Skincare Ingredients You Cannot Apply At The Same Time

Oil-based and water-based products

Water and oil don't mix. It is best to apply the water-based product first before the oil formulation and not vice versa.

Vitamin C and other acids

L-ascorbic acid is quite unstable and mixing other acids such as glycolic or salicylic acid will make it ineffective. You may apply them one after the other but space them a few minutes apart.

Retinol and Vitamin C

Retinol sloughs off the skin to induce cell renewal and applying an acid like Vitamin C causes more irritation. Apply the Vitamin C serum in the day (antioxidant properties and added SPF works better in the morning) and the retinol at night (cell renewal and repair works better overnight) to lessen adverse reactions and best results.

Retinol and Benzoyl Peroxide

These two ingredients are both drying and irritating and they cancel out each other so it is better to apply them in different times of the day.

Consult a board-certified dermatologist to learn how to get the most out of your skincare products and build an effective, customized skincare regimen for your skin type. Contact our HOO Dermatology hotline at 0917 576-2326 or book an appointment here.