Five ultimate ingredient pairings to give your skincare a powerful boost

The skincare industry has taken on the world full force. And, as a result, many of us have become our own personal cosmetic chemists, attempting often disastrous experiments on our faces in order to narrow down the perfect skincare routine.

Luckily, actual dermatologists and aestheticians have been flooding our socials to educate us on what trends to stay away from and what ingredients we should never combine. But, just as some products don’t work so well together (hello vitamin C and benzoyl peroxide), others make the perfect pair and can even boost the performance of your skincare routine.

1. SPF and Antioxidants

While antioxidants can’t replace SPF alone, they can help to fight off free-radical damage. And, when used in conjunction with sunscreen, your skin will benefit from enhanced protection from UV rays and long-term pigmentation.

2. Retinol and Peptides

It’s hard to beat retinol when it comes to anti-ageing benefits, but peptides do come close. Both ingredients help boost collagen production, but retinol aids in skin-cell turnover, allowing the peptides to penetrate the skin.

3. Vitamin C and Vitamin E

Both vitamin C and vitamin E are great for reducing photodamage and soothing the skin, but they work even better when used together. Both vitamins also stabilise each other and boost each other’s efficacy. Additionally, vitamin C is water-soluble, while vitamin E is oil-soluble, meaning the skin is fully protected from free radicals.

4. Retinol and Hyaluronic Acid

Retinol is great, but it can sometimes be harsh on the skin, especially if you’re just starting to incorporate it into your routine. Luckily, thanks to its gentle and hydrating formula, hyaluronic acid can offset retinol’s drying and irritating effects.

5. AHAs and BHAs

AHAs and BHAs are both exfoliants, but they work in different ways. AHAs are water-soluble and work on surface-level skin-cell turnover. On the other hand, BHAs like salicylic acid are oil-soluble, allowing them to penetrate the deeper layers of the skin.

When used together, AHAs and BHAs provide the skin with total exfoliation. But, be careful when using these two together as over-exfoliation can lead to irritation and an overproduction of sebum. Instead, opt for products that contain AHAs and BHAs together to ensure they are correctly formulated.