We all know the importance of a good skincare routine. Taking you from AM to PM, cleansing and preparing your skin for the day before washing it away before bed, an effective multi-step regime is a must for maintaining healthy, glowing skin.
But when it comes to getting the most from your cleansers, creams and everything in between, selecting products with ingredients best suited to your skin type, concerns and goals is key.
So, whatever your preferred combination of skincare staples, one thing is certain – it’s all about the actives.
What are active ingredients in skincare?
The term ‘active ingredients’ refers to those that target specific skincare concerns, whether dark spots or dehydration, by interacting with the skin. These differ from inactive ingredients, including fragrances or preservatives, which do not directly provide skincare benefits but support the product overall.
Although the active ingredients to look out for will depend on your personal skincare needs, some stand out for their skin-boosting benefits, from maximizing moisture in the skin to banishing blemishes – let's get into which to look out for and why.
Top skincare ingredients to include in your routine
Hydrating skincare ingredients
For instant hydration, combine humectants (hydrating ingredients) such as hyaluronic acid and niacinamide, which attract moisture to the skin, with emollients such as squalane, which helps protect the skin barrier and prevent moisture loss.
Anti-aging skincare ingredients
Retinoids such as retinol work by increasing cell turnover and boosting collagen production, helping to rejuvenate the skin and reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles.
The plant-based alternative bakuchiol can be less irritating, making it a good option for sensitive skin, but if it’s an improvement in firmness and texture you’re after, seek peptides to help boost collagen and elastin within the skin.
Clearing and brightening skin care ingredients
For skin clearing, think chemical exfoliants. AHAs (alpha-hydroxy acids), such as glycolic acid, work on the surface of the skin, helping to slough away dead skin cells and even skin tone and texture, while BHAs (beta-hydroxy acids) like salicylic acid work deeper into the skin, unclogging pores, boosting cell turnover and helping to balance oil production.
Retinoids such as retinol can also be beneficial, helping to prevent blocked pores and fading dark spots, while vitamin C helps to brighten the skin and reduce pigmentation for a clearer, glowing complexion.
How to layer skincare ingredients for the best results
For ingredients to penetrate the skin most effectively, products should be applied in order of the thinnest consistency to the thickest, allowing them to be properly absorbed by the skin, with water-based products applied ahead of heavier, oil-based formulations.
When layering products, the active ingredients they contain should also be considered. Skin-soothers such as peptides, hyaluronic acid and niacinamide can be applied between more irritating actives such as retinol, AHAs and BHAs to help minimise side effects such as redness and sensitivity.
This can help those with sensitive skin to tolerate these powerhouse ingredients and experience their benefits.
Common skincare ingredient mistakes to avoid
Understanding your skin type and selecting formulations based on its needs is key for achieving your skincare goals, for example, approaching irritating actives with caution if you’re prone to sensitivity.
It’s also important to consider the potency of some ingredients and the lasting effects they have on the skin – retinoids, AHAs and BHAs can lead to increased irritation and dryness when used in combination and increase your sensitivity to other ingredients.
To minimize this risk, begin by using these products separately, starting with low concentrations and increasing strengths over time as your skin’s tolerance increases.
These irritating actives can also increase your skin's sensitivity to sunlight, so apply SPF to help protect the skin and minimize the harmful effects of sun exposure.
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