Antioxidants in skincare — what they do

Antioxidants help defend skin against the visible effects of daily environmental stress and support a brighter, more even-looking tone.

24 antioxidants in the K-beauty INCI decoder

• Ascorbyl Glucoside — A stable vitamin C derivative that helps brighten and supports a smoother, more radiant look.
• Ascorbyl Palmitate — A fat-soluble vitamin C derivative that helps support antioxidant defense in skincare.
• Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate — An oil-loving, stable vitamin C that helps brighten and supports a radiant appearance.
• Baikal Skullcap Extract — A plant root extract that helps soothe skin and support protection against environmental stress.
• Bakuchiol — A plant-derived ingredient that helps support smoother, firmer-looking skin as a gentle retinol alternative.
• Ethyl Ascorbic Acid — A stable, fast-absorbing vitamin C that helps brighten and supports an even-looking complexion.
• Ferulic Acid — A plant antioxidant that helps support and stabilize vitamins C and E for better day-to-day antioxidant defense.
• Ginseng Root Extract — An energizing root extract that helps skin look revived, firmer, and more radiant.
• Ginseng Root Water — A water-based ginseng extract that hydrates and helps give tired-looking skin a fresh glow.
• Glutathione — An antioxidant included to support the look of a brighter, more even-looking complexion (topical brightening evidence is limited).
• Green Tea Leaf Extract — An antioxidant-rich extract that helps defend skin against daily stress and soothes its look.
• Heartleaf (Houttuynia) Extract — A gentle herbal extract that helps soothe and refresh skin prone to looking red or congested.
• Korean Mugwort Leaf Extract — A mugwort extract that helps calm and condition skin that looks reactive or irritated.
• Lactobacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract — A fermented soybean extract that hydrates and helps skin feel nourished and supple.
• Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate — A gentle, stable vitamin C form that helps brighten skin and supports hydration.
• Mugwort (Artemisia) Extract — A calming herbal extract that helps soothe sensitive-looking skin and supports a comfortable feel.
• Phytic Acid — A grain-derived acid that helps gently exfoliate and supports a more even-looking tone.
• Purslane Extract — A calming plant extract that helps soothe sensitive-looking skin and supports a comfortable feel.
• Resveratrol — A grape-derived antioxidant that helps support skin against daily environmental stress.
• Rice (Oryza Sativa) Extract — A rice-derived extract that helps brighten the look of dull skin and supports a smooth tone.
• Sea Buckthorn Extract — A vitamin-rich berry extract that helps nourish and soothe skin while supporting a healthy glow.
• Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate — A stable, water-friendly vitamin C that helps brighten and supports a more even-looking tone.
• Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate — An oil-soluble vitamin C that helps brighten and supports skin against environmental stress.
• Vitamin C (L-Ascorbic Acid) — The pure form of vitamin C that helps brighten skin and supports defense against daily environmental stress.

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✍️ Written & reviewed by the KoreaPlus Editorial team — dermatologist-informed, cosmetic-science researched & source-cited. Last reviewed: 2026-08-08.

General educational information using cosmetic structure-function wording — not medical advice. Always patch-test new actives. © KoreaPlus.