Retinoids don't combine well with AHAs, benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, or vitamin C due to potential stability issues and skin sensitivities, and soap-based cleansers can also reduce vitamin C's skin benefits.
Avoid using harsh, alcohol-based toners, over-exfoliating your skin, and using heavy, oil-based products. These can exacerbate the imbalances in your skin, leading to issues in both the oily and dry areas. Remember, skincare is a personal journey, and what works for one person may not work for another.
Mixing skin care brands is perfectly fine. You might want to read through the side bar, though. Some ingredients are not supposed to be mixed together (eg AHA's and retinol), so you should avoid using products with those at the same time.
The 7 Skin Method is a skincare technique that involves applying seven layers of hydrating toner or essence to your skin.
This technique involves applying toner to your skin seven times in a row, allowing each layer to fully absorb before applying the next one. The idea behind this method is that it helps to deeply hydrate your skin, improving its texture and appearance.
Skincare regimens are vital to your skin health. In office treatments make up 20% of skin health but the other 80% makes up for how you care for your skin at home. Finding and creating a regimen that works with your skin is a process that takes time, but we are here to help! Check out our 7 pro tips for skin success!
Retinoids don't combine well with AHAs, benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, or vitamin C due to potential stability issues and skin sensitivities, and soap-based cleansers can also reduce vitamin C's skin benefits.
DON'T MIX: AHA/BHA and niacinamide
Niacinamide is used to treat hyperpigmentation and reduce fine lines and wrinkles, while alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) and beta hydroxy acids (BHAs) are chemical exfoliants. To understand why niacinamide shouldn't be mixed with AHAs and BHAs, you need to consider pH.
Don't combine retinol with alpha or beta hydroxy acids, benzoyl peroxide, vitamin C, and other retinols or retinoids. Don't skip sunscreen Retinols are usually used as part of nighttime skincare routines, but even when they're applied at night, they can lead to lingering sun sensitivity.
By definition, Normal Skin is a skin type often perceived as the gold standard due to its balanced sebum production. It is neither too oily nor too dry. This type of skin is characterised by a soft, smooth texture accompanied by a radiant complexion. It has minimal pores and rarely gets any blemishes.
Your T-zone is made up of the 'T' shaped area spanning your forehead down to your nose and chin. Your T-zone contains more sebaceous glands than anywhere else on your face and so it is completely normal to appear more oily than other areas of your face.
Don't Mix with Certain Ingredients:
Avoid applying Vitamin C with products containing AHAs, BHAs, retinol, or benzoyl peroxide in the same routine.
Salicylic Acid is considered to be one of the most effective peeling agents. Using Salicylic Acid with Retinol or Benzoyl Peroxide can dry out the skin, causing flakiness and redness.
Niacinamide and vitamin C
This combination sparks a lot of debate among skincare experts. Some say that since both niacinamide and vitamin C contain antioxidants, they cancel each other out and might even lead to irritation.
While it is safe to use products with vitamin C serum for face twice a day, we recommend keeping your skin type and concerns in mind before you start. Ensure that you check the directions mentioned on the packaging to get the most out of your products.
For that reason, mixing peptides and glycolic acid is not recommended. Why shouldn't these acids be mixed with peptides? The reason peptides and salicylic acid as well as peptides and glycolic acid aren't efficacious ingredient combinations is because peptides are susceptible to hydrolysis when exposed to acids.
Retinol: As Retinol and Salicylic Acid are both exfoliating, drying skincare ingredients, using both together in the same routine could lead to serious irritation. Glycolic Acid: Similarly, as an AHA, Glycolic Acid helps exfoliate the top layer of the skin, which is too intense when used alongside Salicylic Acid.
Generally, Hyaluronic acid is not known to cause acne. It is non-comedogenic, lightweight, and non-greasy. But some people may experience breakouts after using products that contain it. This may be due to the increased moisture in the skin, which can create a breeding ground for bacteria.
The Dos & Don'ts of Mixing Skincare Ingredients
Some active ingredients such as retinol and vitamin C can irritate the skin if used in conjunction with exfoliants such as acids, while more gentle humectants such as hyaluronic acid can make a harmonious pairing with just about everything.
What is the 60 Second Rule? The 60 Second Cleansing Rule is the idea that you should take a whole minute to massage cleanser into the skin to ensure that it's completely clean and free of impurities, and perfectly prepped for your skin care routine.
How many products are recommended? Despite what social media might suggest, (the online world does tend to promote routines that seem miles long), most dermatologists recommend a three to four product-based routine.
Your 20s is an ideal time to start a skin care routine and adopt skin healthy habits. “The skin care choices you make now will affect what your skin looks like in your next decade – and beyond,” says board-certified dermatologist Rajani Katta, MD, FAAD.