There are a bunch of products out there that you can add to your skincare routine but before that, it’s very important that you have complete knowledge about their ingredients. For example, if you are mixing serum with a cream you should know about their active ingredients first. Like whether the ingredients you are mixing are safe to use on your skin or not because they might damage your skin very badly. 

To help you determine which ingredients are good to pair together to boost the efficacy of your skincare routine, and which combination you should avoid?

We did detailed research and collected board-certified dermatologists' advices as well.

Don’t mix Retinol with vitamin C

Retinol is a powerful anti-aging ingredient because it works wonders with resurfacing textured skin, reducing acne of all types, and reducing hyperpigmentation and redness. It stimulates the skin cell cycle, holds collagen together and promotes elasticity. On the other hand, vitamin C is also a power-pack ingredient that helps you achieve bright, glowing skin.

According to dermatologists mixing retinol and vitamin C can cause hyper-reactivity, excessive exfoliation and increased propensity for blemishes on the skin especially if a good sunscreen is not applied. Mixing these two ingredients can cause dryness on the skin.

Don’t mix Retinol and hydroxy acids

Hydroxy acids are organic carboxylic acids and are classified according to their molecular structure as α-hydroxy acids (AHA) and β-hydroxy acids (BHA). These AHAs and BHAs are chemical exfoliants that help you get rid of dead skin cells and give you smooth baby-like skin.

Now, in order to avoid reactions you should use one at a time after the cleansing or toning. Mixing the two ingredients or using them at the exact time can cause dryness and irritation. However, if you still want to include both ingredients in your daily skincare routine apply hydroxy acid first and wait for at least 30 minutes to allow your skin’s pH level to return to normal. And, then apply retinol.

Don’t mix SPF and Makeup

Sun exposure can be incredibly harmful to the skin if not treated and prepared properly. Therefore, you should use products that contain SPF in your daily routine to protect the skin from harmful UV rays.

Mixing or using SPF with makeup or heavy moisturisers can dilute SPF’s effectiveness. SPF typically requires the skin to be bare or only contain their skincare products to absorb adequately. That’s why it is recommended to avoid using SPF with makeup. But if you still want to use SPF with makeup in order to protect your skin, apply sunscreen first before applying anything on the face. Give your skin two minutes to let the sunscreen sink into your skin and then apply makeup on top of the sunscreen.

Don’t mix Benzoyl peroxide + vitamin C

Benzoyl peroxide is an antibacterial and anti-inflammatory agent that treats acne. On the other hand, vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that protects the skin from UV damage, brightens the skin, and helps lighten dark spots. 

Now, mixing or layering the benzoyl peroxide with vitamin C can cause irritation on the skin. Experts do not recommend using the two products at the time for a reason that benzoyl peroxide will oxidise vitamin C and make it ineffective. If you still want to add these two products into our skincare routine then apply vitamin C in the morning and benzoyl peroxide at night.

Conclusion

Like Chips and salsa, there are certain skincare ingredients that just work better together. But some can be really harmful to your skin and can cause irritation, redness, and dryness. Therefore, when choosing skin care products one thing which is very important is the ingredients of a product. 

There is a rule of thumb to avoid products that do the same thing or that can damage your skin. 

Above we have explained the combinations that could be harmful to your skin and in case you still want to use them the correct and safest method is described. 

Share with us which products you are using in your daily skincare routine.

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