Researching ingredients can be very time consuming. Unless skincare is your hobby, we like to repeat that famous line by Kimberly "Sweet Brown" Wilkins - "ain't nobody got time for that."
So rather than you taking our ingredient deck and googling the heck out of it, we thought we would do the work for you. Remember, there are three parts to a clean and "safe" ingredient: the ingredient itself (what it is), the concentration (how much of it) and the formula (how it plays well in the sandbox with the rest of the ingredients in the formula)
There are lots of websites out there like INCI decoder and EWG. The problem with these sites is they can present you with absolutes about something and they don't take into consideration the three important questions above. So please beware when you use these sites that they could never contemplate every combination or concentration. They ARE a good starting point for sure, but not the be all end all.
Should you ever have a question about our ingredients or formulas, we are always happy to answer them at help@skinatwork.com. In descending order, please see brief descriptions for our famous serumoisturizer.
THE PROTAGONIST Ingredient Glossary
Water (Aqua) – Purified Water – The primary solvent in skincare formulations, helping dissolve ingredients and deliver hydration while creating an elegant, lightweight texture.
Propanediol – Natural Humectant – A plant-derived moisturizing ingredient that attracts water to the skin, enhancing hydration, improving texture, and boosting ingredient penetration.
Glycerin – Vegetable Glycerin – A gold-standard humectant that draws moisture into the skin, supporting long-lasting hydration, skin barrier function, and a healthy complexion.
Cocoglycerides – Coconut-Derived Emollient – A skin-conditioning ingredient that helps soften, smooth, and moisturize skin while improving product spreadability and comfort.
Niacinamide – Vitamin B3 – A multitasking skincare ingredient that helps improve skin tone, strengthen the skin barrier, minimize visible pores, and support healthy aging.
Sorbitan Stearate – Emulsifier – Helps blend oil and water ingredients into a stable formula while contributing to a smooth, luxurious skincare texture.
Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil – Jojoba Oil – A nourishing botanical oil rich in fatty acids that supports skin barrier health and helps maintain balanced hydration.
Cetearyl Olivate – Olive-Derived Emulsifier – A gentle emulsifier that helps create a silky texture while supporting moisture retention and skin softness.
Caffeine – Caffeine – An antioxidant-rich ingredient that helps reduce the appearance of puffiness, revitalize tired-looking skin, and promote a refreshed complexion.
Dipentaerythrityl Hexa C5-9 Acid Esters – Lightweight Emollient Ester – Provides a silky, non-greasy feel while improving skin smoothness and enhancing the sensory experience of skincare products.
Isoamyl Laurate – Plant-Derived Emollient – A lightweight alternative to silicones that delivers softness, improves spreadability, and leaves skin feeling smooth and conditioned.
Sorbitan Olivate – Olive-Derived Emulsifier – Helps stabilize skincare formulations while enhancing skin comfort and supporting a soft, moisturized skin feel.
Hydrolyzed Opuntia Ficus-Indica Flower Extract – Prickly Pear Flower Extract – Rich in protective compounds that help soothe skin, support hydration, and defend against environmental stressors.
Evodia Rutaecarpa Fruit Extract – Evodia Fruit Extract – Known for promoting visible radiance and helping improve skin luminosity for a healthier, more energized appearance.
Ergothioneine – Ergothioneine Antioxidant – A powerful antioxidant amino acid that helps protect skin from oxidative stress linked to premature aging and environmental damage.
Trehalose – Trehalose Sugar – A moisture-binding ingredient that helps prevent dehydration, supports skin barrier resilience, and improves overall skin hydration.
Mangifera Indica (Mango) Seed Butter – Mango Butter – A rich emollient that deeply nourishes skin, helping improve softness, comfort, and moisture retention.
Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil – Macadamia Seed Oil – A nutrient-rich oil that helps replenish skin lipids, support barrier function, and enhance skin smoothness.
Santalum Album (Sandalwood) Oil – Sandalwood Oil – A fragrant botanical oil traditionally used to help soothe skin and provide antioxidant support.
Tricholoma Matsutake Extract – Matsutake Mushroom Extract – A mushroom-derived extract valued for antioxidant properties that help support healthy-looking, resilient skin.
Sodium Hyaluronate – Hyaluronic Acid – A highly effective humectant that attracts moisture to visibly plump skin and support lasting hydration.
Spondias Mombin Pulp Extract – Hog Plum Fruit Extract – A fruit-derived extract containing beneficial antioxidants that help support skin vitality and environmental protection.
Mangifera Indica (Mango) Pulp Extract – Mango Fruit Extract – Rich in antioxidants and skin-conditioning compounds that help support hydration and promote healthy-looking skin.
Musa Sapientum (Banana) Pulp Extract – Banana Fruit Extract – Provides skin-conditioning benefits and antioxidant support while helping maintain soft, smooth-looking skin.
Curcuma Longa (Turmeric) Root Extract – Turmeric Extract – A potent antioxidant botanical that helps soothe skin, support radiance, and defend against environmental stressors.
Withania Somnifera Root Extract – Ashwagandha Root Extract – An adaptogenic botanical extract that helps support skin resilience and protect against visible signs of stress.
Glabridin – Licorice Root Active – A brightening ingredient derived from licorice that helps promote a more even-looking skin tone and radiant complexion.
Arginine – Amino Acid – A skin-conditioning amino acid that supports hydration, promotes comfort, and contributes to healthy skin function.
Phospholipids – Skin-Identical Lipids – Help support the skin barrier, improve ingredient delivery, and enhance hydration for smoother, healthier-looking skin.
Hydroxystearic/Linolenic/Oleic Polyglycerides – Plant-Derived Lipid Complex – A nourishing lipid blend that helps reinforce skin barrier function and improve moisture retention.
Panthenol – Provitamin B5 – A soothing moisturizer that helps improve skin hydration, support barrier repair, and reduce feelings of dryness.
Tocopheryl Acetate – Vitamin E – An antioxidant form of vitamin E that helps protect skin from free radical damage and supports skin conditioning.
Carbomer – Texture Enhancer – A formulation ingredient used to create smooth, stable textures and improve the application experience.
Sodium Phytate – Plant-Derived Chelating Agent – Helps maintain formula stability by binding trace metals that could otherwise impact product performance.
Sorbityl Laurate – Emulsifier – Supports formula stability and contributes to a smooth, uniform texture for consistent skincare application.
Quartz – Quartz Mineral – A naturally derived mineral that can contribute to product aesthetics and enhance the sensory experience during application.
Caprylyl Glycol – Humectant and Preservative Booster – Helps maintain skin hydration while supporting the effectiveness of the product preservation system.
Hexylene Glycol – Solvent and Humectant – Enhances ingredient delivery, improves texture, and helps maintain moisture balance within the skin.
Pentylene Glycol – Humectant – Attracts moisture to the skin while supporting hydration and improving the feel and performance of skincare formulas.
1,2-Hexanediol – Humectant and Preservative Booster – Helps maintain skin hydration while contributing to formula stability and preservation support.
Propylene Glycol – Humectant – Draws moisture into the skin and helps improve the delivery and effectiveness of other skincare ingredients.
Ethylhexylglycerin – Skin Conditioning Agent – Helps soften skin while enhancing preservation efficacy and contributing to overall formula stability.
Phenoxyethanol – Preservative – A widely used preservative that helps protect skincare products from microbial contamination and maintain product safety throughout use.
*Regarding Phenoxyethanol, the amount that we use is very small and does conform to Credo's Clean standards.*
