{"id":13198,"date":"2020-02-07T15:12:50","date_gmt":"2020-02-07T23:12:50","guid":{"rendered":"https://www.realself.com\/news\/?p=13198"},"modified":"2020-06-18T11:29:07","modified_gmt":"2020-06-18T18:29:07","slug":"mixing-skin-care-ingredients","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https://www.realself.com\/news\/mixing-skin-care-ingredients","title":{"rendered":"Mixing These Skin-Care Ingredients Can Do Serious Damage to Your Skin"},"content":{"rendered":"

Acids<\/a>, retinol, vitamin C<\/a>—the skin-care world is filled with powerful ingredients that promise to deliver a supermodel-worthy complexion. In fact, there are so many products on the market containing these ingredients that it’s tempting to simply slap on as many potent formulas as possible and cross your fingers for that Gigi Hadid glow. But the reality is, not every skin-care ingredient is compatible with the next and mixing certain ones together can actually have detrimental effects on your skin. <\/p>

“<\/strong>Often, products are very carefully and expertly formulated to achieve a combination that effectively solves a problem, treats a condition, or serves a skin need,” says Dr. Ava Shamban<\/a>, a board-certified dermatologist in Los Angeles. “Adding or mixing something else could potentially destroy its efficacy and [the] activity of some of its key ingredients. Or worse, since not all ingredients play well together, they can clash and cause irritation, burning, or other dermal disasters.” In order to avoid an accidental, self-inflicted skin woe, we asked the experts for the ingredient combos that should never<\/em> be used together. You’ve been warned. <\/p>

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AHAs and vitamin C<\/strong><\/h2>

AHAs, aka alpha hydroxy acids, work as chemical exfoliants to improve texture, reduce fine lines<\/a> and dark spots, and bring brightness to an otherwise dull complexion. While some people can<\/em> tolerate using both vitamin C and an AHA (like glycolic acid or lactic acid) in their routine, there is a caveat. “Depending on the pH, acids can enhance the effectiveness of vitamin C because this ingredient is super pH-sensitive, and various forms of vitamin C are actually very unstable,” Dr. Shamban explains. “Too powerful an AHA will alter the pH of a vitamin C [product], which will both degrade its antioxidant power and irritate. If you use a product that does not affect the pH, [they] can work very well together and actually enhance [results].” So for those generally used to more advanced skin protocols, your skin can most likely tolerate acids with vitamin C. However, more sensitive or reactive skin cannot. “If in doubt, don’t double down,” advises Dr. Shamban. <\/p>

Acids and benzoyl peroxide<\/strong><\/h2>

If you’re using benzoyl peroxide for breakouts, be wary of using it with your acid products. “In general, the categories of beta hydroxy acids [BHA], alpha hydroxy acids, [or even polyhydroxy acids (PHA)] are pretty potent exfoliating ingredients,” Dr. Shamban says. “Mixing with other [drying products], such as benzoyl peroxide, may be too harsh and [cause] irritation, peeling, and inflammation or redness—even though each [product] is good on its own.” Since benzoyl peroxide can parch the skin, Dr. Shamban usually recommends using a product that is hydrating and moisture-binding on top of it so that your complexion doesn’t get too dry and act counterintuitively, resulting in an overproduction of sebum and more breakouts.<\/p>

Related: This Dermatologist-Developed Skin-Care Line Is Redefining Clean Beauty<\/a><\/em><\/p>

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