Ingredient
Glossary
A comprehensive technical breakdown of the high-potency actives utilized in Qunat formulations. Filter by molecular weight or clinical function to understand the biological pathway of each compound.
Qunat Beauty Blog
Undereye Treatments for Hollowing and Dark Circles
This article covers the four most commonly considered treatments for undereye concerns: PRF, EZ Gel, dermal fillers, and fat grafting, with a clinical breakdown of how each works, what it...
Undereye Treatments for Hollowing and Dark Circles
This article covers the four most commonly considered treatments for undereye concerns: PRF, EZ Gel, dermal fillers, and fat grafting, with a clinical breakdown of how each works, what it...
Your Fitzpatrick type and Why It's Important
For anyone dealing with hyperpigmentation, whether that is post-inflammatory marks, melasma, sunspots, or uneven tone, understanding your Fitzpatrick type is not optional background knowledge. It is the foundation of an...
Your Fitzpatrick type and Why It's Important
For anyone dealing with hyperpigmentation, whether that is post-inflammatory marks, melasma, sunspots, or uneven tone, understanding your Fitzpatrick type is not optional background knowledge. It is the foundation of an...
SunSpots Vs Freckles Vs Melasma: What's the Dif...
They are all brown. They all appear on your face. They are all made of melanin. And they are treated almost completely differently. Sunspots, freckles, and melasma are three of...
SunSpots Vs Freckles Vs Melasma: What's the Dif...
They are all brown. They all appear on your face. They are all made of melanin. And they are treated almost completely differently. Sunspots, freckles, and melasma are three of...
Tranexamic Acid vs Azelaic Acid vs Niacinamide ...
A full, comprehensive guide to which acid you should choose for Pigmentation.
Tranexamic Acid vs Azelaic Acid vs Niacinamide ...
A full, comprehensive guide to which acid you should choose for Pigmentation.
Niacinamide and the Barrier: Friends or Foes?
The Ingredient Series // Vol. 05 Niacinamide: Does it Help or Hurt? Navigating the 10% Trap in Skin of Color What is Niacinamide? Also known as Vitamin B3, Niacinamide is...
Niacinamide and the Barrier: Friends or Foes?
The Ingredient Series // Vol. 05 Niacinamide: Does it Help or Hurt? Navigating the 10% Trap in Skin of Color What is Niacinamide? Also known as Vitamin B3, Niacinamide is...
The Pigmentation Paradox
Tranexamic Acid, Azelaic Acid, Alpha Arbutin, and the Pakistani Skin Tone Enigma
The Pigmentation Paradox
Tranexamic Acid, Azelaic Acid, Alpha Arbutin, and the Pakistani Skin Tone Enigma
Full Ingredient Glossary
View chemical breakdown of all formulations
Scientific breakdown of the Qunat Beauty Protocol.
| Ingredient (INCI) | Clinical Function |
|---|---|
| Allantoin | A keratolytic agent that increases skin smoothness and promotes cell proliferation to heal minor irritation. |
| Aloe Barbadensis | A botanical polysaccharide complex that provides immediate anti-inflammatory relief and moisture. |
| Alpha Arbutin | A biosynthetic active that inhibits tyrosinase activity to fade hyperpigmentation and even skin tone. |
| Aristoflex AVC / Sepimax Zen | Advanced polymers used to create stable, elegant textures and suspend active ingredients. |
| Ascorbyl Glucoside | A stabilized Vitamin C derivative that neutralizes free radicals and stimulates collagen synthesis. |
| Azelaic Acid | A multi-functional active that reduces redness, inhibits acne bacteria, and gently exfoliates pores. |
| Bearberry Extract | Contains natural arbutin; works to brighten the complexion by inhibiting melanin production. |
| Betaine | A natural amino acid derivative that manages water balance in cells to protect against osmotic stress. |
| Butylene Glycol | A small-molecule solvent that enhances the penetration of actives while attracting moisture. |
| C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate | A light, non-greasy ester that provides a silky finish and improves spreadability. |
| Caprylic Triglyceride | Derived from coconut oil; an excellent emollient that repairs the skin's lipid barrier. |
| Carbomer | A cross-linked polymer used to create crystal-clear gels and stabilize emulsions. |
| Ceramide NP | A skin-identical lipid essential for maintaining the moisture-retention shield. |
| Cetearyl Alcohol | A non-drying fatty alcohol used to thicken creams and provide a luxurious, stable texture. |
| Disodium EDTA | Neutralizes metal ions in water to prevent formula degradation and improve stability. |
| Glycerin | A gold-standard moisture magnet that pulls water into the outer layer of the skin. |
| Glyceryl Stearate / PEG-100 | A powerful emulsifying pair that allows oil and water to mix into a smooth, stable cream. |
| Glycolic Acid | The smallest AHA; it dissolves the "glue" between dead skin cells to reveal fresh skin. |
| Green Tea Extract | Rich in polyphenols (EGCG) that protect skin from environmental damage and soothe redness. |
| Hyaluronic Acid | A glycosaminoglycan capable of holding 1,000x its weight in water for deep hydration. |
| HEC | A plant-derived thickening agent that creates a smooth, non-tacky film on the skin. |
| L-Arginine | An essential amino acid that acts as a natural moisturizing factor and stabilizes pH. |
