What Skincare Products Not to Mix

There is a rule about what skincare products not to mix. There aren't too many goodies, and the ingredients in Epiduo are a good example.

It can treat acne but should not be used in combination with other acne treatments. Use them individually for best results.

You may also consider mixing them later, as using these products together is unlikely to have many beneficial effects. First, vitamin C should not be mixed with other skin care products.

Best used alone, especially at night. Another ingredient you shouldn't mix in your skin care products is niacinamide, also known as vitamin B3.

Niacinamide helps protect the skin from environmental stressors, improves hydration, strengthens the barrier and increases elasticity.

It also reduces fine lines and wrinkles while improving the appearance of pores. If you're not sure which skin care products to use together, you can check the labels.

If you're a skincare lover like us, you probably use at least three different products on your face at night before moisturizing.

If you haven't applied your skincare routine, now is the time to start. It's a clever way to force ingredients into the skin and make each product work at its best.

But before you turn your bathroom into a lab, there are some ingredients you need to know that don't work well together.

Can I Use Vitamin C With AHAS/BHAS??

Vitamin C is actually an acid (sometimes called ascorbic acid), so stacking it with AHAs and BHAs like glycolic, salicylic, and lactic acid is a big no-no. It's also very unstable, so any acid you coat with it will upset the pH balance and be completely useless before it has a chance to work its magic.

Can I Use Retinol With AHAS/BHAS?

Retinol does not exfoliate like AHAs and BHAs, but it is an exfoliant so it stimulates cell turnover to slough off old and damaged skin cells.

Mixing with acids can cause dryness and irritation, and disrupt the skin's moisture barrier, while they can also increase your skin's sensitivity to sunlight, which means you're at a higher risk of burns and UV damage. If you're looking for the benefits of both, use these ingredients every few days or weeks.

Can I Use Retinol With Vitamin C?

Using retinol and vitamin C together is another way to deal with irritation, peeling, and redness, as these are two very potent ingredients. It is best to use retinol at night and vitamin C during the day.

Can I Use Oil-Based Products With Water-Based Products?

This is basic high school science: oil and water don't mix. In fact, oil actually repels water. So when it comes to your skincare routine, using oil-based products can leave a film on your skin that prevents water-based formulas from being absorbed. If you want to use both formulas in the same routine, use the water-based products first, then the oil-based ones.

Can I Use Glycolic Acid With Salicylic Acid?

Both ingredients can exfoliate dead skin cells on the top layer of the skin, but more is not always better! Glycolic acid and salicylic acid are great ingredients to use individually (or in a pre-formulated blend), but mixing the two yourself can cause a huge reaction and damage your skin barrier. One word: Ouch.

Can I Use Niacinamide With Vitamin C?

Used alone, both ingredients are great for treating blemishes and scarred skin, and you'll find them used together in some multi-ingredient serums.

However, combining them in a DIY style can lead to disaster. Niacinamide can take away the good properties of vitamin C and turn it into something that causes redness and triggers acne breakouts.

Can I Use Niacinamide With AHAS/BHAS?

Both niacinamide and AHA/BHAs (such as glycolic, lactic, and salicylic acids) can help improve skin texture, hyperpigmentation, acne, and signs of aging, but mixing or layering these ingredients is not necessarily beneficial.

Acids have a lower pH of 3-4, while niacinamide has a higher pH of around 5-7. When used in combination, niacinamide raises the pH of the acid, which means it is less effective and not absorbed. This combination can also cause redness and flushing of the skin.