It can seem as though the beauty industry is shouting about a new, often unpronounceable, and supposedly miracle ingredient every other week. From Vitamin C to Ceramides, Retinol and Acids, I have done my research on what these active ingredients do for your skin. I have found some very interesting ingredients that are easy to source, and very effective. I will share my findings, and you can check out all ingredient blogs for the latest and greatest!
What are active ingredients?
Active ingredients are the ingredients contained in skin care products that work to address the skin concern the product is meant to target. Some call the “Hero” ingredients. They are the ingredients that have supposedly been scientifically proven to have the desired effect, meaning the product will do what it claims it will. Many times, the ingredients are only “traced in” for label claim and are not very active due to the very small percentage of that active ingredient.
That’s not to say that the other ingredients (the inactives) are useless; they’re often key to helping the active ingredient perform its role. If not, then it may be that the inactives are generally moisturizing or cleansing.
Below is a list of some of the active ingredients you may have heard of and what they can do for your skin.
Alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs)– AHAs are relatively gentle chemical exfoliants that exfoliate the skin by gently dissolving the bonds between surface skin cells. Not as scary as it sounds, as it allows dead skin cells to be removed and new skin cells to be generated. AHAs are often found in anti-aging products as our natural skin cell cycle tends to slow as we age, but they are also useful in addressing acne, reducing pigmentation, brightening skin tone, and giving your skin a smoother and plumper texture. Common AHAs include lactic acid (which is derived from lactose) and glycolic acid (which comes from sugar cane). These two are the most common as they’re the least likely to irritate your skin. Since AHAs don’t penetrate deep below the skin surface (because they’re water-soluble), they’re ideal for all skin types, even sensitive skin.
Beta hydroxy acids– BHAs (often known as salicylic acid) – is another form of chemical exfoliants that are perfect for treating blemish-prone skin and blackheads. Just like AHAs, BHAs also help in the removal of dead skin cells but, while AHAs are water-soluble, BHAs are oil soluble. This means that BHAs can penetrate below the skin’s surface to clear your pores of excess sebum and dirt to reduce oiliness while reducing inflammation and fighting bacteria on the skin’s surface. Salicylic acid is best for those with congested pores or oily skin. See the blog for more detail: https://www.privatelabelskincareflorida.com/blog/2020/9/2/whatnbsp-is-the-difference-between-ahas-and-bhas-what-are-used-for
Ceramides– Ceramides are lipids (fat molecules) that provide that smooth plumpness we’re always aiming for. They are found in the very uppermost layers of our skin and act as a barrier, protecting our skin from exposure to environmental stressors such as pollution, dry air, and debris. Since ceramide production becomes depleted over time, the skin barrier is weakened, so it’s important to use skin care products containing ceramides to restore your skin’s hydration and moisture, leaving your skin looking supple. Since ceramides are a natural component of the skin barrier, they’re suitable for use on all skin types. No more fine lines- hooray!
Here is a link to the blog that explains ceramides: https://www.privatelabelskincareflorida.com/blog/2020/2/25/what-you-need-to-know-about-ceramides-in-skincare-and-hair-care
Hyaluronic acid (HA)- The main reason why everyone is talking about hyaluronic acid is because of its incredible ability to hydrate the skin. It absorbs and maintains moisture within our skin, keeping it soft and (hopefully) radiant. Whilst our bodies naturally produce this moisture-binding ingredient, our skin’s natural hyaluronic acid production diminishes as we age, which is why HA is also often found in anti-aging skin care products, for those looking to retain that youthful glow.
Niacinamide- Niacinamide is adored largely because of its ability to fight inflammation. It can be used to treat acne, rosacea, and hyperpigmentation as it is particularly good at reducing redness and irritation. Aside from its anti-inflammatory properties, this vitamin B3 derivative also improves our skin’s elasticity, strengthens the outer layers of our skin, and helps to boost levels of fatty acids in our skin, leading to plumper looking skin.
If you need further information on ingredients please see our other ingredient blogs..
Peptides– Peptides link together to form proteins which are the building blocks of our skin. Since they’re small enough to penetrate the skin, peptides signal to the body that it needs to produce more collagen (and we’ve all heard of that). I recommend getting a serum or moisturizer with peptides in and applying it twice daily, under makeup or SPF.
Retinol- Retinol is a potent derivative of vitamin A and is converted to retinoic acid (the active form of vitamin A that your skin needs) after it’s absorbed into your skin. Topical retinol boosts cell turnover which promotes skin renewal, leaving you with brighter and healthier skin, whilst helping correct skin pigmentation. Retinol is loved for its acne-fighting ability, its anti-aging properties, and its skin-brightening power. Make sure you start with a product that contains the correct formulation for your skin. If your topical retinol product is too strong for your skin or you use it too often, it can be irritating, especially for sensitive skin and particularly in the sun, so be sure to either use retinol only at night or layer it with SPF during the day.
Vitamin C- Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that, when applied topically, stimulates collagen and elastin production, leading to younger-looking and firmer-feeling skin. It both protects the skin from environmental aggressors and prevents damage. It is used for skin-brightening, hyperpigmentation-correcting, and skin tone-evening as it helps to reduce scars or spots without changing your normal skin pigmentation. What a hardworking vitamin!
Vitamin E- Vitamin E naturally occurs in eight chemical forms. The most listed in skincare products are tocopheryl acetate and tocopherol. It is a potent antioxidant, so can help protect the skin from environmental pollution, and has anti-inflammatory properties which mean it is extremely soothing and calming and can prevent the signs of premature aging. Vitamin E also makes for a great moisturizer since it’s super hydrating, and it has great wound healing properties as it helps to strengthen the skin’s barrier function.
In Conclusion:
What are the most effective active ingredients for your skin? Check out all the blogs on ingredients on our website. If you have any questions about what ingredients work best together, please shoot us an email, or give us a call and we would be happy to help you with your development needs. We can guide you on your product development so that your clients get the best most effective products ensuring their loyalty to your brand and your continued success as well as ours.
We here at Private Label Skincare Florida do daily research on all the newest and latest ingredients for both skin and hair and pride ourselves on being on the cutting edge of this industry. Call us today to discuss what should go into your latest product dream.