Active Serum

The acid current

Sugarcane extract, the botanical source material of glycolic acid, and bilberry lead the resurfacing side, with white willow bark contributing its gentle salicylate chemistry. Together they keep surface cells and pore linings turning over, which is the common root of smoother texture and fewer blemishes.

The pigment quietener

Arbutin, hydroquinone bound to glucose, nature’s gentled version of dermatology’s benchmark brightener, slows the enzyme that manufactures pigment, so post-blemish marks and uneven tone fade rather than replenish.

The character

A fast-drying botanical base and a deliberate hit of menthol give the serum its famous cool sting on application, brief, intentional, and the reason a generation of clinic patients calls it the one that feels like it works. Polyporus mushroom extract soothes in the background.

The honest arithmetic

Thirteen ingredients, three jobs. It moves fast by leave-on-serum standards, but pigment work still compounds over weeks, and only under daily SPF.

Combination and blemish-prone skin chasing texture, tone and clarity at once; post-blemish marks that linger; oilier mature skin wanting resurfacing without a cream base. The 15ml is the introduction; the 30ml is the committed size.

Worth knowing

Avoid with an aspirin (salicylate) allergy, willow bark carries the same chemistry. The menthol-alcohol sting is real, brief and intended, but very reactive or barrier-compromised skin should sit this one out until settled. Take advice before use during pregnancy. Persistent cystic breakouts or hormone-driven pigment belong with our clinicians first.

Evenings on clean, dry skin: 3–4 drops pressed over face (and neck if desired), allowed to dry before anything follows. Start every second night; move nightly as tolerated. Expect the signature cool tingle for the first minute.

High SPF every morning, resurfacing and pigment work both demand it.

Use alongside

A night leader: run it opposite retinoid nights rather than layered with them, and never stacked with other leave-on acids the same evening. Moisturiser over it if skin runs dry (Skin Thirst or Harmonize both sit well). Mornings pair naturally with an antioxidant (Aox Ferulic) under SPF. On Active Peel System nights, this stays in the drawer.