You may even use a few of them each day.
But did you know there’s one thing all these ingredients have in common?
Each is an active ingredient, targeting a specific skincare concern like aging or dry skin.
Liz DeSousa / Byrdie
Meet the Experts
What Are Active Ingredients?
Active ingredients are compounds or substances added to products to address specific skin issues.
“Every product has actives, and some have multiple,” Lal says.
“Inactive ingredients are just support staffthey are there to help the actives work and penetrate better.”
“Targeted skincare is the most effective form of skincare.”
You might experience symptoms including red, dry, peeling, or inflamed skin.
Some actives, like AHAs and retinoids, might increase your skin’s sensitivity to sunlight, Shamban explains.
If you’re ever unsure about a product or want more information before trying it (totally fair!
), schedule some time to talk with your dermatologist.
Kassir recommendsavoiding using AHAs and retinoids at the same time, as this can increase irritation and skin sensitivity.
(She recommends starting with just once or twice each week.)
Lal says it’s important to use sunscreen daily if BHAs are part of your skincare routine.
Retinol
It’s best to apply retinol at night, after cleansing, but before moisturizing.
You’ll want to avoid combining retinol with other potentially irritating ingredients like alpha- or beta-hydroxy acids.
Ceramides
Yadav recommends applying a moisturizer containing ceramides as the last step in your skincare routine.
This is because ceramides strengthen the skin barrier to help prevent water from escaping and irritants from getting in.
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Hyaluronic acid: what it is, benefits, how to use & side effects.
