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Skincare is the new self-care. You’re not only treating your skin right but also feeling better about it. But with the introduction of new skincare products almost daily, it’s easy to mess up and damage your skin. While skincare is essential, it’s important to keep a tab on the ingredients you’re layering on your skin. There are some ingredients that you should never, I repeat, never mix with each other. Not only can they render each other ineffective, but also cause adverse reactions like burns and peeling. Ahead, we’ve listed down popular skincare ingredients that should never be mixed with each other.
What Skincare Ingredients Should Not Be Mixed
Below are the combinations of skincare ingredients that should never be mixed together:
01. Retinol and AHA/BHA

Retinol is a powerful anti-ageing ingredient that exfoliates your skin, improves texture, and enhances the overall health of your skin with regular use. But due to its potency, retinol becomes a difficult ingredient to pair with a lot of other ingredients. AHA/BHA (alpha hydroxy acid and beta hydroxy acid) are one of them. These are chemical exfoliants that remove dead skin cells from the top layer of your skin, revealing glowing skin underneath.
Since retinol and AHA/BHA both work as exfoliants, pairing them could be too harsh on your skin. This could lead to severe chemical burns, hyperpigmentation, redness, and acne. It’s always advised to keep a gap of a few days to a week between using these two ingredients.
02. AHA/BHA and Vitamin C

What not to mix with Vitamin C? As explained above, AHA/ BHA are acids that are used in minimal quantities to gently exfoliate the skin. An ingredient that is wonderful on its own, but could be disastrous with AHA/BHA is Vitamin C. One might assume Vitamin C can seep deeper into their skin and have more advantages after the skin is well exfoliated with a chemical peel. Umm, wrong!
Vitamin C is also an acid called ascorbic acid. It is a water-soluble vitamin that has antibacterial properties that fight bacteria and infection, detoxify skin, and form collagen in fibrous tissue, connective tissue, bones, skin, and capillaries. The problem with using AHA/BHA with vitamin C is that the acids could clash. Moreover, once your skin gets rid of the dead cells on top, it becomes hypersensitive. Vitamin C could seriously sting your skin and cause irritation. It’s better to keep these away from each other and use them individually, at different times of the day.
03. Vitamin C and Retinol

By now we all know what these two ingredients can do. The reason these two be used separately is that they nullify each other out. Retinol and Vitamin C cancel out all the benefits they carry individually and you end up getting nothing for your skin.
And if used together continuously, it could cause skin irritation. Furthermore, retinol and Vitamin C should be used at different times. Retinol is best suited to use at night, post applying moisturiser (or mixed with your moisturiser), while Vitamin C should be used during the day to protect your skin from the sun. Don’t forget to follow it up with SPF.
04. Benzoyl peroxide and Retinol

If you have acne-prone skin, benzoyl peroxide can be a game-changer! Like most acne solutions, benzoyl peroxide is extremely drying. It’s usually recommended for spot treatments as it dries out the pimple. Due to this, it should never be used with retinol.
The latter is also used for acne treatments and has similar drying effects. When mixed together, this is a recipe for disaster.
05. Niacinamide and Vitamin C

Niacinamide and Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) have conflicting pH levels. Vitamin C works best in an acidic environment, while niacinamide performs better at a neutral pH. When combined, they can neutralize each other, reducing their effectiveness and potentially causing irritation.
06. Salicylic Acid (BHA) and Vitamin C
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Both ingredients are exfoliants but work differently. Vitamin C is acidic and can reduce the effectiveness of salicylic acid, while salicylic acid, being oil-soluble, may also cause irritation when mixed with Vitamin C, leading to redness and sensitivity.
07. Glycolic Acid and Salicylic Acid

Glycolic acid (an AHA) and salicylic acid (a BHA) both exfoliate the skin but target different layers. Using them together can lead to excessive exfoliation, which might cause irritation, redness, and dryness due to over-stimulation of the skin.
08. Benzoyl Peroxide and Vitamin C

Benzoyl peroxide can oxidize Vitamin C, which diminishes its efficacy. When combined, this can not only make Vitamin C ineffective but may also cause irritation, especially in sensitive skin types.
Tips for Safe Skincare: How to Build a Routine Without Damaging Your Skin

Patch Test New Products
Always patch test a new product on a small area of skin before applying it to your face to avoid adverse reactions.
Don’t Mix Too Many Actives at Once
Limit the number of active ingredients in your routine to avoid overwhelming your skin and causing irritation.
Know Your Skin Type
Understanding whether you have oily, dry, combination, or sensitive skin helps you choose products that cater to your specific needs.
Follow the Correct Order
Cleanser → Toner → Treatment (actives) → Serum → Moisturizer → SPF (AM only). This ensures that each product works effectively without interfering with the others.
Introduce Actives Gradually
Start with one active ingredient and gradually introduce others to give your skin time to adjust without irritation.
Never Skip Sunscreen
Sunscreen is crucial in protecting your skin from UV damage, especially when using actives that make your skin more sensitive to sunlight.
Read Product Labels
Always check for ingredients that may cause allergies or irritation, especially if you have sensitive skin.
Consult a Dermatologist
If you're unsure about how to build your skincare routine or which products are best for your skin, seek professional advice to avoid potential damage.
FAQs on Skincare Ingredients That Should Never Be Mixed Together
Here are some frequently asked questions about using new skincare ingredients answered by the experts:
Q: Why is mixing some skincare ingredients so risky?
A: Some ingredients, while great on their own, react negatively when combined. This could result in rendering the products ineffective, mild irritation or even severe chemical burns.
Q: What happens if I accidentally combine these ingredients?
A: It depends on your complexion’s sensitivity. You could experience redness, itching, burning, peeling, or even acne. In more extreme cases, you might develop hyperpigmentation or chemical burns. When using a new skincare ingredient, if you notice any negative reactions, immediately wash it off and speak to a dermatologist.
Q: Could I use these ingredients at different times of the day?
A: Yes, definitely! This is the best way to add potentially conflicting ingredients into your skincare regimen. For instance, use Vitamin C in the morning and Retinol at night. This way, you get to use both without the risk of irritation.
Q: What about layering products? Does the order matter?
A: The order definitely matters! Typically, you should apply products from thinnest to thickest. This enables each product to absorb properly. For instance, always apply your serums before your moisturisers.
Q: How long should I wait between applying different products?
A: Wait a few minutes for each product to absorb before applying the next. This reduces the risk of ingredients mixing on the surface of your complexion and causing irritation. A good way to determine the time is to wait until your complexion feels dry to the touch before moving onto the next product.
Q: Could I combine these ingredients in my hand before applying them to my face?
A: Definitely not! Combining ingredients in your hand can still lead to a chemical reaction, even before they touch your face. It’s advisable to apply each product separately and wait for them to absorb in your skin.
Q: If a skincare product has both Vitamin C and Retinol, is it safe to use?
A: Some brands formulate products to stabilise these ingredients together, but it’s still advisable to be careful. If you have sensitive skin, perform patch testing the product first. Additionally even stabilised formulas might not be as effective as using the ingredients separately at different times of the day.
If you make sure not to use these ingredients together and remember to be patient with your skincare regimen, you are well on your way to achieve a clear, radiant complexion. Moreover, if you have specific skin issues or have further questions, it’s best to reach out to a dermatologist or skincare expert. A professional is your best resource for personalised skincare advice. They can assess your skin type, address any issues, and suggest a skincare regimen that’s safe and effective for you.