Your skincare routine might be filled with powerful ingredients — but not all of them play nicely together. Some combinations can cause irritation, dryness, or even make each other ineffective. Here’s what to avoid — and what to try instead.
1. Retinol + Vitamin C
Why Not: Both are powerful actives with different pH requirements. Together, they can cause irritation and cancel out each other’s effects.
Use Instead:
- AM: Vitamin C (brightening, antioxidant boost)
- PM: Retinol (skin renewal)
🧴 Product Suggestion:
- Vitamin C: La Roche-Posay Pure Vitamin C10 Serum
- Retinol: The Ordinary Retinol 0.2% in Squalane
2. Niacinamide + Vitamin C
Why Not: They can neutralize each other when used at high concentrations.
Use Instead:
Alternate them — Vitamin C in the morning, Niacinamide in the evening.
🧴 Product Suggestion:
- Niacinamide: The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
- Vitamin C: CeraVe Skin Renewing Vitamin C Serum
3. AHAs/BHAs + Retinol
Why Not: Both increase skin cell turnover, which can lead to redness, dryness, or peeling when combined.
Use Instead:
Exfoliate on a separate day and use retinol 2–3x/week.
🧴 Product Suggestion:
- AHA/BHA: Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant
- Retinol: CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum
4. Benzoyl Peroxide + Retinol
Why Not: Benzoyl Peroxide can deactivate Retinol, and together they’re often too harsh.
Use Instead:
- Use benzoyl peroxide in the morning, retinol at night
- Or alternate days
🧴 Product Suggestion:
- Benzoyl Peroxide: La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo+
- Retinol: The Inkey List Retinol Serum
5. AHAs/BHAs + Vitamin C
Why Not: This duo can be too acidic and harsh on the skin, especially for sensitive types.
Use Instead:
Apply Vitamin C in the morning and acids 2–3x/week at night.
🧴 Product Suggestion:
- AHA: The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution
- Vitamin C: LUMENE Nordic-C Glow Boost Vitamin C Serum with Hyaluronic Acid
✨ Final Tips for Safer Skincare Combining
If you feel irritation, use a hydrating serum (for eg. hyluronic acid or barrier cream which contains ceramides, panthenol, allantoin, fatty acids) before any of the serums above to buffer the irritation then of course after the serum another layer of moisturizer.
Always introduce new actives slowly
Stick to AM = antioxidants, PM = actives
