Finding the right skincare can be difficult. Not only are you searching for products from brands you like to support, but you’re also looking for products that will give you the results you want and a price that works for you. Even though it might seem intimidating to add skincare ingredients to your routine or build a fresh one from scratch, it doesn’t have to be. Keep reading for the do’s and don’ts of mixing skincare ingredients and get yourself one step closer to the skin of your dreams!
Let’s kick this off with the do’s of mixing skincare ingredients. Keep in mind, the skincare ingredients that you select will be exclusive to what goals you’re trying to accomplish with you skin. It might take a few adjustments to get the exact routine down that works for you but be patient & always give yourself grace.
skincare ingredients that DO mix well
hyaluronic acid + glycerine
Think of these two skincare ingredients as the power couple for fighting dry skin. Why? To start, both hyaluronic acid and glycerin are both excellent humectants. What are humectants? Simply put, they are ingredients that are create a barrier on the skin in order to lock in moisture. Even better, hyaluronic acid hold about 1000x its weight in water. What better way to hydrate your skin?
- Note: if you have severely dehydrated skin or live in a climate that tends to be drier, it might be a good idea to avoid using pure hyaluronic acid as it can worsen the effects of your dry skin.
vitamin c + vitamin e
These two vitamins are ideal to use together because they are both hard-working antioxidants. Antioxidants are amazing additions to your skincare because they help to fight free-radicals and environmental stress your skin experiences. Both free radicals and environmental stressors contribute to premature aging, fine lines, and wrinkles.
niacinamide + retinol
We all know by now just how beneficial retinol is for our skin. Not only is it proven to reverse signs of aging, it also fights inflammation. Niacinamide is a fairly new to the scene skincare ingredient. While it might sound like an unfamiliar ingredient, niacinamide is just another vitamin, vitamin B3 to be exact. Niacinamide is a great skincare ingredient to combine with retinol because it works to firm skin, minimize fine lines and wrinkles, and keep skin healthy.
salicylic acid + glycolic acid
Stick with me here! Of course, we know, certain acids are good for exfoliating the skin. What’s neat about this combination of acids? First, they are different sizes. Salicylic acid is a much larger molecule than glycolic acid, mean that it sits on the surface of skin and does its work there. Glycolic acid, being smaller, is able to sink lower into the skin and exfoliate deeper layers of the skin. Finally, glycolic acid is an AHA (alpha hydroxy acid) and salicylic acid is a BHA (beta hydroxy acid).
- Note: AHA are much more beneficial if you have skin that is on the drier side. If you’re looking to combat acne, BHAs may be the better option because they penetrate deeper and can help fight bacteria.
- Note: If you’re using both of these acids, make sure to alternate between the two. Attempting to use them together at the same time may result in irritation, especially for those with sensitive or reactive skin.
ferulic acid + vitamin c
Much like vitamin C & vitamin E, ferulic acid & vitamin c both work to fight free radicals on the skin. This means, of course, that they also help fight signs of premature aging that might be caused by stressors like air pollution and UV rays from the sun and lights that you encounter. Additionally, when ferulic acid is added to products containing vitamin c, it helps make the vitamin c more shelf-stable and effective, meaning your products does more for longer.
skincare ingredients that DO NOT mix well
I am by no means an esthetician or an expert on skincare ingredients but, armed with a love of research and years of experience, I’ve organized a list of ingredients that you should try your best to avoid mixing at all cost. Ready? Let’s go!
retinols & exfoliating acids
So, we know two things. Retinols are great for encouraging cell turnover & AHAs/BHAs are perfect for exfoliating dead skin. However, we should avoid layering them together. Sure, it might seem like a great idea to have two products that are powerful exfoliating skincare ingredients. Unfortunately, layering these two would lead to big trouble like irritation, flaking and dryness.
- Note: The best way to get around this and reap the benefits of both? Skin cycling! Alternate the use of these products to allow you skin time to adjust and heal itself. Vitamin C is also considered an acid.
benzoyl peroxide + retinol
Keeping with the same concept as above, we want to avoid using retinol and benzoyl peroxide together. These skincare ingredients cancel each other out. Which means you’ll more than likely be left with dry and irritated skin. If you plan on using these two both in your skincare routine, it’s best to stick to skin cycling.
niacinamide + vitamin c
We know the wonders of both niacinamide and vitamin c earlier, but this doesn’t mean that two play well together. Much like out friends benzoyl peroxide & retinol, when layered, niacinamide & vitamin c will neutralize on the skin. That might not sound like a big deal but it is!! When these chemicals neutralize, they create whats known as niacin & niacin is problematic because it can cause extreme redness in the skin. That’s no good for us!
These skincare ingredient combos represent just a few of the pairings that you should be aware of to help you find your way to healthy skin. Be sure to spot test as well as add new products in slowly and one at a time! Always remember to consult with your dermatologist when changing up your skincare routine or when adding potentially strong skincare ingredients. Happy cleansing!