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Using the right products is only half the battle when caring for your skin. It’s just as important to apply those products correctly to get the best results. This is especially true regarding products containing active ingredients designed to have a specific effect on the skin.
Active ingredients are the key components of skin care products responsible for delivering specific benefits. Some common types of active ingredients include:
Common Types of Active Ingredients and Their Uses
Retinoids
Retinoids, derived from vitamin A, are often used in skin care products to reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and uneven skin tone.
- RoC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Night Cream This anti-aging hydrating cream with glycerin works through the night when the skin is believed to be most receptive. Wake up to revitalize your skin for a smoother, more radiant appearance.
- Olay Regenerist Retinol 24-Night Moisturizer OVERNIGHT MOISTURIZING MAGIC Our ultra-hydrating nighttime face moisturizer cream features Olay’s Vitamin B3/Niacinamide + Retinoid Complex
- Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Retinol Oil The perfect addition to a daily skincare routine, this anti-wrinkle retinol serum is fast absorbing and is clinically proven to reduce the appearance of stubborn and deep wrinkles, and intensely nourish and renew the look of skin
Alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs)
These are water-soluble acids often used to exfoliate the skin and improve the appearance of acne scars, uneven skin tone, and rough texture.
- Paula’s Choice 10% AHA Gel This super-concentrated exfoliating cocktail dramatically smooths away visible sun damage and other advanced signs of aging, revealing more radiant, visibly younger skin with just one use.
- Glytone Mild Gel Cleanser This oil-free cleanser is uniquely formulated with a 4.7 free acid value of Glycolic Acid. It thoroughly cleanses, exfoliates, removes makeup, and unclogs pores leaving skin soft, smooth, and revitalized.
- The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution This 7% toning solution offers mild exfoliation for improved skin radiance and visible clarity. The formula also improves the appearance of skin texture with continued use.
Beta hydroxy acids (BHAs)
Beta hydroxy acids (BHAs) are oil-soluble acids similar to AHAs but better suited for people with oily or acne-prone skin.
- Paula’s Choice 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant Paula’s Choice facial exfoliants are gentler on the delicate skin of the face & neck than an abrasive face scrub, which can cause micro-tears. A BHA leave-on exfoliator delivers hydration & can exfoliate directly inside the pore & improve how the pore works.
- Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash Pink Grapefruit Facial Cleanser Oil-free salicylic acid cleanser targets acne-fighting power deep down into pores to remove oil, leaving skin feeling fresh
- COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid Made with natural ingredients like willow bark water to maximize exfoliating and clearing benefits without irritation. It is gentle enough for everyday use.
Peptides
Peptides, which are small proteins, may be included in skin care products to stimulate collagen production and improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
- Olay Regenerist Collagen Peptide On day 1, your skin’s texture will look smooth. With two weeks of use, your skin will look and feel visibly firmer, and your fine lines and wrinkles will be less noticeable
- Paula’s Choice BOOST Peptide Booster Serum Peptide Booster serum delivers a concentrated dose of eight highly-targeted peptides, hydrating amino acids & repairing ingredients to help skin feel firmer & more resilient & reduce the appearance of fine lines.
- Neutrogena Rapid Firming Peptide Contour Lift Face Cream 1.7-ounces of Neutrogena Rapid Firming Peptide Contour Lift Face Cream to visibly improve skin elasticity and firmness while reducing the look of fine lines in just two weeks.
Vitamin C
This powerful antioxidant is often used to help protect the skin from environmental damage and improve the appearance of uneven skin tone.
- SeoulCeuticals Korean Skin Care Serum contains the same potent, active ingredients as more expensive CE Ferulic Serums
- The Ordinary Ascorbic Acid 8% + Alpha Arbutin 2% Set Includes Ascorbic Acid 8%+Alpha Arbutin 2%! Hyaluronic Acid 2%+B5! Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution.
- Paula’s Choice C15 Super Booste C15 Super Booster 15% Vitamin C with Vitamin E & Ferulic Acid diminishes visible signs of aging for smoother, brighter & firmer-feeling skin. It contains 15% stabilized vitamin C, vitamin E & peptides. Balanced pH of 3.0
Niacinamide
This form of vitamin B3 is often used to improve the appearance of uneven skin tone and the skin’s barrier function.
- Paula’s Choice 10% Niacinamide Booster Visibly reduces enlarged pores, uneven skin tone, wrinkles, fine lines, redness, dryness & other signs of aging. 10% Niacinamide & antioxidants naturally calm, hydrate & restore skin’s youthful radiance & glow.
- The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% formula is a water-based serum that boosts skin brightness, improves skin smoothness, and reinforces the skin barrier over time.
