When done correctly, mixing different skincare products can elevate your skincare routine. However, not all ingredients work well together. Some cancel each other out, and others can leave your skin feeling sore and irritated.
Since research suggests that only around 19% of people understand how the ingredients in their skincare routine work, it’s likely that many of us are missing a trick.
So, to help sort through the noise, we’ll explore 10 dos and don’ts of mixing skincare products.
Note: It’s important to test a small area of skin to check for irritation before introducing any new products to your skincare routine, particularly those containing acids.
5 skincare ingredients to avoid mixing
While different skincare ingredients each have unique benefits, not all are designed to be used together. In fact, certain combinations can do more harm than good, reducing product effectiveness and leaving skin feeling irritated.
We’ll cover some skincare combinations to avoid below.
1. Retinol and alpha hydroxy acids
Retinol (a derivative of vitamin A) and alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), such as glycolic acid, are two powerhouse ingredients in anti-ageing skincare. They’re known to boost cell turnover and increase collagen production, helping to improve skin tone and texture, and reduce fine lines and wrinkles.
Both ingredients work by exfoliating the outer layer of skin, so it’s normal to experience skin irritation, particularly when you first start using them. However, irritation can become severe when retinol and AHAs are used together.
That said, just because retinol and AHAs don’t work well when applied together, this doesn’t mean they can’t both be used in your skincare routine. To enjoy the benefits of both, experts advise using products on alternating days or weeks.
There are also retinol and AHA-containing products available that have been specifically designed and tested for combined use. For example, AlphaRet by Skinbetter Science was found to perform as well as a prescription retinoid product in smoothing lines and wrinkles, with fewer side effects, including redness.
Note: Retinol can make skin more sensitive to the sun, so it’s important to use SPF and apply retinol-based products at night.
2. Retinol and benzoyl peroxide
Popular for its anti-ageing effects, retinol can also be an effective acne treatment due to its ability to exfoliate skin and prevent clogged pores. So, if you’re an acne sufferer, you might be tempted to use it alongside benzoyl peroxide – a topical antiseptic acne treatment.
But research suggests that combining these products may not produce the desired results. Studies show that benzoyl peroxide reduces retinol’s effectiveness and can even render it useless by deactivating its molecules. Many people also find that combining these ingredients results in dry, flaky, and irritated skin.
Luckily, experts say that benzoyl peroxide alone is typically strong enough to treat acne-prone skin. However, much like retinol and AHAs, if you’d like to use both, alternating products (benzoyl peroxide in the morning and retinol at night, for example) is an option.
There are also exceptions to this rule, including specific formulations of retinol that research suggests can remain stable alongside benzoyl peroxide. For example, Epiduo Forte is an acne treatment that combines adapalene (retinol) and benzoyl peroxide.
3. Retinol and vitamin C
Vitamin C, often listed as ascorbic acid on skincare products, is a powerful antioxidant that has many skincare benefits. Among other things, research suggests it can brighten and hydrate skin, and improve the appearance of fine lines, pigmentation, and wrinkles. This is largely due to its role in collagen production and ability to fight free radicals (harmful, unstable molecules).
However, while you can use both vitamin C and retinol in your skincare routine, experts advise against applying them together, particularly if you have sensitive skin, as it can cause redness and irritation. Instead, general guidance is to alternate products on different days, or use vitamin C in the morning and retinol in the evening.
4. Glycolic acid and salicylic acid
Glycolic acid, a type of alpha hydroxy acid (AHA), and salicylic acid, a beta hydroxy acid (BHA), are fantastic ingredients to add to your skincare routine – particularly for improving skin tone, texture, and achieving a healthy, glowing complexion.
However, because both ingredients remove dead skin cells from the skin’s upper layers, using both means you get double the exfoliation, which your skin doesn’t need. According to experts, mixing the two can cause significant irritation and compromise skin barrier function.
Instead, it’s best to use glycolic acid and salicylic acid separately, or in pre-formulated blends. If you’re unsure which to add to your skincare routine, glycolic acid tends to be better for dry, dull, or sun-damaged skin, while salicylic acid may be better if your skin is more oily or acne-prone.
