Adding an Active to Your Skincare Routine
Actives are skincare products with active ingredients. While your face wash, toner, and moisturizer all have active ingredients too, an active has a higher concentration. If you have a skincare goal you want to meet, an active will help get you there. Basically, it enhances the benefits of your skincare routine.
The most common type of active is a serum. The active ingredients in a serum are delivered by small molecules in lightweight formulas, so they penetrate deep into the skin and get to work.
You can refer back to week 2’s guide, Building A Basic Skincare Routine, to remind you where to apply a serum in your routine, but generally, you want to use your skincare products from thinnest to heaviest.
To apply your active, pat it onto your face, working it into your skin.
The Best Actives for Every Skin Type
Here are the best active ingredients for every skin type, along with some
of my favorite serums to try.
Dry Skin
Ingredients to look for:
- Hyaluronic acid
- Vitamin C
- Ceramides
- Squalene
- Glycerin
- Aloe
- Plant stem cells
- Antioxidants
Combination
Ingredients to look for:
- Hyaluronic acid
- Vitamin C
- Ferulic acid
Acne
Ingredients to look for:
- Retinoids
- Mandelic acid
- Salicylic acid
- Willow bark extract
- Zinc
- Niacinamide
- Sulfuric acid
- Phytic acid
Oily
Ingredients to look for:
- Salicylic acid
- Niacinamide
- Mushroom extract
- Retinol
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin C
- Jojoba oil
- Hyaluronic acid
Sensitive
Ingredients to look for:
- Vitamin E
- Green tea extract
- Ceramides
- Propolis
- Niacinamide
- Aloe
- Hyaluronic acid
Normal
Ingredients to look for:
- Lactic acid
- Glycolic acid
- Hyaluronic acid
- Vitamin C
Versed Just Breathe Clarifying Serum
Best for: Acne-prone, Oily
Key ingredients:
- Willow bark extract – A natural source of salicylic acid
- Niacinamide and zinc – A duo that soothes inflammation and redness
Price: $19.99
Why I Love It: This clarifying serum decongests pores and balances sebum production, all while calming inflamed skin.
GOOPGLOW 20% Vitamin C + Hyaluronic Glow Serum
Best for: Normal, Dry, Combination, Oily, and Acne-Prone
Key ingredients:
- L-ascorbic acid – To brighten and smooth the skin
- Hyaluronic acid – Hydrates your skin at a deeper level
- Kakadu plum – Rich in free-radical-fighting antioxidants
Price: $125
Why I Love It: This serum contains two skincare powerhouses and it corrects a wide range of issues, from dullness and dryness to signs of aging.
Cocokind Ceramide Barrier Serum
Best for: Sensitive
Key ingredients:
- Ceramides and lipids – These ingredients are key to restoring a healthy skin barrier
Price: $20
Why I Love It: This serum has healing ingredients to help restore the skin barrier’s and reduce irritation.
Inkey List Tranexamic Acid Hyperpigmentation Treatment
Best for: Normal, Dry, Combination, Oily
Key ingredients:
- Tranexamic acid – Reduces dark spots and hyperpigmentation
- Acai berry extract – Evens skin tone and fights signs of aging
- Vitamin C – Brightens skin and repairs damaged cells
Price: $14.99
Why I Love It: This overnight treatment is as effective as super pricy serums with similar ingredients at a fraction of the price.
Beautycounter Countertime Tripeptide Radiance Serum
Best for: Normal
Key ingredients:
- Retinatural complex – A proprietary blend that combines Swiss Alpine rose and bakuchiol to fight aging without the irritation of retinol
- Tripeptide – Boosts visible firmness and minimizes lines and wrinkles
- Amino Acids – Protects skin from environmental stress
Price: $79
Why I Love It: If you’re concerned about signs of aging, this rejuvenating serum has you covered. It hydrates, fights free radicals, and leaves your skin radiant.
Herbivore Cloud Jelly
Best for: Normal, Dry, and Combination
Key ingredients:
- Tremella mushroom – A natural alternative to hyaluronic acid that leaves skin deeply hydrated
- Vegan collagen – To moisturize and nourish the skin
- Strawberry extract – Delivers antioxidants to brighten the skin
Price: $48
Why I Love It: This unique serum hydrates and plumps, all while leaving the skin super soft.
Inkey List Polyglutamic Acid Hydrating Serum
Best for: Dry
Key ingredients:
- Polyglutamic acid complex – A super hydrator that doubles as a makeup base
Price: $14.99
Why I Love It: This serum smooths and plumps to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Biossance Squalane + 10% Lactic Acid Resurfacing Night Serum
Best for: Acne-Prone
Key ingredients:
- Vegan lactic acid – Smooths overnight so you can wake up to radiant skin
- Clover – Resets skin from environmental stressors
- Squalene – For weightless, long-lasting moisture
Price: $62
Why I Love It: This is a serum that’s especially well-suited for those with uneven texture and acne; the lactic acid gently exfoliates without irritating the skin.
