Retinol and Vitamin C are said to be the best for the skin, but... which cosmetics should not be used together?

With the booming home care beauty market, a flood of skincare products is being released. In particular, many people have purchased products containing retinol and vitamin C based on word-of-mouth recommendations that they are good for the skin. However, you should not blindly apply all of these ingredients at once just because they are effective. This is because some cosmetics are incompatible with each other, and using them together can actually cause skin problems.

◇ Retinol product + Vitamin C product = X

Retinol is effective in preventing wrinkles, while Vitamin C helps with skin whitening. However, since retinol is fat-soluble and Vitamin C is water-soluble, it is not advisable to use the two products together. This is because they interfere with each other's absorption into the skin. Although fat-soluble Vitamin C products exist, both retinol and Vitamin C can cause stinging and burning sensations if the skin is sensitive or if an excessive amount is used in a single application. Those with sensitive skin need to be especially careful. If you wish to use both ingredients, it is recommended to use Vitamin C in the morning and retinol in the evening, or to alternate between the two products every other day.

 

◇ Retinol product + Exfoliating product = X

It is best not to use retinol with ingredients that induce exfoliation, such as AHA or BHA. Skincare products containing AHA and BHA acidify the skin slightly to prevent the proliferation of harmful bacteria and help the skin regenerate by shedding contaminants. Therefore, they are known to be effective for managing skin troubles. However, since using them together with retinol can worsen skin dryness and irritation, it is recommended to use them separately.

 

◇Pore products + Anti-aging products = X

Pore-cleansing products, designed to control sebum secretion and prevent breakouts, tend to be low in oil. In contrast, anti-aging products are generally oilier and more moisturizing to improve wrinkles and skin elasticity. Using both products together prevents them from performing their proper functions. Furthermore, even if you cleanse thoroughly with a pore-cleansing product, applying an anti-aging product afterward can cause the oil to clog the pores. However, for combination skin, you can use pore-cleansing products on the T-zone (forehead and nose), where pores are enlarged and oily, and anti-aging products on the dry U-zone (cheeks and chin), eye area, and mouth area.

 

◇ Vitamin C products + Vitamin E products = O

There are also cosmetic combinations that are better when used together. Vitamin C products are good to use together with products containing Vitamin E. Vitamin C helps brighten and improve skin elasticity, and inhibits the activation of cells that produce melanin pigment. It also helps prevent the formation of blemishes, freckles, and moles. Vitamin E further increases the absorption rate of Vitamin C. Therefore, you can expect a synergistic effect when applied together. Furthermore, since Vitamin E promotes skin regeneration, it is beneficial to use them together.

 

◇ Exfoliating product + Moisturizing product = O

When using AHA or BHA ingredients to exfoliate, it is good to apply moisturizing ingredients. AHA and BHA are types of acids that thinly dissolve the stratum corneum on the surface of the skin. While using exfoliating products can smooth the skin texture, it can also dry out the skin and reduce its protective barrier. Applying a moisturizer at this time can improve skin elasticity. However, AHA and BHA ingredients should not be used together, as excessive exfoliation can actually irritate the skin.

 

🫢 Check the compatibility of cosmetic ingredients carefully

It would be great to use it together for skincare.

It would also be good to be aware of ingredients that are harmful when used together.

I think it will be helpful to learn something new.

 

Source: Health Chosun