Skin Maths: How to Pair Skincare Ingredients

If e=mc² and a²+b²=c², then which skincare products work best together? Liberty has pairing skincare ingredients down to a perfect science

Skin Maths: How to Pair Skincare Ingredients

If e=mc² and a²+b²=c², then which skincare products work best together? Liberty has pairing skincare ingredients down to a perfect science

By: Shannon Peter

As anyone that’s clued up on skincare pairings will tell you, to get the most out of one skincare ingredient, it's often best to team it up with another complementary ingredient. Sometimes, the pair work synergistically to maximise the results of your overall skincare routine. Other times, combining certain ingredients can help remedy some of their less-than-appealing side effects (retinol, we’re looking at you). But which ingredients are a match made in dermatological heaven? We asked Daniel Isaacs, Medik8’s Director of Research to share five exemplary ingredient combinations to try now.

Read More: How to curate the ultimate morning skincare routine

1.

Salicylic Acid + Retinal

Anyone with congested, breakout-prone, oily skin ought to get acquainted with salicylic acid and retinal (vitamin A). “These ingredients come together to smooth, clarify and decongest the appearance of skin,” explains Isaacs. Salicylic acid travels into the pores to soften and dissolve congestion-causing keratin. “Vitamin A, in general, is able to help normalise cell turnover and reduce the amount of sebum that skin produces, which helps to minimise blocked pores and blemishes,” Isaacs continues.

Try: Medik8 Crystal Retinal 3 Night Serum, £47 and Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant, £31

Read More: The first step to building your routine is first learning the correct order of skincare products

Shop Now

Back In Stock

Medik8

Crystal Retinal 3 Night Serum 30ml

£49.00

Buy now

Trending

Paula's Choice

Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant 118ml

£34.00

Buy now

Kiehl's

Retinol Skin-Renewing Daily Micro-Dose Serum 30ml

£50.00

Buy now

Paula's Choice

Clear Cleanser 177ml

£20.00

Buy now

REN Clean Skincare

Bio Retinoid™ Youth Serum 30ml

£64.00

Buy now

Trending

Sunday Riley

U.F.O. Ultra-Clarifying Acne Treatment Face Oil 35ml

£68.00

Buy now

Sale

Paula's Choice

Skin Perfecting 25% AHA + 2% BHA Exfoliant Peel 30ml

£41.00 £30.00

Buy now

Vitamin C + SPF

Using vitamin C and sunscreen together will offer skin ultimate protection. “They can work in synergy to protect the skin from environmental damage, whether that be from pollution or from UV rays,” Isaacs explains. An antioxidant, vitamin C is able to diffuse the effects of the UV rays that do manage to make it through your sunscreen’s filters, particularly in areas where your application (or reapplication) may have been lacking. “Vitamin C can supercharge your sunscreen by ensuring effective protection and repair for your skin,” Isaacs adds.

Try: Dr. Barbara Sturm The Good C Vitamin C Serum, £110 and Ultra Violette Supreme Screen SPF 50+ Hydrating Skin Screen, £34

2.

Read More: Meet the high end skincare brands worth the investment

Shop Now

Trending

Ultra Violette

Supreme Screen SPF 50+ Hydrating SKINSCREEN™ 50ml

£34.00

Buy now

Dr. Barbara Sturm

The Good C Vitamin C Serum 30ml

£110.00

Buy now

Sunday Riley

C.E.O. Afterglow Brightening Vitamin C Gel Cream 50g

£60.00

Buy now

Medik8

Daily Radiance Vitamin C Moisturiser SPF 30 50ml

£59.00

Buy now

Ultra Violette

Queen Screen SPF 50+ Luminising Serum SKINSCREEN™ 50ml

£36.00

Buy now

Kiehl's

Ultra Facial Cream SPF 30 50ml

£35.00

Buy now

Sunday Riley

C.E.O. 15% Vitamin C Brightening Serum 30ml

£70.00

Buy now

REN Clean Skincare

Glow Daily Vitamin C Gel Cream 50ml

£42.00

Buy now

Dermalogica

Protection 50 Sport SPF50 156ml

£39.00

Buy now

3.

