Our boosters have transformed how people with sensitive skin use actives. Nine concentrated drops, each targeting a specific concern, designed to add into your existing routine without starting from scratch. Here's what makes them different, why they work, and exactly how to use them.
What are skincare boosters?
Boosters are concentrated actives in dropper format. One or two drops deliver a clinical dose of a single ingredient, mixed into whatever moisturiser, serum or oil you already use. Think of them as the concentrated essence of what your skin needs, without the filler.
Most skincare products combine multiple actives at lower concentrations, often below the level needed for real results. Boosters flip that logic. Each one contains a single active at its proven concentration. Vitamin C at 20%. Salicylic acid at 2%. Peptides at 5%. The percentages that clinical studies actually use.
The format matters too. Traditional serums force you to commit to a full bottle, hope it suits your skin, and replace whatever you're currently using. Boosters let you test, adjust and personalise. Start with one drop in your moisturiser. Build up as your skin adapts. Use them daily or just when you need them.
For sensitive skin, this changes everything. You control the dose. You keep the products that already work. You add actives without gambling on a whole new routine. And because we've made them specifically for reactive skin, each one is formulated to deliver results without irritation.
What skin boosters can actually do
Each booster targets a specific concern at the cellular level. These aren't marketing promises. They're mechanisms proven in peer-reviewed research and confirmed in our own testing.
STABILISED VITAMIN C 20% BRIGHTENING BOOSTER
Best for: Dullness, uneven tone, dark spots
Use it: Morning for antioxidant protection, or evening
Most vitamin C degrades the moment you open the bottle. Ours uses oil-soluble ascorbyl tetraisopalmitate, which stays stable from first drop to last. No pH manipulation, no irritating stabilisers. Just 20% pure vitamin C that actually reaches your skin cells.
The science is solid: it inhibits tyrosinase (the enzyme that makes melanin), protects against UV damage, and supports collagen synthesis. Skin cells absorb 10 times more of this form compared to regular vitamin C, and it stays active 40 to 80 times longer. Stabilised Vitamin C delivers real brightening without the sting.
PEPTIDES 5% SMOOTHING BOOSTER
Best for: Fine lines, loss of firmness, mature skin
Use it: Morning and evening
Two peptides working in tandem: hexapeptide-11 tells your fibroblasts to make more collagen and elastin, while pea peptide supplies the amino acids they need to actually build it. Signal plus supply.
Published research shows the hexapeptide improves skin elasticity in just four weeks. Unlike synthetic peptides, ours are naturally derived through fermentation. Peptides 5% rebuilds what time breaks down.
HYALURONIC ACID 0.3% HYDRATING BOOSTER
Best for: Dehydration, tightness, dull skin
Use it: Morning and evening
Three molecular weights of hyaluronic acid create layers of hydration. High weight forms a protective film on the surface. Medium weight hydrates the upper layers. Low weight penetrates deep. Each drop can hold 1,000 times its weight in water.
The 0.3% concentration is deliberate. Higher percentages create thick, goopy formulas that sit on top of skin. Ours absorbs completely, delivering hydration where it counts. Hyaluronic Acid rescues thirsty skin.
TRI-MUSHROOM 10% SUPER-SOOTHING BOOSTER
Best for: Redness, reactivity, stressed skin
Use it: Morning and evening
Three adaptogenic mushrooms, each targeting a different inflammatory pathway. Reishi protects collagen. Chaga rebuilds the barrier. Cordyceps provides cellular energy. All three are rich in glutamine, which directly inhibits inflammatory signalling.
We culture our mushroom cells in-house for consistent potency. Tri-Mushroom is skin stress management in a bottle.
SALICYLIC ACID 2% CLARIFYING BOOSTER
Best for: Congestion, blackheads, breakouts
Use it: Evening, or morning if tolerated
BHA that clears pores without destroying your barrier. We use the maximum 2% concentration, but cushion it with organic chamomile water and glycerin. The salicylic acid dissolves oil and dead cells inside pores, while the chamomile soothes any potential irritation.
Naturally derived from wintergreen and white willow bark. No harsh solvents. Salicylic Acid gives you clear skin without the compromise. If you're dealing with persistent blemishes, check out our complete guide to managing oily skin.
RETINOID 0.3% SKIN RENEWAL BOOSTER
Best for: Signs of ageing, uneven texture, fine lines
Use it: Evening only
A direct-acting retinoid that bypasses the conversion steps of regular retinol. It's already one step away from retinoic acid, so it works faster with less irritation. We use the maximum permitted concentration in an oil base that keeps it stable.
Oat extract supports your barrier while the retinoid accelerates cell turnover. In trials, 94% reported no irritation on first use. Retinoid 0.3% delivers prescription-strength results in a sensitive-skin formula. For more on using retinoids safely, see our retinol guide for sensitive skin.
