Skincare ingredients for tired-looking skin
Our research data links 25 ingredients to tired-looking skin. Strongest evidence comes first, each with the studies behind it.
A research list, not medical advice. If a skin condition worries you, see a dermatologist.
Which ingredients have the most evidence for tired-looking skin?
In our data, the strongest evidence for tired-looking skin is behind L-Ascorbic Acid, α-Tocopherol, and trans-Ferulic Acid.
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| Ingredient | Evidence | Studied at | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| L-Ascorbic Acid | 🧪 Clinical evidence | clinical 5%; photoprotection combination product 15% | Low concern |
| α-Tocopherol | 📄 Literature evidence | photoprotection combination clinical 1%; stand-alone range N/A | Low concern |
| trans-Ferulic Acid | 📄 Literature evidence | combination clinical 0.5% | Low concern |
| (−)-Epigallocatechin-3-O-gallate (EGCG) | 🧪 Clinical evidence | acne clinical 1%, 5% | Low concern |
| Idebenone | 🧪 Clinical evidence | clinical 0.5%, 1%; no vehicle control | Low concern |
- L-Ascorbic AcidLow concern
Ascorbic Acid
Studied at clinical 5%; photoprotection combination product 15%
The main evidence is a human UV study of a specific 15% LAA + 1% alpha-tocopherol + 0.5% ferulic acid formulation. Per-ingredient independent effect sizes and SPF cannot be separated.
- Reference: Humbert et al., 2003
- Reference: Espinal-Perez et al., 2004
- Reference: Murray et al., 2008
Pregnancy: not rated yet · Listed in 1,422 products
- α-TocopherolLow concern
Tocopherol
Studied at photoprotection combination clinical 1%; stand-alone range N/A
The main evidence is a human UV study of a specific 15% LAA + 1% alpha-tocopherol + 0.5% ferulic acid formulation. Per-ingredient independent effect sizes and SPF cannot be separated.
- Reference: Murray et al., 2008
Pregnancy: not advised against on skin · Listed in 8,282 products
- trans-Ferulic AcidLow concern
Ferulic Acid
Studied at combination clinical 0.5%
The main evidence is a human UV study of a specific 15% LAA + 1% alpha-tocopherol + 0.5% ferulic acid formulation. Per-ingredient independent effect sizes and SPF cannot be separated.
- Reference: Murray et al., 2008
- Reference: Lin et al., 2005
Pregnancy: not advised against on skin · Listed in 281 products
- (−)-Epigallocatechin-3-O-gallate (EGCG)Low concern
Epigallocatechin Gallate
Studied at acne clinical 1%, 5%
- Reference: Yoon et al., 2013
Pregnancy: not rated yet · Listed in 79 products
- IdebenoneLow concern
Hydroxydecyl Ubiquinone
Studied at clinical 0.5%, 1%; no vehicle control
- Reference: McDaniel et al., 2005
Pregnancy: not rated yet · Listed in 147 products
- Ubiquinone-10Low concern
Ubiquinone
Studied at N/A; the study states the formulation in uM
- Reference: Knott et al., 2015
Pregnancy: not advised against on skin · Listed in 334 products
- trans-ResveratrolLow concern
Resveratrol
Studied at combination clinical 1%; stand-alone range N/A
A combination of 1% resveratrol + 0.5% baicalin + 1% vitamin E. The exact form of E is unconfirmed, so it is not arbitrarily replaced by the alpha form.
- Reference: Farris et al., 2014
Pregnancy: not rated yet · Listed in 208 products
- BaicalinLow concern
Studied at combination clinical 0.5%; stand-alone N/A
Combination-product evidence. Not treated as the same molecule as the baicalein aglycone.
- Reference: Farris et al., 2014
Pregnancy: not rated yet · Listed in 2 products
- Magnesium ascorbyl phosphateLow concern
Studied at Korean notice 3%; uncontrolled clinical 10%
- Reference: Kameyama et al., 1996
- Reference: Korea Ministry of Government Legislation, 2023
Pregnancy: not rated yet · Listed in 191 products
- Sodium ascorbyl phosphateLow concern
Studied at acne clinical 5%; whitening N/A
- Reference: Ruamrak et al., 2009
Pregnancy: not rated yet · Listed in 851 products
- Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbateLow concern
Studied at stand-alone N/A; combination product 7% + LAA 10%
- Reference: Fitzpatrick and Rostan, 2002
Pregnancy: not rated yet · Listed in 280 products
- Ascorbyl glucosideLow concern
Studied at Korean notice 2%; stand-alone clinical N/A
- Reference: Korea Ministry of Government Legislation, 2023
- Reference: Takada et al., 2024
Pregnancy: not rated yet · Listed in 621 products
- Ascorbyl tetraisopalmitateLow concern
Studied at Korean notice 2%; stand-alone clinical N/A
- Reference: Korea Ministry of Government Legislation, 2023
Pregnancy: not rated yet · Listed in 259 products
- 3-O-Ethyl-L-Ascorbic AcidLow concern
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Studied at Korean notice 1-2%; stand-alone clinical N/A
- Reference: Korea Ministry of Government Legislation, 2023
Pregnancy: not rated yet · Listed in 468 products
- Oxidized Glutathione (GSSG)Low concern
Oxidized Glutathione
Studied at clinical 2% w/w
Even if there are pigment and moisturizing clinical studies, the direct effect of GSSG in reducing oxidative damage in human skin needs to be verified separately.
- Reference: Watanabe et al., 2014
Pregnancy: not rated yet · Listed in 1 product
- α-Lipoic AcidLow concern
Thioctic Acid
Studied at N/A
- Reference: Beitner, 2003
Pregnancy: not advised against on skin · Listed in 110 products
- AstaxanthinLow concern
Studied at stand-alone N/A; combination study 78.9 uM solution
- Reference: Tominaga et al., 2012
Pregnancy: not rated yet · Listed in 177 products
- ErgothioneineLow concern
Studied at N/A
- Reference: Dong et al., 2007
Pregnancy: not rated yet · Listed in 100 products
- Melatonin (N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine)Low concern
Melatonin
Studied at N/A
- Reference: Bangha et al., 1997
- Reference: Scheuer et al., 2014
Pregnancy: not rated yet · Listed in 41 products
- PhloretinLow concern
Studied at N/A
- Reference: Oresajo et al., 2008
Pregnancy: not rated yet · Listed in 35 products
- Ubiquinol-10Low concern
Studied at N/A
- Reference: Knott et al., 2015
Pregnancy: not rated yet · Not in our product list yet
- CarnosineLow concern
Studied at N/A
- Reference: Reddy et al., 2005
- Reference: Sasaki and Sonnet, 2026
Pregnancy: not rated yet · Listed in 231 products
- Reduced Glutathione (GSH)Low concern
Glutathione
Studied at N/A
- Reference: Montenegro et al., 1995
Pregnancy: not rated yet · Listed in 1,074 products
- Sodium ascorbateLow concern
Studied at N/A
- Reference: Elmore, 2005
- Reference: Boo, 2022
Pregnancy: not rated yet · Listed in 57 products
- Tocopheryl acetateLow concern
Studied at N/A
- Reference: Montenegro et al., 1995
- Reference: Panin et al., 2004
Pregnancy: not rated yet · Listed in 4,443 products
Which ingredients for tired-looking skin are advised against in pregnancy?
None of the 25 ingredients here carries an 'advised to avoid' verdict for pregnancy in our data.
Pregnant or breastfeeding? Check new products with your doctor or midwife.
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