What are actives in skin care?

Actives in skincare refer to ingredients that have a specific purpose or function beyond just moisturizing or providing a temporary cosmetic effect. These ingredients are typically added to skin care products in higher concentrations to provide targeted benefits for specific skin concerns.

You have heard of cosmetic active ingredients. With different virtues for the skin of the face, body, or hair, these ingredients are ideal for maintaining or regaining healthy, soft, radiant, and well-hydrated skin.

What exactly is a cosmetic active ingredient? How to use a cosmetic active? What are the different cosmetic active ingredients and what are their benefits? The Champs-Élysées clinic tells you everything in this comprehensive advice guide.

What is cosmetic active?

Cosmetic active ingredients are the ingredients present in cosmetic treatment. Each active ingredient has specific properties on the skin of the face, body, or hair. Cosmetic active ingredients are therefore used in the manufacture of cosmetic products to solve targeted skin problems.

There are cosmetic active ingredients intended to restore radiance to the skin, moisturizing active ingredients, sebum regulators, or even anti-aging. Cosmetic active ingredients are very often molecules, proteins, and extracts drawn from natural products, such as plants (plants, algae, vegetables, fruits, cereals, etc.). Derived from natural and sometimes organic products, these active ingredients are safe for our skin tissues and our hair. If they are correctly applied.

How to use a cosmetic active?

Cosmetic active ingredients are never used pure, directly on the skin or hair. These products are soluble in water or oil. They must therefore be incorporated into the fatty phase (such as an oil or butter) or the aqueous phase (water) of cosmetic products.
The addition of a preservative in cosmetic products is also strongly recommended, to prevent the proliferation of bacteria. Note that applying a pure cosmetic active ingredient does not provide better efficacy. Quite often, an undiluted application can even lead to undesirable effects, such as redness or irritation.

What are the moisturizing cosmetic active ingredients?

• Moisturizing active ingredients bring water to the skin and hair. They also help our body retain water better, in order to keep skin supple and plump:

• Hyaluronic acid;

• Plant collagen;

• Glycerol;

• Rice protein;

• Silk protein;

• Cucumber extract;

• Aloe vera gel;

• Mallow extract;

• Orchid extract;

• Urea;

• Keratin;

• Ceramides.

What are the sebum-regulating cosmetic active ingredients?

• The following active ingredients are ideal for oily skin and dilated pores:

• Ferulic acid;

• Allantoin;

• Zinc;

• Sage ;

• Niacinamide.

What are the anti-aging cosmetic active ingredients?

• The signs of aging can be reduced thanks to multiple cosmetic active ingredients. These agents also have an antioxidant action, which makes it possible to treat the skin in advance, before the first wrinkles and fine lines appear:

• Hyaluronic acid;

• Ferulic acid;

• glycollic acid;

• Plant collagen;

• bakuchiol;

• Salicylic acid;

• Caffeine;

• The Q-10.

What are the illuminating cosmetic active ingredients?

The active ingredients with an illuminating effect make it possible to obtain a fresh and radiant complexion:

Alpha-arbutin acid;

Lactic acid;

Hyaluronic acid;

citric acid;

Caffeine;

Resveratrol.

You have understood it: cosmetic active ingredients have many virtues. Incorporated into your oils, serums, gels, treatments, and creams, they have soothing, detoxifying, moisturizing, purifying, or antioxidant properties.

Powerful and with recognized efficacy, these natural extracts can be in the form of powder, oil, or liquid solution. Are you looking for treatments loaded with concentrated cosmetic active ingredients? Organic solutions? Discover all our cosmetic products as well as our clinic treatments.