PHYTOFILL 1% FIRMING BOOSTER
Best for: Expression lines, loss of firmness
Use it: Morning and evening
Butterfly lavender extract relaxes facial micro-contractions, smoothing expression lines at their source. A biomimetic film tightens and lifts from first application. In trials, 84% saw smoother skin after seven days.
This is as close as nature gets to the injectable alternative. Phytofill firms without freezing.
VEGAN COLLAGEN 0.9% RESTORING BOOSTER
Best for: Dryness, loss of smoothness, dull skin
Use it: Morning and evening
Plant proteins that mimic collagen's film-forming action on skin. Creates a breathable layer that locks in moisture and smooths the surface instantly. Testing shows it outperforms animal-derived collagen for moisture binding.
Derived from corn and soy proteins, not animals. Vegan Collagen conditions and restores.
How to actually use boosters
The beauty of boosters is flexibility. Use them however works for your skin and your routine.
Mix them in
The gentlest introduction. Add one drop to your moisturiser, serum or face oil. Perfect for sensitive skin or testing a new active. Our vitamin C works brilliantly with Rosehip BioRegenerate, adding brightening power to overnight regeneration.
Apply directly
For maximum impact, apply one or two drops straight onto clean skin. Follow with your regular routine. This delivers the full concentration where you need it most. Works especially well with targeted treatments around the eye area.
Create custom blends
This is where boosters really shine. Mix two or three drops in your palm to create a bespoke treatment. Your skin changes daily. Your skincare can too.
Dehydrated and irritated? Combine Hyaluronic Acid and Tri-Mushroom for soothing hydration. Dull with sun damage? Blend Vitamin C, Vegan Collagen and Retinoid for overnight transformation. The combinations are endless.
Proven combinations that work
For dullness and fine lines: Stabilised Vitamin C + Peptides
For ageing concerns: Peptides + Retinoid
For dehydrated skin: Vegan Collagen + Hyaluronic Acid
For lacklustre skin: Hyaluronic Acid + Stabilised Vitamin C
For angry breakouts: Tri-Mushroom + Salicylic Acid
For pigmentation: Retinoid + Vegan Collagen
For expression lines: Phytofill + Peptides
Start with one booster. See how your skin responds. Add another when you're ready. The Booster Discovery Kit lets you try multiple formulas before committing to full sizes.
Why we made boosters
Boosters came from Pai Labs, our innovation hub where chemists respond directly to what you ask for. You wanted potent actives that wouldn't irritate. Clinical concentrations you could control. Natural formulas that actually work.
We formulate specifically for sensitive skin. Every booster is patch tested for 96 hours, not the standard 24. Each one is free from fragrance and essential oils. The actives are naturally derived or biofermented, never synthetic.
This isn't about following trends. It's about solving the problem that keeps sensitive-skinned people stuck with ineffective products: how to get real results without the reaction.
What's your skin missing? Our formulation team is already working on the next breakthrough. Tell us on Instagram or drop us a line.
Ready to transform your routine? Book a free consultation with our skin coaches for personalised booster recommendations.
Discover the full range at Pai Labs
Frequently Asked Questions
What are skincare boosters and how do they work?
Skincare boosters are concentrated formulas containing a high dose of a single active ingredient (or a targeted group) designed to address a specific skin concern. Rather than replacing your existing routine, you add 1-2 drops to your moisturiser, serum, or face oil to supercharge it with potent actives like vitamin C, peptides, or hyaluronic acid.
How should I start using a booster if I have very sensitive skin?
Start by mixing just one drop into your existing serum or moisturiser rather than applying it neat. This dilutes the active slightly, giving your skin a gentler introduction. You can build up gradually from there, and all Pai boosters are 96-hour patch tested on sensitive skin for added peace of mind.
Can I mix multiple Pai boosters together?
Yes. You can blend two or more boosters in your palm to create a custom serum tailored to your skin on any given day. For example, combine Hyaluronic Acid 0.3% with Tri-Mushroom 10% for a hydrating, soothing serum, or Stabilised Vitamin C 20% with Peptides 5% to target dullness and fine lines. The only rule is that Retinoid 0.3% should be kept to your evening routine.
What makes Pai's Stabilised Vitamin C 20% Booster different from regular vitamin C serums?
Pai uses ascorbyl tetraisopalmitate, an oil-soluble form of vitamin C that is inherently stable and won't degrade on exposure to light or air the way water-soluble L-ascorbic acid does. Skin cells absorb approximately 10 times the concentration compared to L-ascorbic acid, and the active remains in cells 40 to 80 times longer, delivering sustained brightening and antioxidant protection without the irritation of low-pH formulas.
Which Pai booster is best for reducing the appearance of expression lines quickly?
Phytofill 1% Firming Booster targets expression lines by temporarily relaxing the muscle micro-contractions beneath them, using a CO2-extracted butterfly lavender active. In a consumer trial of 108 subjects, 84% agreed skin looked smoother and 81% agreed skin felt firmer after just 7 days. For a more comprehensive approach, pair it with Peptides 5% Smoothing Booster, which stimulates collagen and elastin production for longer-term firmness.
