What Are Skincare Actives and What Do They Do?

In today’s skincare world, it seems there’s a new trend every day - and active ingredients are certainly one that keeps cropping up.  

Well, here at Absolute Collagen, we’re all about giving you the lowdown on the latest skincare crazes. That’s why we’ve pulled together this article to explain everything you need to know about skincare actives, including what active ingredients are, as well as which ingredients are best for skincare.

Let’s get started!

What are active ingredients?

Active ingredients is a catch-all phrase for vitamins and acids that target specific skin concerns. 

Prone to dry or oily skin? Well, you’ve likely come across skincare actives and are already aware of their nourishing benefits. But even if you’re just starting your skincare journey, active ingredients are added to lots of different creams and serums, so they may be sitting on your vanity table without you even knowing!

While skincare products containing active ingredients are great for boosting the benefits of everyday moisturisers, they’re best used in serum form. That’s because active ingredients can sink deeper into your skin as a serum, meaning you get a more targeted treatment for your skin woes.

What active ingredients should I use for my skin?

Whether you have acne-prone or dry skin, there’s an active ingredient out there that can help soothe your skin. 

We’ve got five different active ingredients for you here, each used for a different skin concern, so you can find the best ones for your routine. 

1. Vitamin C

Looking for active ingredient skincare that treats uneven and dull skin? Look no further, as vitamin C is the answer. 

Vitamin C adds an extra layer of protection from sun and environmental harm, two of the biggest causes of dull and uneven skin. Using this skincare active as part of your routine can help even out your complexion and bring a youthful glow to your skin as well! 

While skincare with this active ingredient does have protective properties from the sun, it shouldn’t be used as a replacement for an SPF. That means you should still be topping up your SPF throughout the day.

2. Hyaluronic acid

Up next, we have one of the best active ingredients for dry skin textures – hyaluronic acid! 

Whether your skin is naturally dry, or the bitter chill of winter has left your skin feeling drier than usual, hyaluronic acid is a great skincare active to restore a bit of that moisture. You may even notice a more plump skin texture when you start using this active ingredient as well.

Hyaluronic acid can hold up to 1000x its weight in water! So, you only need to apply a thin layer of this skincare active, and you’ll have all that moisture sitting pretty on your skin. As a gentle skincare acid, it’s safe to apply twice a day as part of your regular routine.

3. Retinol

If you have acne-prone skin and are looking to tailor your active ingredient skincare routine to soothe the outbreaks, then retinol is for you. 

Retinol helps remove the dead skin cells, dirt, and oil clogging up your pores that can cause spots. What’s more, retinol can get deeper into the skin to help stimulate cell turnover, meaning you’re left with smoother skin as well.

Now, this active ingredient is a bit harsher on the skin than others, but that doesn't mean it’s unsafe – you just need to introduce it to your skincare routine slowly! Start by using it once every three days, and if you don’t notice any irritation, you can go to every other day. Then, when your skin has had a chance to get used to it, you can go up to using it every day. 

4. Bakuchiol

While we believe the story wrinkles and fine lines tell is a thing of beauty, we know you may still be looking to minimise their appearance – enter bakuchiol! 

Coming all the way from India, where it starts as a small, purple plant, bakuchiol is smoothing the faces of people all over the world now. Again, it’s the antioxidant properties we have to thank here - they target free radicals and protect the skin from environmental harm, leaving your skin looking smooth. 

Bakuchiol is a gentle skincare active, so it’s really simple to implement into your skincare routine. Just apply it once in the morning and again in the evening, and make sure to follow with an SPF of at least 30 to get the biggest benefit.

5. Salicylic acid

Our last active ingredient for skincare is salicylic acid, and this nifty product is a dab hand at treating oily-prone skin. 

The sebum on your face might help protect your skin from damage and moisture loss, but an excess can cause an oily skin type. Salicylic acid has a similar effect on the skin as an exfoliant does, meaning it removes dead skin cells and excess sebum. So, you get all the benefits of sebum, but also help minimise the effects of excess sebum at the same time. 

Similar to retinol, salicylic acid can be irritating to certain skin types. To bring this skincare active into your routine safely, try using it twice a week at first. If there’s no sign of irritation, you can go up to once or twice a day. Just make sure to avoid around your eyes as the skin is more sensitive here.

Do Absolute Collagen skincare products include active ingredients?

Yes – our products do contain some active ingredients. In fact, some of them contain the very ones mentioned here!

Remember the skincare actives hyaluronic acid and bakuchiol? Well, you can find both of these ingredients in our very own Deep Lift Skincare products! 

Our Deep Lift Serum contains a dose of moisturising hyaluronic acid and fine line-treating bakuchiol, so you can double up on your skincare routine benefits. But it doesn’t stop there, you can explore our other products that contain plenty more nourishing skincare actives. 

Take the Deep Lift Day Cream and Night Cream, for example, which contain niacinamide. This active ingredient is great for helping to brighten the appearance of your skin’s complexion. But don’t just take our word for it, take a listen to what our Absoluters had to say!

Looking for ways to nourish your skin from the inside too? Well, our daily collagen sachets are for you! In fact, 100% of users in our clinical trial reported an improvement in the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles after just 12 weeks. 

Alternatively, if you want more skincare top tips like what order to use your skincare products or what vitamins are good for your skin, head over to our blog.