An "active ingredient" in skincare (or medicine) is the component in a product that is responsible for delivering the main benefit or effect.
In skincare, this means it’s the ingredient doing the work—like treating acne, reducing wrinkles, brightening dark spots, or moisturizing deeply.
Examples:
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Salicylic acid – exfoliates and treats acne.
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Retinol – stimulates collagen and improves skin texture.
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Niacinamide – reduces redness and strengthens the skin barrier.
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Hyaluronic acid – deeply hydrates the skin.
The rest of the product (called inactive ingredients) helps with texture, stability, absorption, or preservation, but doesn’t have a direct treatment effect.