Active ingredients do the heavy lifting in skincare. You know this. But choosing peptides, acids, and antioxidants when your skin runs reactive? That takes courage. And the right format.
That's why we created our Boosters. Concentrated, certified organic drops of single actives that let you test the waters without diving headfirst into irritation. Single actives that let you build tolerance gradually.
Why boosters beat traditional actives for sensitive skin
Most active skincare throws everything at you at once. Multiple actives, pH adjusters, stabilisers, penetration enhancers. Your sensitive skin doesn't stand a chance.
Our boosters strip it back to basics. One active. Clean formula. You control the dose.
The format matters too. Water-based vitamin C serums need acid stabilisation that stings. Our oil-based vitamin C? Zero pH irritation at 20% concentration. Traditional hyaluronic acid gels pill under makeup. Our multi-weight HA blends seamlessly into any moisturiser.
Meet your starter active ingredients
Not sure where to begin? These three bestsellers suit every skin type and address the concerns we hear most.
Stabilised Vitamin C 20% Brightening Booster
Perfect when: Skin looks grey at 3pm. Or anytime, really.
This isn't your average vitamin C that oxidises before you finish the bottle. We use ascorbyl tetraisopalmitate, an oil-soluble form that stays stable without the acid stabilisers that make traditional vitamin C sting. It converts to active vitamin C inside your skin cells, brightening dark spots and defending against the pollution that makes city skin look tired. Morning use gives all-day antioxidant protection.
Hyaluronic Acid 0.3% Hydrating Booster
Perfect when: Your skin drinks moisturiser and asks for seconds.
Before you ask: yes, 0.3% is the right amount. While other brands tout 2% or 3% (which creates a goopy mess that pills under makeup), we use three molecular weights at a concentration that actually dissolves. High-weight molecules form a protective film on top. Medium-weight penetrates the upper layers. Low-weight reaches deep. Your skin stays hydrated at every level, not just the surface.
Peptides 5% Smoothing Booster
Perfect when: Fine lines are becoming permanent residents.
Two peptides, two jobs. Hexapeptide-11 sends the signal to build more collagen and elastin. Pea peptide supplies the amino acid building blocks to actually do it. Most peptide products use synthetic versions that can't qualify for organic certification. Ours are naturally derived through fermentation, COSMOS certified, and gentle enough for nightly use around the eyes.
Your complete booster wardrobe
Once you've mastered the basics, the full range opens up. Each targets a specific concern with the same simple promise: concentrated actives, clean formulas, zero overwhelm.
For breakouts: Salicylic Acid 2% unclogs without stripping.
For redness: Tri-Mushroom 10% delivers biotech-cultured adaptogens.
For advanced ageing: Retinoid 0.3% accelerates renewal (gentler than retinol).
For barrier damage: Vegan Collagen 0.9% mimics skin's natural support structure.
The art of mixing actives (without the chemistry degree)
Your skin rarely presents one concern at a time. That morning when you wake up dull AND dehydrated? Mix 1 drop each of Vitamin C and Hyaluronic Acid into your moisturiser. Blend in your palm, apply as normal.
Seeing fine lines around tired eyes? Peptides and Hyaluronic Acid work brilliantly together. One firms, one plumps.
Start cautious if you're properly sensitive. One drop of one booster in your most trusted moisturiser. Use it for a week. Then try two drops. Or add a second booster. You're in control.
Pro tip: our chemists designed these to layer. No pH conflicts. No ingredient clashes. Just results that build as your confidence does.
Ready to discover your perfect actives?
Whether you start with one booster or want to try our bestselling trio, the key is starting. Your skin can handle more actives than you might expect. It just needs the right concentration and format.
Shop the full Boosters collection and find your perfect match. Not sure which to choose? Our skin quiz can help narrow it down.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Pai Booster Discovery Kit and what does it include?
The Booster Discovery Kit is a money-saving introductory set containing Pai's three bestselling active ingredient boosters: Stabilised Vitamin C 20% (brightening), Hyaluronic Acid 0.3% (hydrating), and Peptides 5% (smoothing). Each booster is a highly concentrated, certified organic and natural single-dose active that you can use neat or drop into your existing moisturiser, serum, or face oil to target specific skin concerns.
Are Pai's active ingredient boosters safe for sensitive skin?
Yes. Every Pai Labs Booster undergoes 96-hour human repeat insult patch testing, which goes beyond standard industry requirements. The boosters are also fragrance-free and essential oil-free, so you can start with potent actives at a pace that suits your skin. If you're particularly reactive, begin with just one drop mixed into your most trusted product and build up from there.
How do you use Pai's skincare boosters and can you mix them together?
Add 1 to 2 drops of your chosen booster into your moisturiser, serum, or face oil, blend together in your hand, and apply as normal. You can absolutely combine boosters in a single application. For dull, dehydrated skin, pair Vitamin C with Hyaluronic Acid; for fine lines, combine Peptides with Hyaluronic Acid. Use them morning and evening, or whenever your skin needs a targeted boost.
What does Pai's Stabilised Vitamin C 20% Booster do differently from regular vitamin C serums?
Pai uses ascorbyl tetraisopalmitate, an oil-soluble form of vitamin C that is inherently stable and doesn't degrade on exposure to light or air. Skin cells absorb approximately 10 times more of it compared to conventional L-ascorbic acid, and it remains active in cells 40 to 80 times longer. Because it requires no acidic pH to stay stable, it delivers a full 20% concentration without the stinging or irritation that water-soluble vitamin C serums often cause.
How do Peptides 5% and Hyaluronic Acid 0.3% work together to target ageing skin?
Peptides 5% combines a yeast-derived signal peptide (Hexapeptide-11) that tells fibroblasts to produce more collagen and elastin with a pea peptide that supplies the amino acid building blocks to support that process. Hyaluronic Acid 0.3% uses three molecular weights to hydrate at different skin depths simultaneously, plumping from the surface down. Together they address both structural firmness and the moisture loss that makes fine lines more visible.
