A transparent guide to the key ingredients you’ll find across Elios Skin formulas — what they are, and what they do for your skin.
A
Alcohol (Alcohol)
What it is: A solvent that can help dissolve ingredients and improve formula feel.
Benefits: Helps product texture and quick-dry finish in certain gel/serum formats.
Good for: Normal to oily skin types (depends on formula).
Algin (Algin)
What it is: A seaweed-derived thickener and stabilizer.
Benefits: Gives a smooth gel texture and supports formula stability.
Allantoin (Allantoin)
What it is: A soothing skin-conditioning ingredient.
Benefits: Helps calm visible redness and supports comfort.
Good for: Sensitive or easily irritated skin.
Aloe (Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice)
What it is: Botanical water from aloe leaves.
Benefits: Hydrating + soothing support, especially after cleansing or exfoliation.
Ascorbyl Glucoside (Ascorbyl Glucoside)
What it is: A stable Vitamin C derivative.
Benefits: Brightens the look of uneven tone and supports antioxidant protection.
Good for: Dullness, dark spots, uneven tone.
Aqua / Water (Aqua/Water)
What it is: Purified water used as a base in many skincare formulas.
Benefits: Helps dissolve and deliver water-soluble ingredients.
B
Bakuchiol (Bakuchiol)
What it is: A plant-derived retinol alternative.
Benefits: Helps improve the look of fine lines, texture, and tone — typically with less visible irritation than classic retinoids.
Good for: First-time retinol users, sensitive skin (varies by formula).
Butylene Glycol (Butylene Glycol)
What it is: A humectant and texture enhancer.
Benefits: Helps formulas feel lightweight while supporting hydration.
C
Caffeine (Caffeine)
What it is: A well-known antioxidant used in eye and facial formulas.
Benefits: Helps reduce the look of puffiness and tired-looking skin.
Camellia Sinensis (White Tea) Leaf Extract
What it is: White tea extract rich in antioxidants.
Benefits: Supports protection against environmental stressors and helps skin look more refreshed.
Cellulose Gum (Cellulose Gum)
What it is: A plant-derived thickener.
Benefits: Creates a smooth, stable gel texture.
Ceramides (Ceramide NP / Ceramide AP / Ceramide EOP)
What it is: Skin-identical lipids that support the moisture barrier.
Benefits: Helps reduce dryness, improves comfort, and supports resilience.
Good for: Dry, sensitive, barrier-compromised skin.
Citric Acid (Citric Acid)
What it is: A pH adjuster and gentle exfoliating acid at low levels.
Benefits: Helps keep formulas in the ideal pH range for performance and stability.
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
What it is: A lightweight emollient derived from plant oils.
Benefits: Softens skin and supports a smooth, non-greasy feel.
D
Dimethyl Isosorbide (Dimethyl Isosorbide)
What it is: A solvent that can help improve delivery of certain actives.
Benefits: Supports elegant texture and performance of targeted ingredients.
E
Emollients (e.g., Plant Oils & Esters)
What it is: Skin-softening ingredients that reduce dryness.
Benefits: Helps lock in moisture and improve softness.
F
Ferulic Acid (Ferulic Acid)
What it is: A powerful antioxidant.
Benefits: Helps protect against environmental stress and supports a more even-looking tone.
Pairs well with: Vitamin C + Vitamin E.
Fragrance (Parfum/Fragrance)
What it is: A blend used to create a product scent.
Note: If you have sensitive skin, consider fragrance-free options when available.
G
Glycerin (Glycerin)
What it is: A gold-standard humectant found naturally in skin.
Benefits: Draws water into the skin for lasting hydration and comfort.
Good for: All skin types.
Glycolic Acid (Glycolic Acid)
What it is: An AHA exfoliant with a small molecular size.
Benefits: Helps smooth texture, brighten dullness, and refine the look of pores.
Good for: Texture, dullness, uneven tone (use SPF daily).
H
Hyaluronic Acid (Sodium Hyaluronate / Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid)
What it is: A moisture-binding ingredient that supports hydration at multiple levels.
Benefits: Plumps, hydrates, and helps skin look smoother.
Good for: All skin types, especially dehydrated skin.
I
INCI (International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients)
What it is: The standardized naming system used on cosmetic labels.
Why it matters: It keeps ingredient labeling consistent across countries and brands.
J
Jojoba Oil (Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil)
What it is: A lightweight oil with a skin-similar feel.
Benefits: Helps soften and support the moisture barrier without feeling heavy.
