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 directly address specific skincare concerns, such as ageing or dehydration, by interacting with processes or structures within 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 maximising 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
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Hydrating
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.
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Anti-ageing
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, while plant-based alternative bakuchiol can be less irritating, making it a good option for sensitive skin. If it’s an improvement in firmness and texture you’re after, seek peptides to spark cell activity and boost collagen and elastin in the skin.
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Clearing and brightening
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 controlling oil production.
Retinoids such as retinol can also be beneficial, helping to prevent blocked pores and fading dark spots and scarring, while vitamin C helps to brighten the skin and reduce hyperpigmentation 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 from 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. This helps to minimise side effects such as redness and sensitivity, enabling 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, whether avoiding comedogenic ingredients if you have oily skin or approaching irritating actives with caution if 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, particularly when used in high concentrations. To minimise 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 cause photosensitivity (an increased sensitivity to sunlight), so SPF is a must to protect the skin and minimise the harmful effects of sun exposure.
How to use skincare with beauty tech
If you want to take your beauty routine to the next level, beauty tech devices are the way to do it. Whether you’re amping up your anti-ageing or clearing your complexion with LED therapy, radio frequency or microneedling, the first step is to cleanse your skin before treatments to ensure maximum effectiveness.
Once cleansed, applying hyaluronic acid to the skin before and after treatments can enhance their effects, as the added hydration plumps the skin for better results. The CurrentBody Skin Hydrogel Face Mask, Microneedling Patches and Green Tea Serum are all loaded with this hero hydrator, while green tea extract has also been shown to boost the rejuvenating effects of red light therapy and accelerate results.
If radio frequency treatments are your go-to, the CurrentBody Skin Radio Frequency Conductive Gel is packed with glycerin to deeply moisturise while providing an effortless glide for comfortable treatments. Once your treatment is complete, you can continue your skincare routine as usual. So, dial up the active ingredients and invest in a beauty tech upgrade – your skin will thank you.
