Know What's In Your Skincare
At Promise Skin, we believe you should never have to guess what you're putting on your face. Every ingredient we formulate with is chosen for a reason, and we think you deserve to know what that reason is. This glossary explains what our key ingredients are, where they come from and what they do for your skin.
Allantoin
Allantoin
Allantoin is a soothing agent found naturally in comfrey root and also made synthetically for cosmetic use. It softens and smooths the skin's surface, and is exceptionally gentle on sensitive or easily irritated skin.
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Aloe Extract
Aloe Extract
Aloe extract comes from the inner leaf gel of the Aloe barbadensis plant, rich in polysaccharides, amino acids and vitamins. It hydrates the skin and helps calm the look of redness and irritation.
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Alpha Arbutin
Alpha Arbutin
Alpha arbutin is a brightening ingredient derived from the bearberry plant, though most cosmetic-grade material is made synthetically. It slows the enzyme that produces melanin, helping fade the look of dark spots and even out skin tone.
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Amaranthus Extract
Amaranthus Extract
Amaranthus extract is taken from the seeds of the amaranth plant, naturally rich in squalene, fatty acids and vitamin E. It conditions the skin and reinforces the moisture barrier, and its natural betalain pigments are also used to give a formula its colour.
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Amino Acids
Amino Acids
Amino acids are the building blocks of the proteins that give skin its structure and strength. Applied topically they form part of the skin's Natural Moisturising Factor, helping it hold on to water and stay comfortable.
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Amylopectin
Amylopectin
Amylopectin is a naturally occurring starch molecule, most often sourced from rice or corn. It acts as a texture and film-forming agent, giving formulas a smooth, silky feel and a soft, low-shine finish.
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Beetroot Extract
Beetroot Extract
Beetroot extract comes from the root of the beet plant and is rich in betaine, antioxidants and natural sugars. It draws moisture into the skin, and the betalain pigments behind its deep red colour are also widely used as a natural colorant.
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Betaine
Betaine
Betaine is a humectant derived from sugar beet that also occurs naturally in the body. It holds water in the upper layers of the skin and is known for reducing the irritation potential of other ingredients.
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Bromelain
Bromelain
Bromelain is a group of enzymes extracted from the pineapple plant. It gently breaks down the proteins holding dull, dead cells to the skin's surface, smoothing texture without abrasive scrubbing.
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Centella Asiatica Extract
Centella Asiatica Extract
Centella asiatica, also known as cica or gotu kola, is a herb used in traditional Asian medicine for centuries. Its key compounds help calm the look of redness and support the skin's natural repair process.
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Ceramide Complex
Ceramide Complex
Our ceramide complex is built around three skin-identical ceramides: ceramide NP, ceramide AP and ceramide EOP. Ceramides make up much of the barrier that holds moisture in, and levels fall with age and over-cleansing. Replenishing all three helps reduce water loss and leaves skin feeling stronger.
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Cholesterol
Cholesterol
Cholesterol is a lipid found naturally in the skin's barrier alongside ceramides and fatty acids. It holds those lipids in the right structure so they can lock moisture in, which is why it is formulated together with ceramides.
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Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cocamidopropyl betaine is a mild cleansing agent derived from coconut oil. It lifts away dirt, excess oil and impurities in a soft, creamy lather, without stripping the skin.
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Coenzyme Q10
Coenzyme Q10
Coenzyme Q10, also known as ubiquinone, is an antioxidant our cells produce naturally, though levels in skin fall with age and UV exposure. It helps neutralise free radicals and supports firmer, more resilient-looking skin. Its deep yellow-orange colour also tints the formulas it is used in.
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Copper Tripeptide-1
Copper Tripeptide-1
Copper tripeptide-1 is a small peptide bound to a copper ion, often listed as GHK-Cu. It signals the skin to support its own renewal, and is valued in repair-focused skincare for firmness, texture and the look of fine lines.
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Dragon Blood Extract
Dragon Blood Extract
Dragon blood extract is taken from the deep red sap of the Croton lechleri tree, native to the Amazon rainforest. It forms a light, breathable film that shields skin from external stressors while soothing redness, and its crimson colour also acts as a natural colorant.
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Glutathione
Glutathione
Glutathione is an antioxidant the body makes from three amino acids to protect cells from oxidative stress. In skincare it defends against free radical damage and supports a brighter, more even-looking complexion over time.
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Glycerin
Glycerin
Glycerin is one of the most widely used and well-studied humectants in skincare, and occurs naturally in the skin. It draws water into the surface layers, supports barrier function and keeps skin soft and comfortable.
