Ar
Arginine
Arginine
An amino acid used to gently balance a formula's pH and to soften skin feel, often as a milder alternative to harsher pH adjusters.
What it does
Arginine is a naturally occurring amino acid. In formulas it commonly serves to neutralize acids and bring pH into the target range, and it contributes a conditioning, water-binding quality. It is a gentle, multi-purpose helper ingredient rather than a headline active.
Also known as
l-arginine
Browse all 668 ingredients — grouped by what they do, each with whatever evidence we can cite.
This page is public so a shared ingredient card always has its sources behind it — and so you can check them without an account.
Want more like this?
Every evidence-based flag cites its source, Drop tells you when your routine is complete, and it helps you simplify — instead of selling you more. The app launches on iOS and Android in October 2026. Rate my routine works today at /rate — no sign-in.