Active ingredients — like vitamin C, exfoliating acids, and niacinamide — are the workhorses of your entire skin-care routine. They are like the star quarterback in high school or the person who did all the group project work. Without them, the products you slather on may not do as much — so if you want to make a real difference in your skin, they’re especially important to include in your regimen.
“An active ingredient refers to an ingredient that is responsible for an intended outcome, result, or effect within a product,” says Marisa Garshick, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City. “They are important because they refer to the main ingredients that we consider important in a skincare regimen.”
Dr. Garshick says that face serums are the best way to maximize your active ingredient budget. These products contain high concentrations of active ingredients in small molecule sizes, which can easily penetrate the skin. This means that they are likely to give you quicker results than other parts of your regimen. “Because serums are lightweight and absorb easily, they can effectively deliver key ingredients into your skin,” she says.
When deciding which actives to add to your routine, you’ll want to consider your primary goals. You want to brighten dullness. Even out your skin tone? Reduce irritation? Chances are, there’s an active ingredient to address whatever complexion concern(s) you’re dealing with, and the good news is you don’t have to choose just one of them. “It is okay to layer serums, though typically it is best to layer from thinnest to thickest,” says Dr. Garshick.
That said, you’ll want to make sure to choose actives that play nicely together. “It’s also important to know what the active ingredients are in your skincare to ensure you are not combining too many or ones that are not meant to be used together,” says Dr. Garshick.
Combining too many intense actives can sensitize your skin, so it’s important to alternate the timing when you’re applying each one—for example, stick to vitamin C or niacinamide in your a.m. routine, and use exfoliating acids more sparingly (generally 2-3 nights per week). “In general, it is best to avoid combining serums that contain exfoliating acids and retinoids as this can lead to irritation,” adds Dr. Garshick. Glow Recipe’s products have been carefully designed to work in harmony, so you can choose your favorite synergistic combinations.
Now that you know why you need active ingredients, we’ve broken down exactly what the most common ones do. Continue scrolling to find the right one (or two or three) for your needs.
The Active Ingredient is: Alpha and beta Hydroxy Acids
What it is: Even out texture
How it works Alpha- and beta-hydroxy acids — which you’ll often see listed on labels as AHAs and BHAs — serve as chemical exfoliants that work by melting the “glue” (aka breaking down cellular bonds) that holds dead skin cells to the surface of your complexion. These acids can improve skin texture, fight dullness and make your complexion more radiant. They are available in our Strawberry Smooth AHA+BHA SerumYou can use them in our, where they clear pores and help to decongest skin, as well Strawberry BHA Pore Smooth Blur Drops. This hybrid formula uses BHA to clear pores over time while rice and tapioca instantly blot away oil for a soft focus finish. They can also be used to prepare skin for seamless makeup application. The following are some examples of how to get started: Double the benefit of blurring makeup primer.
How it works Alpha- and beta-hydroxy acids — which you’ll often see listed on labels as AHAs and BHAs — serve as chemically exfoliants that work by melting the “glue” (aka breaking down cellular bonds) that holds dead skin cells to the surface of your complexion. These acids can also improve skin texture and tone, reduce dullness and make your skin more radiant. They are available in our Strawberry Smooth AHA+BHA Serum.
The Active Ingredient is: Vitamin C
What it is: Brightening and even skin tone
How it works Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that any dermatologist will tell you. The following are some of the ways to get in touch with us. most important ingredients you can use in your A.M. routine — second only to SPF. “Not only does it work to brighten the skin and help brighten discoloration, but it also serves as an antioxidant to fight against free radical damage that can occur throughout the day from environmental stressors,” says Dr. Garshick.” It can be used by all skin types and is especially helpful for those looking to help with the signs of skin aging.” You can find it in our Guava Vitamin C Dark Spot Serum, where it’s paired with tranexamic acid (another powerful brightening agent) and guava.
The Active Ingredient is: Hyaluronic acid
What it is: Hydrate and plump
How it works Hyaluronic acid acts like a sponge, drawing moisture beneath the surface of your skin and locking it in — it’s famous for being able to hold up to 1,000 times its weight in water. It can plump up the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines by hydrating your skin. All skin types will benefit from using an HA serum. Naturally, we’re big fans of the stuff, and you can find it in everything from our Watermelon glow Hyaluronic Pore-Tight Clay Facial We are a team of professionals who can help you. Plum Plum Hyaluronic Serum.
The Active Ingredient is: Niacinamide
What it is: Reduce irritation, redness and discoloration
How it works A do-it-all ingredient, niacinamide soothes irritation, reduces redness, boosts moisture, strengthens the skin barrier, provides antioxidant protection, and evens out discoloration — phew. Dr. Garshick states that niacinamide is particularly beneficial for those with sensitive or dry skin. It can also be used in conjunction with other actives to minimize irritation. It is paired with mica-free luminous creams to provide both immediate and long-term brightness in our Watermelon glow Niacinamide dew drops.
The Active Ingredient is: Ceramides
What it is: Strengthening the skin barrier
How it works Ceramides can be referred to by many as the “building blocks” of our skin. They are crucial for maintaining the integrity of your skin barrier. “This can be especially important for those with dry or sensitive skin to help restore the skin barrier to help keep moisture in and keep external irritants out,” says Dr. Garshick. There are not just one or two, but actually five different types of ceramides. Avocado Ceramide Recovery Serum.
The Active Ingredient is: Retinol
What it is: Smooth, firm and smooth skin
How it works Retinol has been proven to be an effective active ingredient. That’s because it’s able to speed up skin cell turnover — helping skin shed dead skin cells for a smoother texture — as well as stimulate collagen production, keeping it firm. What is the downside? It can cause irritation. While we don’t have a retinol serum in our lineup, you can find it in our Avocado Melt Retinol Eye Cream. We combine it with soothing ingredients like avocados and niacinamide. And if you’re using a prescription retinoid for your whole face, no sweat — just offset its effects with a moisturizer like Plum Plum Hyaluronic Cream.
Find out more about the most effective active ingredients.