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Glycolic Acid
Glycolic Acid
Glycolic acid is an alpha hydroxy acid traditionally derived from sugar cane, with the smallest molecule of the AHA family. It loosens dull surface cells to refine texture and improve radiance, and can increase sun sensitivity, so daily SPF is essential.
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Hyaluronic Acid
Hyaluronic Acid
Hyaluronic acid is a sugar molecule the body produces naturally to keep skin hydrated and cushioned. It holds many times its own weight in water, helping skin look plumper and feel smoother, and is often used in a mix of molecular weights.
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Hydrafence™
Hydrafence™
Hydrafence™, from the labs of Spanish botanical-actives specialist Provital, combines rice amylopectin with a calcium-rich fraction of Lithothamnion calcareum, a red marine algae. It forms a moisture-holding network on the skin's surface that reduces water loss and reinforces the barrier.
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Lactic Acid
Lactic Acid
Lactic acid is an alpha hydroxy acid originally derived from milk sugars, now usually produced by fermenting plant sugars. Its larger molecule works more gently than glycolic acid, and it is unusual among acids in also being a humectant.
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Mandelic Acid
Mandelic Acid
Mandelic acid is an alpha hydroxy acid derived from bitter almonds, with a molecule much larger than glycolic acid's. It works more slowly and gently, making it a good introduction to acids for sensitive skin.
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Matrixyl™ 3000
Matrixyl™ 3000
Matrixyl™ 3000, from the French cosmetic-science lab Sederma, pairs palmitoyl tripeptide-1 with palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7. These peptides signal the skin to support its own collagen production, improving the appearance of fine lines and firmness over time.
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Matrixyl™ Synthe'6®
Matrixyl™ Synthe'6®
Matrixyl™ Synthe'6®, also from the labs of Sederma, is a peptide active based on palmitoyl tripeptide-38. It supports six key components of the skin's structural matrix, helping smooth the look of deeper expression lines.
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Niacinamide
Niacinamide
Niacinamide is a form of vitamin B3 and one of the most researched ingredients in modern skincare. It supports the skin barrier, helps regulate excess oil and reduces the look of enlarged pores and uneven tone.
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Panthenol
Panthenol
Panthenol is a form of vitamin B5 that converts to pantothenic acid once absorbed. Both humectant and emollient, it draws in moisture while softening and soothing skin that feels tight or irritated.
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Peach Fruit Extract
Peach Fruit Extract
Peach fruit extract is pressed from the flesh of the peach and contains natural sugars, vitamins A and C, and antioxidant polyphenols. It hydrates and conditions the skin for a softer, brighter-looking finish.
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Pineapple Fruit Extract
Pineapple Fruit Extract
Pineapple fruit extract comes from the fruit of Ananas sativus and naturally contains bromelain enzymes, vitamin C and fruit acids. It offers gentle enzymatic exfoliation that releases dull surface cells and reveals a smoother texture.
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Salicylic Acid
Salicylic Acid
Salicylic acid is a beta hydroxy acid originally derived from willow bark. Because it is oil-soluble it travels into the pore to dissolve the oil and dead cells behind congestion, helping clear blackheads and blemishes.
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Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
Sodium methyl cocoyl taurate is a mild, sulphate-free cleansing agent made from coconut oil and taurine. It produces a rich, dense lather and rinses clean, leaving skin soft rather than tight or stripped.
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Squalane
Squalane
Squalane is a stable, lightweight emollient most commonly derived from olives or sugar cane, closely resembling a lipid the skin makes naturally. It softens skin and prevents moisture loss, absorbing quickly without a greasy feel.
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Vitamin C (3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid)
Vitamin C (3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid)
3-O-Ethyl ascorbic acid is a stable, water-soluble form of vitamin C that resists oxidising far better than pure ascorbic acid. It neutralises free radicals, supports natural collagen production, and helps brighten the complexion and soften the look of dark spots.
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Vitamin E
Vitamin E
Vitamin E, listed as tocopherol or tocopheryl acetate, is a fat-soluble antioxidant found naturally in the skin's lipid barrier. It protects skin and formula oils from oxidative damage, and works especially well alongside vitamin C.
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Watermelon Fruit Extract
Watermelon Fruit Extract
Watermelon fruit extract is taken from Citrullus lanatus and contains amino acids, vitamins A and C, and the antioxidant lycopene. It delivers lightweight hydration and refreshes skin that looks tired or dehydrated.
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