Whether you are a self care expert or just getting started, it is crucial to be informed on what skincare products should not be used together. Having this information can help save your skin from irritation and mixing the wrong ingredients can sometimes lead to extreme chemical burns. Think of your bathroom as your chemistry lab and your products as your reactants, you should never combine two that would react negatively. Luckily, we are going to break it down so you have an easy guide to refer to when adding new products to your skincare regimen.

Skincare Ingredients to Not Mix

Retinol

The past few years have beamed a shining light onto Retinol and its amazing benefits for anti aging and skin cell turnover. However, many consumers do not understand the importance of when to use and what not to use with it until it irritates their skin.

Retinol is also known as vitamin A and is used to diminish fine lines, wrinkles, dark spots, acne, and hyperpigmentation. When combined with other products such as AHA/BHAs or vitamin C, it is likely the two will negatively react or simply cancel each other out.

AHA and BHAs are acids used to exfoliate the skin which can simultaneously dry out your skin. Adding retinol (which is also known to dry out skin) to these acids will irritate your skin, making it red, itchy and even drier. Instead of AHA or BHAs, we recommend using our B3 + HA Facial Serum. This is a much more hydrating option that reacts well with retinol.

Using a vitamin C based product in the morning is the best way to enhance its properties. Vitamin C is known for being an environmental protectant, while retinol is used to rebuild collagen. To maximize the effects of these, it is much better to use vitamin C in the morning and vitamin A (retinol) in the evening.
Safe to mix: SPF and Hyaluronic Acid
Not safe to mix: AHA, BHA, vitamin C and benzoyl peroxide

Niacinamide

Niacinamide, aka B3, is a holy grail skincare ingredient that is great to mix with almost everything else you would use in your daily routine.

The one ingredient that you should not mix with B3 is vitamin C. Unless you space out the application by 10 minutes or more, these two ingredients will completely cancel each other out. They are both amazing antioxidants to have in your routine, but we suggest saving your Niacinamide for your evening routine and pairing it with your retinol.

Safe to mix: Retinol, SPF, AHA, BHA
Not safe to mix: Vitamin C

Skincare Ingredients to Mix

Some of our favorite mixtures here at SIMPURE include:

Vitamin C and SPF

What to use: Our REFRESH line which includes our Mud Cleanser, Vitamin C Toner, and Vitamin C Moisturizer with our SPF 50 Weightless Facial Sunscreen. Vitamin C and SPF are a dynamic duo that boost each other's efficacy.

Vitamin A and Hyaluronic Acid

What to use: Pumpkin Mask and our Botanical Collagen Serum. The two of these combined will give you the collagen boost of your dreams. Our Pumpkin Mask exfoliates using 30% AHA–that’s professional grade– to strip away impurities and boost cell regeneration, and our serum will help soothe the tingles and hydrate your skin.

Niacinamide and AHA

What to use: B3 + HA Facial Serum and Fade Away Cream. This duo will be your new nighttime ritual, as you will wake up hydrated and with noticeably smaller dark spots and hyperpigmentation.

Specific Skincare Ingredient Questions

Q: What should I not use with hyaluronic acid?

A: Hyaluronic acid (HA) is an amazing and simple way to boost your skin's hydration. We especially love this ingredient because you do not have to worry about combining it with other products and having a bad reaction. HA works well with vitamin C, retinol, SPF, moisturizers, and just about anything else you can think of. You can even use it both morning and night. Try out our Peptide Serum, which contains HA and helps fade hyperpigmentation while hydrating.

Q: Can you use salicylic acid with vitamin c?

A: Yes, we actually highly recommend this combination. Salicylic acid is a Beta Hydroxy Acid (BHA) which is a little bit more gentle than Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs) and more suitable for sensitive skin. Salicylic acid will help exfoliate your skin but focus on clearing out your pores as opposed to brightening skin. Mixing this with vitamin C will allow your skin to retain moisture, protect from environmental factors such as pollution, and pick up the brightening portion that BHAs do not focus on. Combining the two will help clear, protect and brighten your skin. Start your routine with our Smooth & Clear Face Wash and end it with our Vitamin C Moisturizer.

Best SIMPURE Skincare Duos

For Acne

Smooth and Clear Cream + Smooth & Clear Face Wash with Salicylic Acid

These two products work so well together for clearing up your skin. The salicylic acid in this face wash is a gentle exfoliant that will clean out your pores and give your Smooth & Clear Cream a fresh base to work on. The cream has 3 standout ingredients, Squalane (from Olives), Sea Kelp Bioferment and Niacinamide (B3), which are sure to eliminate any bacteria and boost hydration.

For Dry Skin

Rose Toner + Rejuvenating Face Cream

Our REJUVENATING Rose toner is made with green tea which delivers freshness, takes care of excess oil, and leaves your skin baby soft. The Squalane oil & Rose essential oil provides anti-aging properties as well as moisturizing benefits. Following with our REJUVENATING Facial Cream will help restore balance and moisture to the skin. This is the perfect antioxidant and toning combination for any skincare regimen, especially for dry and mature skin.

For Even Skin

Squalane Oil + Fade Away Cream

Because it mimics our skin’s natural oil, squalane has an array of benefits including hydration, minimizing the appearance of fine lines, soothing temporary redness, and controlling oil. Read more about Squalane Oil here. Following with our Fade Away Cream will allow your skin to diminish hyperpigmentation while perfectly hydrating.

Be sure to double check that your ingredients work well together before adding in a new product. Always patch test if you are unsure how an ingredient will react with your skin. Refer to our guide and always feel free to reach out with any questions regarding your SIMPURE products.