When it comes to perfecting your skincare routine, active ingredients are key! You cannot simply just mix and match, there is a science behind it, luckily for you we have simplified it so all you have to do is click add to cart and check out!
Hyaluronic Acid + AHAs/BHAs
Hyaluronic acid is a great follow-up to chemical exfoliants like AHAs and BHAs as they decongest your pores thus paving the way for your skin to soak up all that lovely moisture.
Try these pairings out:
- The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 and Benton Aloe BHA Skin Toner
- COSRX Hyaluronic Acid Intensive Cream and COSRX AHA 7 Whitehead Power Liquid
- Purito Pure Hyaluronic Acid 90 Serum and COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid
Vitamin C and SPF
Vitamin C paired with sunscreen is a dynamic duo that helps to enhance your skin's protective barrier and defenses. Vitamin C's antioxidant benefits and SPF's UV ray protection can help to prevent long-term pigmentation from sun damage. This duo works to provide two lines of defense and an extra layer of protection.
Try these pairings out:
- Commonlabs Vitamin C Brightening Gel Cream and Innisfree Intensive Long Lasting Sunscreen SPF50+ PA++++
- Klairs Freshly Juiced Vitamin Drop and Garnier Light Complete Super UV Spot-Proof Sunscreen SFP50+ PA++++
- The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 30% in Silicone and Mamonde Everyday Aqua Sun Cream
Vitamin C + Vitamin E
Both vitamins are bursting with antioxidants, when coupled together, they boost each other's efficiency, increasing the benefits to your skin! Because Vitamin C is water-soluble and Vitamin E is oil-soluble, they penetrate skin in different ways, ensuring every last inch of your skin receives an antioxidant boost.
*Note: Do not mix Vitamin C with Niacinamide as the potency decreases significantly when paired together unless application is spaced by around 15 minutes between products.
Try these products containing both Vitamin C and E out:
- Commonlabs Dual Vita Anti Oxidant Ampoule (10ml x 2)
- The INKEY List Supersize C-50 Blemish Night Treatment
- Klairs Freshly Juiced Vitamin E Mask
- Nivea Extra White C&E Vitamin Lotion
AHAs + BHAs
Oily and acne-prone skin can benefit from combining AHAs and BHAs. BHAs are oil soluble and will penetrate deeper into pores, removing excess sebum and AHAs are water soluble and will focus on exfoliating the skin’s surface, making sure it is smooth and even.
Try these products containing both AHAs and BHAs out:
- COSRX AHA BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner
- Some by Mi AHA BHA PHA 30 Days Miracle Cream
- Nacific Pink AHA BHA Serum
- Purito ABP Triple Synergy Liquid
- The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution
Retinol + Hyaluronic Acid
Retinol helps to boost collagen production and increase cell turnover, reducing the appearance of pigmentation and ageing. However, it can cause irritations when applying it for the first few times as your skin gets used to this ingredient, thus you can layer hyaluronic acid on top to help combat some of this irritation without interfering with the efficacy of retinol.
*Note: Do not pair retinol with AHAs/BHAs as this can dry out skin and cause further irritation if you use retinol. Also, do not pair retinol with benzoyl peroxide as they cancel each other's effects out.
Try these pairings out:
- The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 and The Ordinary Retinol 0.2% in Squalane (30ml)
- Pixi Rose Quartz Soothing Oil and Pixi Overnight Retinol Oil
- The INKEY List Hyaluronic Acid Serum and The INKEY List Retinol Serum
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