The world of skincare is vast, and within that world, tonnes of different ingredients exist.
Unfortunately, it's not as easy as just using any skincare products and ingredients we want, and some ingredients can even be bad for the skin when used together.
But it’s not all negative, there are some ingredients that improve the efficacy of each other when used together, too.
In this blog, we’re finding out which skincare ingredients should stay away from each other, and which are skincare besties.
Skincare Ingredient Enemies
There are a few reasons why skincare ingredients may not work together, including decreasing the effectiveness of the ingredients or irritating the skin.
Retinol & Vitamin C
Both retinol and vitamin C have similar benefits, working to brighten the skin and fade dark spots, but that doesn’t mean they work well together.
Vitamin C is known to be less effective when combined with retinol and could lead to uncomfortably irritated skin as both are active ingredients.
They also both work in different pH environments, meaning that together, they’re not great for your skin’s natural pH balance.
With that being said, you can still have both ingredients in your skincare routine. Retinol is best used in the evening, and Vitamin C in the morning, so they can be like ships passing in your routine!
Retinol & AHAs or BHAs
Mixing retinol and alpha-hydroxy and beta-hydroxy acids (AHAs and BHAs) can cause irritated skin, and could even lead to excessive redness, itchiness, flaking, and dry skin.
Both are exfoliating ingredients so using them together could cause over-exfoliation.
By alternating the days you’re using each of these ingredients, you can avoid irritation and enjoy the benefits of each separately.
Retinol & Salicylic Acid
Both retinol and salicylic acid can be used to help treat acne-prone skin, but again, that doesn’t make them a match made in skincare heaven.
These ingredients can both dry out the skin, meaning you should avoid using them together to minimise the risk of dryness.
Overdrying can lead to irritated skin which could react by creating more oil, leading to more acne and breakouts.
Skincare Ingredient Besties
Now we know which ingredients don’t get on, let's take a look at some skincare besties.
Niacinamide & Hyaluronic Acid
Both niacinamide and hyaluronic acid are water-based ingredients that are gentle on the skin and aim to calm and hydrate the skin.
Niacinamide is known to be great for sensitive skin as it can help rebuild and protect the skin barrier, whilst hyaluronic acid plumps the skin, combatting signs of ageing.
The two work well together in giving the skin extra hydration and protection and keeping it calm and fresh.
Our Glass Skin Bundle is the key to flawless, glowing skin, combining our hyaluronic acid serum and our anti-ageing day cream with niacinamide.
These two products bring together these nourishing ingredients to give your skin the ultimate hydration and anti-ageing benefits.
Niacinamide & Retinol
As a form of Vitamin B, niacinamide also works to hydrate and protect the skin from environmental damage.
This makes it a brilliant partner for retinol’s skin-resurfacing benefits and working together, they balance each other out, with niacinamide mitigating some irritation that could be caused by retinol.
When used together, both also help to protect and strengthen the skin’s natural barrier.
Making use of both of these ingredients, our Anti-Ageing Day Cream offers a lightweight, gel-like formula for luxury hydration and beautiful skin.
Hyaluronic Acid & Vitamin C
Both Vitamin C and Hyaluronic Acid share powerful skin-repairing properties and anti-ageing benefits, making them perfect when it comes to mixing ingredients.
Dermatologists also believe that these ingredients are more effective when paired together and can be used to improve the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and sunspots.
Both our Vitamin C Illuminating Skin Duo and Hyaluronic Acid Deep Hydration Skin Duo bring together powerful cleansers and serums, designed to benefit your skin in different ways.
Why not mix and match to enjoy the benefits of both?
From ingredients that love spending time together to ingredients that don’t get on, consider this your one-stop guide to come back to whenever you need it.