HEPES
HEPES is a gentle buffering ingredient commonly used in UK skincare formulas to help maintain the ideal pH level of a product. It is valued for its ability to support the performance of other active ingredients while being kind to the skin. You’ll often find it in serums, exfoliating toners and brightening treatments.
How it works in skincare
In cosmetics and skincare HEPES functions primarily as a pH stabiliser, keeping formulations within the optimal slightly acidic range that matches the skin’s natural acid mantle. By maintaining this stable environment it helps other ingredients such as acids, retinoids and vitamin C remain effective and less likely to cause irritation. It is a synthetic buffering agent that is well tolerated, making it a popular choice in both professional and at-home peels, brightening serums and daily moisturisers across the UK beauty market.
Key benefits
- Helps maintain stable product pH
- Supports the efficacy of active ingredients
- Gentle on sensitive skin
- Improves formula longevity
- Enhances the performance of exfoliating acids
- Promotes a more even skin texture when used in resurfacing products
Best for
sensitive skin, mature skin, dull skin, uneven texture
Where it comes from
HEPES is a synthetic buffering agent derived from ethane sulfonic acid. It is produced in a laboratory and does not come directly from a plant, seed, flower or mineral source.
Products with HEPES
Not every product on UK Lips lists a full ingredient breakdown — so there may be many more formulas that contain HEPES than we can show here. These are the comparisons where we’ve confirmed it in the listed ingredients.
- SkinCeuticals A.G.E. Interrupter Advanced (48ml) SkinCeuticals
- SkinCeuticals Advanced Brightening UV Defence SPF 50 (40ml) SkinCeuticals