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 | 5% | Low concern |
| α-Tocopherol | 📄 Literature evidence | Studied only mixed with other actives | Low concern |
| trans-Ferulic Acid | 📄 Literature evidence | Studied only mixed with other actives | Low concern |
| (−)-Epigallocatechin-3-O-gallate (EGCG) | 🧪 Clinical evidence | 1%, 5% | Low concern |
| Idebenone | 🧪 Clinical evidence | 0.5% (uncontrolled), 1% (uncontrolled) | Low concern |
- L-Ascorbic AcidLow concern
Ascorbic Acid
Studied at 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: Humbert et al., 2003
- Reference: Espinal-Perez et al., 2004
- Reference: Murray et al., 2008
Pregnancy: – · Listed in 2,002 products
- α-TocopherolLow concern
Tocopherol
Studied only mixed with other actives
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 11,005 products
- trans-Ferulic AcidLow concern
Ferulic Acid
Studied only mixed with other actives
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 368 products
- (−)-Epigallocatechin-3-O-gallate (EGCG)Low concern
Epigallocatechin Gallate
Studied at 1%, 5%
- Reference: Yoon et al., 2013
Pregnancy: – · Listed in 103 products
- IdebenoneLow concern
Hydroxydecyl Ubiquinone
Studied at 0.5% (uncontrolled), 1% (uncontrolled)
- Reference: McDaniel et al., 2005
Pregnancy: – · Listed in 280 products
- Ubiquinone-10Low concern
Ubiquinone
Study dose: not found yet
- Reference: Knott et al., 2015
Pregnancy: not advised against on skin · Listed in 468 products
- trans-ResveratrolLow concern
Resveratrol
Studied only mixed with other actives
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: – · Listed in 294 products
- BaicalinLow concern
Studied only mixed with other actives
Combination-product evidence. Not treated as the same molecule as the baicalein aglycone.
- Reference: Farris et al., 2014
Pregnancy: – · Listed in 6 products
- Magnesium ascorbyl phosphateLow concern
Studied at 10% (uncontrolled)
- Korea approved amount: 3%
A limit is the most a product may hold, not the amount that works.
- Reference: Kameyama et al., 1996
- Reference: Korea Ministry of Government Legislation, 2023
Pregnancy: – · Listed in 252 products
- Sodium ascorbyl phosphateLow concern
Studied at 5%
- Reference: Ruamrak et al., 2009
Pregnancy: – · Listed in 1,273 products
- Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbateLow concern
Studied only mixed with other actives
- Reference: Fitzpatrick and Rostan, 2002
Pregnancy: – · Listed in 300 products
- Ascorbyl glucosideLow concern
Study dose: not found yet
- Korea approved amount: 2%
A limit is the most a product may hold, not the amount that works.
- Reference: Korea Ministry of Government Legislation, 2023
- Reference: Takada et al., 2024
Pregnancy: – · Listed in 784 products
- Ascorbyl tetraisopalmitateLow concern
Study dose: not found yet
- Korea approved amount: 2%
A limit is the most a product may hold, not the amount that works.
- Reference: Korea Ministry of Government Legislation, 2023
Pregnancy: – · Listed in 345 products
- 3-O-Ethyl-L-Ascorbic AcidLow concern
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Study dose: not found yet
- Korea approved amount: 1-2%
A limit is the most a product may hold, not the amount that works.
- Reference: Korea Ministry of Government Legislation, 2023
Pregnancy: – · Listed in 651 products
- Oxidized Glutathione (GSSG)Low concern
Oxidized Glutathione
Studied at 2%
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: – · Listed in 1 product
- α-Lipoic AcidLow concern
Thioctic Acid
Study dose: not found yet
- Reference: Beitner, 2003
Pregnancy: not advised against on skin · Listed in 158 products
- AstaxanthinLow concern
Study dose: not found yet
- Reference: Tominaga et al., 2012
Pregnancy: – · Listed in 254 products
- ErgothioneineLow concern
Study dose: not found yet
- Reference: Dong et al., 2007
Pregnancy: – · Listed in 114 products
- Melatonin (N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine)Low concern
Melatonin
Study dose: not found yet
- Reference: Bangha et al., 1997
- Reference: Scheuer et al., 2014
Pregnancy: – · Listed in 55 products
- PhloretinLow concern
Study dose: not found yet
- Reference: Oresajo et al., 2008
Pregnancy: – · Listed in 38 products
- Ubiquinol-10Low concern
Study dose: not found yet
- Reference: Knott et al., 2015
Pregnancy: – · Not in our product list yet
- CarnosineLow concern
Study dose: not found yet
- Reference: Reddy et al., 2005
- Reference: Sasaki and Sonnet, 2026
Pregnancy: – · Listed in 348 products
- Reduced Glutathione (GSH)Low concern
Glutathione
Study dose: not found yet
- Reference: Montenegro et al., 1995
Pregnancy: – · Listed in 1,750 products
- Sodium ascorbateLow concern
Study dose: not found yet
- Reference: Elmore, 2005
- Reference: Boo, 2022
Pregnancy: – · Listed in 70 products
- Tocopheryl acetateLow concern
Study dose: not found yet
- Reference: Montenegro et al., 1995
- Reference: Panin et al., 2004
Pregnancy: – · Listed in 5,945 products
– = no pregnancy research data yet
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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