Imagine you have a headache. You take a painkiller, expecting relief. But what if the tablet contained only a trace of the active ingredient? You’d be left wondering why it didn’t work. Skincare is no different. The right ingredients must be present at the right concentration to be effective.
The beauty industry often markets ingredients like hyaluronic acid, peptides, or vitamin C as miracle workers, but few brands discuss the concentration needed for real results. This lack of transparency leads to products that look promising on the surface but fail to deliver.
At Philab, we believe in formulating with integrity—using active ingredients at concentrations backed by clinical research. In this article, we’ll break down why concentration matters, how to spot truly potent products, and why 'more' isn’t always better—while also exploring why using only a fraction of the recommended concentration can render a product ineffective.
What Does Concentration Mean in Skincare?
In skincare, concentration refers to the percentage of an active ingredient in a formula. An ingredient might be listed on the label, but if it's present in too low a dose, it may do little or nothing for your skin. On the other hand, too high a dose can cause irritation, especially with powerful actives like retinol, vitamin C, or exfoliating acids.
Think of Skincare Like Baking.
Imagine making a cake. You need flour, sugar, vanilla extract and eggs in precise amounts. Too little vanilla, and it won’t taste right. Too much baking soda, and it might rise too quickly, then collapse. The same principle applies to skincare: the formula must be balanced.
For example, peptides are powerful anti-aging ingredients, but their effectiveness depends entirely on concentration. A product claiming to contain peptides might sound impressive, but if they are included at only 0.1%, they likely won’t provide visible results. For instance, Trylagen® a potent peptide complex, has been shown to stimulate collagen production at concentrations of 5%. Similarly, Eyeseryl®, a peptide designed to reduce puffiness and dark circles, is highly effective at 10%, yet many products contain it at much lower, ineffective levels.
👉 Discover Philab's peptide rich products, here.
Why Concentration is Important
Many skincare brands advertise powerful active ingredients like vitamin C, retinol, or peptides, but they rarely disclose their concentration. Just because an ingredient is listed on the label doesn’t mean it’s present in a meaningful amount.
Why Too Little is Useless
Think of it like making coffee. If you use only a few coffee grounds in a full pot of water, the result is weak and ineffective. Similarly, if a serum contains only a trace amount of peptides, it won’t deliver the promised benefits—no matter how great the marketing sounds.
For example:
- A peptide cream might claim to “reduce wrinkles” but contain only 0.1% peptides—far below the 3-5% required for effectiveness.
- A “hyaluronic acid moisturizer” could have less than 0.01% hyaluronic acid, making it no more hydrating than a basic cream, not to talk about the its molecular weight (click here to learn about Hyaluronic Acid).
At Philab, we never use token amounts of actives just for marketing—every ingredient is included at levels proven to work.
Why Too Much Can Backfire
On the other hand, more is not always better. Some ingredients can become irritating or unstable at high concentrations, reducing their effectiveness or even harming the skin.
For example:
- Vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid) is highly effective at 10-20%, but at 30% or higher, it can irritate the skin and degrade quickly.
- Retinol is a gold-standard anti-aging ingredient, but a 1% concentration is too strong for many people, leading to redness and peeling. A well-formulated 0.3% retinol can deliver the same long-term benefits without excessive irritation.
The Sweet Spot: Clinically Proven Levels
The key to effective skincare isn’t about using the most or the least—it’s about using the right amount. Scientists spend years testing the ideal concentrations of active ingredients to ensure they:
- Deliver results
- Remain stable and safe
- Work in harmony with other ingredients
At Philab, we ensure that peptides and other active ingredients are always included at clinically proven concentrations, so they deliver real results—without irritation or false promises..
How to Spot Potent Products: Transparency Over Guesswork
Many skincare brands promote trendy ingredients like peptides, hyaluronic acid, or vitamin C, but they often leave out a crucial detail—the actual concentration. Without this information, consumers are left guessing whether a product contains enough actives to work.
The Problem With Hidden Concentrations
A brand might claim a serum contains hyaluronic acid, but does it have a meaningful dose or just a tiny trace? The INCI (ingredient) list doesn’t always help: Ingredients are listed in descending order of concentration—except below 1%, where brands can list them in any order.
Some ingredients, like pure Very Low Molecular Weight Hyaluronic Acid, work even at 0.2%—a high dose—but will still appear low in the list, making it look insignificant when it’s actually powerful.
Certain raw materials contain multiple actives, listed separately, making it unclear how much of the key ingredient is really present.
Trust Brands That Are Transparent
Instead of making consumers decode ingredient lists, reputable brands disclose the exact percentages of their active ingredients. This is why Philab clearly states concentrations like for example:
- 5% Trylagen for collagen support
- 10% Eyeseryl to reduce puffiness and dark circles
- 4% Syn-Ake for wrinkle relaxation
When a brand is transparent, you know exactly what you’re getting—no guesswork, no misleading claims.
👉 See the full list of products here and discover the actives and their concentrations.
What to Look for in a Trustworthy Brand
- Clearly disclosed active ingredient percentages
- Formulations backed by clinical studies
- No vague marketing terms like "with peptides" without specifying the concentration
- Honest claims—no "miracle" promises, just science-backed results
At Philab, we believe skincare should be science-driven, not marketing-driven. That’s why we reveal the exact concentration of every active—so you can make informed choices based on facts, not hype.
