The Bodilicious Skincare Ingredient Glossary (A-Z)
A quick-reference guide to every active ingredient across the Bodilicious lineup — what it does, which skin concern it targets, and where to read or shop more.
A–C
AHA (Alpha Hydroxy Acids) — water-soluble acids, most commonly glycolic acid, that gently exfoliate the skin's surface to help smooth texture and fade the look of dullness. Best suited to normal-to-dry skin. See our AHA vs BHA guide or shop the AHA/BHA Serum.
Alpha Arbutin — a brightening ingredient that helps fade the visible look of dark spots and uneven tone. Found in our Vitamin C Serum, paired with Ethyl Ascorbic Acid for extra brightening.
Aloe Vera — a soothing plant extract that calms and comforts skin, especially useful alongside actives that can feel intense on sensitive skin. Found in our Vitamin C Serum.
Amla (Indian Gooseberry) — a traditional Ayurvedic ingredient long used to support scalp health and reduce the look of hair fall, usually paired with Bhringraj. Read Bhringraj & Amla for Hair Fall.
Azelaic Acid — a multi-tasking acid that helps control oiliness and fade the look of dark marks, commonly used for oily or acne-prone skin. Read our deep dive or shop the Azelaic Acid Serum.
BHA (Beta Hydroxy Acid) — an oil-soluble acid, most commonly salicylic acid, that gets deeper into pores — a go-to for oily and acne-prone skin. See AHA vs BHA.
Bhringraj — an Ayurvedic herb traditionally used to support hair growth and reduce the appearance of hair fall. Read Bhringraj & Amla for Hair Fall.
Ceramides — lipids naturally found in skin that help maintain the skin barrier and lock in moisture. Especially helpful for dry or sensitised skin. See Ceramides vs Hyaluronic Acid.
CoQ10 (Coenzyme Q10) — an antioxidant that helps defend skin against daily environmental stress and supports a more youthful-looking appearance over time. Read CoQ10 Serum 101 or shop the CoQ10 Serum.
Collagen — a structural protein that supports skin's firmness; topical collagen mainly works by supporting skin's own structure rather than replacing it directly. See Peptides & Collagen for Aging Skin.
E–K
Ethyl Ascorbic Acid — a stable, gentler form of Vitamin C that helps visibly brighten dull, tired-looking skin without the irritation some people experience with pure L-ascorbic acid. The hero ingredient in our Vitamin C Serum.
Glycolic Acid — the most common AHA, with a small molecule size that lets it exfoliate effectively. Often paired with Kojic Acid for brightening. Found in our Kojic + Glycolic Face Wash.
Hyaluronic Acid — a humectant that draws moisture into skin, used across serums and moisturizers for hydration regardless of skin type. See What Is Hyaluronic Acid? or shop the Hyaluronic Acid Serum.
Kaolin Clay — a gentle mineral clay that helps absorb excess oil and draw out impurities, suited to normal-to-oily skin. Shop the Kaolin Clay Mask.
Keratin — the structural protein hair is made of. Keratin treatments help smooth hair's outer layer and reduce frizz. Found in our Keratin Conditioner.
Kojic Acid — a brightening ingredient derived from fungi, used to help fade the visible look of pigmentation and dark spots. Read Kojic Acid for Pigmentation or shop the Kojic + Glycolic Face Wash.
N–R
Niacinamide — a form of Vitamin B3 that helps balance oil production, support the skin barrier, and gently brighten over time. See Niacinamide vs Vitamin C or shop Niacinamide SPF 30.
Oat / Oat Protein — a soothing, moisture-retaining ingredient suited to dry or sensitive skin, often used in moisturizers for its gentle, barrier-supporting texture. Read Oat Protein Moisturizer for Dry Skin or shop the Oats Moisturizer.
Panthenol (Pro-Vitamin B5) — a hydrating, soothing ingredient that supports the skin barrier and helps skin retain moisture. Found in our Vitamin C Serum.
Peptides — short chains of amino acids that signal skin to support its own collagen production, often used in anti-aging formulas. See Peptides & Collagen for Aging Skin.
Retinol — a Vitamin A derivative that speeds up skin cell turnover, widely used for texture, fine lines, and tone. Best introduced gradually to avoid irritation. Read Retinol for Beginners or shop the Retinol Serum.
Rice Water — a traditional soothing ingredient used to calm and refresh skin, often paired with brightening actives to balance their intensity. Found in our Vitamin C Serum.
S–V
Salicylic Acid — a BHA that penetrates oil-clogged pores, making it especially effective for acne-prone and oily skin. See Salicylic Acid vs Azelaic Acid or shop the Salicylic Acid Serum.
Squalane — a lightweight, skin-identical lipid that hydrates without feeling heavy, helpful for redness and sensitivity. Read Squalane for Redness & Sensitivity.
Titanium Dioxide — a mineral (physical) sunscreen filter that sits on skin's surface to reflect UV rays, generally gentler for sensitive skin than chemical filters. Shop our Physical Sunscreen SPF50.
Tremella Fusiformis (Snow Mushroom) — a plant extract known for holding even more moisture than hyaluronic acid, used to boost hydration without weight. Read Tremella Fusiformis in Our Sunscreen Spray.
Vitamin C — an umbrella term for brightening, antioxidant ingredients. In our formulas it appears as the gentler Ethyl Ascorbic Acid (see E–K, above). Shop the Vitamin C Serum.
How to Use This Glossary
Not every active belongs in the same routine at once. A few rules of thumb:
Introduce one new active at a time, and wait a week or two before adding the next — it's the only way to know what's working (or what's irritating you).
Patch test anything new, especially exfoliating acids (AHA, BHA, Glycolic, Salicylic) and Retinol.
Go easy on layering multiple exfoliants — AHA, BHA, Glycolic Acid, and Retinol all speed up skin turnover; using several together can over-exfoliate and irritate skin rather than improve it faster.
Brightening and soothing ingredients pair well — Vitamin C, Alpha Arbutin, Niacinamide, and Kojic Acid can generally be combined or layered across AM/PM without issue.
When in doubt, go nightly with actives and protect with SPF each morning — most of the brightening and exfoliating ingredients above increase sun sensitivity.
Not sure where to start? Match your main concern — dark spots, oiliness, dryness, or fine lines — to the ingredient above, then check the linked product or post for how to use it.