What are Bio-Active Ingredients & Which ones are best for my skin type?

Skincare has evolved a lot over the past 5 to10 years, with a wave of new bio-active ingredients entering the skincare scene and promising to deliver impressive results. From reducing signs of ageing to brightening and hydrating the skin, bio-actives have become the focus of many formulations and skincare product marketing. 

If you use skincare, it’s likely you’ve heard of bio-active ingredients. However, understanding what defines a bio-active ingredient and determining which ones are right for your skin type can be overwhelming and a little confusing. 

What are Bio-active Ingredients?

Derived from plants, bio-actives are naturally-occurring molecules which have been scientifically proven to harbour compounds that exhibit high levels of antioxidant or anti-ageing activity. These ingredients actively affect the skin’s function or structure by interacting with skin cells to deliver real change such as hydration, exfoliation, brightening and anti-aging effects.

Bio-active ingredients are typically found in serums, moisturisers and skin treatments. At LAMAV, we utilise scientifically proven bio-actives to provide targeted solutions that treat specific concerns. All LAMAV products are exclusively formulated using our trademarked Three Tier Formula™. By incorporating at least 4–7 bio-actives in each formula, we are able to target specific skin concerns and deliver results that are clinically proven. At LAMAV, the bio-actives we utilise in our products address skin pigmentation, ageing, fine lines and wrinkles, oxidative stress, dehydration, tone and texture, skin firmness and elasticity.

Common Bio-active Ingredients

There are many bio-active ingredients now available in skincare, however there are a few popular ingredients that you’ll find in most skincare brands.

• Vitamin C

• Retinoids (Vitamin A)

• Retinol Alternatives such as Bakuchiol

• Hyaluronic acid

• Niacinamide

• Peptides

• Acids such as AHAs

• Botanical extracts such as green tea

The Best Bio-Active Ingredients for your Skin Type

While we all want faster, better results from our skincare, sometimes going in hard with the strongest active ingredients can cause more harm than good - often leading to irritation and a compromised skin barrier. When introducing new products or bio-actives into your routine it’s best to take it slow by patch testing and applying a small amount 2-3 times per week until you build up tolerance for daily use. 

There are also many bio-active ingredients now available that deliver nourishment and support inflammation while also having a noticeable effect on the skin. For example, replacing harsh Vitamin A actives with Bakuchiol will provide you with similar age defence benefits, without the irritation.

To get the most out of your skincare, it’s important that you implement the right active ingredients into your routine to ensure you get maximum results with minimum irritation.

Dry Skin

Hyaluronic Acid

Although naturally produced by the body, hyaluronic acid declines as we age—leading to dehydration, fine lines and wrinkles. It is extremely moisturising and improves skin firmness and elasticity, while supporting healthy skin barrier function and reducing risk of dryness.

We recommend: LAMAV’s after cleansing followed by the Hyaluronic Moisture Cream to lock in moisture for all-day hydration.

Ceramides

Ceramides are lipids that are naturally found in the top layers of our skin and play a crucial role in maintaining hydration through healthy skin barrier function. Including ceramide-rich skincare into your routine will help to strengthen the skin barrier and prevent water loss. Jojoba Oil is a natural source of ceramides and holds similar properties to our skin’s natural sebum, making it an ideal ingredient to hydrate and protect the skin.

We recommend: LAMAV’s Marula Oil Cleanser as part of your evening routine to gently dissolve makeup and SPF without stripping the skin. You’ll enjoy the benefits of Jojoba along with Marula Oil - rich in fatty acids and antioxidants to maintain hydration while preventing free radical damage.

Squalane

Used to boost hydration and fight free radicals, squalane is extracted from olives and behaves like squalene—which is naturally produced by the body, but declines as we age.

Its antioxidant compounds help to protect the skin from oxidative damage and boost collagen synthesis, for smoother, more youthful-looking skin.