Why Cheap Products Can Be Expensive in the Long Run
Social media trends often glorify cheap skincare "dupes", but low-cost formulations come with a trade-off:
- Lower active concentrations (meaning you see little to no results).
- Heavy reliance on marketing instead of ingredient quality.
- Unstable or ineffective formulations that degrade quickly.
In the long run, using ineffective skincare means you’ll spend more money trying different products without achieving results.
At Philab, we don’t cut corners. We invest in clinically proven concentrations because we believe your skin deserves the best.
Synergy: The Art of Smart Formulation
A truly effective skincare product isn’t just about one hero ingredient—it’s about how multiple actives work together to enhance results. This is called synergy: the idea that carefully selected ingredients, when combined, can deliver far better results than when used alone.
- Combining Peptides for Maximum Collagen & Elastin Boost: Different peptides serve different functions, and when used together, they can target multiple aspects of skin aging.
For example: Trylagen (5%) + Syn-Tacks (1%): This powerful peptide combination stimulates the production of all types of collagen (I, III, IV, and VII) plus elastin, helping to firm the skin, improve elasticity, and reduce wrinkles more effectively than using a single peptide.
👉 Check out our Nourishing & Restoring Night Cream!
- Peptides + Hyaluronic Acid for Ultimate Firmness & Hydration: While peptides support skin structure, hyaluronic acid ensures hydration at different levels.
For example, a synergistic approach would include: Collagen-boosting peptides like Matrixyl 3000 (3%) to firm and smooth the skin and Very Low Molecular Weight Hyaluronic Acid (VLMW HA), which penetrates deeper layers to hydrate from within and enhance the plumping effect of peptides.
👉 Discover our Anti-ageing Repair Serum!
- Hyaluronic Acid + Barrier-Fortifying Ingredients for Triple Hydration
Hyaluronic acid is even more effective when combined with ingredients that support the skin barrier and provide long-lasting hydration:
For example: VLMW HA, hydrates deeply by penetrating into the skin, and is combined with Sunflower Seed Oil that strengthens the skin barrier to lock in moisture, and Swiss Glacier Water which attracts and holds onto water for sustained hydration throughout the day.
👉 Read about our Extra-moisturising & Anti-pollution Cream SPF25!
At Philab, every formulation is designed with ingredient synergy in mind, ensuring that each active works in harmony to deliver results that are greater than the sum of their parts.
Tips for Getting the Most Out of Your Actives
Even the most potent ingredients require proper application and care to deliver their full benefits. Here’s how to maximize the efficacy of your skincare routine:
- Consistency is Key
Just like exercising or eating well, consistency in skincare is crucial for visible, lasting results.
Active ingredients like peptides, retinol, or vitamin C need time to work. Your skin renews itself every 28-40 days, so continuous use ensures that actives can penetrate and affect deeper layers.
Using products intermittently or switching too often can disrupt progress, preventing you from seeing the full potential of your skincare regimen.
- Create a Synergistic Routine
The effectiveness of your actives can be enhanced by pairing them with complementary products, like for example:
Serums + Creams: Use an anti-ageing serum (like those containing VLMW Hyaluronic Acid or/and peptides) before applying a nourishing cream or a moisturizer. The serum delivers targeted actives deeper into the skin, while the cream locks in hydration and provides a protective barrier.
- Start with a Clean Canvas
For active ingredients to penetrate effectively, your skin must be a clean canvas—free from makeup, oil, and impurities.
Cleansing: Use a high-quality cleanser—whether it’s an oil-based milk, micellar water, or a gentle foaming cleanser—to effectively remove makeup, sunscreen, and impurities, ensuring your skin is prepped for active ingredients.
Exfoliation: Regular exfoliation (1-2 times a week) with gentle acids or enzymes helps remove dead skin cells, enhancing the absorption of your serums and creams.
A clean, well-prepped face allows active ingredients to reach deeper layers, maximizing their efficacy.
👉 You can check out our Cleansing range of products here.
At Philab, we encourage a daily skincare ritual with products designed to integrate seamlessly into your routine, making consistency effortless. Our formulations work in harmony, allowing you to build a regimen that enhances the benefits of each active ingredient for optimal skincare results.
In Summary: The Formula is What Matters
At the end of the day, skincare is personal. No matter how much marketing surrounds a product, what truly matters is how it performs on your skin.
Someone once said, "At the end of the day, it’s just me, my mirror, and my skincare—a moment of truth." That moment—when you look at yourself and see real results—is what defines a truly great product. It’s not about the packaging, the advertising, or the latest trends—it’s about what’s inside the bottle and how it transforms your skin over time.
The truth is, your skin doesn’t care about marketing claims—it responds to science. If a product is formulated correctly, with active ingredients at clinically effective concentrations, it will deliver results. If it’s just a mix of fancy words and diluted actives, it won’t. It’s as simple as that.
At Philab, we believe in formulas that work, not empty promises. Every ingredient we use is chosen with purpose, every concentration is backed by science, and every product is created to be as effective as possible. Because in that quiet moment with your mirror, your skincare should speak for itself.
👉 Discover skincare that delivers real results at Philab.eu