Mixing skincare ingredients? 5 combinations you must avoid to prevent skin damage

From vitamin C and retinol to SPF moisturizer and makeup, check out five skincare ingredient combinations that you should avoid for healthy and glowing skin.

Have you heard of skincare mixology? It is one of the most recent trends in the skincare market today that simply translates to the mixing of skincare ingredients. Before you come down in favour of one skincare regime, it is vital to ensure that the ingredients in respective products work well together. While using different skincare products and ingredients can offer various benefits, it is important to be mindful of the combinations you use. Mixing certain skincare ingredients can lead to adverse effects on your skin, such as irritation, dryness, or even breakouts. Understanding the potential risks of combining different skincare ingredients can help you make informed decisions when selecting products for your skincare routine.

Queenie Singh, Former Miss India, Columnist, Practitioner and Founder of BiE, Beauty in Everything, shared with HT Lifestyle, some skincare ingredients that you should never mix and match.

1. Vitamin C and Retinol

As good they are as individuals, they just refuse to get along. Combining these two ingredients can result in irritation and redness. Both these ingredients can cause inflammation too. To ensure optimum utilization of both ingredients, use them at different times of the day. Vitamin C must be used during the day, followed by sealing it with an appropriate SPF before stepping out. Retinol works best at night.

2. Vitamin C and AHA/BHA

AHA’s and BHA’s belong to the fruit acids family that also comprises lactic, tartaric, mandalic, and glycolic acids. Vitamin C is also acid and both these ingredients are dependent on the pH level. Mixing two acids together may not be the best option for someone who has sensitive skin. Vitamin C must be used during the day, followed by sealing it with an appropriate SPF before stepping out. AHA’s and BHA’s can be used at night.

AHA’s and BHA’s combined with Retinol is a tricky combination because there is a high chance it can cause skin peeling, redness, inflammation, irritation, and perhaps dryness too. Since both Retinol and AHA’s/BHA’s work best at night, the most effective course of action would be to use them on alternative nights. Pair AHAs and BHAs with moisturizers and SPF.

4. Vitamin C and Niacinamide

Niacinamide is anti-inflammatory and Vitamin C is an antioxidant. When used together, they might not benefit your skin in their best version. Their effectiveness can be overshadowed by mixing them together. Apply them a few minutes apart and wait till your skin has completely absorbed the other products used for layering.

5. SPF, Moisturizer, and Makeup

Nowadays people are on the lookout for beauty products that offer a 3-in-one solution for SPF, moisturizer, and makeup. However, this trio is one of the most perilous ones. There is no shortcut to using these products. Apply each product individually and allow some time for your skin to absorb thoroughly. Sunscreen has to be applied to your skin on its own, and reapplied every few hours!

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