Five ingredients worth knowing
What the numbers on our labels mean, and where more stops being better.
By the Fogline team · May 28, 2026 · 6 min read
We print the percentage of each key ingredient on the front of the bottle. A name without a number does not tell you much. But numbers can mislead too: for most ingredients there is a useful range, and going past it mostly adds the chance of irritation.
Niacinamide: 2% to 5% is plenty
Vitamin B3 helps with the look of shine, pores and uneven tone. Most of the research uses 2% to 5%. Clear Day Serum uses 5%. Much higher amounts are common in stores, but they make a warm flush more likely without clear extra benefit.
Hyaluronic acid: the size matters more than the number
Hyaluronic acid holds water. Around 1% to 2% is typical, and using two sizes of the molecule spreads the water across the surface and just below it. Always seal it in with a cream, especially in dry winter air.
Ceramides: a balance, not a race
Skin's barrier is a mix of ceramides, cholesterol and fatty acids. Creams that include all three tend to feel better on dry skin than ones that shout a single big ceramide number.
Zinc oxide: what makes a mineral sunscreen
Zinc oxide covers both UVA and UVB. Higher amounts give more protection but can leave more of a white cast. The SPF number on the label is what to compare, not the percentage of zinc.
Glycerin: the quiet workhorse
It is cheap, it is everywhere and it works. Glycerin pulls water into skin, and you will find it in nearly every product we make.
This article is general information about skincare, not medical advice. If you have a skin condition or a reaction that does not settle, please talk to a pharmacist, doctor or dermatologist.
