Active Ingredients, What’s All The Fuss About?

There are a lot of buzz words floating around that don’t always make a lot of sense to the novice or casual beauty enthusiast. Have no fear, MindBeauty is here to help you demystify and clarify all of the jargon and leave you with beautiful, better skin!

If you are new to the beauty scene (or maybe not!) you have probably heard the words “active skincare”, “active ingredients”, “Peptides”, “AHA” or “BHA”.

Quite simply, active ingredients is a term we use for the important components in your skincare that have an active biological effect when used, meaning that they actually do something and don’t just sit on the skin (like a sunscreen would).

Actives can take many forms and come from many places, they can be naturally derived like Papene in Ciencia’s amazing leave on exfoliator “Preparation8” which is extracted from the Papaya fruit. They can also be created in a lab by teams of scientists meaning that they are specifically designed, tested and optimised to treat very specific conditions, commonly found in acne treatments.

Let’s take a look at some of the most common active ingredients you’ve probably heard of!

Hyaluronic Acid (HA)

This has been a beauty go to for years now, its naturally occurring in the body but decreases as we age. It is a super hydrator that is able to hold onto may times its weight in water. Meaning your skin stays plump, soft and hydrated for longer

Peptides

These short chain amino acids link together and absorb into the skin and tell your body to produce Collagen. Collagen is the building block of your skin and more so more of it means plump skin and less wrinkles.

Retinol

This powerful derivative of Vitamin A boosts your skins metabolism (cell turnover rate) and leaves you with fresh, younger looking skin. It is also a wonder treatment for acne. Its a powerful ingredient so its best used at night and always layer with SPF to avoid redness.

AHA & BHA

Alpha Hydroxy Acid and Beta Hydroxy Acid, Their names may seem scary but they are normally naturally derived light acids that really help to gently exfoliate the skin and treat a range of ailments such as Acne, Blackheads and Keratosis Pilaris.

Vitamin C

Now you’ve definitely heard of this one! Vitamin C is an amazing blemish reducing anti-oxidant that boosts collagen production and fights redness. High concentration Vitamin C products are a beauty guru’s best kept secret (Check out Ciencia’s Vitamin8 - its a multi award winning Vitamin C serum using the highest quality Vitamin C sourced in Japan)

Vitamin E

Another amazing natural active ingredient that helps to calm problem skin, hydrate and a great anti ageing ingredient too!

Check out the MindBeauty store for some amazing active skincare products that we have personally sourced and tested just for you!