Target, Treat & Improve with an Active Serum

Complete your daily skin care regimen with a serum to target specific concerns. Delivering active ingredients in concentrated formulas, serums help to treat your skin concerns in a specialised way. 

What exactly are active serums? 

Active serums are used to directly target, treat and improve skin concerns. Made up of smaller molecules, serums are able to penetrate deeply into the skin and deliver high concentrations of ingredients which actively work to correct specific skin concerns such as wrinkles, pigmentation and dehydration. 

What are the active ingredients commonly found in active serums? 

Peptides - Ageing Peptides are the building blocks of protein that reduce signs of ageing by signalling the skin to perform various cellular functions such as increasing production of Collagen and Hyaluronic Acid, reducing muscle contractions and increasing tissue repair and regeneration. Most Peptides are safe to use during pregnancy and breastfeeding, however please refer to the individual product descriptions and always check with your physician. 

Antioxidants - All Skin Concerns Antioxidants are naturally occurring vitamins and minerals that neutralise free radicals and protect the skin from environmental damage. There are too many antioxidants to list here, however some popular antioxidants include Green Tea, Chamomile, Willowherb, Spin Trap, Resveratrol, Tocopheryl Acetate (form of Vitamin E). Our favourite antioxidants are Vitamin C, Vitamin A and Niacinamide, we go into more detail about them below. You can learn more about the antioxidants contained in our products in the key ingredients section on product pages. Most Antioxidants are safe to use during pregnancy and breastfeeding, however please refer to the individual product descriptions and always check with your physician. 

Hyaluronic Acid - Dryness, Ageing Hyaluronic Acid can hold up to 1,000 times its weight in water! It re-hydrates the skin by increasing water content inside the skin cells, leaving the skin plump and firm and resulting in improvement in lines, wrinkles and skin laxity. Sodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of Hyaluronic Acid and a smaller molecule that more easily penetrates the layers of the skin. Hyaluronic Acid is safe to use during pregnancy and breastfeeding, however please refer to the individual product descriptions and always check with your physician.

Lactic Acid - All Skin Concerns Lactic Acid is a type of alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) that can effectively and gently exfoliate the skin. Lactic Acid also increases ceramides which aid in skin hydration and promotes and increases collagen production. Lactic Acid is suitable for all skin types and is safe to use during pregnancy and breastfeeding, however please refer to the individual product descriptions and always check with your physician. 

Salicylic Acid - Oiliness, Acne Salicylic Acid is a beta hydroxy acid (BHA) that is particularly effective at treating and preventing all forms of acne including blackheads, whiteheads and inflammatory acne, due to its antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and drying properties. Salicylic Acid is also oil-soluble and therefore an extremely effective exfoliant for oily and resilient skin types. Products containing Salicylic Acid are not suitable for use during pregnancy or breastfeeding. 

Niacinamide - Oiliness, Acne, Pigmentation Niacinamide is a form of Vitamin B3 that helps to brighten the skin and improve pigmentation. Niacinamide also regulates oil production in the skin and assists in preventing breakouts in acne prone skin types. Niacinamide is safe to use during pregnancy and breastfeeding, however please refer to the individual product descriptions and always check with your physician. 

Vitamin C - Redness, Pigmentation, Ageing Vitamin C has multiple benefits in skin care, including powerful antioxidant properties that protect from environmental damage, particularly photo-damage. Vitamin C has anti-inflammatory capabilities that reduce redness and calm the skin. Vitamin C also increases and supports collagen production. Furthermore, it also helps to brighten and reduce hyperpigmentation. Vitamin C comes in many different forms, relating to its chemical composition. Commonly seen in ingredients list are: Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate - oil soluble, pH neutral, a more stable form of Vitamin C e.g. in Aspect Dr Active C Serum $135 Ascorbic Acid - the most active form e.g. in Cosmedix Pure C Mixing Crystals $85 Vitamin C is safe to use during pregnancy and breastfeeding, however please refer to the individual product descriptions and always check with your physician. 

Retinol - Acne, Ageing, Pigmentation Retinol is a derivative of Vitamin A that effectively treats multiple skin concerns including acne, hyperpigmentation and sun damage, also helping to decrease signs of ageing such as fine lines and wrinkles. Benefits of Retinol include increasing cellular turnover in the skin, thickening and increasing the density of the dermis (structural layer of the skin), regulating oil production, and increasing collagen production. Retinol also treats hyperpigmentation by removing existing pigmentation and regulating melanin production. Retinol is a complex ingredient that can be irritating to the skin. Retinol is available in four different forms, relating to it chemical composition and it's vital you use the formula suited to your skin to avoid irritation. Retinol should be introduced slowly, for night time use only and always accompanied by adequate SPF during the day. Products containing Retinol are generally not suitable for use during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Four forms of Retinol in order of potency: Retinyl Palmitate - weakest, least drying and the only form safe for pregnancy and breastfeeding. Retinol - most common form found in cosmetic products. Retinaldehyde/Retinal - strongest form found in cosmetic products. Retinoic Acid - purest form, also the most irritating, prescription only. The type of Retinol is difficult to pin point on ingredients lists because not only does it come in four different forms, it is often combined with other chemical compounds to assist the delivery and absorption. For example: LG Retinex in Cosmedix Serum 16 $139 - a microencapsulated Retinol for drier, sensitive skin Microencapsulated AGP Complex in Cosmedix Define $125 - all the benefits of Retinol with Antioxidants in a hydrating, cream base. 

Pigment Inhibitors - Pigmentation Pigment Inhibitors help to treat and prevent all forms of hyperpigmentation. Pigment Inhibitors reduce and regulate the production of melanin by inhibiting Tyrosinase - an enzyme responsible for melanin production. We love Pigment Inhibitors all year round in Australia, but particularly in the Summer when sun exposure increases. Most Pigment Inhibitors are safe to use during pregnancy and breastfeeding, however please refer to the individual product descriptions and always check with your physician. 

What active serum should you be using? 

Our Online Registered Nurse has selected her top serum picks for each of the main skin types & concerns we see here at The Clinic Online. 

Oily & acne prone skin: 

-Aspect Dr Problem Skin Serum  

-CosMedix Clarity

Pigmented skin: 

-Aspect Dr Complete Pigment Plus 

-CosMedix Simply Brilliant

Reddened, inflamed & sensitive skin: 

Aspect Dr Redless  

CosMedix Reboot

Dull, dry & dehydrated skin: 

CosMedix Surge 

Societe Skin Hydration Complex 

Ageing skin: 

Cosmedix Refine Plus

Cosmedix Elite Serum 24

Unsure what active serum you need to be adding into your routine? Let our expert Online Registered Nurse help you out- book a FREE Online Video Consult HERE