Ingredients
Ingredients, by mechanism axis.
No 'good or bad' scoring. Each ingredient is presented as the mechanism axis it engages and the conditions it is commonly discussed in.
Exfoliant
Salicylic Acid
Follicular keratinization axis
A lipophilic beta-hydroxy acid that penetrates sebaceous follicles and supports orderly desquamation.
Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs)
Cell turnover axis
Glycolic, lactic, and similar acids that loosen corneocyte adhesion at the surface.
Keratolytics
Scaling / keratolytic axis
Agents (salicylic acid, urea, lactic acid) that soften and remove excess scale.
Antifungal
Ketoconazole
Antifungal / Malassezia axis
An imidazole antifungal commonly discussed in seborrheic dermatitis and dandruff guidelines.
Selenium Sulfide
Antifungal / Malassezia axis
An antifungal and keratolytic agent commonly discussed in dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis literature.
Zinc Pyrithione
Antifungal / Malassezia axis
An antifungal and antibacterial agent commonly discussed in scalp seborrheic dermatitis.
Barrier support
Moisturizer
Skin barrier axis
Formulations supporting the lipid barrier and reducing transepidermal water loss.
Ceramides
Skin barrier axis
Lipids essential to stratum corneum structure; topical ceramides support barrier repair.
Humectants
Hydration axis
Water-attracting agents (glycerin, hyaluronic acid, urea) that draw moisture into the stratum corneum.
Occlusives
Skin barrier axis
Water-resistant agents (petrolatum, dimethicone, plant butters) that reduce TEWL.
Hyaluronic Acid
Hydration axis
A polysaccharide humectant widely used for short-term surface hydration.
Sunscreen
Photoprotection axis
UV filters that reduce cumulative UVA/UVB exposure — the most evidence-supported aging-related axis.
Anti-inflammatory
Vitamin C
Antioxidant axis
L-ascorbic acid and derivatives — antioxidants associated with photoaging-related care.
Peptides
Collagen support axis
Short amino acid sequences associated with signaling, carrier, or structural roles in skin.
Anti-Inflammatory Treatments
Anti-inflammatory axis
General class — corticosteroids, calcineurin inhibitors, and similar agents — used in inflammatory skin disease.
Biologics
Immune pathway targeting (Expert Mode)
Targeted antibodies and similar agents that modulate specific cytokine pathways in inflammatory skin disease.
Phototherapy
Anti-inflammatory axis
Controlled UVB or PUVA exposure used in some inflammatory skin conditions.
Niacinamide
Barrier / inflammation support axis
A vitamin B3 derivative associated with barrier support and anti-inflammatory effects.