How To Mix & Layer Skincare Ingredients

Have you ever experienced feeling frustrated about your skincare routine? You’re applying all your oils, essences, and creams religiously yet it seems to make things worse for your skin. Are you experiencing more breakouts than your usual hormonal acne? Does your skin easily get sensitized? There are definitely a number of reasons why your products aren’t working, but we may have a culprit: you’re mixing the wrong ingredients together. 

Can Vitamin C be mixed with other potent acids? Should you layer your acids? It may be overwhelming at first, but we’re here to simplify the do’s and don'ts of mixing skincare ingredients for every skin type. Ahead, a basic guide to keep in mind when mixing products. 

1. Much like makeup, skincare isn’t a one size fits all. 

Your skin is unique and ever-changing! Be wary of beauty influencers who preach a single routine or product that’ll banish all your skincare woes. What works for them may not necessarily work for you. As you discern which skincare product to add to your routine next, keep this in consideration. Having a better understanding of ingredients helps you narrow down the endless options available. 

2. Look out for these tell-tale signs of skin irritation. 

Let’s get one thing straight: you don’t have to suffer for good skin! If using a product or a combination of products result in a burning sensation, itchiness, inflammation, flakiness or acne,   then you may have to stop using it. It’s also a great idea to do a simple patch test for every new product beforehand to see how your skin reacts!

3. Be wary of potent, possibly irritating ingredients. 

There are just powerful skincare ingredients, which act better alone, especially when you’re just starting out with a skincare routine or have very sensitive skin. Refrain from combining potent ingredients like Vitamin C (brightening), AHA and BHA (exfoliation), and Benzoyl Peroxide (treatment of acne) in one routine. Facts : you can mix these ingredients but your skin might not be able to tolerate the mixture of these ingredients. Why? Because your skin is not a science laboratory.

4. Make sure that each product works well on its own before combining with other products. 

There may be times when you’re tempted to try new skincare products at the same time, especially after a good haul. (Care to share your haul from Meekah’s Halloween sale?) There’s just something about having new products that make you want to try everything all at once—but don’t! 

Give your skin time to get used to a new product. Allocating 2 weeks to try it out before combining it with another new product is highly recommended. It also makes it easier to discern which products work and what doesn’t. Take it slow, this isn’t a race! 

5. Mix these ingredients—or don’t! 

With the overwhelming amount of ingredients in your skincare products, it may be confusing as to which ones you can combine and which ones you should refrain from mixing together. Here’s a simple guide to help you create the right routine just for you. 

Remember that creating a routine that works for your unique skin takes time. You’re bound to encounter a bump in the road, but don’t be discouraged! It’s essential to keep educating yourself about your products, and with it, the ingredients to maximize their effectiveness. And if all else fails, listen to your skin. You don’t have to suffer for good skin!