We recommend: LAMAV’s Beauty Sleep mask to deeply nourish, lock in hydration and repair the skin overnight. Packed with Hyaluronic Acid, Jojoba Oil and Squalene, you’ll enjoy instant hydration and comfort that improves the feel and appearance of dry and dull skin while you sleep.

Ingredients to avoid:

Dry skin types should try to avoid over-exposure to high concentrations of exfoliating acids or retinol, and if you are using these stronger actives its important to provide your skin with a hydrating buffer to reduce risk of dryness and irritation. Using a hyaluronic acid serum prior to your Vitamin A treatment can help to minimise dryness and irritation, and a Hyaluronic Moisturiser post exfoliation will sooth the skin an maintain hydration. 

Oily and Acne-Prone Skin

Salicylic Acid (BHA) and Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA)

Including naturally derived acids such as AHAs in your acne-prone skincare routine is particularly important to reduce dead skin buildup that can lead to an increase in blocked pores and blemishes. 

We recommend: LAMAV’s Award Winning AHA Face Exfoliant 2-3 times per week to breakdown dead skin cells while stimulating cell turnover for a deep yet gentle exfoliation that leaves skin looking clearer and brighter.

Niacinamide

Also known as Vitamin B3, Niacinamide is a popular ingredient for acne prone skin as it is known for reducing inflammation, regulating oil production and reducing the appearance of pores. It has also shown promising results with minimising the appearance of dark spots left behind from active blemishes.

Retinol Alternative - Bakuchiol

While Retinol and Bakuchiol have a few differences, evidence shows that bakuchiol interacts with the skin in similar ways as retinol - minus the irritation. From improving skin structure to smoothing and brightening the skin, bakuchiol’s rich antioxidant and anti-inflammatory profile is highly beneficial for all skin types, but particularly acne prone skin.

We recommend: LAMAV’s Bakuchiol 4% Natural Retinol Alternative Booster  - formulated with bakuchiol along with antioxidants and adaptogenic herbs to smooth, calm and protect the skin.

Ingredients to Avoid:

If you have oily or acne prone skin it’s best to avoid heavy, occlusive oils and avoid physical exfoliants that contain sharp particles as these can damage or strip the skin. It’s also important not to over-exfoliate as this can cause further irritation and an increase in oil production.

Sensitive Skin

Ashwagandha Root Extract

A powerful adaptogenic herb traditionally used in Ayurvedic medicine for thousands of years, ashwagandha is particularly useful in helping the body adapt and respond to stress. In addition to anti-inflammatory support, its antibacterial and antimicrobial properties also make it beneficial in supporting skin healing while its powerful antioxidant profile supports collagen production.

Aloe Vera

One of nature’s most well known skin soothers, Aloe Vera has an incredible ability to sooth the skin while retaining moisture. It is also rich in skin-loving nutrients and contains an estimated 75 active constituents including vitamin A, C and E. Its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties make it excellent for wound-healing and it works to increase collagen production in the skin—speeding up the healing process.

We recommend: LAMAV’s Hydra Calm Cream Cleanser for a gentle, ultra-rich cleansing experience that soothes and maintains hydration as you cleanse. Formulated with Aloe Vera Leaf Juice, Avocado and Camellia Oil to soothe and remove impurities, make-up and pollutants.

Bisobolol

Derived from chamomile, bisabolol calms and soothes an irritated complexion. Its rich antioxidant profile makes it useful in the protection from free radical damage and oxidative stress, reducing the risk of redness, irritation and signs of premature ageing.

We recommend: LAMAV’s Intense Repair Eye Balm to hydrate, calm and strengthen the delicate eye area. Infused with Bisabolol and Sandalwood Seed Oil to help to minimise fine lines and wrinkles, while promoting skin elasticity.

Green Tea

Green Tea is well-known for its health benefits, and this also includes our skin. Rich in polyphenols, green tea helps to protect and repair the skin from the damaging and ageing effects of free radicals. It also contains Methylxanthines—compounds which are anti-inflammatory and help to reduce redness and irritation in the skin.

