In skincare, it’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking that a higher percentage of active ingredients must mean better, faster results. But when it comes to supporting your skin long term—especially your skin barrier—percentage matters more than most people realise.
At Fresh Face Skin, we believe in treating skin with respect. That means using active ingredients at clinically supported levels that actually work, without tipping your skin into irritation, inflammation, or barrier disruption.
High Doesn’t Always Mean Effective
Ingredients like niacinamide (Vitamin B3), glycolic acid, and lactic acid are often heroed in mainstream products at very high concentrations. While they can be beneficial, higher percentages don’t always mean better outcomes. In fact, they often increase the risk of redness, dryness, sensitivity, and long-term barrier damage—especially when used daily.
Your skin is a living organ. Overloading it with actives every day is like over-exercising a sore muscle. The goal isn’t to ‘blast’ your skin into looking good for a few days. It’s to support it so it stays healthy, resilient, and balanced for the long haul.
Our Approach: Low Dose, High Impact
Take our Hydration Booster, for example. It contains Vitamin B3 (niacinamide) at a scientifically backed, safe percentage that’s proven to improve skin texture, strengthen barrier function, and reduce inflammation—without the risk of overdoing it. It’s designed for daily use, with long-term skin health in mind.
The same philosophy applies to our exfoliating ingredients. Both the Reverser Cleanser and Reverser Treatment contain lactic acid—a naturally derived AHA that hydrates while gently refining skin texture. In both formulas, lactic acid is used as a pH adjuster, meaning it's typically present in a low concentration of 0.1 to 0.2%—just enough to support skin renewal without stripping or irritating the skin barrier.
Across all Fresh Face Skin products, we take mindful care to pair active ingredients with barrier-loving naturals. Here’s how we nurture and protect your skin:
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Barrier support from within:
We combine skin-loving actives with nourishing ingredients to strengthen and restore your skin’s natural barrier. -
Deep nourishment with lipids and ceramides:
You’ll find ingredients like L22, shea butter, jojoba oil, and safflower oil—rich in ceramides and essential lipids—to deeply replenish and support long-term skin health. -
Powerful antioxidant protection:
To guard against environmental stress and oxidative damage, we include a thoughtful blend of antioxidants:-
Sea buckthorn berry oil
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Vitamin E
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Wakame
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Kakadu plum
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Licorice root extract
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Resilience at every layer:
These ingredients don’t just calm the surface—they work to strengthen your skin from within, helping it stay calm, resilient, and radiant every day.
And when it comes to glycolic acid? We use it in our Healer Cleanser and Healer Treatment purely for its ability to adjust pH and enhance surface glow—not as a primary exfoliant. In the Healer Cleanser, glycolic is used at such a low percentage it doesn’t disrupt the barrier at all, while in the Healer Treatment, it’s under 0.20%—a microdose that supports gentle cellular turnover over time.
Safe for the Skin Barrier and Microbiome
Why does all this matter? Because your skin barrier and microbiome are your first line of defence. Disrupt them with harsh or overly active formulas, and you open the door to flare-ups, breakouts, inflammation, and even premature ageing.
Every Fresh Face Skin formula is created to work with your skin—not against it. Gentle exfoliation, consistent hydration, and barrier-first support is how you achieve healthy, glowing skin that lasts.
The bottom line: When it comes to actives, more is not more. The right percentage, delivered consistently, is what creates real, sustainable change in your skin. Because respecting your skin isn’t just a philosophy—it’s how we formulate every single product.
Let your skincare work with your skin—not overwhelm it.
