IT'S ALL ABOUT actives

From alpha-hydroxy acid to retinol, we investigate the active ingredients in popular skincare products so that you know what to buy for the best results.

- SHANI TSAI

The infinite skincare world is ever-evolving, overpopulated and home to many skincare species from keen teens picking out a zit-zapper to anti-ageing afficionados who follow no fewer than 12 daily - steps and can tell their Korean from their Japanese.

And with the constant introduction of new products and techniques, skincare can (and often does) get confusing. But don't jump the skincare ship just yet! We're here to help you decode labels and understand what each active ingredient does - and which one you need.

WHAT ARE THEY?

Active ingredients in skincare products are those that provide targeted treatment for skin concerns, such as ageing, dryness, hyperpigmentation, oiliness or sun damage. They're scientifically tested and have been proven to deliver the results they promise.

In short, active ingredients are the reason a product actually does what it says it will on the packaging. Does your serum claim to keep your skin hydrated? Then hyaluronic acid may be the reason it does. But it's also worth noting that treating any kind of skin concern takes time and that results are always best when a skincare expert is consulted prior to starting a new product or routine.

Cape Town-based skincare expert Mar-Louise Bester adds that an active ingredient is "a sourced ingredient that can physically change or alter the current cells in your skin". Mar-Louise highlights that treating skin concerns with active ingredients is not a quick fix.