What Are Actives in Skin Care and Why You Need Them?

If you are a beauty lover, you probably have heard of the term “actives” in skin care. But what exactly are they and why are they so important for your skin? In this blog post, we will explain what actives are, how they work, and what benefits they can offer to your skin.

What Are Actives in Skin Care?

Actives are natural ingredients that have been scientifically proven to change the structure of your skin at a cellular level. They’re the ingredients that work to repair, rejuvenate, hydrate, protect and nourish cells. Inactive ingredients, on the other hand, are synthetic ingredients used to formulate the product. They do not have any direct effect on your skin, but they can enhance the appearance and performance of the active ingredients.

Some examples of inactive ingredients are fragrances, preservatives, emulsifiers, thickeners, stabilizers, and colorants. These ingredients are essential for making a product safe, stable, and appealing to use. However, they do not provide any natural benefits to your skin.

How Do Actives Work in Skin Care?

Actives work by penetrating deep into your skin layers and interacting with your skin cells. Depending on their molecular structure and function, actives can have different effects on your skin. Some of the most common types of actives in skin care are:

AHAs: Alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) are water-soluble chemical exfoliants that remove dead skin cells from the surface of your skin. This helps to improve your skin texture, tone, brightness, and clarity. AHAs also stimulate collagen production and cell renewal. Some examples of AHAs are glycolic acid (aHA), lactic acid (pHA), citric acid (CA), malic acid (MA), tartaric acid (TA), and salicylic acid (SA).

BHAs: Beta-hydroxy acids (BHAs) are oil-soluble chemical exfoliants that dissolve excess oil and sebum from your pores. This helps to prevent acne breakouts and blackheads. BHAs also unclog pores and reduce inflammation. Some examples of BHAs are salicylic acid (SA) and benzoyl peroxide (BPO).

PHAs: Polyhydroxy acids (PHAs) are water-soluble chemical exfoliants that gently polish away dead skin cells without irritating or drying out your skin. PHAs also moisturize and soothe your skin. Some examples of PHAs are polyglutamic acid (PGA) and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP).

Niacinamide: Niacinamide is a form of vitamin B3 that has multiple benefits for your skin. It helps to regulate sebum production, reduce pore size, improve barrier function, fade hyperpigmentation, minimize pores appearance , smooth fine lines , brighten complexion , reduce redness , calm irritation , balance pH levels , enhance elasticity , strengthen collagen , protect from environmental damage , fight free radicals , boost immunity , improve sleep quality , reduce stress levels , etc.

Retinoids: Retinoids are derivatives of vitamin A that stimulate cell turnover , increase collagen synthesis , reduce wrinkles , smooth texture , fade dark spots , brighten complexion , improve elasticity , etc. Retinoids also help to treat acne by unclogging pores , reducing inflammation , killing bacteria . However retinoids can cause side effects such as dryness . peeling . sensitivity . sun sensitivity . etc. Therefore it is important to use them correctly . start low go slow . use sunscreen . moisturize . etc.

Vitamin C: Vitamin C is an antioxidant that protects your skin from free radical damage caused by environmental factors such as UV rays pollution smoke dust etc. Vitamin C also helps to boost collagen production brighten complexion fade dark spots even out tone inhibit melanin production reduce inflammation heal wounds etc. Vitamin C can be stable or unstable depending on its form . stable vitamin C does not degrade easily while unstable vitamin C degrades quickly when exposed to light heat or air Therefore it is important to choose a stable form of vitamin C such as sodium ascorbyl phosphate or magnesium ascorbyl phosphate.

We need actives in skin care because they can provide various benefits for our skin, such as repairing, rejuvenating, hydrating, protecting, and nourishing it. Actives are natural ingredients that have been scientifically proven to change the structure of our skin at a cellular level. They can help us address different skin concerns and improve our skin’s appearance and health. However, not all products contain actives, and some may contain synthetic ingredients that do not have any direct effect on our skin. Therefore, it is important to choose products that contain high concentrations of actives and avoid products that contain inactive ingredients.

Happy Skin Care!

Suggested Readings

• What Are Actives in Skin Care and Why You Need Them?
• When to Use a Face Mask in Your Skin Care Routine?
• What Is PHA and How Can It Benefit Your Skin?
• What Is Niacinamide and Why You Should Add It to Your Skin Care Routine?
• How to Cleanse Your Skin with the Right Product?
• How to Exfoliate Your Skin with Enzymes and Hydroxy Acids?
• What Is Retinol and Why You Should Use It for Your Skin?
• How to Treat Allergic Reaction to Skin Care Product?
• How Diet Can Affect Your Skin Health?
• How can I prevent wrinkles and fine lines?