Ingredients to avoid:

Sensitive Skin types are best to avoid strong acids and retinoids unless used in very low concentrations with ample time for skin to recover in between treatments. 

Mature Skin

Kakadu Plum

One of nature’s most potent forms of naturally occurring Vitamin C is Kakadu Plum. This super-native fights environmental damage while brightening dull skin and reducing the appearance of pigmentation. Vitamin C is also essential for the production of collagen, which naturally declines as we age.

We recommend: LAMAV’s Collagen Support Booster as it contains 100% bio-actives including Kakadu Plum and Davidson Plum, to promote firmer skin and prevent the visible signs of ageing.

Commiphora

Extracted from the oleoresin of the Guggul tree, this plant active harbours plumping properties that assist in improving skin tone and texture—smoothing wrinkles and firming the complexion.

We recommend: LAMAV’s Commiphora Plumping Serum for a potent hit of Commiphora, Paracress Extract and Wakame to boost collagen while relaxing the skin to promote a plumper, smoother complexion.

Coenzyme Q10

Coenzyme Q10 is a fat-soluble compound that although produced by the body, declines with age. It is praised for its powerful antioxidant effects and aside from its important role in carrying energy to our cells, it is primarily considered to be a free radical scavenger—helping to neutralise and even prevent damage caused by oxidative stress due to ageing.

We recommend: LAMAV’s Omega Antioxidant Oil to assists in protecting the skin while reducing the visible signs of ageing including fine lines, pigmentation and wrinkle depth.

Ingredients to Avoid:

Mature skin types should avoid harsh physical exfoliants and over exfoliation that can cause micro-tears in the skin and a compromised skin barrier.

When should I apply Bio-active Skincare?

Best Bio-Active Ingredients to use in the Morning

Antioxidant Rich bio-actives such as Vitamin C, Kakadu Plum and Green Tea should be applied in the morning to get the most out of their natural ability to protect the skin from environmental damage. Hydrating ingredients such as Hyaluronic Acid and Aloe can be applied both morning and night as they won’t irritate the skin throughout the day or affect other active ingredients that you may apply at night.

Best Bio-Active Ingredients to use at Night

Stronger bio-actives that have an exfoliating effect on the skin should be used at night to avoid risk of irritation and sun sensitivity. This includes retinol, AHAs and BHAs.

Precautions when Using Bio-Active Ingredients

While bio-active ingredients provide many benefits to all skin types, it’s important to take precaution when introducing any new ingredient - particularly if it enhances exfoliation and skin renewal.

• Patch Test - read ingredient labels to identify any potential allergens known to you and then perform a patch test before applying any new product or ingredient to your entire face. 

• Introduce one new bio-active ingredient at a time - this gives your skin time to adjust and makes it easier to identify anything that could be causing irritation.

• Start with minimal application - after performing a patch test its best to only use new products 1-2 times per week before working your way up to a few times per week or daily use depending on the product specific recommendations.

• Use sunscreen daily - bio-actives such as retinoids, AHAs and even Vitamin C can

• increase risk of sun sensitivity.

Don’t mix the following bio-actives to minimise risk of irritation and potentially reducing effectiveness of the ingredients:

• Retinol and Vitamin C

• Retinol and AHAs/BHAs

• Vitamin C and AHAs/BHAs

• Niacinamide and Vitamin C

• AHAs and BHAs

Final thoughts on Bio-active Ingredients

Bio-actives are tried and tested ingredients that you can count on to deliver noticeable results, however some are stronger than others. Utilising naturally derived bio-active ingredients and tailoring a routine to suit your specific skin concerns will help you achieve the glowing, healthy complexion you’re chasing - minus the irritation. 

Don’t forget to wear SPF daily and consult with your dermatologist if you’re unsure of which active ingredients will be best suited to support your skin type.