Don't Mix: Retinol with vitamin C, benzoyl peroxide, and AHA/BHA acids. AHA and BHA acids are exfoliating, which can dry out the skin and cause further irritation if your skincare routine already includes retinol.
Niacinamide + AHAs and BHAs
While both niacinamide and AHAs/BHAs can be beneficial for the skin, they should not be used together. Niacinamide can actually inhibit the exfoliating effects of AHAs and BHAs and cause redness and irritation. So, say goodbye to mixing niacinamide and salicylic acid or glycolic/lactic acid!
If you decide to mix and match, you'll also have to be warier of potential irritation. Some ingredients conflict with each other and can cause irritation when mixed, such as benzoyl peroxide and retinol or glycolic acid and vitamin C. Wong calls these “ingredient conflicts.”
When it comes to vitamin C and peptides working together you may find that if you are prone to sensitivity or have a dry skin type, using these ingredients together will result in the skin becoming irritated, flushed, and suffering from redness.
Avoid products with excessive fragrance or other irritants
Any product that includes harsh ingredients like fragrance or alcohol can irritate both dry and oily skin. Dry areas may become drier, while oily parts may produce more oil, potentially leading to breakouts.
“Hyaluronic acid plays well with most ingredients, while caution must be taken when using retinol in combination with alpha hydroxy and beta hydroxy acids, benzoyl peroxide, and some types of vitamin C.” Linkner echoes the tip about avoiding vitamin C.
Second, avoid anything with harsh ingredients like alcohol and fragrance, or anything with a high acid concentration. “The majority of over-the-counter (OTC) cosmetic creams, lotions, and serums are water based and contain less than 2 percent hyaluronic acid,” Frey explains.
Don't Mix: Retinol with vitamin C, benzoyl peroxide, and AHA/BHA acids. AHA and BHA acids are exfoliating, which can dry out the skin and cause further irritation if your skincare routine already includes retinol.
AHAs and BHAs, such as glycolic, salicylic, and lactic acids should never be used with Vitamin C. Vitamin C is an acid, too, and is unstable, so the pH balance will be thrown off by layering these ingredients together and might as well be useless.
Mixing Skincare Brands
Mixing brands is okay—just make sure you have the right core products to enhance the rest of your routine and boost the effects of your other products.
There's no problem with using both retinol and vitamin C as part of your skincare routine, dermatologists say. In fact, Shirazi calls this combo a "power couple" when it comes to aging well.
Niacinamide and vitamin C don't work well together in skincare because when mixed together they metaphorically make brown and you can't un-mix them again to get their awesome skin benefits. Mixed together they can become inactive.
Yes, you can combine niacinamide and Vitamin C to create a synergistic pairing that provides brightening, anti-aging, and protective benefits for skin.
Retinol and Benzoyl Peroxide
The ingredients can cancel the positive effects of each other out and leave skin extremely dry and irritated.
Mix With Hyaluronic Acid
Similarly, pairing a retinoid with a hydrating hyaluronic acid-based moisturizer is another good combination, according to Dr. Rabach. Retinoids are great because they can help tighten pores, decrease oil production, and get rid of dead skin.
Possible interactions include: Aluminum. Taking vitamin C can increase your absorption of aluminum from medications containing aluminum, such as phosphate binders. This can be harmful for people with kidney problems.
Vitamin C and B12
It's not advised to take vitamin C and vitamin B-12 at the same time, says Litt. That's because high doses of vitamin C can reduce the amount of vitamin B-12 that's absorbed and metabolized by the body, she says. Be sure to take vitamin C at least two hours after vitamin B-12.
Not only can you use vitamin C and hyaluronic acid together, but when you do, they can help create a more effective skincare routine. Each one has skincare benefits, some of which we mentioned, but when combined, they can form a more potent formula that offers increased results.
The way you want to use hyaluronic acid in a skincare routine is to start by cleansing your face with a nice simple cleanser. And then, with slightly damp skin or even slightly wet skin, apply the hyaluronic acid serum to your face followed by a moisturizer and sunscreen (during the day).
Should I use Hyaluronic Acid before or after Retinol? You should use hyaluronic acid after retinol. And to maximise the benefits, you should use retinol first and then wait at least 30 minutes before applying hyaluronic acid.
Using a moisturizer is an essential step after applying hyaluronic acid. The moisturizer will help seal hydration into the skin and help hyaluronic acid absorb correctly if the air around you is dry.