The truth about actives

The truth about actives

Dr. Jeanniton explains what really makes skincare work—and why with actives, smarter formulation beats higher concentrations. 

Not all skincare ingredients are created equal. Some are just along for the ride—stabilizing a formula, improving texture, or enhancing absorption. But actives? They’re the ones actually changing your skin.

 

So, what are actives?

 

Actives interact with skin on a cellular level, tackling concerns like hydration, hyperpigmentation, or fine lines.¹ Ideally, actives are clinically backed and have scientific studies proving their effectiveness. The right active makes the difference between a product that works and one that just sits on your skin. But just because a product contains actives doesn’t mean they’ll always work. Formulation matters.

 

More isn’t always better

 

Balance is key!

 

  • * Too much of an active can overwhelm the skin.
  • * Too little, and it’s ineffective.

 

That’s why we formulate for synergy, not excess.

 

How epi.logic formulas work smarter, not stronger

 

We take a “less of more” approach—using thoughtfully blended, lower-dose actives to deliver results without irritation. Of course, combining multiple actives brings challenges. Stability is everything. That’s why we design our formulas with:

 

  • * Clean, effective preservative systems
  • * Airless packaging when needed
  • * Ingredient encapsulation to ensure stability

    ²



Smart skincare isn’t just about what’s in the bottle—it’s about how those ingredients are delivered.

 

*Even at lower concentrations, our actives remain at clinically validated levels to ensure efficacy

 

 

 

 

¹ He X, Wan F, Su W, Xie W. Research Progress on Skin Aging and Active Ingredients. Molecules. 2023 Jul 20;28(14):5556. doi: 10.3390/molecules28145556. PMID: 37513428; PMCID: PMC10385838.

Kouassi MC, Grisel M, Gore E. Multifunctional active ingredient-based delivery systems for skincare formulations: A review. Colloids Surf B Biointerfaces. 2022 Sep;217:112676. doi: 10.1016/j.colsurfb.2022.112676. Epub 2022 Jun 30. PMID: 35797773.

Nolan KA, Marmur ES. Over-the-counter topical skincare products: a review of the literature. J Drugs Dermatol. 2012 Feb;11(2):220-4. PMID: 22270206.

 

² Casanova F, Santos L. Encapsulation of cosmetic active ingredients for topical application--a review. J Microencapsul. 2016 Feb;33(1):1-17. doi: 10.3109/02652048.2015.1115900. Epub 2015 Nov 26. PMID: 26612271.

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