Active Ingredients

Not every ingredient in a skincare product is there to solve a specific problem. Many ingredients serve important but supporting roles — helping with texture, stability, pH, or feel. Active ingredients are the ones doing the targeted clinical work: improving a concern, supporting a specific skin function, or delivering a measurable result. Common categories of actives include: exfoliants (glycolic acid, salicylic acid, lactic acid, papaya enzymes), antioxidants (Vitamin C, Vitamin E, ferulic acid), brighteners (niacinamide, Vitamin C, licorice root), barrier actives (ceramides, ectoin, panthenol), anti-aging actives (retinoids, copper peptides, peptides), and UV filters (zinc oxide). Knowing which actives are in your routine helps you layer them correctly, avoid combinations that can cause irritation (like glycolic acid with retinol in the same step), and understand what you're actually working toward. In the Meaga Glow routine, actives sit primarily at the Prep and Treat steps — essences and serums are where the most concentrated active work happens.