Ingredients

In short: here you'll find the ingredients in Epic Beauty products, explained in plain language: what each does, what the data says, where its limits lie and which products it's found in. We start with the ingredients everyone knows and continue with the least well-known. The name below each ingredient is the one from the INCI list on the packaging, so you can recognize it.

The ingredients you already know

The ones you often see on labels. We've included the part that ads skip for each: where its limits lie.

Aloe vera

INCI: Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice

HydrationComfort & soothing

What it does. Aloe leaf juice provides water and water-binding polysaccharides, with a refreshing sensation on the skin. In many Epic Beauty formulas, it takes the place of water: it is the first ingredient on the list.

Good to know. The gel inside the leaf is 99–99.5% water. What sets it apart from plain water are the polysaccharides, especially acemannan (IARC, vol. 108, 2016).

Where its limits lie. In cosmetics, aloe has a hydrating and soothing role. It does not treat burns or skin conditions.

You'll find it in: Hydrating micellar water Day anti-aging cream Body cream for sensitive skin Hyaluronic acid face cream for men Night cream for mature skin 3-in-1 eye cream for men

All products with aloe vera →

Glycerin

INCI: Glycerin

Hydration

What it does. A classic humectant: it attracts water and holds it in the skin's outermost layer. It is one of the most studied moisturizing ingredients and appears in almost all our formulas, usually in second place.

Good to know. It was discovered in 1779 by Swedish chemist Carl Wilhelm Scheele, who heated olive oil with lead oxide. In vegan products, glycerin does not come from animal fats.

Where its limits lie. On very dry skin, it is not enough on its own: it needs an emollient (butter, oil) to lock in the moisture.

You'll find it in: Hydrating micellar water Day anti-aging cream Body cream with urea and panthenol Body cream for sensitive skin Hyaluronic acid face cream for men Night cream for mature skin

Hyaluronic acid

INCI: Sodium Hyaluronate · Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid

Hydration

What it does. It binds water and forms a hydrating film on the skin's surface. In our formulas, it appears in two forms: sodium hyaluronate, with a larger molecule, and hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid, in smaller fragments.

Good to know. The type used today in cosmetics is obtained through bacterial fermentation, not from animal sources (Serra et al., Molecules, 2023). The name comes from the Greek hyalos, "glass".

Where its limits lie. In a room with very dry air, a serum with hyaluronic acid applied on its own can leave the skin feeling tight. Apply a cream over it.

You'll find it in: Hydrating micellar water Day anti-aging cream Body cream with urea and panthenol Hyaluronic acid face cream for men Night cream for mature skin 3-in-1 eye cream for men

All products with hyaluronic acid →

Vitamin E

INCI: Tocopherol

Antioxidants

What it does. A fat-soluble antioxidant. It protects the oils in the formula from oxidation, so the product does not deteriorate, and complements the skin's antioxidant defense.

Good to know. The name comes from the Greek tokos ("birth") and pherein ("to carry"): vitamin E was discovered in 1922 as a factor necessary for reproduction.

Where its limits lie. In the quantities found in cosmetics, its main role is to protect the formula. It does not replace an antioxidant serum.

You'll find it in: Day anti-aging cream Body cream with urea and panthenol Body cream for sensitive skin Hyaluronic acid face cream for men Night cream for mature skin 3-in-1 eye cream for men

Vitamin C

INCI: Ascorbyl Glucoside + Ferulic Acid

AntioxidantsEven skin tone

What it does. In our 2% vitamin C serum, the form used is ascorbyl glucoside: ascorbic acid bonded to a glucose molecule, much more stable than pure vitamin C, which oxidizes quickly. The ferulic acid in the same formula is a plant-based antioxidant.

Good to know. On the skin, ascorbyl glucoside gradually converts into ascorbic acid. That is why the texture remains stable and the serum does not darken like formulas with pure vitamin C.

Where its limits lie. Ascorbyl Palmitate, which you see in many other INCI lists, is not the "active" vitamin C in the serum: it is an antioxidant that protects the oils in the formula.

You'll find it in: 2% vitamin C serum

Niacinamide

INCI: Niacinamide

Even skin tonePurification

What it does. The form of vitamin B3 used in cosmetics. It supports the skin barrier and is used in routines for combination and oily skin and for uneven skin tone. In our gel, it is at 5% and is the third ingredient.

Good to know. Niacinamide is water-soluble, which is why you find it in gels and aqueous serums, not in oils.