Exfoliating Acids + SPF

“SPF is a must, but it is especially important if you use skincare acids, as some can leave skin more sensitive to sun damage due to the increased exfoliation of the skin,” advises Isaacs. First, limit the use and potency of any acid-based product, as “overuse of high strength AHA/BHAs everyday can leave the skin barrier impaired, leading to sensitised and dry skin,” Isaacs adds. “Sunscreen is the key to protecting your skincare results, by not letting UV damage undo any of your progress.”

Try: Biologique Recherche P50 Lotion, £75 and Dr Dennis Gross All-Physical Lightweight Wrinkle Defense Broad Spectrum Sunscreen SPF 30, £46

Read More: A beauty editor's guide to the summer beauty tips that'll see you through the season

Shop Now

Trending

Biologique Recherche

Lotion P50 150ml

£94.00

Buy now

Sale

Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare

All-Physical Lightweight Wrinkle Defense Broad Spectrum Sunscreen SPF 30 50ml

null

Buy now

Sale

Paula's Choice

Skin Perfecting 25% AHA + 2% BHA Exfoliant Peel 30ml

£41.00 £30.00

Buy now

Trending

Ultra Violette

Supreme Screen SPF 50+ Hydrating SKINSCREEN™ 50ml

£34.00

Buy now

REN Clean Skincare

Clean Screen Mineral SPF 30 50ml

£34.00

Buy now

Paula's Choice

Defense Essential Glow Moisturiser SPF 30 60ml

£34.00

Buy now

Online only

Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare

Alpha Beta Universal Daily Peel 60 Pack

£153.00

Buy now

Sale

Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare

All-Physical Dark Spot Sun Defense Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 50 50ml

null

Buy now

Trish McEvoy

Even Skin Beta Hydroxy Pads

£45.00

Buy now

Biologique Recherche

Lotion P50 250ml

£140.00

Buy now

Niacinamide + Hyaluronic Acid

Dehydrated skin types should seek solace in this pair. “Hyaluronic acid and niacinamide can work together as a duo to recharge skin hydration,” Isaacs explains. “With a unique ability to attract and retain more than 1,000 times its own weight in water, hyaluronic acid can draw moisture from the surrounding atmosphere and lower skin layers to the top levels of the epidermis." Niacinamide, on the other hand, helps to encourage the production of ceramides to help nourish the skin and scaffold the all important skin barrier. “Together, they infuse the skin with hydration, while supporting the skin structure to ensure any moisturising effects are long-lasting,” Isaacs continues.

Try: Paula’s Choice 10% Niacinamide Booster, £40 and Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum, £235

4.

Read More: Unlock professional skin advice in a bottle with these expert-led skincare brands

Shop Now

Sale

Paula's Choice

10% Niacinamide Booster 20ml

£46.00 £30.00

Buy now

Sunday Riley

5 Stars Retinoid + Niacinamide Eye Serum 15ml

£60.00

Buy now

Sale

Dr. Barbara Sturm

The Better B Niacinamide Serum 30ml

null

Buy now

Dr. Barbara Sturm

Hyaluronic Serum 30ml

£250.00

Buy now

111SKIN

Hyaluronic Acid Aqua Booster 20ml

£100.00

Buy now

Zelens

Hyaluron Intense Hydro-Plumping Serum 30ml

£68.00

Buy now

5.

Vitamin A + Ceramides

If you enjoy the myriad benefits that vitamin A can provide, try teaming the ingredient with ceramides. “Ceramides can be a great addition to a vitamin A routine, as they will help to offset any dryness that may occur as your skin adjusts to your chosen retinoid,” Isaacs recommends. “Ceramides are skin-identical emollients, meaning they have the ability to slip into and nourish the natural skin barrier with ease.”

Try: Medik8 Intelligent Retinol 3TR Serum, £35 and Sunday Riley ICE Ceramide Moisturising Cream, £60

Read More: In need of a skincare cleanse? Follow this basic skincare routine