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Do you start group chats about the best scalp treatments?
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Google AHA vs BHA exfoliants until the wee hours?
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Some things are just meant to be together.
We could list some, but let your imagination wander.
Other things are better suited on their own especially when it comes to certain skin-care products.
Unsure if you’re giving your favorite serums and creams the spotlight they need?
If anything, your face will be left extremely uncomfortable.
Both of the actives have the potential to irritate your skin, Chan says.
Minimize redness and flaking by keeping your favorite retinol and vitamin C serums separate.
Slotvitamin Cinto your a.m. routine, especially since it functions better in the daytime, she adds.
Consider the same advice as above: vitamin C in the morning; AHAs in at night.
Michelle Lee and Jenny Bailly called upon dermatologist Marie Jhin to share some hard-and-fast rules for skin-care layering.
Although both of these potent ingredients are effective acne-fighting ingredients, you should never combine them.
Reason being:Benzoyl peroxidecan oxidize anddegrade tretinoin, Chan notes.
Another recipe for major irritation is retinol mixed withalpha hydroxy acids, like glycolic, lactic, and citric.
“Both of these ingredients disrupt the skin barrier,” Chan explains.
Instead, alternate the days you throw them on.
One or two times a week, Chan reaches for an AHA with a 10 to 20 percent concentration.
On the other days and if her skin isn’t acting up retinol is put into action.
Stick to only one of theacne-treating ingredientsat a time to maintain to your true colors.
Also, remembersalicylic acidandbenzoyl peroxideare always a viable pairing.
Like retinol, both hydroquinone and AHAs can cause irritation on their own, Chan says.
“Even a ubiquitous ingredient like niacinamidecan potentially irritate skin.”
Also, giving your skin breaks from actives is incredibly important, Chan adds.
Read more about the science of skin care:
Now, watch a sanitation worker’s complete beauty routine:
