Soothing Ingredients
25Soothing ingredients calm inflammation, reduce redness, and support skin recovery. They are essential for sensitive skin types and for buffering the irritation that active ingredients (retinoids, acids) can cause. Many work by inhibiting inflammatory cytokines or supporting the skin barrier.
Allantoin
A gentle compound found naturally in comfrey root, chamomile, and wheat sprouts that promotes skin healing, moisturization, and the shedding of dead skin cells. Allantoin has been used in dermatology for over 70 years and is one of the most universally tolerated ingredients — it soothes, protects, and promotes recovery without any known irritation potential. Found in everything from diaper cream to post-procedure products.
Allantoin
A gentle, non-irritating compound found in comfrey root, chamomile, and wheat sprouts that promotes cell regeneration and has keratolytic and soothing properties. Allantoin is one of the most universally well-tolerated skincare ingredients — it is used in products for newborn babies, post-surgical care, and extremely reactive skin. It softens keratin, promotes wound healing, and reduces irritation from other active ingredients.
Aloe Vera
One of the oldest and most recognized soothing ingredients, used for millennia for burns, wounds, and skin irritation. Aloe vera gel contains over 75 active compounds including polysaccharides, vitamins, minerals, and enzymes. It provides immediate cooling, hydration, and anti-inflammatory relief. The evidence is strongest for wound healing, sunburn recovery, and moisturization.
Aloe Vera
The gel from Aloe barbadensis leaves has been used for skin healing for over 5,000 years and is backed by modern clinical evidence for wound healing, burn treatment, and anti-inflammatory effects. Aloe gel contains over 75 active compounds including polysaccharides (acemannan), vitamins, minerals, enzymes, and amino acids. It hydrates, soothes, accelerates wound healing, and provides mild antibacterial protection.
Azelaic Acid
A dicarboxylic acid naturally produced by yeast on the skin. Azelaic acid is a true multi-tasker that treats acne, rosacea, and hyperpigmentation simultaneously. It is one of the few active ingredients considered safe during pregnancy, and it uniquely targets only abnormal melanocytes — meaning it brightens dark spots without lightening normal skin. Effective for both inflammatory acne and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH).
Azelaic Acid
A dicarboxylic acid naturally produced by Malassezia yeast on human skin. Azelaic acid is a uniquely versatile ingredient — it treats acne, reduces hyperpigmentation, has anti-rosacea effects, and is safe in pregnancy. It selectively targets abnormally active melanocytes while leaving normal pigmentation alone, making it ideal for post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Also available by prescription (15-20%) for rosacea.
Bakuchiol
A plant-derived compound from Psoralea corylifolia seeds that provides retinol-like benefits without retinoid chemistry. Bakuchiol does not bind to retinoic acid receptors — it achieves similar gene expression changes through a completely different mechanism, making it safe during pregnancy and for skin too sensitive for any retinoid. Clinical studies show comparable improvements in wrinkles and pigmentation to 0.5% retinol.
Bakuchiol
A plant-derived compound from Psoralea corylifolia seeds that has been clinically shown to provide retinol-like anti-aging effects without retinoid side effects. A 2019 British Journal of Dermatology study directly compared bakuchiol to retinol and found comparable improvement in fine lines, pigmentation, and photodamage — but with significantly less scaling and stinging. It is the most evidence-backed 'retinol alternative' for those who cannot tolerate retinoids.
Centella Asiatica
Also known as Cica, Gotu Kola, or Tiger Grass, Centella Asiatica is an herb used in traditional medicine for wound healing that has become one of the most popular soothing ingredients in Korean and global skincare. Its active compounds (madecassoside, asiaticoside, madecassic acid, asiatic acid) reduce inflammation, stimulate collagen production, and accelerate wound healing. Essential for sensitive and compromised skin.
Centella Asiatica (Cica)
An herbaceous plant used for centuries in Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine, now one of the most popular soothing ingredients in K-beauty. Centella's triterpene compounds (madecassoside, asiaticoside, madecassic acid, asiatic acid) collectively called 'TECA' or 'cica' promote collagen synthesis, inhibit inflammation, and accelerate wound healing. It is the go-to ingredient for sensitive, irritated, acne-damaged, or post-procedure skin.
Copper Peptides (GHK-Cu)
GHK-Cu is a naturally occurring copper complex that declines with age (60% reduction by age 60). It is one of the most potent wound-healing and skin-remodeling signals known — it stimulates collagen, elastin, glycosaminoglycan synthesis, and new blood vessel growth while simultaneously breaking down excess scar tissue. Used in both anti-aging and post-procedure recovery.
EGF (Epidermal Growth Factor)
A signaling protein that stimulates cell growth, proliferation, and differentiation. In skincare, EGF promotes wound healing, skin renewal, and collagen production. Originally used in medical wound care and post-laser recovery, it has become popular in Korean skincare for anti-aging. It is one of the few growth factors with evidence for topical skincare efficacy.
