Skincare Ingredients Not To Mix

Darlings, did you know that certain skincare ingredients shouldn’t be mixed? In order to get the most out of your beauty routine for your best complexion yet, it’s important to use ingredients that harmonize with one another. That way, you’ll get the best results out of your skincare routine.

If you’re asking yourself "Can you use vitamin C with retinol?" or "Can you use glycolic acid with retinol?", read on to discover which skincare ingredients can and can’t be mixed…

Ingredients That Can Be Mixed

For skin that’s happy and healthy, make sure that you’re using skincare ingredients that complement each other. The following skincare ingredient pairings can make perfect combinations, taking you one step closer to SOFT, SUPPLE and MAGIC skin!

Hyaluronic acid + AHAs/BHAs

Suitable for all skin types, hyaluronic acid is a MAGICAL ingredient that helps your skin to retain moisture and elasticity for GLOWY and PLUMP-LOOKING skin. When applied after exfoliating ingredients like AHAs and BHAs (glycolic acids, lactic and salicylic acids), it helps to draw and seal moisture into your skin for a fresh complexion.

Tilbury Tip: For a radiant glow, exfoliate your skin using Super Radiance Resurfacing Facial packed with AHAs, BHAs and PHAs. Then, get your fix of hyaluronic acid by applying the award-winning Charlotte’s Magic Serum Crystal Elixir and Charlotte’s Magic Cream for a hydrated, more luminous, brighter looking complexion.

Hyaluronic acid + retinol

Thanks to hyaluronic acid’s gentle properties, it also teams well with retinol – a magical ingredient derived from vitamin A that’s great for reducing the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and blemishes. Retinol can be found in Charlotte’s Magic Night Cream and Magic Eye Rescue and helps to hydrate and plump the look of skin for a smooth, supple, youthful-looking complexion.

Discover more about retinol

SPF + any supercharged skincare ingredient

Good news for your skin! SPF works well with any supercharged skincare ingredient so you can carry on your usual skincare routine while protecting your skin from harmful UV rays and pollution.

Using SPF is an essential part of your skincare routine, particularly if you’re using products containing retinol. This is because retinol stimulates skin cell turnover, which can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. Charlotte’s Invisible UV Flawless Poreless Primer provides essential SPF 50 protection to your skin and should be applied at the end of your usual skincare routine just before you apply your makeup.

Tilbury Tip: Wait until your SPF has properly absorbed into your skin before applying your makeup. This way, your complexion gets the best protection from UV rays.

Vitamin C + vitamin E

Both vitamin C and vitamin E are rich in antioxidants to help PROTECT your skin from environmental stressors. When paired together, they boost each other’s superpowers, helping flood your complexion with their skin conditioning properties.

Charlotte’s Magic Skin Trilogy including Magic Cream moisturiser, Magic Eye Rescue and Magic Night Cream contains the perfect blend of both vitamin C and vitamin E to MOISTURISE and BRIGHTEN the look of your complexion.

Discover more about vitamin C

Discover more about vitamin E

Skincare Ingredients Not To Mix

Just like certain skincare ingredients work well together, there are some that shouldn’t be mixed. This is because they can cancel each other out, reducing their effectiveness, or cause skin irritation and redness, depending on your skin type. The following skincare ingredient pairings should not be mixed…

Retinol + vitamin C, benzoyl peroxide and AHAs/BHAs

Because retinol effectively promotes skin cell turnover, it can sometimes cause skin irritation. For this reason, it shouldn’t be mixed with AHA and BHA acids as they can dry out your skin when used together.

Retinol should also be kept separate from vitamin C because they have completely different functions. While vitamin C works best in the morning to brighten the skin, retinol works best overnight thanks to its restorative and collagen-building properties. Also darlings, avoid pairing retinol with benzoyl peroxide as the two ingredients can cancel each other out.

Niacinamide + AHA/BHA acids

Niacinamide and AHA/BHAs can also cancel each other out. When used separately, they’re great for improving skin texture, fighting acne and reducing the signs of ageing but can cause redness and irritation if used together, so it’s best to avoid them!

Discover more about niacinamide

Discover Charlotte’s skincare ingredients glossary to learn more

Don’t forget to find your skin type so that you’re using the best skincare products for your OILY, DRY, COMBINATION or NORMAL skin.