| Licorice Root | Contains glabridin, a potent compound that calms redness and inhibits pigment enzymes. |
| Matrixyl 3000 | A dual-peptide messenger complex that signals cells to produce more collagen and elastin. |
| MCC | A biodegradable physical exfoliant used to gently buff away dead skin cells. |
| Niacinamide | A powerhouse active that refines pore appearance, regulates oil, and strengthens the barrier. |
| Olivem 1000 | A biomimetic emulsifier derived from olive oil that integrates seamlessly with the skin barrier. |
| Panthenol | Pro-Vitamin B5; accelerates tissue repair and deeply soothes skin irritation. |
| Paraffin Oil | A highly refined occlusive that creates a breathable barrier to prevent water loss. |
| PEG-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate | A high-performance surfactant that allow oil-based balms to rinse off cleanly with water. |
| Propanediol | A corn-derived solvent that increases the efficacy of active ingredients and preservatives. |
| Sodium PCA | A natural component of the skin's Moisturizing Factor that maintains hydration levels. |
| Squalane | A stable hydrocarbon that mimics skin's natural sebum to prevent moisture loss. |
| Sunflower Seed Oil | A lightweight carrier oil rich in linoleic acid, perfect for dissolving makeup and debris. |
| Tocopherol | Pure Vitamin E; a primary antioxidant that protects skin cells from oxidative stress. |
Azelaic Acid
Dicarboxylic AcidA multi-functional active that targets C. acnes and inhibits tyrosinase. It normalizes keratinization to prevent follicular plugging and treats post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH).
Niacinamide
Vitamin B3Increases NADH/NADPH levels to upregulate ceramide synthesis and strengthen the skin barrier. Clinically proven to reduce sebum excretion and inflammatory cytokine production.
Matrixyl 3000
Peptide ComplexA synergistic complex of Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 and Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7. These matrikines signal fibroblasts to synthesize collagen and elastin to repair the extracellular matrix.
View Additional Clinical Actives ↓
Alpha Arbutin
A biosynthetic active that inhibits tyrosinase activity to fade hyperpigmentation without cellular toxicity.
Ascorbyl Glucoside
Stabilized Vitamin C derivative providing sustained antioxidant release and radical scavenging.
Glycolic Acid
The smallest AHA; penetrates effectively to dissolve cell "glue" and promote rapid texture renewal.
Lactic Acid
An AHA humectant that exfoliates while increasing ceramide synthesis for compromised skin.
Salicylic Acid
Lipophilic BHA that penetrates sebaceous units to dissolve sebum and provide anti-inflammatory action.
Tranexamic Acid
Lysine derivative that halts melanin pathways triggered by UV or inflammation (PIE/PIH).
Green Tea Extract
Camellia SinensisRich in Epigallocatechin Gallate (EGCG), a potent polyphenol that neutralizes reactive oxygen species (ROS) and downregulates inflammatory cytokines to protect the skin from UV-induced DNA damage.
Licorice Root
Glycyrrhiza GlabraContains Glabridin and Licochalcone A. These compounds provide a dual-action mechanism: they inhibit tyrosinase to prevent pigment formation and offer potent anti-inflammatory relief for sensitive skin.
Bearberry Extract
Arctostaphylos Uva-UrsiA natural source of Arbutin. It functions as a botanical skin brightener by interfering with the oxidation of L-DOPA, making it a safe and effective treatment for melasma and age spots.
Botanical & Antioxidant Archive ↓
Mulberry Extract
Rich in Mulberroside F, which inhibits tyrosinase activity and protects against oxidative stress.
Aloe Vera
Polysaccharide-rich botanical that facilitates dermal wound healing and increases collagen cross-linking.
Sunflower Seed Oil
High in Linoleic acid; restores the skin barrier and prevents transepidermal water loss (TEWL).
Tocopherol
Pure Vitamin E; a lipophilic antioxidant that protects cell membranes from lipid peroxidation.
Ceramide NP
Skin-Identical LipidA pure monoisotopic ceramide that reinforces the natural lipid barrier. It integrates into the intercellular spaces of the stratum corneum to prevent transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and shield against environmental irritants.
Hyaluronic Acid
Sodium HyaluronateUtilizes a multi-weight complex (HMW, NMW, LMW). High-weight molecules form a protective moisture film on the surface, while low-weight molecules penetrate deeper to hydrate the dermal-epidermal junction.
Panthenol
Pro-Vitamin B5A potent alcohol analogue of Vitamin B5. It acts as both a humectant and a therapeutic agent, accelerating re-epithelialization and significantly reducing erythema (redness) induced by chemical peels or UV exposure.
Clinical Hydration Archive ↓
Squalane
A stable, saturated hydrocarbon that mimics skin sebum. It provides exceptional emollience without being comedogenic.
Betaine
An osmolyte (Trimethylglycine) that manages water balance in cells, protecting them from environmental osmotic stress.
Allantoin
A keratolytic agent that increases the water content of the extracellular matrix, promoting cell proliferation and healing.
Sodium PCA
A major component of the skin's Natural Moisturizing Factor (NMF). Extremely hygroscopic, it pulls moisture into the skin.