There’s a lot of buzz in the skin care industry these days about ‘topical actives’.
And while some companies try to sensationalize the idea of a topical active, from a pharmaceutical perspective, active ingredients (topical or otherwise) are simply the ones that deliver some sort of pharmacological effect to skin. When related to skin care preparations in the US, the FDA approves active ingredients based on research and clinical studies. Cosmetic manufacturers must adhere to the FDA’s regulations regarding them.
When deciding whether an active ingredient in a skin care product will be beneficial to your skin, keep in mind the following:
- Are the active ingredients available in sufficient concentration to deliver benefits?
- Are the active ingredients in a formulation that will allow them to maintain their stability over time? (will the product degrade quickly?)
- Can the active ingredients penetrate the skin sufficiently to deliver benefits?
- Are the active ingredients compatible with the inactive ones? Are all the active ingredients compatible with one another?
- Do the active ingredients carry side effects?
Active ingredients include a long list such as sun filters, skin lightening agents, topical exfoliants, antioxidants, retinoids, etc.
Two popular anti-aging products with established active ingredients include MaMa Lotion and Green Cream.
MaMa Lotion contains a high concentration of malic and mandelic acids, two alpha hydroxy acids that in combination, are useful in treating acne, hyperpigmentation and improving skin texture. Green Cream contains a high dose of retinol, a Vitamin A derivative, with considerable evidence to demonstrate efficacy in improving skin texture, reversing sun damage and diminishing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
