Could your skin-care products actually be destroying each other?

We try to be as careful with our skin as possible. We cleanse, tone and moisturise; we use the best recommended products, and we try the new creams that promise beautiful skin.

But sometimes they don't work and it seems all that money spent on skin care products is a total waste. We lose faith in a product or a brand as our skin suffers in the meantime. 

But it might not actually be just the one thing that is ruining your skin care routine. Many popular ingredients, like vitamin C and retinol don't perform at their maximum effectiveness if you use them together. 

Certain mixtures can also cause severe dryness, irritability, inflamation, and even burning, hindering your skin’s ability to look the best it can be. 

Here are some products that do not go together and can actually harm your skin: 

 

Retinols and benzoyl peroxide

These ingredients are often found in acne treatments. Use the two of them together and they deactivate each other. The side effects could include peeling, redness, discolouration and even burning on the skin. 

 

Citric acid

Citric acid is used to adjust the pH in many skin care products. However, layering with other ingredients can cause irritation in sensitive skin so be careful what you put on your face and always ask a professional if you're not sure. 

 

Alpha hydroxy acids and retinols

Alpha hydroxy acids (AHA) come at a pH of level 2 while retinols prefer a pH of level 5. Obviously they aren't two peas in a pod and that's why they shouldn't be used together. Both ingredients serve a different purpose, therefore they should be used at different times of the day. 

 

Vitamin C and alpha hydroxy acids

Both of these ingredients are acid based so using them at the same time will overload your skin with acid which is not good. Vitamin C is better for daytime use where as AHA is better for repairing your skin so keep that to night time.