Skincare Ingredients Explained
Skincare ingredients explained, by concentration and function
This page breaks down skincare ingredients explained by exact concentration and function, so you know precisely what you're putting on your skin and why.
Tomato Hydrosol 15%
What it is: A distilled water-based extract of tomato, rich in lycopene- a carotenoid antioxidant with some of the strongest free radical scavenging activity studied in skincare research.
What it does at 15%: The largest single ingredient in this formula by volume. Lycopene has been studied for its ability to reduce skin erythema and support more even skin tone. As a hydrosol it forms the active water base of the entire formula, meaning every other ingredient is dissolved and delivered within it.
Best for: Uneven skin tone, redness, antioxidant protection, dull skin.
Tranexamic Acid (TXA) 5%
What it is: A clinically studied active ingredient originally used in medicine, now widely researched in dermatology for its ability to reduce hyperpigmentation.
What it does at 5%: TXA works by interrupting the signal between keratinocytes and melanocytes, the process that causes your skin to overproduce melanin. Melanin overproduction is the root cause of dark spots, post-acne marks, melasma and uneven skin tone. At 5%, this is at the ceiling of the clinically studied effective topical range. Most products that include TXA don’t tell you the percentage. We do.
Best for: Dark spots, post-acne hyperpigmentation, uneven skin tone, melasma.
Urea 10%
What it is: A molecule naturally present in your own skin as part of its natural moisturising factor (NMF). Your skin uses it to stay hydrated and healthy. When skin is dry, stressed or damaged, urea levels drop.
What it does at 10%: At 10%, urea works as both a humectant and a gentle keratolytic, meaning it draws moisture deep into the skin AND gently loosens the bonds between dead skin cells, allowing them to shed naturally. This clears the rough, congested texture that makes skin look dull and uneven. Therapeutic strength.
Best for: Rough texture, dullness, dry and dehydrated skin, congested pores.
Snail Mucin 12%
What it is: A naturally occurring secretion that contains hyaluronic acid, glycoproteins, peptides and antioxidants. Used in dermatology for its regenerative and hydrating properties.
What it does at 12%: Supports skin regeneration, improves hydration, and helps the skin recover from damage and stress. At 12% this is a meaningful, working concentration, not a trace amount added for marketing purposes.
Best for: Dehydrated skin, skin recovering from breakouts or irritation, dullness, loss of elasticity.
Centella Asiatica 5%
What it is: A medicinal herb with centuries of use in traditional medicine, now extensively studied in dermatology for its anti-inflammatory and collagen-stimulating properties.
What it does at 5%: Reduces inflammation, stimulates collagen synthesis, and supports barrier repair. Its role in this formula is to calm the skin while the actives do their corrective work. At 5% it is at the upper end of its effective range.
Best for: Sensitive and reactive skin, damaged barrier, redness, post-breakout recovery.
Panthenol (Pro-Vitamin B5) 2%
What it is: A derivative of Vitamin B5 that converts to pantothenic acid when absorbed by the skin. A well-studied humectant and barrier-support ingredient.
What it does at 2%: Attracts moisture to the skin surface and locks it in by supporting the skin’s barrier lipid production. Clinical research confirms 1% or higher is the active threshold for meaningful hydration and TEWL reduction. This formula uses 2%.
Best for: Dry, sensitive or compromised skin, barrier repair, skin using strong actives.
Propanediol 10%
What it is: A naturally derived humectant made from corn sugar fermentation. A clean, skin-friendly alternative to petroleum-based glycols.
What it does at 10%: Draws moisture into the skin and improves skin barrier function. Critically, it also acts as a penetration enhancer, meaning the other active ingredients in this formula, particularly TXA and Urea, are delivered more effectively into the skin because Propanediol is present. This is formulation intelligence, not filler.
Best for: All skin types. Enhances the performance of every other active in the formula.
Green Tea Hydrosol 6%
What it is: A distilled water-based extract of Camellia sinensis leaves, rich in EGCG polyphenols- one of the most extensively studied antioxidants in dermatology.
What it does at 6%: Neutralises free radical activity caused by UV exposure, pollution and environmental stress. Free radicals accelerate uneven skin tone, dullness and premature ageing. At 6% this is a generous dose for a hydrosol in a serum formula.
Best for: Dull skin, environmentally stressed skin, uneven tone, antioxidant protection.
Allantoin 0.5%
What it is: A naturally occurring compound found in comfrey plant and synthesised for cosmetic use. One of the most well-tolerated soothing ingredients in skincare.
What it does at 0.5%: Soothes irritation, calms reactive and sensitised skin, and supports healthy cell turnover. At 0.5% it is at the upper end of the standard cosmetic use range, the sweet spot between effectiveness and skin compatibility.
Best for: Sensitive skin, reactive skin, post-active recovery, all skin types.
Why we tell you this?
Every ingredient above has been independently stability tested across temperatures ranging from 4°C to 50°C under strict protocols, and confirmed stable under all normal Nigerian storage conditions. You can rest easy knowing you are in safe hands.