Where its limits lie. In the niacinamide gel, the second ingredient is alcohol: hence the light texture and quick drying. If your skin does not tolerate alcohol, choose a different texture.

You'll find it in: 5% niacinamide moisturizing gel

Shea butter and cocoa butter

INCI: Butyrospermum Parkii Butter · Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter

Nutrition

What it does. Plant butters rich in fatty acids, solid at room temperature, which melt on contact with the skin. They reduce water loss and leave the skin feeling nourished. You'll find them in richer creams and in SPF sticks.

Good to know. Shea butter is obtained from the seeds of the shea tree (Vitellaria paradoxa), which grows in the African savanna.

Where its limits lie. On oily skin, textures with butters can be too rich. For the face, choose gels instead.

You'll find it in: Day anti-aging cream Body cream for sensitive skin Night cream for mature skin Eye cream with lipids and hyaluronic acid Illuminating eye cream Kojic acid exfoliant for face and body

All products with shea and cocoa butter →

Jojoba oil

INCI: Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil

Nutrition

What it does. A light emollient, which absorbs quickly and does not leave a greasy film. It appears in creams, serums and in the oil serum with bakuchiol, where it is the first ingredient.

Good to know. Technically, it is not an oil, but a liquid wax made of esters, with a composition close to the wax esters in human sebum (Tietel et al., Frontiers in Pharmacology, 2024).

Where its limits lie. It is usually well tolerated, but like any plant ingredient, it can rarely cause reactions.

You'll find it in: Day anti-aging cream Hyaluronic acid face cream for men Eye cream with lipids and hyaluronic acid Day moisturizing cream Moisturizing cream for sensitive skin Kojic acid exfoliant for face and body

All products with jojoba oil →

Glycolic acid

INCI: Glycolic Acid

Exfoliation

What it does. An alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) that weakens the bonds between dead surface cells, so they shed more easily. In our toner, it is at 5% and is second on the list.

Good to know. It has the smallest molecule among AHAs and is naturally found in sugar cane.

Where its limits lie. AHA acids increase the skin's sensitivity to the sun. Use it in the evening, 1–3 times a week, and apply sun protection in the morning.

You'll find it in: 5% glycolic acid exfoliating toner

Lactic acid

INCI: Lactic Acid

Exfoliation

What it does. Also an AHA, with a larger molecule than glycolic acid, so it acts more slowly on the surface. It is usually considered gentler. In our night exfoliant, it is at 10% and is second on the list.

Good to know. Lactate is part of the skin's natural moisturizing factor. Lactic acid also appears in other of our formulas, but there, in a small quantity, it only regulates the pH.

Where its limits lie. The same rule as with glycolic acid: in the evening, 1–2 times a week, and sun protection in the morning.

You'll find it in: 10% lactic acid night exfoliant

Caffeine

INCI: Caffeine

Antioxidants

What it does. In the eye area booster gel, caffeine is the fourth ingredient. It is used in products for a rested appearance of the eye area.

Good to know. It is naturally found in coffee beans, tea leaves, and other plants, where it acts as a defense against insects.

Where its limits lie. The effect is cosmetic and temporary. Dark circles caused by pigment or skin structure do not disappear with a gel.

You'll find it in: Caffeine booster gel

Zinc oxide

INCI: Zinc Oxide · CI 77891 (Titanium Dioxide)

Sun protection

What it does. Mineral UV filter: it stays on the skin's surface and protects against both UVB and UVA. In the two SPF 50 sticks, zinc oxide is the first ingredient, along with titanium dioxide.

Good to know. The European cosmetic regulation allows both mineral filters up to 25% in sun protection products (Reg. (EC) 1223/2009, Annex VI).

Where its limits lie. Mineral filters can leave a slight white cast. For this, there is also a stick version with pigment.

You'll find it in: SPF 50 sun protection stick, with pigment SPF 50 mineral sun protection stick

Clay and activated charcoal

INCI: Kaolin · Montmorillonite · Charcoal Powder

Purification

What it does. Clays absorb excess sebum and surface impurities, while activated charcoal has a highly porous structure. You'll find them, for example, in the pore mask and, in the form of kaolin, in the volcanic sand scrub.

Good to know. Kaolin takes its name from the town of Gaoling in China, where white clay was extracted for porcelain.

Where its limits lie. The mask should only be left on the face for as long as stated on the label. If left to dry completely, it can make the skin feel tight.

