Your skin rarely has one concern at a time. You may be looking to fade post-acne marks, soften fine lines, improve hydration or manage congestion, sometimes within the same routine. This is where active ingredients can give your skincare a more targeted approach, with each bringing its own benefits. Some address specific concerns, while others hydrate, soothe or support the skin barrier, allowing different ingredients to complement one another. TXA, retinal, salicylic acid, propolis, niacinamide and peptides are among such ingredients. Read on to discover what they can do for your skin and how to incorporate them into your routine.
Tranexamic Acid (TXA)
Best for - Dark spots and uneven skin tone
Tranexamic acid is widely used in skincare routines focused on pigmentation and post-acne marks. It can be incorporated into a morning or evening routine, depending on the product formulation. TXA also pairs well with other brightening ingredients such as niacinamide and alpha arbutin, allowing you to address uneven tone from different angles. Since pigmentation can become more pronounced with sun exposure, daily sunscreen remains an important part of any brightening routine.
Propolis
Best for - Hydration, soothing and supporting stressed skin
Propolis is a bee-derived ingredient known for its soothing and antioxidant properties. Unlike stronger treatment-focused actives, it can play a supportive role in your routine, helping skin feel hydrated and nourished. It can be particularly useful alongside active ingredients that may leave skin feeling dry or sensitive. Propolis can be used in either your morning or evening routine, depending on the product.
Retinal
Best for - Fine lines, uneven texture and signs of ageing
Retinal is a vitamin A derivative used to improve the appearance of fine lines, texture and uneven skin tone. It is generally best introduced gradually, particularly if you are new to retinoids. Start with a few evenings per week and increase frequency as your skin adjusts. Follow with a moisturiser, and be mindful when combining retinal with other strong exfoliating actives. Daily sunscreen is also essential when retinal is part of your routine.
Niacinamide
Best for - Uneven tone, excess oil, pores and barrier support
Niacinamide is one of the most versatile ingredients available. It can help regulate excess oil, support the skin barrier and improve the appearance of uneven tone and pores. It is generally easy to incorporate into both morning and evening routines and can complement ingredients such as TXA, salicylic acid and retinal. This makes it a useful choice when you want an active that can work across several areas of your routine.
Vitamin C
Best for - Dullness, uneven tone and antioxidant protection
Vitamin C is best known for its brightening and antioxidant properties. It can help skin appear more radiant while providing antioxidant support against environmental stressors. Many people prefer to use vitamin C in their morning routine, followed by moisturiser and sunscreen. Since vitamin C products can vary considerably in their form and concentration, introducing a suitable formula gradually can help your skin adjust.
Salicylic Acid
Best for - Blemishes, clogged pores and excess oil
Salicylic acid is a beta hydroxy acid that helps exfoliate inside pores, making it particularly useful for blemish-prone and congested skin. Start with a few applications per week rather than assuming daily use will produce faster results. Avoid combining too many exfoliating or strong active ingredients at once, as this can leave skin feeling irritated or overly dry. Hydrating and barrier-supporting products can help balance the routine.
Azelaic Acid
Best for - Blemishes, redness and uneven pigmentation
Azelaic acid is a versatile ingredient that can be useful for several common skin concerns, including blemishes and uneven-looking skin tone. It can be used in either the morning or evening and works well alongside gentler supporting ingredients such as niacinamide. If you already use several active ingredients, introduce azelaic acid separately so you can see how your skin responds.
Hyaluronic Acid
Best for - Dehydrated skin
Hyaluronic acid is a hydrating ingredient that helps attract and retain moisture. It can be used morning and evening and works well alongside almost any active routine. Applying it as part of a routine that includes a moisturiser can help maintain hydration, particularly when using ingredients such as retinal or exfoliating acids.
Ceramides
Best for - Supporting the skin barrier
Ceramides are naturally occurring lipids that help maintain the skin barrier. They are especially useful when your routine contains several active ingredients, as maintaining the barrier can help keep skin feeling balanced and comfortable. Look for ceramides in moisturisers and barrier-supporting products that can be used after your treatment steps.
