Soothing ingredients for sensitive skin

Naturally derived dicarboxylic acid with antibacterial, sebum-regulating, and depigmenting properties. One of the few prescription-grade ingredients considered safe in pregnancy.

Triterpenic saponin from Centella asiatica. Stimulates type I collagen synthesis and accelerates healing. Part of TECA (Titrated Extract of Centella Asiatica) used in scar gels.

Naturally derived uric acid derivative. Accelerates cell proliferation, reduces irritation, and softens the stratum corneum.

Gel from aloe leaves containing polysaccharides, vitamins, and amino acids. Moisturizes, soothes irritated skin, and accelerates healing of minor injuries.

Polysaccharide from yeast, fungal, or oat cell walls. An immunomodulator and humectant that stimulates macrophages and accelerates wound healing.

Monocyclic terpene from chamomile or a synthetic analogue. Anti-inflammatory, soothing, and enhances penetration of other actives through the skin barrier.

Topical alpha-2 adrenergic agonist for rosacea erythema. Constricts superficial vessels and removes redness for 9–12 hours.

Proteolytic enzyme from pineapple stems. Breaks keratin bridges and delivers a light chemical-peel effect with an anti-inflammatory bonus.

Aloe leaf hydrosol. Used as a base in light textures and toners; gives a soothing feel but lacks the activity of aloe juice.

Bark and leaf extract with astringent and anti-inflammatory properties. Common in toners, but the distillate usually contains alcohol.

Isoflavonoid from licorice root. Inhibits tyrosinase and suppresses inflammation. Main active in depigmenting products based on licorice extract.

Salt form of glycyrrhizic acid from licorice root. Anti-inflammatory and soothing; a staple of sensitive/reactive skin formulas.

Finely ground oat flour with anti-inflammatory, moisturizing, and barrier properties. FDA-approved as an OTC skin protectant. Avenanthramides are the active anti-inflammatory compounds.

Lactobacillus probiotic lysate with soothing and barrier-supporting action. Appears in sensitive-skin lines such as La Roche-Posay Toleriane.

Postbiotic ingredient – lysate of a fermented Lactococcus culture. Positioned as skin microbiome support; clinical evidence is limited.

Postbiotic lysate of a Saccharomyces yeast culture. Close relative of SK-II Pitera (galactomyces); claimed for skin radiance and texture.

A chalcone from liquorice root (Glycyrrhiza inflata). Acts on multiple inflammation pathways: inhibits NF-κB and suppresses pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, TNF-α). In clinical studies it shows effects in rosacea and sensitive skin, and inhibits Propionibacterium acnes growth. Key active in the Eucerin Anti-Redness and Eucerin Dermo-Pure lines.

The primary triterpenic glycoside from Centella asiatica. Suppresses inflammation and stimulates type I collagen synthesis. More standardized than raw centella extract.

Dark green oil from Calophyllum inophyllum seeds, a tropical Polynesian tree. Rich in fatty acids, calophyllolide, and delta-tocopherol. In traditional medicine and modern Indian/Asian cosmetics it is used for wound healing, post-acne scars, and stretch marks. Anti-inflammatory and regenerative activity shown in laboratory models. Moderate comedogenicity – use with caution on acne-prone skin.

Plant butter from shea tree nuts. Rich in fatty acids and unsaponifiables with anti-inflammatory properties. Intensely softens skin and restores the barrier.

Bee honey as a cosmetic ingredient. Works as a humectant and delivers a mild antibacterial effect via hydrogen peroxide and low pH.

Tripeptide-copper complex that stimulates synthesis of collagen, elastin, and glycosaminoglycans. Accelerates wound healing and exerts anti-inflammatory effects.

Topical antibiotic from the nitroimidazole group. Doctors prescribe it for papulo-pustular rosacea and perioral dermatitis.

Snail secretion filtrate containing glycoproteins, hyaluronic acid, glycolic acid, and antimicrobial peptides. Popular in Korean skincare for hydration and regeneration.

Broad-spectrum mineral UV filter (UVA + UVB). Acts as a physical screen, reflecting and scattering ultraviolet light. Also has anti-inflammatory and drying properties.

Synthetic lipopeptide that suppresses interleukin-6 (IL-6), a pro-inflammatory cytokine. Part of the Matrixyl 3000 complex alongside palmitoyl tripeptide-1.

