The Do's and Don'ts of Mixing Skincare Ingredients

Playing mixology is all fun and games until you naively pair two skincare ingredients and end up flaring up your skin and damaging the barrier. Been there, done that? We don’t want you to go down that road again. Which is why, today we explore the many skincare ingredients and combinations – which you should and shouldn’t mix. 

Vitamins

Vitamins in skincare are divided into A, B and C. Going alphabetically, let’s start with vitamin A, which is also commonly called retinol. Here’s what they do. 

• Regulate sebum and control acne 
• Promote the production of collagen 
• Reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and age spots 
• Even out skin tone and texture 

Do Mix 

Retinol + Hyaluronic acid

Retinol is a very powerful exfoliating ingredient that helps reverse acne and signs of ageing. However, it might cause dryness, irritation and redness. Pairing it with hyaluronic acid helps balance out these negatives of retinol, by deeply hydrating skin. Use your retinol products first, and then top it up with HA. 

Don’t Mix 

Retinol + Vitamin C 

Both these products are amazing on their own, but together they are a recipe for disaster. This is because retinol requires a neutral skin pH to work, whereas vitamin C is acidic in nature. You can still use them in your daily routine by applying vitamin C in AM and retinol in PM. 

Next up is vitamin B, which is known as niacinamide. This is an all-rounder ingredient that suits all skin types. Niacinamide can, 

• Reduce large pores
• Brighten and even out skin tone 
• Smoothen rough or bumpy skin 
• Regulate the production of sebum 

Do Mix 

Niacinamide + Salicylic acid 

What happens when you combine two superstar ingredients together? You get a skincare combination that has an addictive effect. Niacinamide and salicylic acid both boost collagen production, reduce and refine large pores, regulate sebum production and give smoother and clearer complexion. Since their benefits are so overlapping, using them together will only double up the benefits. 

 

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Don’t Mix 

Niacinamide + Vitamin C 

Using these two ingredients together has divided the internet. While some vote in favour, there are many who do not, for two reasons. First being, using them together can neutralize the effectiveness of both the ingredients. Secondly, it can create a toxic substance called nicotinic acid that can cause rashes and redness. So, it's better to steer clear of the side-effects by using them at different times. 

Lastly, it is vitamin C. It’s comparatively much more popular than its other two comrades and is one of the best antioxidants for skin. 

• It brightens and adds glow 
• It improves skin’s elasticity and collagen production 
• It offers sun protection and reduces sun damage 
• It promotes an even skin tone 

Do Mix 

Vitamin C + Sunscreen 

This duo offers optimum protection against harmful sun rays. Vitamin C being a potent antioxidant shields the skin against sun damage and free radicals – elements that speed up skin ageing. Using vitamin C skincare products along with a broad-spectrum sunscreen in your AM routine will help prevent premature signs of ageing, sun spots, and pigmentation.

Don’t Mix 

Vitamin C + Exfoliating Acids 

This combination can become too much for your skin to handle, and over-sensitize your skin leading to redness and itchiness. 

AHAs 

These are exfoliating acids that are derived from fruits and milk. They work on the surface of the skin to get rid of dead skin cells, dirt, pollution residue, blackheads and whiteheads. Below are the most common types of AHAs. 

• Glycolic acid 
• Lactic acid 
• Mandelic acid
• Citric acid 
• Tartaric acid 

BHAs 

These are exfoliating acids too, but they are fat-soluble which allows them to go deep into your skin to control sebum production, unclog pores, and reduce acne. The most commonly found BHA is salicylic acid. 

PHAs 

Polyhydroxy acids are another category of exfoliating acids that are much milder compared to the other two. They slough off dead skin cells, reduce hyperpigmentation, and improve skin texture. They also hydrate skin, improve skin’s barrier and can lock-in moisture to reduce signs of ageing. The most common PHAs are, 

• Galactose 
• Lactobionic acid 
• Gluconolactone 

Do Mix 

Glycolic acid + Vitamin C 

This duo is one of the best ingredients for skin. Using glycolic acid for skin can drastically reduce dark spots to give you spot-free, glowing skin. When paired along with vitamin C, it works particularly well to give you radiant and healthy skin. While layering, apply glycolic acid first and then go with your vitamin C skincare product. 

AHA/BHA/PHA + Hyaluronic acid 

There are no doubts as to how AHAs, BHAs, and PHAs can benefit your skin. From eliminating dead skin cells, unclogging pores, reducing signs of ageing to improving cell turnover, they can do it all. What they also sometimes do is dehydrate your skin. Which is where HA comes into picture. We now know about its hydrating properties that come in handy to tackle dehydration and plump skin. 

Don’t Mix 

AHA/BHA/PHA + Vitamin C 

Using these together is like using acid on acid. Even though vitamin C might not seem like an acid, it actually is. Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid can boost collagen production and reduce dark spots like no other ingredient can. But the problem with using these two together is that they can sensitize your skin, causing stinging and redness. 

AHA/BHA/PHA + Retinol 

When two alphas come together, that’s an invitation for trouble. Retinol goes along with very few ingredients and these exfoliating acids are definitely not in that short list. Using them together can damage your skin’s barrier, make your skin excessively sensitive and cause redness and irritation.

Other skincare actives include: 

• Hyaluronic acid – hydrates and plumps skin
• Ceramides – repairs and improves skin barrier
• Benzoyl peroxide – treats and reduces acne
• Alpha arbutin – lightens pigmentation and reduces acne

Do Mix  

Ceramides + Exfoliating Acids

Ceramides are thick, calming and soothing. Using them along with exfoliating acids like retinol, AHA, BHA or PHA can help reduce the dryness, redness and irritation that usually accompanies after you use them. 

Don’t Mix 

Benzoyl peroxide + Retinol 

Now one might wonder, if both these ingredients can help with acne, why not use them together for maximum benefits? The answer is dryness. We already know how drying retinol can be, and using benzoyl peroxide - another skin-drying ingredient with it - will strip your face of every drop of moisture. 

Now that you know so much about skincare do’s and don’ts, you can actually call yourself a doctorate in skin health! 

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