Peptides
Best for - Fine lines and skin firmness
Peptides are short chains of amino acids used in skincare formulations designed to support the appearance of firmer, smoother-looking skin. They can generally be incorporated into a morning or evening routine and can complement an anti-ageing routine that includes retinal and hydrating ingredients.
Alpha Arbutin
Best for - Dark spots and uneven tone
Alpha arbutin is another brightening ingredient commonly used to target the appearance of dark spots and uneven pigmentation. It can complement other pigmentation-focused ingredients such as TXA and niacinamide. Rather than introducing several brightening actives at once, add them gradually and give your skin time to adjust.
Glutathione
Best for - Brightening and antioxidant-focused routines
Glutathione is an antioxidant that has also become increasingly popular in topical skincare formulated for brighter-looking, more even skin. It can be incorporated into a broader brightening routine alongside ingredients such as niacinamide, vitamin C or TXA.
How to Combine Actives Without Overloading Your Skin
Building an effective routine does not mean using every active at the same time. Instead, think about your main skin concern and choose ingredients that complement one another.
For pigmentation → TXA + niacinamide + alpha arbutin + sunscreen
For blemish-prone skin → Salicylic acid + niacinamide + barrier-supporting ingredients
For signs of ageing → Retinal + peptides + hydrating and barrier-supporting ingredients
For dehydration → Hyaluronic acid + ceramides + propolis
For dullness → Vitamin C + hydration + sunscreen
These combinations are examples of how ingredients can complement one another, not a requirement to use every ingredient in a single routine.
A Simple Active Skincare Routine
Morning - Cleanser → targeted active → hydrating/supportive serum → moisturiser → sunscreen
Evening - Cleanser → targeted active → hydrating/supportive ingredients → moisturiser
Most importantly, introduce new actives gradually. You do not need an active at every step, and your routine should be built around what your skin needs rather than how many ingredients you can fit into it. Once you understand the role each active plays, choosing the right products becomes much easier.
Advanced Skin Actives - Our Best Picks
Ready to add some of these actives to your routine? We have selected five top products from our collection that feature key ingredients discussed above, giving you options for brightening, pigmentation, hydration and signs of ageing.
Anua Niacinamide 10% + TXA 4% Dark Spot Correcting Serum 
A targeted brightening serum combining 10% niacinamide, 4% TXA and 2% arbutin to improve the appearance of uneven tone, dark spots and dullness. Its formula also includes several forms of hyaluronic acid and soothing ingredients, making it a well-rounded option for a pigmentation-focused routine.
Dr. Rashel Vitamin C Brightening And Anti-Aging Facial Serum
This Vitamin C serum combines vitamin C, orange extract, hyaluronic acid and niacinamide to brighten the appearance of skin, improve the look of dark spots and support a smoother, more radiant complexion. Its lightweight formula also provides hydration, making it suited to a simple morning routine.
The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
A water-based serum featuring 10% niacinamide and 1
% Zinc PCA, designed to address excess oil, uneven texture and the appearance of enlarged pores. It also supports the skin’s moisture barrier, making it a versatile choice for those looking to incorporate niacinamide into their routine.
Celimax The Vita-A Retinal Shot Tightening Booster 
Formulated with 0.1% liposomized retinal, 3% Matrixyl and 1% panthenol, this retinal booster targets the appearance of wrinkles and enlarged pores while supporting firmer, smoother-looking skin. Essentials.lk recommends introducing it gradually, particularly if you are new to retinal or retinol products.
Beauty Of Joseon Propolis + Niacinamide Glow Serum 
This serum brings together propolis and niacinamide in a formula aimed at improving the appearance of dull, uneven skin while supporting a hydrated, healthy-looking complexion. It offers a gentler way to incorporate two of the ingredients highlighted in this guide into one routine