Hemp Seed Oil
Cold-pressed from Cannabis sativa seeds, hemp seed oil has an ideal 3:1 ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids — the ratio considered optimal for skin health. It is rich in linoleic acid (which acne-prone skin is deficient in), gamma-linolenic acid (GLA, a potent anti-inflammatory), and natural vitamin E. Does not contain THC or CBD. One of the best oils for acne-prone, inflamed, or eczema-prone skin.
Licorice Root Extract
A natural brightening and anti-inflammatory ingredient derived from Glycyrrhiza glabra root. The key actives — glabridin, liquiritin, and glycyrrhizin — inhibit melanin production, reduce inflammation, and soothe irritation. Licorice root is one of the most effective and gentle brightening ingredients available, with lower irritation risk than vitamin C or hydroquinone.
Madecassoside
A purified triterpene glycoside from Centella asiatica that is the primary anti-inflammatory and wound-healing compound in the 'cica' family. While Centella asiatica extracts contain a mix of four triterpenes, isolated madecassoside provides the most potent soothing and barrier-repair effects. It is particularly effective for post-procedure recovery, sensitive skin, and skin exposed to environmental stressors like pollution and UV.
Panthenol (Pro-Vitamin B5)
The provitamin form of vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid) that provides deep hydration, barrier repair, and wound healing support. When applied to skin, panthenol is converted to pantothenic acid, which is a component of coenzyme A — essential for fatty acid synthesis and skin barrier function. It is one of the most common ingredients in moisturizers and healing creams, and is the active ingredient in products like Bepanthen/Bepanthol.
Panthenol (Provitamin B5)
The provitamin form of pantothenic acid (vitamin B5) that deeply penetrates the skin and converts to pantothenic acid upon absorption. It is one of the most effective and gentle hydrating and wound-healing ingredients available. Panthenol attracts and holds water, stimulates skin barrier repair, promotes wound healing, and has anti-inflammatory properties. Found in almost every well-formulated moisturizer and lip balm.
Propolis
A resinous substance produced by honeybees from tree buds, used to seal and protect the hive. Propolis contains over 300 bioactive compounds including flavonoids, phenolic acids, and caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE). In skincare, it provides potent anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and wound-healing effects. Popular in Korean skincare for acne-prone and sensitive skin.
Snail Mucin
Snail secretion filtrate — the mucus produced by Cryptomphalus aspersa snails — has become a star ingredient in Korean skincare. It naturally contains hyaluronic acid, glycoproteins, proteoglycans, antimicrobial peptides, copper peptides, and allantoin. This complex mixture provides hydration, wound healing, and anti-aging benefits. The COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence popularized the ingredient globally.
Snail Mucin
A complex secretion from Cryptomphalus aspersa snails containing glycoproteins, hyaluronic acid, glycolic acid, zinc, copper, allantoin, and antimicrobial peptides. This unique combination provides hydration, mild exfoliation, wound healing, and anti-inflammatory effects in a single ingredient. A cornerstone of Korean skincare, snail mucin has clinical evidence for improving skin texture, fine lines, and acne scars.
Tea Tree Oil
An essential oil from Melaleuca alternifolia with broad-spectrum antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. 5% tea tree oil has been shown in clinical trials to be as effective as 5% benzoyl peroxide for inflammatory acne, with fewer side effects (though slower onset). It is the most evidence-backed essential oil in dermatology. Must be used diluted — pure tea tree oil can cause severe irritation.
Vitamin K
A fat-soluble vitamin that supports blood clotting and blood vessel integrity. In skincare, vitamin K is primarily used for dark circles under the eyes (caused by visible blood vessels), bruising, spider veins, and post-procedure redness. It strengthens capillary walls and supports the reabsorption of blood that has leaked from damaged vessels. Often combined with retinol and vitamin C in eye creams.
Witch Hazel
An astringent extract from Hamamelis virginiana bark and leaves with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Traditional uses include treating acne, reducing pore appearance, and soothing irritated skin. However, many commercial witch hazel toners contain high concentrations of alcohol that can dry and damage the skin barrier. Alcohol-free witch hazel is the preferred form for skincare.
Zinc Oxide
The gold standard mineral (physical) sunscreen filter. Zinc oxide provides the broadest spectrum UV protection of any single ingredient, covering the entire UVA and UVB range. It works by physically reflecting and scattering UV photons rather than absorbing them (though new research shows it also absorbs some UV energy). It is the only sunscreen filter generally recognized as safe for all ages, including infants.
Zinc Oxide
A mineral UV filter that provides broad-spectrum protection against both UVA and UVB rays by physically reflecting and absorbing UV radiation. Zinc oxide is the only single ingredient that provides true broad-spectrum protection across the entire UV range. It is also anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and soothing — making it ideal for acne-prone, sensitive, and rosacea-prone skin. The gold standard mineral sunscreen ingredient.