- Paula’s Choice CLINICAL 20% Niacinamide Vitamin B3 Tighten & refine the look of stretched, sagging pores caused by age or sun damage.
Hyaluronic Acid
Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring substance in the skin known for its ability to retain moisture.
- Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel Unique face moisturizer absorbs quickly like a gel, so you can wear it under makeup, but provides the long-lasting and intense moisturizing power of a cream, making it the perfect addition to your hydrating skincare routine
- Olay Calming Face Moisturizer is Inspired by hydrating Hungarian water essence, which includes essences of aloe, cucumber, and white tea to relieve dry, stressed skin
- La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Serum Two types of Pure Hyaluronic Acid & Vitamin B5. Locks in moisture help repair & plump skin in 4 hours.
Salicylic Acid
This type of BHA is often used to exfoliate the skin and improve the appearance of acne and blackheads.
- Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash Pink Grapefruit Facial Cleanser Acne-prone face wash works to cut through pore-clogging oil, allowing salicylic acid to penetrate to the source of breakouts and blackheads, unclogging congested pores and removing dirt and impurities
- Paula’s Choice 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant Paula’s Choice facial exfoliants are gentler on the delicate skin of the face & neck than an abrasive face scrub, which can cause micro-tears. A BHA leave-on exfoliator delivers hydration & can exfoliate directly inside the pore & improve how the pore works.
- COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid Formulated with 4% BHA (Betaine Salicylate), this product visibily diminishes enlarged pores and dead skin cells, replacing it with natural radiance while evening out your skin tone.
Plant-Based Extracts
Many skin care products contain plant-based extracts, such as green tea, aloe vera, or chamomile, that are believed to have various beneficial effects on the skin.
- Kiehl’s Calendula Herbal-Extract Toner This effective toner is formulated with select herbal extracts to gently cleanse and soothe normal to oily skin types without using alcohol or harsh synthetic drying agents. Calendula herbal extract toner may be used to soothe and improve problem areas.
- The Body Shop Aloe Soothing Day Cream Aloe Soothing Day Cream is like a little hug for sensitive skin, gently smoothing its way over dry patches leaving skin that feels refreshingly cool and beautifully soft.
- Bioderma Sensibio H2O Micellar Water Sensibio H2O respects skin’s hydrolipidic film by removing impurities and make-up while respecting your skin.
Minerals
Some skin care products contain minerals, such as zinc or copper, that are believed to have skin-soothing and protective properties.
- Neutrogena Sheer Zinc Dry-Touch Sunscreen, 2-fluid ounces of Neutrogena Sheer Zinc Face Dry-Touch Sunscreen Lotion with Broad Spectrum SPF 50, provides superior protection against aging UVA and burning UVB rays to help prevent sunburn
- Cetaphil Pro Dermacontrol Oil Absorbing Moisturizer Hydrates skin while leaving a matte finish.
- La Roche-Posay Anthelios Mineral Sunscreen Combines UVA/UVB filters to deliver broad spectrum SPF 50 and antioxidants to protect and provide universal tint. Combines UVA/UVB filters to deliver broad spectrum SPF 50 and antioxidants to protect and provide universal tint.
The Importance of Following Product Instructions and Starting Slowly
One common mistake people make when using products with active ingredients is applying them too heavily or too often. While it may be tempting to slather on a product in the hope
While it may be tempting to slather on a product in the hope that more is better, this can be counterproductive. Overuse of active ingredients can lead to irritation, redness, and other adverse effects, and it can also make your skin more prone to sun sensitivity.
So, how can you ensure that you apply your active ingredients correctly? Here are a few tips:
- Follow the instructions: Every product is different, and it’s important to follow the specific instructions provided by the manufacturer. This will ensure that you are using the product as intended and will help you avoid any potential issues.
- “If you are using a product with active ingredients for the first time, it’s a good idea to gradually increase your use over time to give your skin time to adjust and avoid potential irritation.
- Be consistent: To get the best results from your skincare products, it’s important to be consistent with your use. Try to use your products simultaneously daily and follow a regular skincare routine to ensure you get the most out of your products.
- Use sunscreen: Many active ingredients, such as retinoids and AHAs, can make your skin more sensitive to the sun.
Tips For Using Products With Active Ingredients Safely and Effectively
- “If you have sensitive skin, it’s a good idea to patch test any new product before using it all over your face. Apply a small amount of the product to a patch of skin on your inner arm, and wait 24-48 hours to see how your skin reacts.”
- “Use a moisturizer after applying a product with active ingredients to help hydrate and protect your skin.”
By following these guidelines, you can apply your active ingredients properly and maximize the benefits of your skincare products. By using your products as directed and maintaining a consistent routine, you can improve your skin’s overall health and appearance.
