them in serums, shampoos, and scalp treatments.

What is the best ingredient for shiny hair?

For shinier hair, look for ingredients that smooth and hydrate the hair cuticle. Argan oil, jojoba oil, silicones (like dimethicone), and proteins like silk or keratin can all boost shine. Products that seal in moisture and reduce frizz are especially helpful for dull or dry hair.

Discover our How to Get Shiny Hair buying guide for expert recommendations.

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