Active Ingredients in Skincare

There are thousands of different cosmetic products on the market, all with differing combinations of both Active and Inactive ingredients. Figuring out what your skin needs is key when putting together your ideal skincare regimen. You want effective skincare that’s tailored to your most pressing skin concerns, whether it’s the inevitable aging, dry or dehydrated skin, problematic acne skin, clogged pores, or dull or sensitive skin. To try and make your job of choosing skincare that will work for you, we have compiled a page of tried and tested key active ingredients in skincare to look for, as well as identifying what each of these key active ingredients actually does.

Skincare products can contain a variety of active ingredients, depending on their intended purpose. Here are some examples of common active ingredients in skincare:

Retinoids:  A class of vitamin A derivatives that are used to treat acne, reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and improve skin texture.

Alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs): These are chemical exfoliants that help to remove dead skin cells and unclog pores, resulting in smoother and brighter skin.

Beta hydroxy acids (BHAs): Similar to AHAs, BHAs are also chemical exfoliants, but they are oil-soluble and penetrate deeper into the skin, making them effective for treating acne and blackheads.

Vitamin C: A powerful antioxidant that helps to protect the skin from environmental damage, brighten the complexion, and stimulate collagen production.

Niacinamide: Also known as vitamin B3, this ingredient helps to strengthen the skin barrier, reduce inflammation, and regulate oil production.

Hyaluronic acid: A molecule that occurs naturally in the body, hyaluronic acid is a humectant that draws moisture to the skin, helping to keep it plump and hydrated.

Peptides: Short chains of amino acids that help to stimulate collagen production and improve the overall firmness and elasticity of the skin.

Salicylic acid: A beta hydroxy acid that is effective in treating acne by exfoliating the skin and unclogging pores.

Glycolic acid: An alpha hydroxy acid that helps to exfoliate the skin and improve skin texture and tone.

At NASCENT we bring you the best in cosmeceutical skincare. We only work with products containing key active ingredients, which are clinically proven in treating skin concerns.

We are Authorised Stockists and Certified Practitioners in the professional skincare ranges of Aspect, Aspect Dr, Aspect Minerals, Aspect Sun, Cosmedix, Cosmedix Elite, Colorescience, Dermaquest, DermaFrac, PCA skin and Societe. We sell both In-clinic and Online, and can offer consultations and advice to help you select the skincare products that will make a difference to your skin.