Which Skincare Ingredients Should you Never Mix?
We all know that oil and water don't mix, but did you know that combining vitamin C with retinol can spell disaster?
Looking for the perfect beauty routine? Depending on your skin type, it can actually be difficult to determine which products combine best and give you the best results. You might also go through some trial and error during your quest. To avoid this, L'OFFICIEL guides you through your new skincare routine with a list of ingredients that you should never mix together.
Oil and Water
First, the most obvious combination we all know about: oil and water. Oil repels water, so if you try to layer a water-based product on top of an oil-based product - like a balm - a greasy film will remain on your skin that will prevent the water from absorbing. If you must use both of these products in your routine, later the oily product over the water-based one. But overall, stick to using water-based products and serums together.
Vitamin C and AHA & BHA
AHAs and BHAs, such as glycolic, salicylic and lactic acids should never be used with vitamin C. Vitamin C is also an acid and is unstable, so the pH balance will be disturbed by the layering of these ingredients.
Retinol and Vitamin C
Retinol should also not be used with vitamin C, as they are both active ingredients. Retinol helps build collagen, but it also creates skin cell turnover, so using it with an acid like vitamin C can cause more irritation. Instead, use retinol at night and vitamin C during the day. Retinol tends to work best with hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and SPF.
Vitamin C and Niacinamide
AHA & BHA and Retinol
Retinol combined with these acids will send you straight to disaster, leaving your skin dry and irritated, since the main job of AHAs and BHAs is to exfoliate, which retinol already does very effectively. AHAs and BHAs are best mized with moisturizing ingredients and SPF.
Niacinamide and AHA & BHA
Niacinamide used with AHAs and BHAs has no effect and may even cause redness. Because niacinamide has a pH of around 5-7, it can raise the lower pH of acids, which is around 3-4, and negate its properties. Used separately, both ingredients can improve skin texture, acne, and signs of aging, so we encourage you to continue using them (but not in direct combination).
Benzoyl peroxide and retinol deactivate each other, so they should never be used together.
Glycolic acid and salicylic acid
These two ingredients are probably never to be used together as they both slough off dead skin cells. Combining them could cause a lot of irritation and ruin your skin barrier. Use one and follow with a moisturizer.
SPF
Sunscreen should be worn daily (and reapplied every two hours!) but should never be mixed with makeup. When wearing both, apply sunscreen separately from makeup and wait before applying other products so they have absorbed well.
