When To Use Actives (& When Not To)
The short answer: use actives when you have a clear concern, start at a frequency your skin tolerates, and pause them whenever your skin can’t handle them comfortably.
Good times to use actives
- You have one clear goal, such as dark spots, acne marks or dryness.
- Your skin barrier feels comfortable: no stinging, tightness or flaking.
- You can wear sunscreen every morning, especially for brightening.
Times to pause
- After sunburn, or when skin is red, raw or peeling
- On broken skin, or right after waxing, threading or facial treatments
- During a flare-up of irritation or sensitivity
- If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, check with your doctor before starting new actives
How to start
- Patch test on a small area for a couple of days.
- Add one new active at a time, so you know what your skin is reacting to.
- Begin slowly, a few times a week, then build up as your skin settles.
- Support the barrier with a gentle cleanser and a moisturiser.
Working or irritating?
Working looks like gradual change over weeks: a more even tone, smoother texture, skin that feels comfortable. Irritation looks like stinging that lingers, redness, flaking or new breakouts. If you see the second, scale back and let your skin recover.
Barrier first
A healthy barrier is what lets actives do their job. That’s why our routine pairs a non-stripping cleanser and a ceramide moisturiser with a targeted serum, and why each formula includes calming agents.
This article is for education only and is not medical advice. For persistent or severe skin concerns, please see a dermatologist.
