Skincare ingredient lists can feel overwhelming. Between Vitamin B5, copper peptides, arbutin, niacinamide, tranexamic acid and ceramides, it can be difficult to know which ingredients actually match your skin concerns.
In this Skincare Ingredient 101 guide, we break down four ingredient combinations, explain what they do, who they are best suited for, and introduce an am+pm serum formulated around each one.
Whether your main concern is dehydration, dark spots, dullness or a weakened skin barrier, this guide can help you choose the ingredients that make the most sense for your routine.
What are B5 and GHK-Cu?
Vitamin B5, commonly used in skincare as panthenol, is known for its moisturizing and skin-conditioning properties. It helps support moisture retention and keeps skin feeling soft and comfortable.
GHK-Cu, also known as a copper peptide, is a peptide complex commonly incorporated into skincare formulas designed to support smoother, healthier-looking and more resilient skin.
What are the benefits of B5 + GHK-Cu?
Deep Hydration
Helps replenish moisture and improve the feeling of dehydrated skin.
Skin Barrier Support
Helps maintain a healthy moisture barrier.
Skin Recovery Support
A great combination for skin that looks tired, stressed or moisture-depleted.
Who is B5 + GHK-Cu best for?
Best for:
- Dry skin
- Dehydrated skin
- Moisture-depleted skin
- Stressed-looking skin
- Skin needing extra barrier support
Product Spotlight
am+pm 5% B5 + GHK-Cu Hydrating Serum
A hydration-focused serum combining 5% B5 with GHK-Cu for skin that needs moisture and barrier support.
Best for: Dry + Dehydrated Skin
What are Arbutin and Vitamin C?
Arbutin is a popular brightening skincare ingredient commonly used in products designed to improve the appearance of dark spots and uneven skin tone.
Vitamin C is an antioxidant ingredient known for supporting brighter, more radiant-looking skin while helping protect against environmental oxidative stress.
Together, they make a targeted combination for people whose main concern is visible discoloration and uneven tone.
What are the benefits of Arbutin + Vitamin C?
Dark Spot Care
Helps improve the appearance of visible dark spots.
Brightening
Supports a brighter-looking complexion.
Even-Looking Skin Tone
Helps improve the appearance of uneven pigmentation over time.
Who are Arbutin + Vitamin C best for?
Best for:
- Visible dark spots
- Uneven-looking skin tone
- Post-blemish marks
- Dull skin
- Skin lacking radiance
Product Spotlight
am+pm RX 2% Arbutin + 1% VC Dark Spot Correcting Serum
A targeted serum combining 2% Arbutin and 1% Vitamin C for dark spots and uneven-looking skin tone.
Best for: Dark Spots + Uneven Tone
What are Niacinamide and TXA?
Niacinamide, also known as Vitamin B3, is one of skincare's most versatile ingredients. It can help support the skin barrier while improving the appearance of uneven tone, dullness and visible pores.
Tranexamic Acid (TXA) is increasingly used in brightening skincare formulas designed to improve the appearance of discoloration and uneven-looking skin tone.
Together, Niacinamide and TXA are especially useful when the goal is an overall brighter and more even-looking complexion.
What are the benefits of Niacinamide + TXA?
Brightening
Helps improve dull-looking skin.
Tone Refining
Supports a more even-looking complexion.
Barrier Support
Niacinamide also helps support the skin's moisture barrier.
Who are Niacinamide + TXA best for?
Best for:
- Dull skin
- Uneven-looking skin tone
- Visible discoloration
- Enlarged-looking pores
- Skin lacking clarity
Product Spotlight
am+pm 10% Niacinamide (B3) + TXA Brightening Serum
A brightening serum featuring 10% Niacinamide with TXA for dull and uneven-looking skin.
Best for: Dull + Uneven Skin
What are Ceramides?
Ceramides are naturally occurring lipids found within the skin barrier. Think of the skin barrier like a brick wall: skin cells act as the bricks, while lipids such as ceramides help hold everything together.
When the skin barrier lacks moisture and lipids, skin can begin to feel dry, tight, rough or uncomfortable.
Using ceramide-focused skincare can help support the barrier and improve moisture retention.
What are the benefits of Ceramides?
Barrier Support
Helps reinforce the skin's protective moisture barrier.
Moisture Retention
Helps prevent excessive moisture loss.
Dry Skin Support
Helps keep dry skin feeling smoother, softer and more comfortable.
Who are Ceramides best for?
Best for:
- Dry skin
- Very dry skin
- Moisture-depleted skin
- Barrier-stressed skin
- Skin that frequently feels tight or rough
Product Spotlight
am+pm 10% Ceramide Repairing Serum
A concentrated ceramide serum designed to provide moisture and support a healthier-looking skin barrier.
Best for: Dry + Barrier-Stressed Skin
Which Skincare Ingredient Is Right for You?
| Your Main Skin Concern | Ingredient | am+pm Serum |
|---|---|---|
| 💧 Dry or dehydrated skin | B5 + GHK-Cu | 5% B5 + GHK-Cu Hydrating Serum |
| 🎯 Visible dark spots | Arbutin + Vitamin C | RX 2% Arbutin + 1% VC Dark Spot Correcting Serum |
| ✨ Dull or uneven-looking skin | Niacinamide + TXA | 10% Niacinamide + TXA Brightening Serum |
| 🛡️ Dry or barrier-stressed skin | Ceramides | 10% Ceramide Repairing Serum |
Skincare Ingredient 101: Frequently Asked Questions
What skincare ingredient should I use for dry skin?
For dehydrated skin, ingredients such as Vitamin B5 can help support hydration and moisture retention. If dryness is related to a weakened moisture barrier, ceramides can also be particularly useful.
What ingredients are good for dark spots?
Arbutin, Vitamin C and Tranexamic Acid (TXA) are commonly used in skincare products designed to improve the appearance of dark spots and uneven skin tone.
What is the difference between Arbutin + Vitamin C and Niacinamide + TXA?
The Arbutin + Vitamin C serum is more specifically positioned for visible dark spots and pigmentation concerns.
The Niacinamide + TXA serum is better suited to people looking for overall brightening, tone refinement and support for uneven-looking skin.
What is GHK-Cu?
GHK-Cu is a copper peptide used in skincare products designed to support smoother, healthier-looking and more resilient skin.
What does Vitamin B5 do for skin?
Vitamin B5, commonly used as panthenol, helps support hydration, moisture retention and overall skin comfort.
What does Niacinamide do for skin?
Niacinamide, or Vitamin B3, helps support the skin barrier while improving the appearance of dullness, uneven skin tone and visible pores.
What does TXA mean in skincare?
TXA stands for Tranexamic Acid. In topical skincare, it is commonly used in formulas designed to improve the appearance of discoloration and uneven-looking skin tone.
What do Ceramides do for the skin?
Ceramides are lipids naturally present in the skin barrier. They help support moisture retention and maintain a healthy protective barrier, making ceramide skincare particularly useful for dry or moisture-depleted skin.
Can I use more than one of these serums?
Depending on your skin needs and routine, different serums can be used to target different concerns. Rather than adding several active products at once, introduce products gradually and pay attention to how your skin responds.