Alcohol analogue of pantothenic acid. Penetrates skin and converts to pantothenic acid, required for coenzyme A synthesis. Accelerates healing and reduces irritation.

Water-soluble vitamin B5, biochemical precursor of coenzyme A. Cosmetics more often use the proalcohol form D-Panthenol (dexpanthenol), which converts to pantothenic acid on skin. The acid itself is used less often – it is unstable in aqueous formulas, and D-Panthenol has better penetration. In acne and post-procedure skin, pantothenate stimulates reparative processes in keratinocytes.

Second-generation antifungal agent, a zinc pyrithione replacement. Effective against Malassezia – the fungus causing dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis.

Salmon DNA fragments with molecular weight 50–1500 kDa. Activate purinergic receptors, stimulating angiogenesis and regeneration. Topical application is limited by molecular size.

Extract of Japanese and Korean mugwort. Contains eupatilin and sesquiterpenes with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant action.

Resinous substance bees collect from tree buds. Contains flavonoids, phenolic acids, and esters with antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activity.

Strontium salt that selectively suppresses sensory C-fiber activity in skin. Calms itching and stinging, features in soothing products after acids and retinoids.

Tropical plant whose extract contains asiaticoside, madecassoside, and brahmoside. Stimulates collagen synthesis and reduces inflammation.

Lithospermum erythrorhizon root – source of shikonin and its derivatives. In traditional East Asian medicine helps with skin inflammation; in cosmetics delivers an anti-inflammatory effect.

Yellow gentian root extract with bitter glycosides and xanthones. Tones the skin, delivers antioxidant action and often features in alpine formulas for mature skin.

Source of polyphenols, the main one being EGCG (epigallocatechin-3-gallate). An antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and photoprotective agent.

Aqueous extract of oat kernels, containing avenanthramides – polyphenols with anti-inflammatory activity. Soothes itch and redness in atopic dermatitis, sensitised skin, and after irritating procedures. Works more gently than colloidal oatmeal but with a similar activity profile. Popular in sensitive-skin lines.

Butcher's broom root extract with ruscogenin and neoruscogenin (saponins) as actives. In pharmacology used for venous insufficiency. In cosmetics it appears in anti-redness products and sensitive-skin creams. The manufacturer claims small-vessel constriction and redness reduction.

Hyssop leaf extract. Contains flavonoids and rosmarinic acid, delivers antioxidant action and a mild soothing effect.

Calendula flower extract with anti-inflammatory, wound-healing, and antimicrobial properties. Contains triterpenes, flavonoids, and carotenoids.

Horse chestnut seed extract with escin as the main active. Oral use shows proven benefit in chronic venous insufficiency (Cochrane 2012). Topical use in cosmetics for anti-redness creams and eye-area products – the manufacturer claims reduced capillary permeability and puffiness. Topical clinical studies are substantially fewer.

Extract containing glycyrrhizin, glabridin, and licochalcone A. An anti-inflammatory and brightening ingredient. Glabridin is considered separately as a pure compound.

Turmeric root extract with curcuminoids. Antioxidant with anti-inflammatory potential; concentrated formulas can stain skin yellow.

Purslane extract with omega-3 fatty acids and flavonoids. In Asian cosmetics it often goes into «rescue» formulas for sensitive skin.

Chamomile flower extract containing bisabolol and chamazulene. An anti-inflammatory and soothing ingredient for sensitive and irritated skin.

Common thyme leaf extract with thymol and carvacrol. Suppresses growth of Cutibacterium acnes and other skin bacteria, delivers a mild anti-inflammatory effect.

Plant extract from Korean folk medicine. In Asian skincare it serves as an anti-inflammatory ingredient for irritated skin.

Small amino-acid-like osmolyte. Originally isolated from halophilic bacteria in salt lakes. In skin it binds water around cellular structures and membranes, protecting proteins and DNA against UV stress and dehydration. Used in formulations for sensitive and atopic skin and in post-laser protective creams.

53-amino-acid peptide that stimulates keratinocyte and fibroblast proliferation. Used in post-procedure care and anti-aging products.

Triterpene saponin from horse chestnut seeds. Tightens capillary walls, reduces local edema and often features in eye creams and dark-circle products.

Mild dicarboxylic acid with anti-inflammatory and antibacterial action. Popular in Korean and Indian acne cosmetics.