“You want ingredients that will mix and not separate like oil and water in order to get an even distribution of the mixture on your skin. Mixing ingredients can provide additive effects to your skin,” explains Dr. Deborah Yu, a cosmetic surgeon with The Plastic Surgery Center. “If ingredients do not necessarily ‘match,’ you should be aware that you could have a less than optimal result.”
So what skin care ingredients are soul mates and which ones should call it quits? Here’s what the experts say:
GOOD: Vitamin C + Vitamin E
Dermatologist Tsippora Shainhouse MD, FAAD says that because both vitamin C and E are antioxidants, their components create an ideal cocktail that can help replenish and repair your skin cells, especially as your skin begins to get older and less firm. Dr. Yu adds: “Vitamin C performs a variety of functions within the skin: stimulation of collagen, reducing fine lines and wrinkles and aids in protecting the skin from environmental pollutants. Thus providing enhanced UV protection from UV exposure. And vitamin E steps in to help block free radicals from attacking the skin, reducing the signs of aging.”
GOOD: AHAs (Glycolic Acid) + BHAs (Salicylic Acid)
If you have acne-prone skin, even into adulthood, you might have trouble identifying what will actually get rid of those blemishes before a big board meeting or a promising first date. Dr. Shainhouse says to use a mix of glycolic acid, salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide to get the job done. “The acids exfoliate the skin, enabling the benzoyl peroxide to penetrate deeper for improved anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effect,” she explains.
GOOD: Hyaluronic Acid + Retinol
By the time you reach your late 20s (and possibly before if you’re really ahead of the skincare game), you’ve probably considered adding a retinoid into your regimen. “This is a derivative that unclogs pores, exfoliates, and boosts collagen to reduce fine lines, speed cell turnover, even out discoloration and smooth skin. Results can be seen sometimes as little as four weeks,” Dr. Yu says. But as your skin begins to respond to the treatment and shed its first layer, you might notice that your skin is super-sensitive or especially dry. That’s why Dr. Shainhouse says to add a product with hyaluronic acid to balance your system. “The hyaluronic is hydrating and can help prevent irritation from the retinoid, while allowing it to penetrate and still be effective,” she notes.
Also read Hello, Sunshine: Everything You Need to Know About Vitamin D Deficiency
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