Active Ingredients in Skincare

6 minute read

Understanding the importance of quality, active ingredients in your skincare is simple... Understanding the ingredients in your skincare? Not so much. Skimming the back of a bottle can be intimidating and attempting to decode (let alone pronounce) clinical names of ingredients is almost impossible. Add in a Google search and it can be instantly overwhelming.

If you’ve landed here after searching ‘active ingredients’ or ‘active skincare’ in the avalanche of online beauty blogs – welcome, you’ve come to the right place! Led by O COSMEDICS Creator & Founder, Maria Enna-Cocciolone, our team of Skin Experts help to bring O’s commitment to cutting-edge, industry leading formulations to life. We are dedicated to giving you access to skin-smart education empowering you to make the best choice for your skin. So, let’s get started and jump right into the active skincare ingredient deep end.

What are active ingredients in skincare and how do they work?

Imagine active ingredients in skincare like star employees who go above and beyond. Heroes in your products, active ingredients do what it takes in the skin to make what the product claims to do happen, tasked with targeting various skin conditions once applied to the skin.

When used purely, in their highest function dose, these powerful molecules are scientifically proven to make physiological changes to the structure and function of the skin. These active ingredients are added into a base formulation that allows them to enter the skin.

Remember: The skin is a protective organ designed to keep things out, so the use of ‘inactive ingredients’ (the formulation that houses the actives) and an effective delivery system (how the active ingredient gets where they need to be in the skin to make a change) require just as much care, thought and efficacy as the active ingredients themselves. O talks to the cells via biomimetic technology that mimics the cell function and optimises its activity. It uses active ingredients that have a perfect affinity with the skin to trigger cellular responses to change cell behaviour.

What active ingredients in skincare should I be using?

As Skin Experts, we recommend taking your vitamins at least in your skincare! Vitamins A, B & C ensure regular epidermal function, healthy cell turnover and healthy cell communication. It also protects from invading and scavenging free radicals both externally and internally.

Vitamin A

Most commonly known as Retinol, as well as other gentler forms like Retinoic Esters. This crucial active ingredient tells the skin and its cells what to do and makes sure it’s done properly. The conductor of the skin orchestra and a non-negotiable in almost all skincare regimes. Vital for healthy functioning cells and normal skin turnover, Vitamin A is a prerequisite when treating common skin conditions. Some include hyperpigmentation, aging, rosacea, and acne (an otherwise exhausting, uphill battle!). The form, potency, purity and delivery of Vitamin A is crucial for conducting your skin to function correctly.

At O Cosmedics, we have a wide range of Vitamin A products formulated at different strengths to suit every skin type and conditions, such as Retinoic Oil, Potent Retinol Serum (0.5%) and Retinol Concentrate (1%).

Vitamin B

The most multifaceted and hard-working form of Vitamin B is Niacinamide. Known and widely used for its immune strengthening properties, this solider cell activator ensures the skin’s immune cells are well equipped to fight off unwanted organisms and ultimately protect the skin from harm. An oil and water regulator, Niacinamide is one of the best active ingredients in skincare that helps to restore hydration levels and balance oil as well as being a powerful anti-inflammatory that lightens unwanted hyperpigmentation bringing life and vitality back into dull and devitalised skins. Similarly, the potency, purity, percentage, and delivery of Niacinamide is a crucial in determining its effectiveness.

Want to learn more about Niacinamide as an active skincare ingredient? We’ve written the ultimate guide on How To Use A Niacinamide Serum and Its Benefits! O Cosmedics offer a wide range of Niacinamide skincare products, including our best-selling B3 Plus Serum.

Vitamin C

A popular master antioxidant, Vitamin C is well known in skincare land especially with its form of L-Ascorbic Acid one of the most clinically researched active skincare ingredients, making it a routine staple for decades. Its ability to not only scavenge and neutralise the damaging effects of free radicals but also to prevent and lighten hyperpigmentation is second to none. A precursor for optimal collagen and elastin production, Vitamin C skincare products can help to reduce lines and wrinkles as well as strengthen blood vessels (capillaries) to provide a stronger skin and a brighter complexion. If you're looking to incoporate Vitamin C into your skincare routine, check out our Vitamin C Hemp Seed Oil and Pure C + BHA.

Hyaluronic Acid

Hyaluronic Acid: The buzziest of buzz words in the beauty industry, Hyaluronic Acid has long earned its place as the ultimate skin hydrator and water preserving skincare active! This active skincare ingredient is clinically proven to retain water molecules in the skin. This ensures optimal cell to cell communication and increased hydration for smoother, softer and more plump skin. O Cosmedics 3D Hyaluronic Serum and Pure Age Defiance Serum make a great addition to your skincare routine if you're looking to incorporate Hyaluronic Serum.

Ceramides

A family of lipids that are naturally occurring within skin and play an important role in barrier function. The topical application of this active skincare ingredient can help to restore compromised barriers and reduce flakiness. It also helps to deeply nourish dry skin which in turn ensures hydration levels are maintained. O Cosmedics offer a range of active skincare products formulated with ceramides, such as Youth Activating Oil-Balm, Vitamin C Hemp Seed Oil, Retinoic Oil and EFAs Max Complex.

As always, don’t forget to wear sunscreen when using active skincare products. Active ingredients like Vitamin A, AHAs, BHAs, and Vitamin C can make the skin more sensitive to UV rays, increasing the risk of sunburn, hyperpigmentation, and long-term skin damage. Sunscreen provides a protective barrier, reducing the likelihood of adverse reactions and ensuring that these potent ingredients can work effectively without causing harm. By shielding your skin from the sun's harmful rays, sunscreen helps maintain the integrity of your skin's health, enhances the benefits of active ingredients, and supports overall skin vitality.

Ready to get serious on sun protection? Find the perfect sunscreen for your skin with our comprehensive guide to choosing the best sunscreen for your skin, featuring SPF differences, benefits, and top product recommendations.

Visit an O COSMEDICS Skin Expert

The truth? Nothing will ever trump the guidance of an O Skin Expert along your skin health journey. Find your local O Clinic and book in for a face-to-face skin analysis, diagnosis and prescription. This will save your money, time, effort and ultimately skin with a prescribed plan, using the corrective active ingredients, to help achieve skin health, youth and ultimate confidence.