Note: AHAs and BHAs can make skin more sensitive to the sun, so it’s important to always wear SPF after using them.
5. Water-based and oil-based skincare
Water-based skincare products are mainly powered by water, combined with other hydrating ingredients like glycerin, hyaluronic acid, or botanical extracts. Meanwhile, oil-based products contain ingredients such as jojoba or argan oil. Depending on your skin type, both have their uses.
If you have oily or acne-prone skin, water-based skincare is usually better because it’s lightweight and doesn’t clog pores. Oil-based products, on the other hand, can be a good option for dry or mature skin because they provide deep hydration and help lock in moisture. For combination skin, using both water and oil-based products can be beneficial, but how you apply them is key.
Skincare or not, water and oil don’t mix. Oil repels water, meaning if you apply oil-based products first, it creates a film that prevents water-based skincare products from absorbing into the skin. For this reason, if using both, it’s important to apply water-based products first. For further guidance, check out this guide to ordering your skincare products correctly from Derma Made.
5 powerful skincare combinations
1. Vitamin C and niacinamide
Much like vitamin C, research has linked niacinamide, a form of vitamin B3, with a wide range of benefits for skin health, including an ability to reduce redness and irritation, strengthen the skin barrier, and improve overall skin tone and texture.
As a result, experts say that using vitamin C and niacinamide together offers powerful results. From reduced inflammation to improvements in texture and firmness, research has linked the combination with reduced hyperpigmentation, skin dullness, redness, and fine lines. Both ingredients are also suitable for most, if not all, skin types.
Check out this guide to layering vitamin C and niacinamide from Olay if you’d like to get started.
2. Hyaluronic acid and AHAs/BHAs
Research suggests that hyaluronic acid and AHAs/BHAs can be a good skincare combination, particularly for people with dry, sensitive skin.
One of the main draws of hyaluronic acid is that it’s a humectant, meaning it attracts water. According to research, hyaluronic acid is capable of retaining over 1,000 times its weight in water. This means it’s highly effective in achieving the visibly plump, hydrated, and well-nourished look many of us desire, and helps to counteract potential dryness and irritation caused by AHAs and BHAs, which exfoliate skin.
3. Hyaluronic acid and retinol
Hyaluronic acid and retinol are two A-list ingredients at the heart of today’s skincare routines. And, according to experts, they perfectly complement each other.
Much like AHAs and BHAs, a common side effect of retinol’s rejuvenating power is dry, irritated skin, which hyaluronic acid helps to protect against. According to research, using retinol and hyaluronic acid together can be effective for improving the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and creating visibly plump, smooth skin.
For tips on how to use hyaluronic acid and retinol together for best results, check out this guide from L’Oreal Paris.
4. Retinol and niacinamide
Research suggests that the hydrating and anti-inflammatory properties of niacinamide may reduce the dryness, redness, and peeling that some people experience when using retinol.
There’s also evidence that retinol and niacinamide are more effective when used together. For example, because niacinamide is known to strengthen the skin barrier, experts say it can make the skin more receptive to retinol, enhancing its benefits.
There’s also evidence that combining retinol and niacinamide can be an effective acne treatment, potentially leading to visibly brighter, more even skin, with reductions in fine lines and wrinkles.
Check out Olay’s guide to combining retinol and niacinamide to learn more.
5. Vitamin C and SPF
Sunscreen helps protect against sun damage, which, among other things, is linked with premature ageing and an increased risk of skin cancer.
Research suggests that up to 90% of skin ageing is caused by sun damage, and up to nine in 10 cases of melanoma skin cancer could be prevented if people enjoyed the sun safely. For this reason, sunscreen will always be the most important skincare product.
However, research suggests that combining sunscreen with other ingredients, like vitamin C, may further enhance its benefits. According to experts, while sunscreen works as a physical and chemical barrier against UV rays, vitamin C enhances its protection by fighting off free radicals that can penetrate sunscreen.
Final thoughts…
The world of skincare can feel confusing or even overwhelming. But the good news is that a few simple rules can make all the difference in protecting your skin and achieving a healthy glow.
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What are your top skincare products? Has anything in this article surprised you? We’d be interested to hear from you in the comments below.
