Common Active Skincare Ingredients and Their Benefits

When choosing the right skincare products, the ingredient list can feel overwhelming. From acids to peptides, vitamins to botanicals, each active ingredient serves a purpose in improving skin health and appearance. Here’s a breakdown of some of the most common actives and what they can do for your skin.

1. Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid, Derivatives)

• What it does: Brightens skin, evens tone, reduces the appearance of hyperpigmentation, and defends against environmental damage.
  
  
• Benefits: Antioxidant protection from free radicals, promotes collagen synthesis, and helps achieve a radiant, youthful glow.
  
  
• Best for: Dullness, uneven skin tone, fine lines, and sun damage

At CRL, we offer Liposomal Vitamin Serum in concentrations of 5%, 10%, or 20%. We made these different concentrations as a way for people with any skin type to use Vitamin C serum. 

2. Retinol (Vitamin A Derivatives)

• What it does: Speeds up cell turnover, stimulates collagen, and helps unclog pores.
  
  
• Benefits: Reduces fine lines, wrinkles, acne, and uneven texture.
  
  
• Best for: Anti-aging, acne-prone skin, and improving overall skin texture.
  
  

We offer Retinol in both Serum and Moisturizer versions. Our Age Defying Liposomal Retinol has 1% Pure Retinol in both types.

3. Hyaluronic Acid

• What it does: A humectant that draws and retains water in the skin.
  
  
• Benefits: Provides deep hydration, plumps skin, and strengthens the skin barrier.
  
  
• Best for: Dryness, dehydration, loss of firmness, and sensitivity.
  
  

One of our best sellers is our Hyaluronic Peptide Serum, it has cross-linked Hyaluronic Acid, peptides, and growth factors to deliver deep hydration and visible anti-aging results. 

4. Niacinamide (Vitamin B3)

• What it does: Supports barrier repair, regulates oil production, and minimizes inflammation.
  
  
• Benefits: Reduces redness, brightens dark spots, minimizes pore appearance, and strengthens skin resilience.
  
  
• Best for: Sensitive skin, redness, enlarged pores, and uneven tone.
  
  

5. Peptides

• What they do: Short chains of amino acids that signal the skin to produce more collagen and elastin.
  
  
• Benefits: Improves skin firmness, reduces fine lines, and enhances repair and healing.
  
  
• Best for: Aging skin, loss of elasticity, and maintaining a youthful appearance.
  
  

6. Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs – Glycolic, Lactic Acid)

• What they do: Exfoliate the skin’s surface by dissolving dead skin cells.
  
  
• Benefits: Smooths texture, brightens skin, reduces pigmentation, and improves absorption of other actives.
  
  
• Best for: Dullness, rough texture, uneven skin tone.

The Ultimate Brightening Serum and Cream contain Lactic & Glycolic Acid, aimed to exfoliate and brighten the skin.

7. Beta Hydroxy Acid (BHA – Salicylic Acid)

• What it does: Oil-soluble exfoliant that penetrates into pores.
  
  
• Benefits: Clears clogged pores, reduces blackheads/whiteheads, and helps prevent breakouts.
  
  
• Best for: Oily, acne-prone, or congested skin.
  
  

8. Tranexamic Acid

• What it does: Targets stubborn hyperpigmentation and melasma.
  
  
• Benefits: Brightens skin tone, reduces dark spots, and complements other brightening ingredients like vitamin C or niacinamide.
  
  
• Best for: Dark spots, melasma, and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
  
  

9. Ceramides

• What they do: Naturally occurring lipids that help maintain the skin barrier.
  
  
• Benefits: Locks in moisture, strengthens the skin’s protective barrier, and soothes sensitivity.
  
  
• Best for: Dry, sensitive, or compromised skin barriers.
  
  

10. Antioxidants (Green Tea, CoQ10, Resveratrol)

• What they do: Protect skin from environmental stressors like UV rays and pollution.
  
  
• Benefits: Reduce signs of aging, calm inflammation, and protect against free radical damage.
  
  
• Best for: All skin types, especially those exposed to environmental stress.