If you’re the type who goes through the components of your concealers, serums, and creams, you’ve probably encountered the term “active ingredient” one way or another. But what are these active ingredients, and what are their effects on the beauty products you use?
Simply put, active ingredients are compounds that target specific concerns, especially those involving your skin. These concerns range from dryness and acne to wrinkles and eczema. Most of these active compounds can be found in natural ingredients, which are often favored due to their lack of synthetic chemicals as well as their low environmental impact.
Needless to say, active ingredients can be highly beneficial regardless of whether you have skin conditions or not. To illustrate, here’s a quick guide on active ingredients, how they work in your favorite beauty essentials, and why they’re worth advocating for if you yourself work in the beauty industry.
An Overview of Active Ingredients
As mentioned above, active ingredients are ingredients that are added to a product to address specific bodily concerns. In a nutshell, they provide the benefit that a certain product supposedly has. Although these “actives” undergo chemical processes, they remain largely intact in the final product albeit in a slightly different form. Often, the active ingredients in reliable skincare products are rigorously lab-tested to ensure their efficacy and safety for general use.
That said, differences in formulation and concentration may lead to varying effects on your skin. Some active ingredients might be unsuitable for certain skin types, especially if the solution is not formulated correctly. As such, it’s best to do thorough research on your beauty essentials and ask your doctor about the best products if you have a specific condition or have sensitive skin.
Common Active Ingredients in Beauty Products
Products with active ingredients are highly recommended for those who aim to manage or correct flaws and blemishes. But even if you just want to improve your skin’s glow and overall health, it would still do you good to opt for products with active ingredients. Some of the common ones include:
Vitamin A and Retinol
Vitamin A, specifically its derivative retinol, is known for its anti-aging properties as well as its capacity to treat clogged pores and acne. It’s also great for promoting skin renewal as well as correcting skin pigmentation. Retinol can be typically found in serums and moisturizers, particularly those for dry and sensitive skin.
Hyaluronic Acid
Hyaluronic acid is a water-based ingredient known for moisturizing your skin, making it a great choice for those with dehydrated skin, eczema, wrinkles, and fine lines. A naturally occurring compound in the body, hyaluronic acid is a good choice if you want to keep your skin plump and hydrated throughout the day.
Alpha-Hydroxic Acids (AHAs)
AHAs are excellent exfoliants that remove your dead skin cells, which leaves your skin firmer and smoother than before. Generally, these ingredients are great for treating age spots, fine lines, and irregular pigmentation. Although they normally have no adverse effects on sensitive skin, it’s best not to apply AHAs on open or chapped skin. AHAs come in various forms such as mandelic, lactic, and glycolic acids.
Ceramides
Ceramides are active ingredients that build a “barrier” that prevents moisture loss and protects your skin from pollutants and toxins. Essentially, ceramides are lipids or fatty acids that occur naturally and are used to treat dry skin, eczema, irritation, and psoriasis.
Niacinamides
Known as the “inflammation buster,” niacinamide is a versatile ingredient that can help you deal with itchy patches, rashes, and bumps. A Vitamin B3 derivative, niacinamide also has antioxidant properties that can help treat hyperpigmentation and acne. Moreover, niacinamide is instrumental in encouraging the production of emollients that keep the skin healthy and glowing.
Vitamin C
Found in many fruits and vegetables, Vitamin C is rich in antioxidants that can brighten up your skin. It also protects the skin from ultraviolet (UV) damage from the sun, making it a key ingredient in boosting the effectiveness of sunscreen products. In skincare formulations, it’s ideal to opt for cosmetic-grade, stabilized Vitamin C to prevent adverse reactions with other chemicals.
Other active ingredients worth mentioning are Vitamin E (antioxidant-rich, reduces scarring), Beta-Hydroxic Acid (BHA) or salicylic acid (exfoliates your skin and is great for breakouts and blemishes), and peptides (boosts collagen production).
Medium-Chain Triglycerides (MCTs)
Though medium-chain triglycerides are more commonly known as active ingredients in products like health supplements, they have also become more popular as skincare ingredients. As an active ingredient, it plays the role of adding a breathable layer onto the skin and trapping moisture in. It can also be used as an emollient, or an active ingredient that soothes the skin and leaves it with a comforting silky-soft feel.
Mixing Active Ingredients Together
Most of the time, it’s safe enough to use more than one active ingredient at a time. For example, a combination of Vitamin C and hyaluronic acid can produce desirable effects on your skin. However, some ingredients cannot be mixed together since they might lead to harsh reactions. Other ingredient combinations to watch out for include BHA and AHA, benzoyl peroxide and retinol, AHA and retinol, and benzoyl peroxide and vitamin C.
Regardless of whether you plan to mix ingredients together or not, it’s also a good idea to opt for low concentrations of an ingredient if it’s your first time using them. Less than 5 percent is usually the ideal concentration level for first-timers, although AHAs are also safe in concentrations of 5 to 10 percent. It would also be a good idea to layer skincare products from thinnest to thickest, as water-based ingredients need to be absorbed by your skin and must not be repelled by oil-based solutions.
A Final Word
With all that being said, it’s important to remember a few things before using beauty products with active ingredients. First, you need to understand your skin fully: its sensitivities, type, and other concerns. You would also want to pay attention to the concentration levels and inactive ingredients in a product that you might be allergic to. To assess potential reactions, a patch test would usually suffice. Or better yet, you can consult your dermatologist for the best formulas and ingredients for your skin.
Overall, active ingredients serve as crucial elements that could significantly improve your skin health and appearance. Still, it’s always a good idea to be careful in selecting your beauty products. To be safe, make sure to use those that have gone through ethical manufacturing and comprehensive testing to produce top-notch yet sustainable products that care for your skin. The same values apply if you own a beauty business or work in the skincare industry and want these benefits to be experienced by your skincare customers.
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