You'll find it in: Clay and activated charcoal mask Volcanic sand scrub for face and body 2% salicylic acid and tea tree spot serum

Less-known ingredients

Less frequently highlighted on the packaging, but present in our formulas, some even in many of them.

Chamomile and bisabolol

INCI: Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract · Bisabolol

Comfort & soothing

What it does. Chamomile extract and bisabolol, one of its main compounds, are used for the comfort of sensitive skin and after shaving.

Good to know. Bisabolol is one of the main compounds of chamomile essential oil. The plant has been used in skincare for hundreds of years.

Where its limits lie. Anyone allergic to plants from the Asteraceae family (chamomile, arnica, marigold) may also react to chamomile extract.

You'll find it in: Hydrating micellar water Hyaluronic acid face cream for men Day moisturizing cream Gentle bi-phase makeup remover Lightweight hydrating serum with hyaluronic acid Gentle cleansing foam

All products with chamomile and bisabolol →

Bakuchiol

INCI: Bakuchiol

Anti-aging

What it does. Compound extracted from the seeds of the Psoralea corylifolia plant (babchi). It is not a retinoid, but is studied as a gentler alternative to retinol. You'll find it in the bakuchiol oil serum.

Good to know. In a randomized, double-blind study of 44 people, 0.5% bakuchiol twice a day reduced wrinkles and dark spots after 12 weeks as much as 0.5% retinol, with less peeling (Dhaliwal et al., 2019).

Where its limits lie. The manufacturer does not publish the concentration of bakuchiol in our serum, so the study results do not automatically apply to it.

You'll find it in: Bakuchiol oil serum

Retinol alternatives collection →

Bidens pilosa extract

INCI: Bidens Pilosa Extract

Anti-aging

What it does. Extract from a plant in the Asteraceae family, used in cosmetics as a plant-based alternative to retinol. It is the active ingredient in the anti-aging serum with a natural alternative to retinol.

Good to know. Bidens pilosa grows in almost all warm areas of the world and is considered a weed in many countries.

Where its limits lie. There are few published studies on this extract, so we present it only as a formula ingredient, without attributing results to it.

You'll find it in: Anti-aging serum with a retinol alternative

Retinol alternatives collection →

Ginkgo biloba

INCI: Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract

Antioxidants

What it does. Leaf extract, rich in flavonoids, used for its antioxidant properties. It is the active ingredient in the antioxidant booster gel and also appears in eye creams.

Good to know. Ginkgo is a "living fossil": its lineage has remained almost unchanged for about 200 million years, and several trees survived the Hiroshima bombing (Oxford Botanic Garden).

Where its limits lie. As with any plant extract, an individual reaction cannot be ruled out.

You'll find it in: 3-in-1 eye cream for men Illuminating eye cream Antioxidant booster gel with ginkgo biloba 5% niacinamide moisturizing gel Anti-aging serum with peptides

All products with ginkgo biloba →

Sodium PCA

INCI: Sodium PCA

Hydration

What it does. The salt of pyrrolidone carboxylic acid: a humectant that helps the skin retain water. It is odorless and colorless, which is why it is not highlighted on the packaging, although it appears in many formulas.

Good to know. PCA is the most abundant individual component of the skin's natural moisturizing factor (Practical Dermatology, 2012).

Where its limits lie. It works alongside the other humectants in the formula, not as a replacement for the cream.

You'll find it in: Body cream with urea and panthenol Body cream for sensitive skin Night cream for mature skin 3-in-1 eye cream for men Eye cream with lipids and hyaluronic acid Moisturizing cream for sensitive skin

Lactobacillus lysate

INCI: Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate

HydrationComfort & soothing

What it does. Lysate obtained by fermentation with Lactobacillus bacteria, which are then inactivated. It is the ingredient in the jelly serum and the facial spray from the prebiotic range.

Good to know. In the industry, it is also called a "postbiotic": prebiotics are food for good bacteria, postbiotics are what remains after fermentation. The bacteria in the lysate are no longer alive.

Where its limits lie. Research on the skin microbiome is in its early stages. We do not promise effects on it.

You'll find it in: Jelly serum with prebiotics Hydrating facial spray with prebiotics

Betaine

INCI: Betaine

Hydration

What it does. A small-molecule humectant that helps the skin retain water and makes cleansing formulas gentler.

