A Guide to Important Skincare Ingredients That Should Never Be Mixed

A mixing new ingredients into your skincare routine, it’s important to patch test, introduce them slowly, and pay attention to how your skin reacts. But always if you’re unsure about compatibility, consulting with a dermatologist or skincare professional can provide personalized guidance.

Creating an effective skincare routine involves more than just throwing together various products. Some skincare ingredients can interact negatively when combined, leading to irritation, inflammation, or even reducing their effectiveness. 

Ahead of mixing new ingredients into your skincare routine, it’s important to patch test, introduce them slowly alongside your trusted Beverly Hills MD products (or whatever it is you use), and pay attention to how your skin reacts. But, as always, if you’re unsure about compatibility, consulting with a dermatologist or skincare professional can provide personalized guidance.

1. Retinol and Vitamin C

Both of these ingredients are potent and can be irritating on their own, but when combined, they can cause even more sensitivity and redness. It’s best to use them at separate times of the day or on alternating days.

2. Benzoyl Peroxide and Retinoids

These two ingredients are known to be harsh on the skin and can cause excessive dryness, peeling, and irritation when used together. If you’re using products with these ingredients, consider using them on different days or using one in the morning and the other at night.

3. AHAs/BHAs and Retinoids

Combining exfoliating acids (Alpha Hydroxy Acids – AHAs or Beta Hydroxy Acids – BHAs) with retinoids can lead to over-exfoliation and irritation. If you want to incorporate both, use them on different days to avoid damaging your skin’s barrier.

4. Niacinamide and Vitamin C

There’s been some debate about whether these two ingredients can be used together, as they were believed to cancel each other out. However, more recent research suggests they can be used together as long as the concentrations aren’t extremely high. Start with a patch test and observe how your skin reacts.

5. Niacinamide and Alpha Arbutin

Similarly, high concentrations of niacinamide and alpha arbutin can potentially diminish each other’s effectiveness when used together. It’s best to space them out or use them in separate routines.

6. Vitamin C and Copper Peptides

Copper peptides can react with vitamin C and render it less effective. If you want to use both, apply them at different times of the day.

7. Salicylic Acid and Glycolic Acid

Using these strong exfoliants together can be too aggressive for the skin, potentially causing excessive dryness and irritation. Alternate between them or use them in different steps of your routine.

8. Peptides and Acids

Some acids, particularly low pH acids like glycolic acid, can disrupt the efficacy of peptides. It’s generally recommended to apply peptides in the morning and acids in the evening.

9. Retinol and Acids

Using retinol and exfoliating acids on the same day can cause irritation and make your skin more susceptible to damage. Use them on alternate days to allow your skin time to recover.

10.Oils and Silicone-Based Products

Silicone-based products can create a barrier on the skin that prevents oils from penetrating effectively. If you’re using an oil, it’s best to apply it before silicone-based products.