What Skincare Products Should Not Be Mixed?

What Skincare Products Should Not Be Mixed?

You layer serums, face creams, and moisturizers, trying to build the perfect routine for glowing skin. While many skincare ingredients work well together, mixing incompatible ingredients can lead to irritation, dryness, and can even cancel out the benefits you’re trying to achieve. Knowing which skincare ingredients don’t work together is important to protect your skin and get the best results from your routine. We'll break down why mixing certain ingredients could cause skincare problems, and what safe, more effective alternatives to use.

What Are Skincare Ingredient Combinations to Avoid?

Here are skincare ingredient combinations to avoid to keep your complexion balanced, healthy, and glowing.

Retinol & Vitamin C

  • Why they don't mix⎯Retinol and Vitamin C are great anti-aging ingredients. However, they work best at different pH levels. Vitamin C works best in a more acidic, low-pH level while retinol is more effectively at a slightly higher, pH level. Using them together can reduce the effectiveness of both and increase the chance of skin irritation.
  • How to use them safely⎯Instead of layering them, use only one of them in your evening skincare routine.

Shop recommended retinols:

Shop recommended Vitamin C:

Retinol & AHAs/BHAs

  • Why they don't mix⎯This combination can cause over-exfoliation because retinol already accelerates cell turnover, and alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), along with beta hydroxy acids (BHAs) do the same, so this can easily overwhelm your skin when layered together. If you combine retinol and AHAs and BHAs, these exfoliants can strip your skin’s protective barrier, causing dryness, redness, and sensitivity.
  • How to use them safely⎯Alternate the nights you use them. If you have sensitive skin, it could be good to not use either for a day or two.

Products With the Same Active Ingredient

  • Why they don't mix⎯Using multiple products with active ingredients at once can overwhelm your skin instead of helping it.This can lead to excessive dryness and irritation by stripping away too many natural oils.
  • How to use them safely⎯Choose one product for each active ingredient so your skin can reap the benefits of its ingredients, without overloading your skin.

Sunscreen & Makeup

  • Why they don't mix⎯Always apply sunscreen before foundation to ensure your skin stays properly protected. Blending sunscreen with foundation can lower its SPF protection, leaving your skin more vulnerable to UV damage.
  • How to use them safely⎯Apply your moisturizer first, let it absorb then apply your sunscreen as a separate, even layer. Wait a few minutes before applying makeup on top.

Shop recommended sunscreens:

Physical Scrubs & Exfoliants

  • Why they don't mix⎯Combining a physical exfoliant (a scrub with beads or grains) with a chemical exfoliant (an AHA or BHA) will over-exfoliate your skin. This can cause micro-tears in the skin, which could inflame and damage skin.
  • How to use them safely⎯Choose one type of exfoliation for your skincare routine. If you want to use a physical scrub, use it on a day when you’re not using a product with an AHA or BHA in it.

Shop recommended physical scrubs and exfoliants:

Vitamin C & AHAs/BHAs

  • Why they don't mix⎯Since both are acidic, using them together can disrupt your skin’s protective barrier and cause irritation or redness.
  • How to use them safely⎯Use Vitamin C in the morning and an AHA or BHA product at night. This gives your skin a break, and allows each ingredient to work effectively.

Retinoids, Retin-A & Waxing

  • Why they don't mix⎯Retinoids and Retin-A make your skin more fragile, and waxing on treated skin can result in “lifting” which is when the top layer of skin tears away.
  • How to use them safely⎯Stop using all retinoids, including Retin-A, for at least 5-7 days before a facial waxing appointment.

Bar Soap & Skincare Products

  • Why they don't mix⎯Traditional bar soaps have a high pH that can strip and destabilize your skin’s protective barrier. Using them with actives like retinoids, BHAs, or AHAs can lead to dryness, irritation, and breakouts.
  • How to use them safely⎯Choose a gentle, pH-balanced facial cleanser over bar soap to cleanse without stripping or compromising your skin’s protective barrier.

Using Multiple Acne-Fighting Products at Once

  • Why they don't mix⎯Using several acne-fighting products at the same time can overwhelm your skin and cause it to be irritated and stressed. These ingredients are all designed to dry out excess oil, so using them together will leave your skin parched, flaky, and irritated.
  • How to use them safely⎯Simplify your skincare routine by using a gentle cleanser and one acne treatment to prevent irritation.

Shop recommended acne-fighting products:

Reserve a Personalized Skincare Routine at Sarah Akram Skincare

Everyone’s skin is different, and what works for one person may not work for another. If you have skin concerns or have questions about how to combine skincare products, reserve an appointment with an esthetician at Sarah Akram Skincare for a personalized skincare routine by filling out our online form or calling us at (703) 531-9350.

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