Good to know. It was first isolated from sugar beet, Beta vulgaris, hence its name.

Where its limits lie. It is a supporting ingredient: you do not choose it for itself, but it improves the feel of the formula.

You'll find it in: Hydrating micellar water Day anti-aging cream Hyaluronic acid face cream for men Illuminating eye cream Day moisturizing cream Kojic acid exfoliant for face and body

Kojic acid

INCI: Kojic Acid

Even skin tone

What it does. It is used in products for an even and brighter skin tone. You'll find it in the kojic acid exfoliant.

Good to know. It is obtained by fermentation with the Aspergillus oryzae fungus, the same "koji" used for sake and soy sauce.

Where its limits lie. Use it on skin that is not irritated and apply sun protection in the morning, as in any routine for an even skin tone.

You'll find it in: Kojic acid exfoliant for face and body

Panthenol

INCI: Panthenol · Hydroxyethyl Urea

HydrationComfort & soothing

What it does. Panthenol, or provitamin B5, is converted in the skin into pantothenic acid and is used for moisturizing and comfort. In the body cream, it is accompanied by hydroxyethyl urea, a urea derivative with a moisturizing role.

Good to know. The name "pantothenic" comes from the Greek pantothen, "from everywhere": vitamin B5 is found in almost all foods.

Where its limits lie. For very dry body skin, apply it to still damp skin after showering.

You'll find it in: Body cream with urea and panthenol

Fun facts about ingredients

True and little-known things about the ingredients in the jar.

**99%***of aloe gel is water*The remaining 1% makes the difference: polysaccharides that bind water.Source: IARC, 2016

**Wax***not oil*Jojoba is a liquid wax, close to the wax esters in human sebum.Source: Frontiers in Pharmacology, 2024

**200 mil.***years*The ginkgo lineage has remained almost unchanged. A few trees survived Hiroshima.Source: Oxford Botanic Garden

**"Glass"***in Greek: hyalos*Hence the name of hyaluronic acid. Today it is obtained through fermentation, not from animal sources.Source: Molecules, 2023

**Sake***and soy sauce*Kojic acid comes from the same koji fungus used in their fermentation.

**Sugar***beet*Betaine was first isolated from Beta vulgaris, hence its name.

**1779***the year of discovery*Carl Wilhelm Scheele obtained glycerin by heating olive oil with lead oxide.

**Gaoling***a town in China*Kaolin takes its name from the place where clay for porcelain was extracted.

How to read an INCI list in 30 seconds

Order matters. The first five ingredients usually make up the largest part of the product.
Below 1%, the order is free. Ingredients in small quantities can be listed at the end in any order.
The same name, anywhere in the EU. "Aqua" is water, "Parfum" is the fragrance composition, and fragrance allergens are listed separately.
The asterisk marks ingredients from organic farming in COSMOS-certified formulas. Details can be found on the certifications page.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the INCI list on the packaging mean?

INCI is the international nomenclature for cosmetic ingredients, which is the same throughout the European Union, so it is not translated. Ingredients are listed in descending order of quantity; those under 1% may appear at the end in any order (Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009, Art. 19).

Why does aloe vera appear first, before water?

In many Epic Beauty formulas, aloe vera juice replaces water as the base. It appears first on the list because it is the ingredient present in the largest quantity. Water (Aqua) may appear lower down or not at all.

What does the asterisk next to some ingredients mean?

The asterisk marks ingredients from organic farming, as required by the COSMOS standard for certified formulas. You can find the certification for each formula on the certifications page.

Are natural ingredients safer than synthetic ones?

Not necessarily. The safety of an ingredient depends on its concentration and how it is used, not on its origin. Every cosmetic product sold in the European Union undergoes a safety assessment by a specialist before it reaches store shelves.

Can I use exfoliating acids and bakuchiol on the same evening?

At first, it is best not to. Alternate evenings: use the exfoliant one evening and the bakuchiol serum the next. If your skin tolerates both well after a few weeks, you can try using them closer together. In the morning, use sunscreen.

Do the products contain fragrance?

Many products contain fragrance, and fragrance allergens (e.g. Linalool, Limonene, Geraniol) are listed separately, as required by law. Products that do not contain fragrance state this explicitly in their description.

Are all the ingredients vegan?

Yes. All Epic Beauty products are vegan and contain no ingredients of animal origin. Hyaluronic acid is produced through fermentation, and the glycerin does not come from animal fats.