K
Kojic Acid (Kojic Acid)
What it is: A brightening ingredient often used in dark spot routines.
Benefits: Helps improve the look of discoloration and uneven tone (use SPF daily).
Good for: Dark spots, uneven tone.
Potassium Hydroxide (Potassium Hydroxide)
What it is: A pH adjuster used in small amounts.
Benefits: Helps balance formula pH, especially in exfoliating products.
Potassium Sorbate (Potassium Sorbate)
What it is: A preservative that helps protect product freshness.
L
Lactic Acid (Lactic Acid)
What it is: An AHA exfoliant that can be gentler than glycolic for many people.
Benefits: Helps brighten, smooth texture, and support hydration.
Good for: Dullness, rough texture (use SPF daily).
Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate
What it is: A postbiotic/ferment ingredient used in microbiome-focused skincare.
Benefits: Supports the look of a calmer, more resilient skin barrier.
M
Niacinamide (Niacinamide)
What it is: Vitamin B3 with multi-benefit support.
Benefits: Helps improve the look of pores, uneven tone, and barrier strength.
N
Natural Moisturizing Factors (e.g., Sodium PCA)
What it is: Skin-identical components that help maintain hydration.
Benefits: Supports softness and long-lasting comfort.
O
Occlusives (e.g., butters, waxes)
What it is: Ingredients that reduce moisture loss by forming a protective layer.
Benefits: Helps keep skin hydrated, especially overnight.
P
Panthenol (Panthenol)
What it is: Pro-vitamin B5 known for soothing support.
Benefits: Helps reduce dryness and improve skin comfort.
Pentylene Glycol (Pentylene Glycol)
What it is: A humectant + preservative support ingredient.
Benefits: Hydration support and improved formula stability.
Patchouli Oil (Pogostemon Cablin Oil)
What it is: An essential oil used for scent and sensory profile.
Note: Essential oils can be sensitizing for some skin types.
Peptides (e.g., Palmitoyl Peptides)
What it is: Amino-acid chains used in firming + smoothing routines.
Benefits: Helps improve the look of firmness, elasticity, and fine lines over time.
Q
Q10 (Ubiquinone)
What it is: An antioxidant used in anti-aging skincare.
Benefits: Supports a smoother, more energized look.
R
Retinol Alternative (Bakuchiol)
What it is: A plant-derived ingredient used as a retinol-like option.
Benefits: Helps improve the look of lines, texture, and tone.
S
Salvia Officinalis (Sage) Leaf Extract
What it is: A botanical extract commonly used in clarifying and antioxidant routines.
Benefits: Helps skin feel refreshed and supported.
Sodium Benzoate (Sodium Benzoate)
What it is: A preservative that helps keep formulas fresh and safe.
Sodium Hyaluronate (Sodium Hyaluronate)
What it is: A salt form of hyaluronic acid with excellent hydration performance.
Benefits: Helps skin look plumper and feel more comfortable.
Sodium PCA (Sodium PCA)
What it is: A natural moisturizing factor (NMF) component.
Benefits: Helps maintain hydration and softness.
Sodium Phytate (Sodium Phytate)
What it is: A chelating agent (often plant-derived).
Benefits: Helps stabilize formulas by binding metal ions.
T
Tocopherol (Vitamin E) (Tocopherol)
What it is: A classic antioxidant used in many skincare formulas.
Benefits: Supports barrier comfort and protects oils in formulas from oxidation.
U
Urea (Urea)
What it is: A natural moisturizing factor component.
Benefits: Hydrates and softens rough, dry texture.
V
Vitamin C (Ascorbyl Glucoside / Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate)
What it is: A brightening antioxidant.
Benefits: Helps improve the look of dark spots and supports glow.
W
White Tea Extract (Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract)
What it is: Antioxidant-rich botanical extract.
Benefits: Helps defend against environmental stressors.
X
Xanthan Gum (Xanthan Gum)
What it is: A natural thickener and stabilizer.
Benefits: Improves texture and consistency.
Y
Yeast / Ferments (e.g., Lactobacillus Ferment)
What it is: Bioferment ingredients used in microbiome-support formulas.
Benefits: Supports barrier resilience and comfort.
Z
Zinc PCA (Zinc PCA)
What it is: A mineral + humectant complex popular for oily and blemish-prone skin.
Benefits: Helps reduce the look of excess oil and supports clearer-looking skin.
Note: Ingredient names on product labels follow INCI naming. If you’re pregnant, nursing, under dermatologic care, or managing a skin condition, consider patch testing and consult a professional.
