Vitamin C and Niacinamide
Vitamin C and niacinamide are great ingredients when it comes to pigmentation issues, according to board-certified dermatologist Dr. Jason H. Miller, MD. But... don't mix them: "Both vitamin C and niacinamide are great for correcting redness and uneven skin tone," he explains. "However, they can cancel each other out if applied together."
Vitamin C and AHA/BHA
Yes, a supercharged vitamin C serum and AHA/BHA mask may seem like the dream team duo you need to achieve that #nofilter glow... however, Dr. Pierre and Dr. Miller both caution that they generally shouldn't be mixed.
"Aside from potential tolerability issues and the potential of causing a lot of irritation, these acids can destabilize vitamin C, and significantly decrease its effectiveness," he explains. "It's best to use vitamin C products in the morning, and then relegate your AHA/BHA product in the evening." Dr. Miller agrees, adding "Vitamin C acts as an antioxidant, and AHA acts to exfoliate, but they can also deactivate each other."
Retinol and Salicylic Acid
Retinol and salicylic acid are two anti-aging, exfoliating superstars within the skin care space. However, Dr. Miller strongly advises against pairing those overnight creams and at-home facial peels together. "Both retinol and salicylic acid can be dry or irritating," he tells TotalBeauty. "Using them together can lead to increased flaking or discomfort."
