I know we’re constantly talking about active ingredients but what it does actually mean? Where can I find these ingredients, why should I incorporate them into my skincare routine and can I mix them up? It might be some of the questions that you are making to yourself.
As a beauty writer, my cabinet, bedside table, medicine cabinet and spare room (plus almost every other drawer or empty box) on my apartment is filled with skincare products… I’m a little obsessed but as I always say, it’s a part of my job to try and test different products or at least, that’s what I like to think when there is no more space for anything else.
Anyway, one thing I’ve learned during this journey is that something that works for you and your skin type might not work for someone else’s, especially when you are mixing-matching ingredients and as I don’t want you to learn the same way I did (breaking out and getting greasier than a bowl of fried rice after using a tone of different products and ingredients).
Plus with a massive range of beauty products and brands out there, promising youth and glowy skin in a bottle, sometimes it’s hard to know from where to begin, but lucky for you, I have already done the hard work for you and wanted to share the most common active ingredients you’ll find in a bottle to target every skin needs, how to use them and which ones you shouldn’t mix.
Here’s a list with the tried and tested active ingredients that you can safely use now:
Price: AUD $462
active ingredients
1. Hyaluronic Acid
If you are looking for a youthful glow let’s face Hyaluronic Acid. It’s an amazing ingredient and one of the most moisturising beauty ingredients that you can find in a bottle (one gram holds the same amount of moisture than 6 litres of water) Crazy, right? It’s good for dry skin and anti-aging, reduce the appearance of fine lines and add plumpness to create a dewy skin.
You CAN mix it with Retinol
Price: AUD $168
2. Retinol
In the last couple of years, retinol has become one of those star ingredients thanks to its vast anti-aging properties. Retinol is a vitamin A derivative that gently exfoliates the skin, plus it helps to produce collagen, perfect for acne-prone skin. A lot of products on the market contain retinol, however, if you are a newbie with this powerful ingredient, start with a small level as 0,5% and build it up according to how your skin feels.
When to use it? Nighttime under your moisturiser and don’t forget to apply SPF the next morning.
DON’T Mix it with Vitamin C
Price: AUD $39.99
3. Vitamin C
We all know how good is vitamin C and why we should eat food rich in this magic vitamin but when it comes to skincare, why should I incorporate it into my beauty routine? It’s an amazing antioxidant perfect to reduce dark spots and hyperpigmentation, plus it also has UV protective powers that go along so well with your daily SPF.
When to use it? Morning and night before applying any other moisturiser.
Mix it with vitamin E, as they both are great antioxidants they become even more powerful at protecting your skin.
DON’T use it if you have active acne
Price: AUD $59.95
4. Glycolic & Salicylic Acid
If you are from my team (oily, acne-prone skin) you’ll love glycolic and salicylic acid. While the glycolic penetrate deep into the top layer of the skin, the salicylic goes even deeper which helps to clear the skin after a week or two of using it.
When to use it? They are both very strong ingredients so you might use them at night time and don’t forget to apply SPF the next morning.
DON’T mix it with retinol at the same time to avoid dryness and irritation.
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