Skincare ingredients for tired-looking skin
Our research data links 26 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.
- L-Ascorbic AcidLow hazard
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 enough data · Listed in 609 products
- α-TocopherolLow hazard
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: considered fine · Listed in 3,449 products
- trans-Ferulic AcidLow hazard
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: considered fine · Listed in 152 products
- (−)-Epigallocatechin-3-O-gallate (EGCG)Low hazard
Epigallocatechin Gallate
Studied at acne clinical 1%, 5%
- Reference: Yoon et al., 2013
Pregnancy: not enough data · Listed in 22 products
- IdebenoneLow hazard
Hydroxydecyl Ubiquinone
Studied at clinical 0.5%, 1%; no vehicle control
- Reference: McDaniel et al., 2005
Pregnancy: not enough data · Listed in 30 products
- Ubiquinone-10Low hazard
Ubiquinone
Studied at N/A; the study states the formulation in uM
- Reference: Knott et al., 2015
Pregnancy: considered fine · Listed in 108 products
- trans-ResveratrolLow hazard
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 enough data · Listed in 86 products
- BaicalinLow hazard
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 enough data · Listed in 2 products
- Magnesium ascorbyl phosphateLow hazard
Studied at Korean notice 3%; uncontrolled clinical 10%
- Reference: Kameyama et al., 1996
- Reference: Korea Ministry of Government Legislation et al., 2023
Pregnancy: not enough data · Listed in 71 products
- Sodium ascorbyl phosphateLow hazard
Studied at acne clinical 5%; whitening N/A
- Reference: Ruamrak et al., 2009
Pregnancy: not enough data · Listed in 225 products
- Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbateLow hazard
Studied at stand-alone N/A; combination product 7% + LAA 10%
- Reference: Fitzpatrick and Rostan, 2002
Pregnancy: not enough data · Listed in 204 products
- Ascorbyl glucosideLow hazard
Studied at Korean notice 2%; stand-alone clinical N/A
- Reference: Korea Ministry of Government Legislation et al., 2023
- Reference: Takada et al., 2024
Pregnancy: not enough data · Listed in 233 products
- Ascorbyl tetraisopalmitateLow hazard
Studied at Korean notice 2%; stand-alone clinical N/A
- Reference: Korea Ministry of Government Legislation et al., 2023
Pregnancy: not enough data · Listed in 66 products
- 3-O-Ethyl-L-Ascorbic AcidLow hazard
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Studied at Korean notice 1-2%; stand-alone clinical N/A
- Reference: Korea Ministry of Government Legislation et al., 2023
Pregnancy: not enough data · Listed in 277 products
- Oxidized Glutathione (GSSG)Low hazard
Oxidized Glutathione
Studied at clinical 2% w/w
Even if there are pigment and moisturising 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 enough data · Listed in 1 product
- α-Lipoic AcidLow hazard
Thioctic Acid
Studied at N/A
Pregnancy: considered fine · Listed in 36 products
- AstaxanthinLow hazard
Studied at stand-alone N/A; combination study 78.9 uM solution
- Reference: Tominaga et al., 2012
Pregnancy: not enough data · Listed in 65 products
- CarnosineLow hazard
Studied at N/A
Pregnancy: not enough data · Listed in 73 products
- ErgothioneineLow hazard
Studied at N/A
- Reference: Dong et al., 2007
Pregnancy: considered fine · Listed in 28 products
- Melatonin (N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine)Low hazard
Melatonin
Studied at N/A
Pregnancy: not enough data · Listed in 15 products
- PhloretinLow hazard
Studied at N/A
Pregnancy: not enough data · Listed in 26 products
- Ascorbyl palmitateLow hazard
Studied at N/A
Pregnancy: not enough data · Listed in 198 products
- Reduced Glutathione (GSH)Low hazard
Glutathione
Studied at N/A
Pregnancy: not enough data · Listed in 359 products
- Sodium ascorbateLow hazard
Studied at N/A
Pregnancy: not enough data · Listed in 14 products
- Ubiquinol-10Low hazard
Studied at N/A
- Reference: Knott et al., 2015
Pregnancy: not enough data · Not in our product list yet
- Tocopheryl acetateLow hazard
Studied at N/A
Pregnancy: considered fine · Listed in 1,403 products
Which ingredients for tired-looking skin are advised against in pregnancy?
None of the 26 ingredients here carries an 'advised to avoid' verdict for pregnancy in our data.
Pregnant or breastfeeding? Check new products with your doctor or midwife.
Get a routine for your skin
A free 2-minute quiz picks products for your concerns and leaves out ingredients you want to avoid.
Red does not mean poison. Preservatives that stop a product going off, UV filters and fragrance can land on yellow or red depending on their score.
Green does not mean right for you. Skin and allergies differ from person to person. Treat the color as a starting point.