The Ordinary Ingredients Dictionary
Key Ingredients
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Peptides
A peptide that targets dynamic wrinkles
Acetyl Tetrapeptide-5
Peptides
A peptide designed to target undereye puffiness
Acetylarginyltryptophyl Diphenylglycine
Peptides
A peptide designed improve skin elasticity
Adenosine
Biologics
A molecule with anti-inflammatory properties
Ahnfeltia Concinna Extract
Botanicals
A film-foaming humectant that helps improve skin hydration
Alanine
Amino Acids
An amino acid that acts as a film-forming humectant
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder
Botanicals
Powdered form of aloe vera leaf juice with soothing and film-forming humectant properties
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Water
Botanicals
The juice of aloe vera leaf with film-forming humectant and soothing properties
Alpha-Arbutin
Antioxidants
A plant-derived compound that may help prevent the formation of brown spots
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Oils
An oil with naturally-occurring antioxidants and fatty acids
Arginine
Amino Acids
An amino acid that acts as a film-forming humectant
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidants
An antioxidant that helps prevent free radical/sun damage/browning and may also boost collagen production
Ascorbyl Glucoside
Antioxidants
Stable better-penetrating form of vitamin C, used for preventing free radical damage/boosting collagen
Asiatic Acid
Botanicals
A compound found in Centella Asiatica that may stimulate collagen production
Asiaticoside
Botanicals
A compound found in Centella Asiatica that may stimulate collagen production
Azelaic Acid
Acids
An carboxylic acid known to be effective for treating acne, rosacea, and melasma
Beta-Glucan
Humectants
A film-forming humectant that may have anti-aging properties
Betaine
Humectants
A plant-derived humectant derived from sugar beets
Bisabolol
Botanicals
Chamomile-derived compound with soothing properties
Caffeine
Caffeine
The same stuff as in coffee, may improve circulation
Cetylhydroxyproline Palmitamide
Copper Tripeptide-1
Peptides
Peptide with anti-inflammatory and anti-aging properties
Decyl Glucoside
Surfactants
A mild cleansing agent
Dipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate
Peptides
A peptide that may prevent/improve dynamic wrinkles
Ectoin
Humectants
A film-forming humectant with soothing and anti-aging properties
Epigallocatechin Gallate
Antioxidants
Green tea antioxidant with anti-inflammatory properties
Ethyl Linoleate
Emollients
Vitamin F, a useful skin-protecting emollient
Ethyl Macadamiate
Emollients
A skin-protecting emollient derived from macadamia oil
Fraxinus Excelsior Bark Extract
Antioxidants
Ash tree bark extract with antioxidant properties
Ginger Root Extract
Botanicals
Ginger root extract with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties
Glutamic Acid
Amino Acids
An amino acid that acts as a film-forming humectant
Glycerin
Humectants
One of the most common and effective humectants
Glycine
Glycogen
Humectants
A film-forming humectant that helps seal in moisture
Glycolic Acid
Acids
An AHA (alpha hydroxy acid) useful as an antioxidant, exfoliant, and potential collagen stimulant
Glycolipids
Surfactants
A natural surfactant used for cleansing or emulsifying
Glycosphingolipids
Surfactants
A natural surfactant that can also act as an emollient that strengthens the skin barrier
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectants
Trendy and very effective humectant. We grouped all the different forms of hyaluronic acid together.
Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate
Retinoids
A supposedly less irritating retinoid that may be just as effective at stimulating collagen production and skin cell turnover
L-Carnitine
Biologics
A biologic that may reduce inflammation and improve skin barrier function
Lactic Acid
Acids
An multifunctional AHA (alpha hydroxy acid) that exfoliates and acts as a humectant
Lactococcus Ferment Lysate
Probiotics
A probiotic that may improve skin barrier function and act as a growth factor
Linoleic Acid
Fatty Acids
A fatty acid that may improve skin barrier function, help with acne, and fight hyperpigmentation
Lysine Hcl
Humectants
An amino acid salt that acts as a humectant
Madecassic Acid
Botanicals
A compound found in Centella Asiatica that may act as an antioxidant, soothe irritation, and promote the production of hyaluronic acid within the skin
Magnesium Sulfate
Minerals
AKA Epsom Salt, it may help with inflammation and plump up skin
Mandelic Acid
Acids
A AHA (alpha hydroxy acid) that exfoliates and has anti-bacterial properties that might help with acne
Marula Oil
Oils
Oil from the Marula tree, can act as an emollient, antioxidant, and may help reduce redness
Myristoyl Nonapeptide-3
Peptides
A peptide that may improve skin cell turnover and promote collagen production
N-Acetyl Glucosamine
Biologics
Moisturizing ingredient that may reduce wrinkles and brown spots
Niacinamide
Multifunctional
Basically does everything? Fades brown spots, fights acne, reduces wrinkles, improves skin barrier function, and more
Oleic Acid
Fatty Acids
A fatty acid that is very good at moisturizing, but also potentially comedogenic
Palmitic Acid
Fatty Acids
A fatty acid mostly used as an emollient or cleansing agent
Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Peptides
A peptide that can reduce wrinkles and improve skin texture
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Peptides
A peptide that can reduce inflammation and collagen degradation
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Peptides
A peptide that may reduce wrinkles by boosting collagen production
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38
Peptides
A peptide that may boost collagen production
Panax Ginseng Root Extract
Botanicals
A traditional medicinal plant that acts as an antioxidant and may improve circulation
Pca
Humectants
Pyrrolidone Carboxylic Acid, a skin-identical humectant
Pentapeptide-18
Peptides
A peptide that may fight dynamic wrinkles
Pinus Pinaster Bark Extract
Botanicals
A potent antioxidant derived from pine bark that may also improve skin hydration and elasticity, as well as fight sun damage
Polylysine
Peptides
A peptide with antimicrobial properties that may promote skin regeneration
Pro-Vitamin B5
Humectants
A humectant with anti-inflammatory properties
Proline
Amino Acids
An amino acid that acts as a film-forming humectant, may reduce wrinkles
Propanediol
Humectants
A natural humectant
Pseudoalteromonas Exopolysaccharides
Humectants
A natural humectant that acts a bit like hyaluronic acid but may be more effective as it has film-forming properties
Pseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract
Botanicals
Produced by fermenting a strain of marine bacteria, acts as film-forming humectant and may promote skin regeneration
Rapeseed Sterols
Botanicals
Derived from canola oil, it shows promise as an anti-inflammatory and may improve skin barrier function
Resveratrol
Botanicals
A natural antioxidant derived from grapes, with anti-inflammatory and sun-protective properties
Retinaldehyde
Retinoids
The most potent non-prescription retinoid available, may improve skin texture and reduce wrinkles
Retinol
Retinoids
A retinoid with anti-aging and acne-fighting properties
Rosa Canina Seed Oil
Oils
Oil made from seeds of the rose plant, may have anti-inflammatory properties due to antioxidant content
Saccharomyces Ferment
Biologics
Fermented n-acetylglucosamine, may help reduce wrinkles and fade brown spots
Salicylic Acid
Acids
A beta hydroxy acid that exfoliates and reduces inflammation, may help with acne
Sarcosine
Amino Acids
An amino acid used to condition skin, which may prevent sun damage and enhance penetration of other ingredients
Serine
Amino Acids
An amino acid that acts as a film-forming humectant
Sodium Caproyl Prolinate
Humectants
An amino-acid based humectant
Sodium Chloride
Minerals
Common table salt, potentially a key ingredient as natural moisturizing factors says that minerals are a key ingredient, but not sure why
Sodium Lactate
Humectants
A sodium salt of lactic acid primarily used as a humectant and pH adjuster
Sphingolipids
Ceramides
Ceramides are Sphingolipids but not sure which one this refers to. Regardless it is a good skin conditioner.
Squalane
Oils
A skin-identical oil known to be non-comedogenic and safe for fungal skin issues
Stearic Acid
Fatty Acids
A fatty acid that is used as an emollient and emulsifier
Sucrose Laurate
Emollients
Used to make gentle gel cleansers that don't strip the skin or as an emulsifier
Sucrose Stearate
Emollients
A emulsifier and gentle cleansing agent
Tasmannia Lanceolata Fruit/Leaf Extract
Botanicals
Tasmanian Pepper extract, may act as an antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory.
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Vitamin C
A stable form of Vitamin C that may improve skin barrier function and act as an antioxidant
Threonine
Amino Acids
An amino acid that acts as a film-forming humectant
Urea
Humectants
A humectant that may improve skin barrier function and plump up skin
Zinc Pca
Minerals
A mineral that can help reduce excessive sebum production and fight against acne-causing bacteria