Skincare Actives

What are actives in skincare?

Actives are those ingredients that play an important role in skincare. Their purpose is to target specific concerns of the skin. Like acne, dryness, ageing, and hydration.

Actives are scientifically proven and deliver real results to the skin; we call them “active ingredients”.

Why are actives important in skincare?

Actives are very powerful ingredients that target real skin problems. A normal skincare routine provides surface-level care, but when you add actives to your routine, they will work on the deep layers of your skin.

a. Active ingredient solves the specific issue: For any skin concern, there’s a particular active ingredient that works for that concern.

b. Long-term skin improvement: Using actives regularly with a proper routine provides long-term skin improvement.

c. Customized skincare routine: Everyone has a different skin type. With the help of actives, you can customize your routine based on your skin type, concerns, and goals.

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Types of skin care actives

1. Exfoliants –

Exfoliation is a method that removes dead skin cells from the surface of our skin. Exfoliation is important because dead cells pile up on the skin every day due to sweat, oil, and dirt. If they do not remove

1. Skin becomes dull

2. Pores are clogged, causing acne

3. Products aren’t absorbed properly

Q. What does exfoliation mean?

1. Boost glow

2. Skin becomes soft and even

3. Fresh and new skin appears

4. Dead cells are removed

Remember:

Sunscreen is important after exfoliation.

Don’t exfoliate your skin.

After exfoliating do moisturize your skin.

2. Hydrating actives

Hydrating actives are those skincare ingredients that attract water to our skin and make our skin plump, soft, and healthy. They also strengthen the skin barrier and reduce fine lines and dryness, increasing the tightness of skin. But firstly, we need to understand the difference between hydrating actives and moisturizer. Hydrating actives provide water to our skin, and moisturizer seals that water on the skin.

Q How to use Hydrating actives?

Use hydrating actives after cleanser before moisturizer as a serum or gel form. Must use moisturizer to lock hydration.

3. Antioxidant in skincare

Antioxidants are the bodyguards of skin. Antioxidants consist of those ingredient that protects skin from harmful molecules, which we call free radicals. Free radicals damage skin, which causes

1.Fast aging

2.Increases sun damage

3.Have pigmentation

4.Dull skin

Free radicals – free radicals are unstable molecules that form due to pollution, sun exposure, stress, and a poor lifestyle.

Q What antioxidants do?

Antioxidants neutralize free radicals by which

1. Skin is healthy

2. Collagen breakdown is slow

3. Prevent damage

4. Even skin tone

Remember – Antioxidants are light and air-sensitive, make sure to have dark bottles and airtight packaging.

4. Anti-aging actives

Anti-aging actives are powerful ingredients that help slow down of aging signs of skin. Like fine lines, wrinkles, dullness, sagging, uneven texture, and hyperpigmentation (age spots).

Although aging is a natural process but there are some factors that make it faster, such as UV rays (sun exposure), Pollution, Stress, Lack of hydration & poor skincare, Slow collagen production.

How to start using anti-aging actives?

1. For prevention, you start in mid 20s or early 30s

2. Use actives slowly in your skincare routine

3. Wear sunscreen always because one of the reasons for aging is UV rays.

5. Brightening actives

Brightening actives are those ingredients that make skin tone even, radiant, and glowing. Brightening actives work for dark spots, pigmentation, and dullness. They also help fade acne scars and sun damage marks. These actives help to clear your skin and make it fresh.

Remember –

Don’t mix too many actives at once

By consistent use, you get results in 4-6 weeks

Most brightening actives are safe for daily use.

6. Acne-fighting actives

Acne-fighting ingredients are those that treat pimples, blackheads, and whiteheads. And target acne from the roots. These actives control oil inside the skin. Fight with bacteria, clogging, and inflammation.

Q Why does acne occur?

1. Pores are clogged due to dead skin and oil

2. Growing of bacteria

3. Hormonal changes

If you start using acne-fighting actives, you need to know some points to remember

1. Firstly, do a patch test before applying any active

2. Start slow – apply 2- 3 times in a week

3. Don’t overuse actives, as it leads to dryness, purging, and redness.

7. Barrier-reinforcing actives

The skin barrier is the outermost layer of skin, which we call the stratum corneum. It means looking hydrated into the skin, protects the skin from outside from harmful bacteria, pollution, UV rays, and toxins. Protects from inflammation and infection.

When this barrier becomes weak, the skin feels dry, red, irritated, and sensitive. Barrier-reinforcing actives are ingredients that make the outer layer strong and boost the process. Due to flakiness, burning sensation, tightness, frequent breakouts, and product sensitivity our skin barrier is damaged.

Using Barrier-reinforcing actives regularly will make your skin resilient, calm, and balanced. Don’t overexpose your skin to protect it from damage. Choose fragrance-free, gentle products. Apply these actives before moisturizer and after proper cleansing. Avoid overuse of acids. Use consistently for results.

Conclusion

Using actives in skincare can be a game-changer. But it is only possible when you correctly understand their types, work, and compatibility. Every active has a specific purpose. Some work for delaying ageing signs, some work for hydration, and some work to enhance glow. In today’s world, smart skin care is not about using expensive creams, it means understanding actives properly and using them.

Skincare is not just about appearance, it is also an important part of self-care and self-love. Achieving healthy, balanced, and glowing skin is possible just by knowing proper knowledge, with patience, and using the right actives. And it is very important to use actives slowly into your skincare routine. Do a patch test before applying any actives. Don’t overuse many actives at once. Stay consistent, stay informed, and let your skin shine.