It seems every other month or so the skincare community is talking about the latest ingredient you should be adding into your routine and it can get a little overwhelming. You think to yourself that you’ve already got a strong routine going on but now there’s an exciting ingredient uncovered and you may be a little confused about when you should be applying it.
In this blog post we’re going to explain a few popular ingredients you should consider using together if you aren’t already because particular pairs can actually work really well together, making them more effective at treating certain skin concerns. However, having said that, there are also some that shouldn’t be used together in the same routine as they can cause skin irritation, or they simply just cancel each other out, resulting in ineffective skincare. Continue reading to see some of our top suggestions.
Ingredients to use together:
Vitamin C and SPF
There’s no denying Vitamin C and SPF go hand in hand when it comes to skincare. They boost the effectiveness of each other, so for example you are receiving enhanced anti-ageing benefits from the Vitamin C in comparison to using it as a standalone. Combining both ingredients together (in a morning routine) also provides you with increased UV ray protection and protection against free radicals. This essentially means that when they are applied together, they are actually more effective at preventing skin damage associated with sun exposure, including fine lines and wrinkles. We suggest Neighbourhood Botanicals The Daily Glow followed by the Evolve Climate Veil Tinted SPF20.
Vitamin C and Bakuchiol
Vitamin C is also great when partnered with Bakuchiol. Bakuchiol is a natural alternative to retinol, it’s more tolerable and less likely to cause reactions. Together they increase anti-ageing and brightening properties as Bakuchiol helps to improve skin's elasticity and minimises wrinkles, whilst Vitamin C leaves your skin looking radiant with a youthful glow. What’s even better is that you’ll find both ingredients in the Evolve Bio-Retinol + C Booster which is packed full of antioxidants and vitamins to really nourish your skin.
Niacinamide and AHA/BHA
You may have heard these are the ultimate pair for fighting breakouts and brightening dull skin. If you’re looking for a cleanser, the Neighbourhood Botanicals Acid Washed Foaming Facial Cleanser has been created with natural AHAs to cleanse skin without stripping the natural barrier. The Evolve Miracle Mask also gently exfoliates skin using fruit AHA to release your skin's inner glow.
Retinol and Niacinamide
The duo that are in charge of encouraging an increased rate of cell turnover to maintain skin’s youthfulness. You’ll find Cacay, which is a natural source of retinol in the True Organic Rejuvenating Cacay & Frankincense Facial Oil to increase cell turnover and reduce the appearance of fine lines, leaving skin looking plump and smooth.
What not to use together:
As we mentioned before, certain ingredients can lead to irritation and it’s advised to avoid using them in the same routine to prevent causing any long-term skin issues that can be more challenging to manage. Below are a few examples of what you shouldn’t be using together and solutions for you...
Vitamin C and AHA/BHA
Both of these are strong acids and the alpha hydroxy acid and beta hydroxy acid can actually destabilize the pH in Vitamin C, rendering it useless. It can also cause irritation so it would be best to use Vitamin C in the AM and save the retinol for PM.
Vitamin C and Retinol
This is due to the fact that they are both very active ingredients, and because of this it can lead to irritation, redness and peeling. Instead you should aim to use Vitamin C in the morning and apply retinol at night.
Retinol and AHA/BHA
Combining products that use retinol and AHA/BHA increases your sensitivity to the sun. If you were to use them together, it could result in dryness and irritation and possibly even burn your skin, especially if you don’t use appropriate sun protection. To avoid this, you should use it on alternate nights and always remember to follow up with SPF the next day.
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