Hidden - October 10, 2021

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 Routineto 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.

Shop Here

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.

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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.

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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.

Shop Here

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.

 

Shop Here

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.

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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.

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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.

 

Shop Here

Challenge: Add a serum to your daily skincare routine!

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